Feel the summer breeze in your hair, smell the sea in the air and greet the sun in Zadar – a perfect location for your magical vacation that’ll fill your heart.
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Greet the Sun in Zadar
What can we say about the city of Zadar that hasn’t been said yet? Well, we try to represent it in another way every time. And we will always try to bring you a picture to remember, a picture that you’ll take with you every way you go. A picture that will be a part of you for the rest of your life. The sunny Zadar picture!
The Story of Zadar
Situated in the centre of the Adriatic, Zadar is the administrative, economic, cultural and political centre of the Northern Dalmatia. The Zadar archipelago counts 24 bigger and around 300 smaller islets and rocks and it is located near 3 nature parks – Telašćica, Velebit and Vransko jezero (Vran Lake) – and 5 national parks – Paklenica, Plitvice Lakes, Kornati Islands, Krka and Sjeverni Velebit. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful beach for soaking up the sun or you’re into the popular and dynamic places – Zadar is a place to be!
The city of Zadar is a city of history, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary people. This is a city of tourism, fun, tranquillity and leisure – everything you need for an amazing adventure. Zadar is a monument for itself, it is a representation of the ancient times combined with modernity. The archaeological and monumental traces, renaissance and contemporary architectural achievements, delicious food and rich tradition are proofs of Zadar’s importance in Croatian cultural heritage. So, come and learn its story!
Try the food of Gods in Zadar
Taste some of the Dalmatian delicacies such as a special meal that is cooked in a thousand different ways with various types of fishes mixed with crabs or shells. Try sardines and anchovies in olive oil, homemade goat cheese from Pag, or made from specially made dried part of the pork neck that is soaked in red Benkovac wine. And most of all try the famous Maraschino, a desert liqueur made from local autochthonous Maraska cherries that are known as the food of Gods.
See the Remains of the Ancient Times
Walk along Zadar’s streets and take a look inside the doors on the Five Well Square that were once used as military storage facilities. Sneak into the Cedulin Palace, the complex of an old hospital that represents excellent fitting of the Romanesque buildings in the present, modern and urban surroundings. Go to the top of the bastion above the Bridge Gate where you’ll find a promenade called Muraj.
Discover pure history while looking at the Zadar walls that were built during the Middle Ages and during the Turks occupation of Venetian Republic. Peek inside the St. Anastasia’s Cathedral (the biggest cathedral in Dalmatia), St. Donatus Church (the symbol of the city of Zadar), St. Chrysogonus Church (the martyr and a patron saint of Zadar) or walk along the remains of the Church of Stomorica (whose foundations were made in 11th century).
Reach the extremes and learn the local culture
For the curious ones, there are plenty of “extreme” options such bungee jumping, sailing, scuba diving, trekking, cycling or a daily trip to the Cerovac Caves which are located 4 km from Gračac along the road towards Knin.
Zadar is a magical city with beauty recognized by many famous artists. The scents, scenes, locals and sounds that you’ll hear, see and feel while walking on its cobblestone streets will take you to an amazing journey throughout history and its legacy. Get to know the local culture and visit the Museum of Ancient Glass Zadar or the National Museum Zadar. This city will always manage to surprise you, especially with its legends and fables. One of them is definitely a story about the Sfinga from Zadar that grants love wishes. Stand beside it, make a wish, we assure you that there is some kind of magic!
Visit and always remember the symbols of Zadar
One thing is for sure – once you see the Greeting to the Sun and hear the Sea Organ, two of the most recognizable symbols of Zadar, you’ll want to come to Zadar again and again. And you’ll wish you never have to leave. So, come to Zadar for a vacation!
Things to do in Zadar
- The best time to travel to Zadar is definitely summer due to low-cost flights, an abundance of festivals and entertainment events such as ribarske fešte (fisherman’s fests)
- Stay in one of the best hotels in Zadar such as Art Hotel Kalelarga or Hotel Venera
- Sip wine like the landlords at the Kraljevski Vinogradi in Punta Skala – a royal wine yards that offer you degustation of three sorts of wine – Plavac Mali, Crljenak and Pošip
- Visit island of Galešnjak, a heart-shaped island also known as the Lovers’ Island, whose natural sites will leave you breathless. Its shape was recorded for the first time in the 19th century by Napoleon.
- Treat yourself with an ice-cream at the patisserie Donat
- Learn the history of amazing Roman times while walking among the ancient ruins at the Roman Forum
- Visit the Permanent Exhibition of Religious Arts or Archeological Museum
- Climb the Bell Tower next to the St. Anastasia Cathedral, from where you’ll have a perfect view over the Zadar old town
Photo by Mario Fajt / CC BY