Zadar, Croatia

Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Zadar faces the islands of Ugljan and Pašman, from which it is separated by the narrow Zadar Strait. The promontory on which the old city stands used to be separated from the mainland by a deep moat which has since become a landfill. The harbor, to the north-east of the town, is safe and spacious.

Things to see in Zadar

This walled peninsula-town contains Roman ruins from its days as a Roman colony, the Byzantine-style St Donat church and 16th-century walls built by the Venetians after they finally subjugated the rebellious city

Walls of Zadar
Begin your tour of Zadar by admiring the defensive walls that protect the city on three sides. They were built first by the Venetians in the 16th century as a defense against the Turks, then reinforced at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. The oldest part of the walls is on the eastern side where a footbridge connects the old town with the newer parts. Opposite the footbridge there are four medieval gates. Notice the 16th century Port Gate where the Venetian lion, the symbol of Venice, still guards the entrance. Head back in the opposite direction and you'll come to the Trg 5 Bunara (Square of the 5 Wells) which once furnished Zadar with water. Continuing on along the quay, you'll arrive at the beautifully ornamented Town Gate with another Venetian lion and various coats of arms.

Getting to Zadar

By plane:, there are daily flight from Zagreb
By bus: travelling by bus is cheap and buses are quite frequent as most of the south croatian buses stop at Zadar. Rijeka is 4 and half hour ride, Split is 3hours , Dubrovnik 6 and half hours, Zagreb 4hours. Some of the buses to Zagreb stop at Plitvice Lakes National Park allowing time for a quick visit.
By ferry:, only to and from Italy
By car: there are highway to Zadar, it makes easy to drive there.

Nightlife in Zadar

Zadar has great nightlife--unpretentious and varied-and the best part is that most Zadar nightlife is located in the town's historic centre. As soon as the winter chill leaves Zadar's streets, the city's teeming population of students fill outdoor cafes and spill out of its bars. There are a couple of super-hip nightclubs but the biggest disco on the Croatian coast, Saturnus, is about 16km northwest of Zadar in Nin

Things to see around Zadar

Paklenica National Park Hiking, rock climbing or a gentle mountain walk are all on offer here, only 45 minutes by car or bus.

Pag Island There are some great beaches and great eating on this island where sheep outnumber people.

Krka Waterfalls National Park Only about an hour away and here's another National park with more lakes and falls.

City of Sibenik With a wonderful cathedral and a fascinating history, Sibenik is certainly worth the hour's drive from Zadar.