Zadar is a port city in northern Dalmatia. Its historic district is located on a sheltered peninsula, near a port serving the Kornati Islands. With over 3,000 years of history, the city has a rich cultural and historical heritage. The city’s fortification system of walls and gates is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The people of Zadar are proud of their city’s heritage. Over the years, many myths and legends have been told about the city’s monuments, bays and pebble beaches.
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Zadar, an important tourist city in Croatia
The archipelago of Zadar is made up of 300 islands and islets in a calm and clear sea. Fresh fruit and vegetables grown on the islands of Ugljan, Pašman and around Lake Vrana can be found at the Zadar market. You will also find a wide variety of fish, mollusks and shellfish freshly caught in the morning.
Tourism started to develop in Zadar as early as 1879, gradually shifting to water sports. The city’s attractiveness lies in its cultural heritage and natural wonders. The tourist offer is completed by different types of accommodation and high-quality cuisine, consisting mainly of local specialties. There are many sports and recreational activities as well as cultural and entertainment events available during your stay in Zadar.
The Sea Organ and the Salute to the Sun in Zadar
The Sea Organ is a unique attraction in the world. It is basically a staircase that descends into the sea with many tubes that produce a harmonious melody. The musician is none other than the sea, which acts as both the composer and performer of its concerts. We can hear a new symphony at every moment, which changes according to the waves. The breaths produced by the movement of the sea in this special instrument create notes similar to traditional choral songs from the past. They also sound like large bells. The organ produces sounds with long intervals when the waves are not crashing on the coast. The melody is pleasant in all conditions.
Right next to the Sea Organ, you can see the Salute to the Sun by the same artist. This large circle on the ground is made of solar panels that store energy during the day and give it back at night as colorful drawings. This poetic installation is very appealing to children and supplies energy to a part of the neighborhood at a low cost.
Saint-Donat church and the cathedral
The Saint Donat church is a unique religious building in Europe. This typical Romanesque church has a circular layout and was built under Byzantine influence. The Cathedral of St. Anastasia has a sumptuous facade and is surprisingly large when you enter the interior.
What can you visit in Zadar?
When you visit Zadar, take a walk around the peninsula and discover its religious buildings, Roman forum, archaeological museum, museum of illusions, and the permanent exhibition of glass objects, with more than a thousand preciously preserved objects. Finish your visit of the region with a trip to the national parks.
Other local discoveries
The city is surrounded by the national parks of Plitvice, Paklenica, Krka and the Kornati Islands, as well as the nature parks of Velebit and Telascica. We recommend renting a car to organize a trip inland. There are also cruises from Zadar to the surrounding islands. There is no shortage of things to do in the city, such as sailing, windsurfing, rowing, diving and fishing.
When it comes to shows and events, the city hosts the Film Forum Festival, the Zadar Summer Theater, and traditional music nights. There are also several painting exhibitions.
Accommodation in Zadar
Zadar has a wide range of tourist accommodations. The historical center mainly has rental apartments. Hotels are located further south, near the harbor, or to the north, past the marina.
There are also a few apartments for rent in the modern part of Zadar, but the most beautiful vacation homes are located further out.