Zadar itinerary – how to spend 1 day in Zadar
In this Zadar itinerary I’m sharing how to spend a perfect day in this beautiful Croatian city, as well as the best day trips from Zadar. Nestled on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, Zadar is a beautiful city with a historic old town and picturesque seafront. I loved it for its chilled vibes, pavement bars and cafes and super relaxing waterfront. If you’re looking for a great alternative to the very touristy cities of Split or Dubrovnik, Zadar is a perfect option. Read on to discover all the best things to do in Zadar.
How long to spend in Zadar?
Zadar is a fairly small city with lots of its main attractions in easy walking distance of each other. I’d suggest 1 or 2 days are the perfect amount of time to spend enjoying the city. If you’re there for longer there are also great day trips you can do, you’ll find the best day trips from Zadar just after the itinerary in this guide.
Zadar itinerary – how to spend 1 Day in Zadar
Start your morning at D16 Coffee
Start your day with at D16 Coffee, a great little coffee shop in the heart of Zadar’s Old Town. Known for its excellent coffee, D16 Coffee is the perfect place to kickstart your day. You can relax at one of the cafe’s pavement tables, or grab a takeaway (along with a pastry from a local bakery like Mlinar) and wander down to the seafront to enjoy your coffee.
Want a bigger breakfast? Head to Coffee & Cake – a cute cafe with great brunch dishes and pavement seating, perfect for people watching and enjoying the old town Zadar vibes.
Explore Zadar Old Town
After your caffeine fix, it’s time to explore the historic Zadar Old Town. Begin your journey at the Roman Forum, an ancient square dating back to the 1st century BC. Wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, of Zadar Old Town and you’ll stumble upon beautiful medieval churches, charming squares, and picturesque alleyways.
Don’t miss the Church of St. Donatus, a 9th-century pre-Romanesque church that’s one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Nearby you’ll find the Zadar Cathedral, a Romanesque cathedral with an impressive bell tower offering panoramic views of the city.
Enjoy some traditional Croatian food at Konoba Tovar
After a morning of exploring head to Konoba Tovar, a traditional Croatian tavern, for a tasty lunch. Located in the Old Town, Konoba Tovar is known for its warm, rustic ambiance and authentic Dalmatian dishes. Try local specialties like pašticada (a slow-cooked beef dish), or fresh grilled fish – paired with some local Croatian wine.
Eat some delicious gelato
After lunch, treat yourself to gelato from Bob Rock’s Ice Cream Shop. Located close by in the Old Town, this popular parlour serves up seriously delicious ice cream (I’d recommend the pistachio, I kept going back for more!)
Relax at the Sea Organ
Next on the Zadar itinerary is heading to the waterfront to visit one of the city’s most unique attractions – the Sea Organ. Designed by architect Nikola Bašić, The Sea Organ is a made up of series of underwater pipes that create melodies as the waves of the sea flow through them. After get lots of steps in exploring, the Sea Organ is a perfect place to sit back and relax for a while.
Right by the Sea Organ is another modern installation, the Greeting to the Sun. This solar-powered light display consists of 300 glass plates that capture the sun’s energy during the day and create a light show at night. It’s a great place to take in the views of the sea and the nearby islands.
Stroll along the Riva Promenade
After relaxing at the Sea Organ, go for a wander along Zadar’s Riva Promenade. This palm-lined promenade offers stunning views of the sea and is really popular with both locals and tourists.
Evening: Watch the Sunset
No visit to Zadar is complete without experiencing its famous sunset. Find a spot along the Riva Promenade to watch the sun set over the sea, or climb to the top of the bell tower of the Church of St. Anastasia for a panoramic view.
Dinner at Foša
End your day with a memorable dinner at Foša, a delicious seafood restaurant located by the ancient city walls and overlooking the harbour. Get a seat on the outdoor terrace to enjoy your dinner with stunning views of the sea.
The best day trips from Zadar
Got more than 1 day to spend in Zadar? You could definitely enjoy a few relaxing days in the city, chilling by the waterfront and trying lots of the local cafes and bars. If you’d like to see more of Croatia though, there are also some brilliant day trips from Zadar you can do.
Zadar to Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes National Parkis a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Croatia. Located a little under two hours from Zadar, this park is known for its cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and lush greenery.
How to get to Plitvice Lakes from Zadar
You can get a bus to Plitvice Lakes from Zadar and then explore the park at your leisure. Or you can book a guided tour of the national park, that includes your travel from Zadar.
Prefer to drive? There are plenty of great car rental options in Zadar too.
Zadar to Krka National Park
Another perfect day trip from Zadar is Krka National Park. This beautiful national park is around 1 hour’s drive from Zadar and home to 2 stunning waterfalls. You can book a standard tour of Krka National Park that includes pick-up and drop-off from Zadar, or for a fun foodie experience you can join this Zadar to Krka National Park trip that includes cheese & wine tasting.
Zadar island hopping
If you have some extra time in the city, a great way to spend a day in Zadar is to go island hopping. There are some lovely island hopping experiences you can book from Zadar, including this speedboat island hopping tour with drinks and this Zadar sunset 3 island boat tour.
Zadar to Split
You can get from Zadar to Split in around 1 hour 45 minutes if you’re travelling by car (you can easily rent a car in Zadar.) Or in a bit over just under 3 hours if you’re getting a bus. It’s definitely doable as a day trip, but I’d recommend staying for at least a night to get the most out of a visit to the lovely city of Split.
Zadar top tip
Make sure to bring some cash with you (don’t make the mistake I did end up getting charged silly fees by a local atm!) as quite a few bars and cafes in Zadar are still cash only, so I’d recommend taking some euros with you.
Where to stay in Zadar
I stayed in the very lovely Zara Palace design rooms on my last trip to Zadar, which I’d highly recommend. The rooms are in the heart of Zadar Old Town and have stone walls, super comfy beds, good coffee and L’Occitane shower products.
I’ve also stayed at the Piazza Rooms Zadar, which are super reasonably priced suites offering plenty of space, super king beds and amazing central old town location.
Other great places to stay in Zadar are the Riva Palace design rooms or the Peninsula Luxury Suites. Or if you prefer a hotel stay, Art Hotel Kalelarga is a really nice option.
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