Things to do in Zadar - 12 sights and experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What is there to see and do in Zadar, Croatia? The historic coastal city in Dalmatia offers Roman remains, old churches and charming alleys – but also modern attractions such as the famous Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun. Here you can experience history, restaurants and beautiful sunsets, and at the same time have a perfect starting point for excursions to islands and national parks.

Zadar in Croatia

Zadar is a historic city that was founded around 400 years before Christ. Today, around 75,000 people live here, which actually makes it the fifth largest city in Croatia (after Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek).

Located on the coast of Dalmatia, Zadar is both an industrial and tourist city, with a large harbour. There are plenty of historical monuments and good connections to many of the islands in the Croatian archipelago.

History from many different eras

Zadar has been ruled not only by the Roman Empire, but also by Venice, France, Austria-Hungary and Italy. All these different historical epochs have left their mark, making it possible to walk around a city where all periods of history seem to exist at the same time. The town hall, for example, has a bell tower from a completely different era to the main building itself.

What to do in Zadar, Croatia?

There is a lot to see and do in Zadar. Here you will find tips on historical sights, but also on restaurants and excursions.

1. Stroll through Zadar's old town

Zadar's old town is located on a peninsula on the Adriatic Sea and is perfect for exploring on foot. Here you can stroll along cobbled streets and squares, sit at an outdoor café and encounter traces of the city's long history.

In a relatively small area, Roman remains, medieval churches and buildings from later eras coexist. There are also shops, cafes and restaurants – and the sea is never far away.

2. Discover the Roman Forum

Zadar is a city with a long history. Already in the 8th century BC, the area was inhabited by Illyrians and a little later in history it was incorporated into the Roman Empire. There are several places in the city where you can see reminders of this time, most notably the Forum square.

The square was built between the first century BC and the second century AD. It includes the round church of St Donatus and the bell tower of St Anastasia.

3. See St. Donatus Church

The Church of St. Donatus is one of Zadar's most characteristic buildings and a clear landmark in the old town. The round church was built in the 9th century and is located right next to the Roman Forum. The building used stone and parts from older Roman buildings, which makes the connection between different eras in Zadar's history particularly clear.

The church is no longer used for regular services, but thanks to the special acoustics, concerts are arranged here, among other things.

4. Visit the Cathedral of Saint Anastasia

We visited the Cathedral in Zadar (St Anastasia's Church), but I (Helena) happened to be wearing a tank top that day, so I had to settle for looking at Peter's picture of the inside of the church.

5. Visit the Square of the Five Wells

Another thing you won't want to miss doing in Zadar is visiting Five Wells Square (Trg Pet Bunara). This square is located between the medieval city walls and the Renaissance bastion of Grimani, right next to Croatia's oldest park. Here you will find exactly what the name suggests - five wells.

The wells date back to the 17th century, when the Venetians helped the city resist a Turkish invasion by building a large water cistern with five ornamental wells. The Venetians also built the 'Captain's Tower' to resist the Turks. Today, the square is a popular venue for concerts and events and is also home to a large nightclub.

6. Stroll in Zadar's parks

Right next to the square with the fountains is Croatia's oldest public park, Queen Jelena Madije. The park was founded by the Austrian commander Baron Franz Ludwig von Welden in 1829. The Baron was a passionate botanist who thought the city's inhabitants needed a beautiful park.

Beyond the first park is a much larger park, called Vladimir Nazor Park. It was built in 1888-1890 and is named after one of Croatia's most famous writers.

7. Being impressed by the city walls and the Landsporten

The city walls of Zadar enclose parts of the historic centre and are an attraction in themselves. The city has had several city gates, six of which remain today. The most impressive of these is the Land Gate (Kopnena vrata), built in 1543.

8. Listen to the Sea Organ

The sea organ in Zadar is perhaps one of the city's most famous sights. This unusual musical instrument was built into the steps of a large concrete bridge, designed by Croatian architect Nikola Bašić.

As the sea waves move towards the staircase, air is forced into pipes built under the bridge, similar to the construction of an organ. The result is a random but beautiful sound - the music of the sea. Listening to the sea organ is something you don't want to miss in Zadar!

9. Fascinated by "Greeting to the Sun"

Greetings to the Sun (Pozdrav Suncu or Greetings to the Sun) is located right next to the Sea Organ and is perhaps an equally well-known installation. Here, too, architect Nikola Bašić has been at work. The work was created in 2008 and consists of three hundred glass plates with solar panels. During the day, the panels absorb sunlight, and at nightfall this is transformed into light.

To get the best experience of both the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation (and to see the sunset!), head here just before the sun sets over the ocean. When we were here, the artwork had recently been vandalised by a madman who broke the tiles. They looked and worked as usual, but you couldn't walk on them, which you usually can.

10. Experience the sunset in Zadar

Many people you talk to say that the sunset in Zadar is the most beautiful in the world. We dare not vouch for that, but it is beautiful anyway! A perfect place to watch it is by the sea organ and the Sun Salutation.

11. Eat well in Zadar's restaurants

Another thing you want to do in Zadar is to eat in a restaurant. We had dinner in Zadar two nights during our trip. The first time we ate at a restaurant called Groppo, which has a really nice location overlooking Zadar's main street.

We started with a forest mushroom soup, and then Peter chose lamb and I (Helena) seabass with the classic side dish of potatoes with chard. For dessert we had dark and white chocolate mousse respectively.

The second evening we ate at the restaurant 2Ribara located in a quiet alley in the centre of Zadar. Here Peter ordered tuna and I (Helena) ordered a plate with several different kinds of fish - of course together with the classic mix of chard and potatoes. Certainly after the previous visit to the restaurant, we settled for ordering a dessert to share, and that was enough!

12. Make exciting excursions around Zadar

Zadar is well located on the Dalmatian coast and offers a wide range of excursions. Here are some suggestions for excursions in the immediate area.

Excursion to do in Zadar: Royal City of Nin

About 17 kilometers north of Zadar is located the historic town of Nin, which houses the world's smallest cathedral and lots of other history. In Nin you can also visit the salt museum Solana Nin, or perhaps swim on one of the city's sandy beaches.

Excursion to do in Zadar: Pag Island

About 30 kilometers north of Zadar lies the bridge that leads to Island of Pag, and after another 30 kilometers on the island you reach the town of the same name. Pag is an elongated, barren and windswept island that is famous for its salt production, its UNESCO-protected lace making, its unique cheese and its beautiful sandy beaches.

Excursion to do in Zadar: Paklenica National Park

Paklenica National Park is located about 42 kilometers northeast of Zadar. This is a beautiful park consisting of two canyons, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ancient beech forests. The park is perfect for hiking, and climbing is also popular here.

Excursion to do in Zadar: Krka National Park

Approximately 77 kilometers south of Zadar is located Krka National Park, which is known for its amazing waterfalls. Here you can walk around on long wooden bridges while the water roars all around, and you can also take various boat trips in the park.

Excursion to do in Zadar: Biograd Holiday Resort

If you want to stroll around a smaller town, you can drive 25 kilometers south, to the town Biograd na Moru. Biograd is a cozy little town full of restaurants, boats and an old town center with narrow winding alleys.

Where to stay in Zadar?

We stayed in a hotel Falkenstiner Club Funimation Borik, just outside the center of Zadar. This is a large and nice hotel with a large outdoor pool, a nice spa area, restaurant and bar.

You can book all inclusive at the hotel if you want and then include a buffet dinner. We had half board, which included a huge breakfast buffet, where you can get freshly made pancakes, omelettes, poached eggs and eggs benedict.

One evening we also tried the dinner buffet. Neither of us are big fans of buffets, but it was really big and beer and wine were included in the price.

To get between the hotel and the city, you can drive your own car, take a taxi, go by bus or take the small tourist train that stops right outside the hotel. The journey takes about 10 minutes by train, and runs along the waterfront.

Things to do in Zadar - on film

Peter has put together a film from our trip to Zadar and the surrounding area. Feel free to check it out!

Even more to see and do in the neighbourhood of Zadar

In addition to the excursions we mentioned above, you can, for example, travel further to experience more. Here you will find tips and reports:

• Things to do in Split
• Island of Brac
• Island of Hvar