Many years ago, I had the chance to explore several beautiful places in Croatia. This year, I returned to the country, this time to discover the best things to see in Zadar. I arrived without many expectations, which perhaps made the experience even more enjoyable. By the end of my visit, I was pleasantly surprised by the city’s history, atmosphere, and seaside charm.
This article is dedicated to the most interesting things to see in Zadar. It is a city on the Adriatic Sea with an interesting old part due to its well-preserved medieval buildings and squares, ruins from Roman times, sea views and modern facilities, magnificent views from above.
My visit took place on the day of the religious holiday in Croatia “Body and Blood of Christ”, which is always held on Thursday, 60 days after Easter. Because of it, almost everything (except restaurants) was closed, including museums and churches.
My walk in Zadar was exciting, with a feeling of touching long-gone times.
Table of Contents
Brief information about Zadar
Things to see in Zadar
Where is Zadar and how to get there
Where to stay
Final thoughts
Brief information about Zadar
Zadar is one of the oldest cities in Croatia. It is part of the historical and geographical region of Dalmatia. It was founded by the Illyrian tribe Liburni, and later became an important Roman city. Over the centuries, Zadar has been under the rule of the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Austrians and Croats. Its architecture is a blend of antiquity, the Middle Ages and modernity. During World War II, a large part of Zadar was destroyed, and later the city suffered damage during the Croatian War of Independence. However, today it is one of the most beautiful and lively cities on the Adriatic coast and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia. Zadar is the fifth largest city in the country after Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek.
After his visit in 1964, Alfred Hitchcock said that the sunset in Zadar was the most beautiful in the world, even more impressive than that in Key West (USA).
Ferries depart from Zadar’s port to dozens of Adriatic islands, making the city an excellent starting point for sea adventures.
Things to see in Zadar
The most important things to see in Zadar are located in the Old Town. The historical center of Zadar is located on a small peninsula, which gives it a unique atmosphere – from almost everywhere you can see the sea. It is surrounded by massive fortress walls. It is because of them that the fortified city of Zadar is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List as part of the Venetian defensive structures from the 15th – 17th centuries.
Below I describe the most interesting things to see in Zadar. I have arranged them so that they form an interesting route along which you can go around them and get to know the city.
The walk starts from the southeastern part of the old town, up and down at the beginning of the peninsula. You pass through the Ravnice Gate, which is part of the outer fortress wall. From the gate you enter a small park named after Vladimir Nazor – a famous poet, writer, translator and humanist (1876 – 1949). Here is a link to the exact location of the gate.
For your information, the fortress walls of Zadar are equipped with several gates that can be passed through. I chose this one to start the route, as the most convenient in my opinion.
After crossing the park, you come out onto a busy street, go around the bay and you are already in front of the Land Gate.
The Land gate (Kopnena vrata)
The most impressive of the gates is the Land Gate, the main entrance to Zadar. Built in 1543 by the Venetian architect Michele Sanmicheli, the Earth Gate still holds the status of one of the most beautiful Renaissance monuments in Dalmatia. It has the shape of a triumphal arch with a central entrance for wheeled traffic and two smaller arches for pedestrians.
According to local legend, whoever passes through the central gate with their eyes closed and makes a wish, will have their wish come true. Above this main entrance is the Lion of St. Mark, a symbolic representation of St. Mark the Evangelist as a winged lion. He is the main patron saint and official historical symbol of Venice, as well as of the former Venetian Republic. Because of this lion, the gate is also known as the Lion Gate.
After passing through the Land Gate, turn right up the stairs built into a narrow passage through the building to the gate. They will take you to another iconic landmark of Zadar – the Square of Five Wells. If you accidentally miss the passage, after just a few meters you can turn right along the fortress walls and reach the square again.
Five Wells Square (Trg Pet bunara)
The square takes its name from the five stone wells built in 1574 in the former city moat. They were built by the Venetians to provide a supply of drinking water for the inhabitants in the event of a possible Ottoman siege.
Even today, the wells have been preserved almost in their original form, and the carved inscription “MDLXXIV” (1574) reminds of the Renaissance origin of this historical place.
The square is beautiful and photogenic, white and almost enclosed between buildings and the fortress wall, and the five wells, located in a straight line, give it a unique appearance from any angle you look at it.
Captain’s Tower (Kapetanova kula)
The Captain’s Tower, a 26-meter-high five-sided fortress tower, towers over the square, the only one preserved from the ten medieval towers that were once part of Zadar’s defensive walls. It was built in the 13th century and later expanded in the 18th century.
On the ground floor of the tower there is a small exhibition. For 3 euros, you can climb to the top of the Captain’s Tower and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the Land Gate, the harbor and the red-tiled roofs of the Zadar Old Town.
Personally, I am very attracted to such tall towers, especially because of the views from above, which are completely different from those below.
People’s Square (Narodni trg)
If you walk down the street that starts at the back of the Five Wells Square, after a few minutes you will reach the People’s Square, another interesting square, deserving his place in the list of things to do in Zadar. It is surrounded on all sides by buildings and has been the center of the city’s public life since the Middle Ages. The most interesting building is the one with the clock – this is the building of the City Guard and dates back to 1562, while the clock tower was built in the 19th century. Nearby is the Church of St. Lawrence – the oldest preserved building in Zadar.
The square is dotted with restaurants and full of tourists. I walked through it twice and both times it was bustling with people.
Things to see in Zadar: Kalelarga
The street that connects the two squares mentioned above in its different parts has different names. If you continue a little further along it, you will reach its most emblematic part, Kalelarga (officially called Široka ulica). It is the main historical artery of Zadar, which is said to be older than the city itself.
Kalelarga leads you to several other important things to see in Zadar.
Cathedral of St. Anastasia (Katedrala Sv. Stošije)
The first of these is the Zadar Cathedral of St. Anastasia, whose tower is visible from afar. The cathedral was built in the 12th–13th centuries on top of an older church from the 9th–11th centuries, which in turn was built on the site of an early Christian basilica from the 4th–5th centuries. Initially, the temple was dedicated to the Apostle Peter, but at the beginning of the 9th century, after the Zadar bishop Donatus brought the relics of the martyr St. Anastasia, the cathedral received her name.
Saint Anastasia is venerated by both Orthodox and Catholics.
If you follow the route I suggest here, Kalelarga Street will first take you to the bell tower of the cathedral and to its back. Its entrance is on the opposite side.
The Bell Tower of the Cathedral (Zvonik katedrale Sv. Stošije)
It was built in two stages. The ground floor and first floor were built in 1452. Sir Thomas Graham Jackson, an English architect and art historian, was hired to complete the construction, and the tower was completed in 1893.
I advise you to go up to the top of the bell tower and enjoy the incredible views that open from there. They are definitely much more impressive than the views from the Captain’s Tower.
The climb to the bell tower of the cathedral costs 5 euros, which is paid at a machine installed on the second floor.
Interestingly, when you enter the tower, you first go up narrow old-fashioned stairs – they apparently date back to the first period of construction. Then the staircase is relatively wide and, in my opinion, probably not the one from the end of the 9th century. Shortly before you go out onto a viewing terrace that goes around the roof of the bell tower, you will also see its massive bells. The terrace is well secured.
Church of St. Donatus (Crkva Sv. Donata)
To the left of the bell tower and the back of the cathedral is the Church of St. Donatus, built in the 9th century. It is one of the best-preserved examples of early medieval architecture in Croatia. Thanks to its excellent acoustics, it is now often used for concerts.
Unfortunately, it was also closed during my visit to Zadar.
Roman Forum (Rimski forum)
In the center of the old town, next to the cathedral and the church of St. Donatus, are the remains of the largest Roman forum on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, built between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century.
Things to see in Zadar: Promenade
After the Roman Forum, you will come out onto the Zadar promenade. It is quite long and will offer you beautiful views and a sea breeze.
Sea Organ (Morske orgulje)
Among the most famous things to see in Zadar is the Sea Organ, located in the northwestern corner of the peninsula. To get there, turn right from the Roman Forum along the promenade.
From a distance, the Sea Organ looks like ordinary stone steps leading to the sea, but in fact it is a unique instrument that uses the power of waves and wind to create melodies. Hidden under the stone steps are 35 pipes that sound differently depending on the sea.
Before my visit to Zadar, I looked at many photos of this Sea Organ and it was a little difficult for me to understand what a miracle it is. It simply has to be seen, not only heard. It is a sight for the ears and the soul, but not so much for the eyes.
Monument “Greeting to the Sun” (Pozdrav Suncu)
Next to the Sea Organ is another modern installation called “Greeting to the Sun” – a huge circle of glass solar panels. During the day they collect solar energy, and at night they turn into an impressive light show. Unfortunately, I was only able to see them during the day.
This was the last stop on the route I advise you to take to visit the most interesting things to see in Zadar. In terms of time, this walk will take you about an hour or so, depending on your pace. From there, you can continue exploring the streets of the Old Town, walk the entire promenade, or eat fresh fish at a local restaurant. If you are staying there overnight, be sure to spend time watching the sunset, something I didn’t have the opportunity to do.
Where is Zadar and how to get there
Zadar is a large city in Croatia, located 300 km southwest of the capital Zagreb. You can get there by car or by public transport – bus, train, flight, or ferry.
Where to stay
Final thoughts
Zadar pleasantly surprised me and left me with a much stronger impression than I expected due to the combination of well-preserved medieval heritage, Roman ruins, beautiful sea views and modern landmarks.
Although my visit coincided with the official holiday of Corpus Christi and most museums, churches and shops were closed, a walk through the old town was enough to feel its atmosphere and history. If you are planning a trip to the Croatian coast, Zadar definitely deserves a place on your itinerary.
I would be happy if you share your impressions of Zadar if you are reading these lines. Also see my article about Pula, another city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea that is worth visiting.
