Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Zadar, Croatia | Go Travel Daily

Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Zadar, Croatia

Extending into the Adriatic Sea and illuminated by one of the most captivating sunsets in the world, the ancient town of Zadar in Croatia is rich in heritage. This narrow strip of land, largely enclosed by stone fortifications, offers a plethora of historic churches and monumental structures waiting to be explored.

TIP: Begin your exploration of Zadar with an informative walking tour, which can be arranged online here.

During your visit to Zadar, you will transition from one stunning architectural site to another, discovering the diverse civilizations that once thrived here and fought valiantly to protect this vital coastal location. Below, we present the top attractions in Zadar:

1. St. Donatus Church

St. Donatus Church

This early Byzantine church, completed in 800 AD, remains in exceptional condition.

The church’s prominent, rounded form has become a symbol of Zadar and is frequently depicted in postcards.

You need not be a historian to admire the inherent elegance of this pre-Romanesque structure.

Currently, the church serves as a venue for Renaissance music concerts, with the 27-meter tall walls beautifully enhancing the acoustics.

This structure was constructed atop the Roman Forum, as elaborated below, utilizing materials from the forum itself.

2. Roman Forum

Roman Forum in Zadar

Zadar is home to the largest Roman forum east of the Adriatic, established by Emperor Augustus at the dawn of the first century, as evidenced by two inscriptions uncovered during excavations in 1930.

After sustaining bomb damage in the Second World War, the area was cleared, and the forum began to be restored in the 1960s.

Current remnants include fragments of a colonnade and a pillory, once used for public punishments!

Although the temple and basilica that previously existed here are no longer present, their foundations can still be distinguished.

3. City Walls and Gates

Zadar City Walls and Gates

Zadar retains the remarkable achievement of never having succumbed to Ottoman control, attributed to the robust defensive system constructed by the Venetians in the 1500s.

A significant portion of the city remains protected by a continuous shield of white limestone, punctuated by two original gates: The Land Gate and Sea Gate.

The Land Gate remains as impressive today as it was centuries ago, resembling a Roman Triumphal Arch, with the Venetian emblem, the Lion of St. Mark, resolutely positioned above the entrance.

The Sea Gate, situated near the ferry terminal, is somewhat more understated, built in 1573 to commemorate the naval triumph of the Holy League over the Ottoman Empire in Lepanto two years prior.

4. St. Mary’s Church

St. Mary’s Church in Zadar

Located at the eastern boundary of Zadar’s forum, St. Mary’s belongs to a Benedictine monastery established in the 11th century.

The church sustained damage during World War II but has since been meticulously restored and now displays one of the city’s most valued collections.

The Permanent Exhibition of Religious Art showcases a variety of gold and silver religious artifacts, along with tapestries, manuscripts, reliefs, and embroideries that span a millennium from the 700s to the 1700s.

The exhibition is entirely managed by the nuns of the monastery, with interpretative signs in English.

5. Museum of Ancient Glass

Museum of Ancient Glass

Croatia is rich in Roman heritage, and many glass artifacts retrieved from archaeological sites are housed in this contemporary museum, located within the elegant confines of the Cosmacendi Palace, dating back to the 19th century.

Visitors will encounter modern displays featuring drinking vessels, chalices for mass, jars, and intricate vials used for various substances ranging from skin creams to medicinal purposes.

You can also learn about the history of glassmaking in Croatia, with glass-blowing demonstrations held throughout the day, showcasing how these delicate items were produced.

At the conclusion of your visit, there is an opportunity to purchase glassware crafted using ancient techniques.

6. St. Anastasia’s Cathedral

St. Anastasia’s Cathedral

A potential future World Heritage Site, Zadar’s cathedral is established atop an early Christian basilica founded around the year 300.

The current structure, initiated in the 1100s, exemplifies Zadar’s exquisite collection of Romanesque architecture.

Consecrated by Pope Alexander VII in 1177, this cathedral was later visited by Pope John Paul II in 2003, more than 800 years after its consecration.

Inside, visitors can admire an early Christian mosaic that dates back to the original basilica.

The splendid bell tower of the cathedral is a later addition, commenced in the 15th century and completed only by the end of the 1800s.

7. National Museum

Exhibition at the National Museum in Zadar

This museum serves as a regional repository, delving into the natural history, ethnology, and artistic heritage of the broader Zadar area.

Originally founded in the 1960s, it has ties to local scientists and historians tracing back to the 1800s.

For example, the natural history section features collections amassed by several local botanists and biologists, including Domenico Pappafava, who compiled over 6000 plant specimens from the region.

Another point of interest is the Zadar City Museum, which showcases a range of artifacts from the tumultuous Renaissance and Baroque periods when the city faced threats from Mongol and Ottoman forces.

8. St. Simeon’s Church

St. Simeon’s Church

This church is renowned for its interior treasure. The exterior, while appealing, is relatively modest in comparison to other structures within the city.

However, the interior houses a UNESCO-protected masterpiece dating back to the late 1370s. Found at the altar, the Chest of St. Simeon is a wooden sarcophagus adorned in silver and gold, featuring remarkably detailed reliefs and inscriptions that surpass contemporary expectations of artistry.

The chest depicts scenes from the childhood, life, and death of St. Simeon, alongside illustrations showcasing the city of Zadar within this extraordinary artwork.

9. Sea Organ

Sea Organ

Located at the tip of the old town’s peninsula, this innovative and award-winning art installation was created in 2005 by architect Nikola Bašić to rejuvenate Zadar’s waterfront, making it the first of its kind globally.

The design consists of large marble steps descending to the water, with tubes beneath each platform that produce musical notes as waves break underneath.

The outcome creates a unique, soothing melody reminiscent of compositions by avant-garde minimalist composers!

10. Greeting to the Sun

Greeting to the Sun

This installation, a companion to the Sea Organ, was also designed by Nikola Bašić and is positioned at the peninsula’s end, offering views over the Adriatic Sea and nearby islands. It was famously enjoyed by Alfred Hitchcock during his visit in the 1960s.

As daylight wanes, this circular installation embedded in the ground springs to life.

Utilizing photovoltaic cells, the Greeting to the Sun absorbs solar energy throughout the day and presents a vivid visual display at dusk.

Encircling this 22-meter diameter structure are the names of the saints to whom Zadar’s churches are dedicated, accompanied by astronomical information corresponding to each saint’s feast day.

11. Archaeological Museum

Zadar Archaeological Museum

Situated on the Forum, this museum showcases an impressive array of prehistoric, Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, and medieval artifacts unearthed from Zadar and its surroundings.

Many visitors find the exhibits from Roman times particularly captivating, highlighting the wealth of activity that occurred in the area.

A model illustrates how Zadar’s Forum appeared during the height of Roman influence, complemented by a collection of weapons, ceramics, mosaics, and other decorative items imported from across the Roman Empire.

For those interested in Croatian history, the museum also features artifacts discovered in the graves of nobility in Nin, dating to the early Middle Ages.

12. Five Wells Square

Source: xbrchx / shutterstock

While the city walls constructed by the Venetians served to fend off the Ottomans, maintaining a clean water supply was equally crucial.

This challenge was ingeniously addressed through a drinking water cistern supported by five wells located in the same square.

These wells continue to stand today, arranged in a row adjacent to the city’s bastion and sections of wall.

The optimal time to visit this site is at night, when the wells and fortifications are illuminated from below.

13. Paklenica National Park

Paklenica National Park

This national park safeguards a variety of karst landscapes bordering the coast, including caves, cliffs, and towering peaks.

Paklenica is a favorite among climbers and hikers, featuring the most celebrated climbing walls in the country and over 200 kilometers of trails.

Most visitors are drawn to the two magnificent gorges, Velika and Mala, which exhibit sheer cliffs ascending to more than 700 meters in some areas.

Sections of Velika Gorge measure no more than 50 meters in width, presenting a delightful adventure as you seek out the source of the canyon’s spring.

This remarkable pool, surrounded by rugged rocks, is nourished by a cascade that feeds a small stream flowing into the Adriatic during the wetter seasons from spring to autumn.

14. Charter a Boat

Kornati National Park

There exists a vast world waiting to be discovered off the coast of Zadar, and it would be unfortunate not to explore as much as possible.

Kornati National Park alone encompasses 150 islands, offering an endless selection of destinations and secluded beaches. Many of these beaches are renowned for their exceptional quality.

On the island of Dugi Otok lies Sakarun Beach, frequently recognized as one of the best globally.

This serene cove is nestled within a deep coastal recess, bathed by crystal-clear turquoise waters and flanked by aromatic pine forests.

15. Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Although Plitvice Lakes National Park is situated approximately 90 minutes north of Zadar, the journey is well worth the effort, as this park stands as one of Europe’s most cherished natural attractions.

The park comprises fourteen lakes, all interconnected by a series of waterfalls and natural pools cascading down a mountainside.

The most distinguished of these waterfalls is Veliki Slap, soaring 70 meters high.

Visitors can traverse boardwalks to enjoy unobstructed views of the cascades, gazing down into the vibrant ecosystems thriving within these beautiful travertine pools.

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