Major city · Croatia
Zadar
Give Zadar 2 nights: the old town peninsula fits in a day, and the second day is for the sea organ sunset and a boat to Ugljan or Kornati.
Zadar is the transport hub of northern Dalmatia and the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. The walled old-town peninsula is compact: you can walk it end to end in about 20 minutes, but the forum, St Donatus, the cathedral, the museums and the sea organ fill a full day. Most travellers use it as a 2-night base between Zagreb and Split, or as a launch point for the Kornati islands and the Zadar archipelago. The sea organ and the Greeting to the Sun are free and best at sunset; the Roman forum and the pre-Romanesque church of St Donatus sit in the same square.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, busiest, peak prices)
- Airport
- ZAD
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Croatia ↗Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Croatian sources for your passport.
- Croatia ↗Book car ferries and popular catamarans ahead in summer; foot passengers still need to be early for the busiest routes.
- Croatia ↗Split and Dubrovnik fine visitors for walking shirtless or in swimwear away from beaches; carry a cover-up.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Zadar112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Zadar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR) since 2023.Croatia-wide
- SIM or eSIMHrvatski Telekom, A1 and Telemach sell prepaid SIMs at kiosks (Tisak) and shops; ID required.Croatia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe and good everywhere, including islands (some small islands rely on piped or tanked water — ask).Croatia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10% for good service, in cash.Croatia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Croatia-wide
- SafetyZadar is a low-risk city; the real issues are summer heat, slippery Roman-era paving, and pickpockets in the old town on cruise-ship days.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in cafés for customers; public toilets in old towns cost €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).Croatia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 emergency (all services) · 192 police · 193 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany island restaurants, hotels and museums close November–March.Croatia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportZAD Zadar Airport (12 km (7.5 mi) east of the centre; shuttle bus to the bus station and old town, €5 (≈ US$6), timed to arrivals).ZAD Zadar Airport (7.5 mi (12 km) east of the centre; shuttle bus to the bus station and old town, €5 (≈ US$6), timed to arrivals).
- Getting aroundThe old town is car-free and walkable end to end in about 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beerdraught / shop can€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)€1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus single rideValid 50 min.€1.59 (≈ US$2)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (St Donatus, glass museum, illusions)€1.40–8 (≈ US$2–10)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (hotel or soba), a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble room (hotel or soba), a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ZAD Zadar Airport (12 km (7.5 mi) east of the centre; shuttle bus to the bus station and old town, €5, timed to arrivals)ZAD Zadar Airport (7.5 mi (12 km) east of the centre; shuttle bus to the bus station and old town, €5, timed to arrivals)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Nov (11 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Zadar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is car-free and walkable end to end in about 20 minutes. Liburnija city buses cover the rest; single ride €1.59 (valid 50 min), double ride €2.65. The barkajoli rowing boat crosses the harbour between Liburnska obala and the breakwater, €1.20, roughly 06:30–23:00. Taxis wait at the bus station, the ferry quay and Obala kneza Branimira.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ugljan island
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Jadrolinija local ferry from the Liburnska obala quay toward Preko; check the current route and timetable
Cheapest island escape; walk or rent a bike from Preko.
Kornati National Park
goDoor to door: Full day
Organised boat tour from the old town quay, full day
No scheduled ferry: day boats only, and they leave early.
Nin
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus from the main bus station, about 30 min
Small historic town, salt pans and a long sand beach.
Šibenik and Krka
overnightDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus toward Split, about 1 h 30 min to Šibenik
Krka deserves a full day; sleep in Šibenik rather than return.
Plitvice Lakes
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus toward Zagreb that stops at the park entrance
Long day return; sleep near the park to walk at opening.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old town peninsula
Everything walkable: forum, sea organ, restaurants. Quieter at night, but no car access and higher summer prices.
Borik and the northern waterfront
Hotel and beach strip 3–4 km (1.9–2.5 mi) from the old town; bus 8 links it to the centre. Best for families and swimming.Hotel and beach strip 1.9–2.5 mi (3–4 km) from the old town; bus 8 links it to the centre. Best for families and swimming.
Near the bus station
Cheapest beds and the easiest arrival by bus or airport shuttle; 15–20 min walk to the old town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (hotel or soba)1 × 2 nights × €110 | €220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €100 | €400 |
| Airport shuttle, both ways2 × €10 | €20 |
| City bus single ride2 × €2 | €3 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €67 |
| Trip total≈ €185 per person per day, bed included | €740≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Pizza or pasta main | €9–16 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Grilled fish or meat main | €15–28 (≈ US$18–35) |
| Beer: draught / shop can | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) / €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| City bus single rideValid 50 min. | €1.59 (≈ US$2) |
| Barkajoli rowing boat across the harbour | €1.20 (≈ US$2) |
| Museum entry (St Donatus, glass museum, illusions) | €1.40–8 (≈ US$2–10) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The old town is car-free: park outside the peninsula and walk in.
- July and August bring cruise-ship crowds and the highest room rates; book ahead.
- Cash is still needed at some small sights and konobas; St Donatus and the Archaeological Museum were cash-only.
- The slow trains via Knin, which connected onward to Zagreb and Split, have been discontinued: check current rail options, or use buses and the coastal ferry instead.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (all services)
- 112
- Police
- 192
- Fire
- 193
- Ambulance
- 194
- Sea rescue
- 195
Pocket card
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ZadarZadar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na ovu adresu, molimTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency (all services)112
- Police192
- Fire193
- Ambulance194
- Sea rescue195
Embassy
No embassies in Zadar; most countries have embassies in Zagreb and consulates in Split. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- ZAD airport → bus station / old town, shuttle: €5 (≈ US$6), timed to arrivals
- City bus single ride: €1.59 (≈ US$2), valid 50 min
- Barkajoli rowing boat: €1.20 (≈ US$2), about 06:30–23:00€1.20 (≈ US$2), about 6:30 AM–11:00 PM
- Bus Zadar → Zagreb: about 3 h 30 min; fare check
Say or show
- Dobar dan — Hello (DOH-bar dahn)
- Hvala — Thank you (HVAH-lah)
- Molim — Please (MOH-leem)
- Koliko košta? — How much is it? (KOH-lee-koh KOHSH-tah)
- Račun, molim — The bill, please (RAH-choon MOH-leem)
- Gdje je WC? — Where is the toilet? (gdyeh yeh vay-tsay)
112 works from any phone, free, in English.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Zadar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, busiest, peak prices) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ZAD: shuttle times field-checked against arrivals, taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: forum and St Donatus, sea organ and Greeting to the Sun, Kalelarga and the market, the northern waterfront.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (St Donatus, cathedral bell tower, Archaeological Museum, Museum of Ancient Glass) and eat pages with last orders.
- Ferry and boat-day fixtures for Ugljan, Kornati and Nin so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialZadar Tourist Board
- officialZadar Airport
- officialLiburnija city transport
- officialJadrolinija ferries
- officialCity of Zadar
- secondaryWikivoyage: Zadar, revision 5335353 (CC BY-SA 4.0)