An undiscovered character of Roman ruins, medieval churches and natural beauty
Intriguingly unique, Zadar is a northern coastal hub with a very particular character. Although it’s definitely less busy than the tourist centres further south, it is one of Croatia‘s larger metropoles and a living, vibrant city. You’ll be greeted with a mix of ancient Roman relics, Hapsburg elegance, and clever, cutting edge art installations.
Set on its own small peninsula, the old city is especially charming. Wander through quiet streets of marble to discover Roman ruins, medieval churches, cafes, and fascinating museums all hemmed in by a great wall studded with elaborate gates and sturdy towers. The old city suffered terribly from the bombardments of the Second World War but several noteworthy archaeological treasures managed to survive such as a large Roman forum founded by the fabled Emperor Augustus, two squares adorned with lofty marble columns, a Roman tower, and the vestiges of an aqueduct. Zadar is also famous for its beautiful churches such as the monumental Church of St. Donatus and St. Anastasia’s Cathedral. Let your senses explore Zadar through the melodic sound installation of the Sea Organ and the clever Sun Salutation, a photovoltaic panel that glows to the rhythm of the waves once the sun sets.
Sprawl undisturbed on the pine-scented beaches of Diklo and Boric or hike and rock-climb in Zadar’s broad hinterland which manages to cram in three national parks between its crystal-clear coast and the soft outlines of Velebit mountains. Sail up the emerald Krka river through a pine-cloaked limestone gorge to Skradinski Buk in the Krka National Park for an unforgettable dip below the crescent of waterfalls. The ethereal lakes and waterfalls of the Plitvice National Park and Paklenica are also within easy striking distance as are the Kornati Islands National Park and the islands of Pag, Dugi Otok, Ugljan, Pasman, Molat, and Premuda which face back towards Zadar.
Highlights
Listen to the mournful melodies of the waves at the Sea Organ installation
Watch the Sun Salutation mimic the rhythm of the waves after sunset
Walk around a Roman forum
Visit the Franciscan Monastery and Church, the oldest Gothic church in Dalmatia
Stroll through the Arsenal which once housed supplies for Venetian military ships and is now home to a cafe, art galleries, and shops
See the intricately carved gold-plated sarcophagus in St. Simeon’s Church
Sunbath on beautiful beaches and swim in clear waters
Use the city as a jumping off point for visiting remote islands
Krka National Park is just over an hour’s drive away
Take a day trip to the Plitvice Lakes
Kate Herz
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury Accommodation in Croatia
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip Inspiration
Where to go
Dubrovnik
Glimmering on the Adriatic coast, enchanting Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most up-market destination. The city delights with its Mediterranean-style culture and the marbled streets of its UNESCO World Heritage old town.
Discover moreHvar
Hvar is Croatia‘s sunniest island and one of Europe’s most sunlit spots. Rivalling even France’s famed Saint-Tropez in terms of glamour, it’s become Croatia’s most popular destination and attracts luxury yachts, sun-seeking adventurers, and visitors of all kinds.
Discover moreIstria
The picturesque towns of Rovinj and Opatija offer you a coastal escape surrounded by historic charm.
Discover moreKorcula
Korčula has long been known for her dense and lush pine-woods and is one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic sea. Lying just off the Dalmatian coast stretching parallel with the nearby mainland, the island is also one of Croatia‘s most populous, its woodlands and vineyards bordered by sleepy hamlets and dreamlike fishing villages.
Discover moreSplit
Split is a vibrant living city, dramatically located between pine-strewn mountains and the turquoise sea.
Discover moreZagreb
A city of grand Austro-Hungarian architecture and home to a multitude of museums and the majority of the country’s residents, inland Zagreb is Croatia‘s cultural hub.
Discover moreMeet your Europe team
When to visit
With its medieval towns, red-roofed houses and busy ports, Croatia is stunning year round. To ensure a truly memorable trip, the best time to visit Croatia is either side of the hottest part of summer – from May to June and then September to October.
National parks
March - June / September - October
Beach days
June - September
Hiking
May - September
Plan your trip to Zadar
Whatever you want from your adventure in Zadar, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
We had an amazing time and experience that was truly above and beyond what we could’ve planned or imagined. Everyone was so professional and warm and the schedule was so well organized and planned for every detail which eliminated any stress on our part. This was truly unforgettable. I loved the special excursions especially our enchanting lunch with the chef…
Jacada made our trip planning and execution so easy and enjoyable. Our travel consultant (Hanna Fischer) was wonderful to deal with and made great suggestions for the trip. Then the travel concierge (Alice Cosso) took over and helped with restaurant and other arrangements, including some minor changes to the itinerary. Every arrangement on our trip--drivers, guides, etc.--went smoothly and all…
Jacada did a fabulous job planning our trip in Slovenia and Croatia. They provided excellent advice about where to go, arranged for special activities for my family, and were extremely flexible even as our plans evolved after we arrived.
With the help of Jacada we were able to experience a spectacular stress-free family vacation to Croatia. Our trip designer thoughtfully planned out our itinerary so that we had the perfect balance of adventure and site seeing. We hiked waterfalls, went white water rafting and enjoyed tours of Diocletian’s place, Dubrovnik’s fortress, and Hvar. All of the Jacada drivers and…
Jacada helped me plan and execute a fantastic trip to Croatia. Our travel experts, Melanie and Heather, were a wealth of knowledge and answered countless questions from me along the way. I've booked with Jacada several times before and I KNOW that I will book with them again. Exceptional customer service and outstanding trips every single time. I cannot recommend…
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