Zadar is the fifth largest city of Croatia, the administrative centre of North Dalmatia. In the south, North Dalmatia ends with the city of Primosten, and in the north, with the isle of Pag.
Zadar was founded in the 1st century BC. Initially, it was called Jader. This was the name given to it by Romans, who founded the city.
The population of Zadar is 72 718 people (2006).
Zadar is the administrative centre of North Dalmatia.
Zadar history
Zadar was founded in the 1st century BC. Initially, it was called Jader. This was the name given to it by Romans, who founded the city.
However, in the 4th century BC North Dalmatia was captured by Slav tribes. Then, this area was under the rule of Byzantine Empire.
Starting from the 7th century, for three centuries, Zadar remained the main city of the Byzantine region of Dalmatia most of the time. The influence of Byzantine empire was evident in the fact that there are Orthodox churches in the city, of the kind of architecture which is characteristic of them. In 1358 the king of Hungary and Croatia captured Zadar once more. And in 1409 Venetians came to power.
In the 14th century a university was founded in the city. Zadar was under the Venetian rule for for centuries. And in 1797 in was captured by Napoleon, just like Venice itself.
From that moment to 1805 Zadar was part of the Habsburg Monarchy. In 1813, after Napoleon was defeated, the city and all of Dalmatia came under the power of Austria. But in 1918 Zadar ecame part of Italy. In 1941, thanks to Mussolini all the territory of Dalmatia was made part of Italy. However, 3 years later, Yugoslavian troops liberated it.
And in 1947 Dalmatia formally returned to Yugoslavia. During the Second World War Zadar was badly damaged in air bombings, and many buildings had to be restored from the ground up.
In 1991, there was military action in the vicinity of Zadar once again. The city was under Serbian fire. Moreover, a bridge was destroyed. After the military operations, a number of minefields remained close to Zadar. 10 years later many of them have been disposed of, but in some areas minefields still pose danger.
The University of Zadar is one of the oldest educational institutions of Croatia.
Official web of University of Zadar www.unizd.hr
Sightseeing of Zadar
The Old city of Zadar is located on a picturesque peninsula, mightly fortress walls have preserved it until our time.
Stara Siroka is a street stretched in place of an ancient Roman road, it separates the city into two parts toward the west.
The main sights of Zadar are concentrated around the street: the church of St Simeon (a Roman sarcophagus decorated with unique bas reliefs), People’s square in place of an ancient Roman forum — the centre of the city life.
The city lodge of the Venetian period is also located here, now it is an exhibition gallery.
The naval gate in the northern part of the square lead to a more modern part of the city.
To the west of People’s square is the Roman forum (the largest Roman forum on the eastern shore of the Adriatic), and the symbol of the city – the church of St Donatus (there’s a fee for entering it).
Great acoustics allows for having concerts of classical and folk music. Behind the Forum there is the fascinating Archaeological museum with excavations of the Roman period.
The cathedral of Zadar is in the northwestern part of the Forum.
One of the modern sights of Zadar is the Sea organ, built on the embankment in 2005. It looks like numerous stone steps leading to the sea, the sound is made by underwater pipes.
Summer evenings, when enjoying the sunset, the guests of the city enjoy this natural symphony.
These cities are considered part of the riviera of North Dalmatia: the city of Sibenik, the resort of Vodice, the city of Biograd na Moru, the city of Nin and others.
The number of major and minor isles in North Dalmatia is as high as 500: Vir, Pag, Krapanj, Iz, Ugljan, Pasman, Silba, Molat, Zlarin.
The National parks Paklenica and Kornati National natural park and the natural reserve Telascica, located on the isle of Dugi, the resorts of Nin & its famous sandy beaches, and Biograd na Moru are considered part of North Dalmatia.
Zadar is the best European destination in 2016
Zadar was elected of the Best European Destination 2016 ahead of Athens, Plovdiv, Nantes, The Azores Islands, Paris, Novi Sad, Brussels, Kotor, Milan, Prague, Rome, Vienna, Madrid and Nicosia…
The rating of Best European Destination tourism portal europeanbestdestinations.com based on a survey of more than 300 000 users.
Croatian Atlantis – underwater Liburnian village 3500 years old!
Zadar archaeologists in the past year found the underwater city of Liburnia area – part of ancient Illyria – now this is the territory of Northern Dalmatia – Zadar riviera and islands.
The ancient city is found between the islands Ricula i Galesnjak, Pasman channel the water area of Zadar city.
The construction of the city with port took place in the Intermediate Bronze Age 1500 BC.
➝ more about Croatian Atlantis
Fun Park Mirnovec amusement theme park
Fun Park Mirnovec is the first theme amusement park of Croatia.
Amusement park Mirnovec is located in 5 km from the Biograd-na-Moru city, in 37 km from the very popular city of Zadar and in 310 km from the capital city of Croatia – Zagreb city.
Family amusement park Fun Park Mirnovec – with its area of 45 000 m² – includes more than 30 attractions for different ages.
➝ more about Fun Park Mirnovec
What to see around Zadar?
in 87 km – city Sibenik and Cathedral of St. James (UNESCO)
in 95 km – National park KRKA
in 127 km – famouse city Trogir (UNESCO)
in 147 km – Vranjace cave
in 151 km – the ruins of the Ancient Roman city of Salona and Turkish fortress Klis
in 157 km – city Split with Diocletian’s Palace (UNESCO)
in 187 km – resort city Omis, rafting on the Cetina river, the Pirate fortress
in 208 km – natural park Biokovo & city-resort Makarska
in 149 km – National natural park Plitvice lakes
in 346 km – famous city Dubrovnik (UNESCO)
in 287 km – capital of Croatia – Zagreb
Beaches in Zadar & islands
The beaches of Zadar and of the islands of the riviera of Zadar are exceptional for the variety and richness of the seashore, there are many large and small bays, islands and peninsulas here. Some islands of the riviera of Zadar are not inhabited and are open for the “Robinsons” seeking rest.
The islands, beaches of Zadar and the riviera are also different, there are sandy, small-pebbled secluded beaches among the rocks. The beaches of Zadar invite wind surfers and kite surfers, children and lovers of night life. Here, everyone will find his own “piece of Paradise!”
➝ more Beaches of Zadar and riviera
Hotels in Zadar
Hotel Falkensteiner Family Hotel Diadora 4* Zadar
FABULOUS rating 8.9 / 10
Review score based on 139 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: seafront
Distance to center of Zadar: 13 km
Distance to airport Zadar: 24 km
Add: on private peninsula of Punta Skala, pool and spa area, outdoor pool, free swimming lessons for children, air conditioned, sat TV, Falky-Land for children
Cost room 2 per: from 184 euro
Hotel Falkensteiner Club Funimation Borik 4* Zadar
FABULOUS rating 8.7 / 10
Review score based on 312 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: seafront
Distance to center of Zadar: 3 km
Distance to airport Zadar: 15 km
Add: air conditioning, balconie, offers you beaches and wonderful spa and health club facilities, international and Croatian cuisine during your all-inclusive stay
Cost room 2 per: from 162 euro
Hotel Kolovare 4* Zadar
GOOD rating 7.5 / 10
Review score based on 232 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 100 m
Distance to center of Zadar: 3 km
Distance to airport Zadar: 14 km
Add: in peaceful part of Zadar, modernly rooms, free Wi-Fi, free parking, restaurant serving Croatian cuisine, in the summertime you can dine on pool terrace
Cost room 2 per: from 113 euro
➝ more Hotels and hostels in Zadar
Private apartments in Zadar
Apartments Dijan 4* Sukosan Croatia
FABULOUS rating 8.8 / 10
Review score based on 43 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 100 m
Distance to center of Zadar: 13 km
Distance to airport Zadar: 15 min drive
Add: apartments offer a complete kitchen with modern equipment, LCD TV,
air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, each apartment also has a balcony with furniture
Cost apartment 2+2: from 55 euro
Apartments Villa Ivana B&B 3* Zadar Croatia
SUPERB rating 9.3 / 10
Review score based on 156 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 20 m
Distance to center of Zadar: 3 km
Distance to airport Zadar: 8 km
Add: just steps from a beach with free use of the deck chairs and parasols, spacious rooftop terrace with a bar overlooking the sea, garden, air conditioning, hairdryer, free Wi-Fi, breakfast is served daily at the breakfast hall
Cost apartment 2+2: from 78 euro
Apartments Parac 3* Petrcane of Zadar riviera
FABULOUS rating 8.8 / 10
Review score based on 63 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 100 m
Distance to center of Zadar: 12 m
Distance to airport Zadar: 26 km
Add: situated just 100 m from the sea, air-conditioned apartments with balcony, free Wi-Fi, sat TV, barbecue facilities, free private parking, mosquito net, DVD player, the nearest pebbly beach is only 140 meters
Cost apartment 2+2: from 39 euro
➝ more Hotels and hostels in Zadar
Get to Zadar
Get to Zadar by plane
Airport of Zadar – Zimunik – is in 15 km from the city center.
It is the destination of planes travelling from other Croatian cities – Zagreb, Split, Pula,
and from many foreign countries – Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Shttudgard, Zurich, Cologne, Gothenburg, Brussels, Paris, London, Stockholm, Oslo, Dublin, Bratislava, Warsaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Marseille.
Phone of airport Zadar: +385 023 205 832
Distance from Zadar to international airport of Split – 129 km; to international airport of Zagreb – 291 km
➝ search Flights Zadar airport
Rent a car in airport of Zadar
Get to Zadar by trains
Croatian railway website with the train schedules travelling around Croatia, with the possibility of booking a ticket on official web Croatian railways of www.hzpp.hr
Address railway station of Zadar – 23000 Zadar Ante Starcevica, 3
The railway station of Zadar is the destination for trains and cars from the capital of Croatia – Zagreb and Split, and of some cities of Europe.
Get to Zadar by bus
Bus traffic connects Split with all cities of Croatia, and with some European cities – Trieste, Ljubljana, Vienna, Zurich, Rotterdam, Munich.
Official web site of Zadar bus station www.liburnija-zadar.hr
Get to Zadar by ferries
Ferries and catamaran ships travel from the ferry port of Zadar to many islands of Croatia – isle Mali Losinj, isle Pag, isle Ugljan, isle Pasman, isle Dugi otok and other.
Get to Zadar by car
Motorways connect Zadar with all cities and regions of Croatia. Zadar can be reached by the free motorway Jadranska (E65), which goes along all of Croatia’s coastline, or the paid highway (A1).
Distance from Zadar to to cities of Croatia
to city Trogir – 130 km
to city Split – 140 km
to resort Omis – 187 km
to city resort Makarska – 200 km
to city Dubrovnik – 345 km
to city Sibenik – 85 km
to city Crikvenica – 200 km
to city Rijeka – 242 km
to city Pula – 348 km
to Croatian capital Zagreb – 286 km
Trip to Italy from Zadar
From Zadar ferry port ferries ships travel to port Ancona of Italy daily.
Timetable daily ferry Zadar city Croatia – Ancona city Italy
Official web of Croatian ferry line www.jadrolinija.hr
Map of Zadar
Weather in Zadar
Average monthly temperatures in Zadar:
January +5 С
February +7 С
March +10 С
April +15 С
May +21 С
June +25 С
July +27 С
August +28 С
September +25 С
October +19 С
November +15 С
December +7 С
Average monthly water temperatures in Zadar:
January +11 С
February +12 С
March +14 С
April +15 С
May +19 С
June +21 С
July +24 С
August +26 С
September +22 С
October +20 С
November +17 С
December +13 С
