Zadar, on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is a city best explored on foot, with its cobblestone streets, Roman ruins, and contemporary installations along the Adriatic coast. In a single day, you can see the highlights: the Roman Forum, the main medieval churches, the Sea Organ, and the Riva. We’ve explored the old town from every angle and put together an itinerary for you that makes the most of your time.
With our itinerary, we’ll guide you through Zadar. Make the most of your stay and form your own opinion of this destination with our practical tips and plenty of photos!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Practical Tips for Visiting Zadar in One Day
What can you see in Zadar in one day? Is that enough time?
In our opinion, you can see the main sights of the old town in a single day: the Roman Forum, St. Donatus Church, St. Anastasia Cathedral, the Organ of the Sea and the Hail to the Sun, the Square of the Five Wells, and a stroll along the Riva.
Getting around Zadar
Zadar’s Old Town is situated on a compact peninsula: you can reach most of the sights on foot in just a few minutes. The streets are generally flat and the distances short, making for a pleasant day even with a busy schedule. A city bus network serves the outlying neighborhoods and more distant beaches such as Borik or Diklo. If you’d like to explore the surrounding area, the coast, or the islands, we recommend renting a car for greater flexibility. You can also visit Zadar on a day trip from Split. Your guide will take care of all the transportation arrangements.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT Croatia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
See our tips (coming soon)
Where to Stay in Zadar
Here are our three favorite hotels in Zadar:
- Bastion Heritage Hotel – Our top pick in the historic center, a member of the Relais & Châteaux collection, featuring a gourmet restaurant and spa. View rates and availability
- Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera – The best beach resort 12 km from Zadar, featuring a private beach, spa, and pools. Check prices and availability
- Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel – An adults-only boutique hotel in the Old Town, featuring contemporary decor and a peaceful atmosphere. View rates and availability
WHERE TO STAY IN Zadar
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Historical center
Bastion Heritage Hotel – Check photos and availability
Marina de Borik
Hyatt Regency Zadar Hotel – Check photos and availability
On the coast
Hotel Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera – Check photos and availability
Our Ideal Itinerary: 1 Day in Zadar
9 a.m. – Roman Forum & St. Donat Church
Start your day in the historic heart of the city with the Roman Forum and St. Donat’s Church. The forum, built between the 1st century BCE and the 3rd century CE, stretched over 90 meters long and 45 meters wide: its remaining columns and the Column of Shame, which still stands today, bear witness to Zadar’s importance during the Roman era. We were struck by the sheer scale of the site, which was all the more striking at that early hour before the crowds arrived. Admission is free.
Just a few meters away,St. Donatus Church is Zadar’s architectural symbol. This 9th-century pre-Romanesque structure, built by Bishop Donatus, features a rare cylindrical shape: 27 meters in diameter, 27 meters high, with three levels and a circular gallery on the first floor. You’ll notice that its walls incorporate stone blocks salvaged from the nearby forum, including fragments of columns and ancient inscriptions. We appreciated the building’s remarkable acoustics; it hosts classical and medieval music concerts during the summer.
10:30 a.m. – Archaeological Museum
The Zadar Archaeological Museum, one of the oldest in Croatia (founded in 1830), is worth a visit after touring the Forum. Its collections span several millennia, from prehistory to the early centuries of Christianity, with a strong focus on Roman artifacts: statues, mosaics, ceramics, jewelry, and everyday objects. We appreciated the logical and well-structured layout, which serves as a natural extension of the nearby Forum. You can also see collections from the medieval period and the early days of Christianity in Dalmatia.
12:00 p.m. – Lunch in the Old Town
The old town offers a fine selection of restaurants, ranging from traditional konobas to more contemporary eateries. We particularly enjoyed Restaurant Pet Bunara, tucked away near the Square of the Five Wells, and Restaurant Fosa, facing the harbor, which serves exquisitely prepared fresh seafood dishes. Take advantage of lunch to sample local specialties: pašticada (a slow-cooked beef stew), Pag cheese produced on the neighboring island, or a plate of grilled fish served with local olive oil. We recommend making reservations in advance during peak season.
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2:00 p.m. – St. Anastasia Cathedral
St. Anastasia Cathedral has stood on the forum since the 12th century. Its Romanesque façade is adorned with three carved portals and a central rose window; the building, constructed between 1105 and 1324, combines Romanesque and Gothic styles. The interior features three naves separated by marble columns, finely carved 15th-century wooden choir stalls, and a crypt housing the relics of Saint Anastasia in a 9th-century early Christian sarcophagus. We recommend climbing the 56-meter bell tower: 180 steps for a panoramic view of the old town and the archipelago.
3:30 p.m. – Place des 5 Puits & Queen Madijevka Park
The Square of the Five Wells is a testament to the ingenuity of Zadar’s residents in the 16th century. These five stone water spouts, built in 1574 to supply the city with water during the Ottoman sieges, formed a collective cistern system connected by underground pipes to rainwater collected from the rooftops. We found this harmonious and well-preserved complex a pleasure to explore. Just a few steps away lies Queen Madijevka Park, a green space running along the old Venetian ramparts with an unobstructed view of the sea. Shaded paths, benches, and the coolness of the greenery make it a welcome break between sightseeing stops. Free admission.
4:30 p.m. – Swimming at Kolovare Beach
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town, Kolovare Beach is the most accessible urban beach from the city center. It features both pebble areas and concrete platforms designed for swimming, with showers, changing rooms, and beach chair rentals available on site. We enjoyed the crystal-clear water and the view of Ugljan Island from the shore. It’s a pleasant mid-afternoon break before heading to the Sea Organ and the Riva to watch the sunset.
6:30 p.m. – Walk along the Riva
La Riva is the seaside promenade that runs along the Old Town’s waterfront: a wide pedestrian avenue lined with palm trees and outdoor cafés, overlooking the archipelago. We enjoyed strolling there in the late afternoon, when the atmosphere is particularly lively and the light on the sea changes. You’ll come across street musicians, families out for a stroll, and bustling outdoor cafes. Take a seat on a bench or at a table to watch the ferries and pleasure boats: the sunset from the Riva is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful on the Adriatic. It’s also the perfect time to end the day with a glass of marasquin, a local liqueur made from marasca cherries grown in the region.
7:30 p.m. – Orgue des Mers & Salut au Soleil
End the day on a high note by visiting the city’s famous art installations.The Orgue des Mers is a one-of-a-kind installation, created by architect Nikola Bašić in 2005. Thirty-five tubes of varying lengths are placed beneath the stone steps along the waterfront: seawater flowing through them produces harmonious sounds that vary depending on the intensity of the waves. We found the concept ingenious and the experience surprising, especially when we sat on the steps to listen to this natural concert overlooking the Adriatic. A few meters away, the “Salute to the Sun,” also designed by Bašić, is a circle 22 meters in diameter that, after capturing solar energy during the day, lights up at dusk in a rhythm synchronized with the sounds of the sea organ.
8:00 p.m. – Dinner at a bistronomic restaurant
To round out the day, the old town offers several great dining options. We enjoyed The Well Restaurant and Kastel Restaurant, located in the Bastion Heritage Hotel. They serve Mediterranean cuisine in an elegant setting. Be sure to finish your meal with a glass of marasquin, a local liqueur made from maraschino cherries that have been grown in the region for centuries.
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Alternative 1: with more museums
Zadar has several museums worth visiting. In addition to the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ancient Glass, housed in the Cosmacendi Palace, displays more than 5,000 glass artifacts dating back to Roman times. The Gold and Silver Museum, housed in the former Benedictine monastery of St. Mary, rounds out a rich and varied selection of museums. Finally, we enjoyed our visit to the Rector’s Palace. The city is also home to a small Museum of Illusions.
Option 2: with a field trip
Zadar is an excellent starting point for exploring the region. If you have a full day, there are several day trips within easy reach. Just 15 km to the north, Nin is one of Croatia’s oldest towns: the Church of the Holy Cross, considered the world’s smallest cathedral (9th century), the ruins of a Roman temple, and the surrounding salt marshes make for an interesting stop, which you can combine with a visit to Queen’s Beach, a rare sandy beach in Dalmatia.
Further on, the Plitvice Lakes National Park (130 km, about a 1.5-hour drive) is Croatia’s most visited natural site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site: its 16 cascading lakes, connected by waterfalls, create a breathtaking landscape. Plan to spend a full day there.The island of Ugljan, nicknamed “the garden of Zadar,” is a 20-minute ferry ride from the port: Dalmatian stone villages, olive groves, and beaches less crowded than those in the city make for an easy getaway. Find all our ideas in our article on the best day trips from Zadar.
Option 3: With children
Zadar is a great destination for a family visit. Vladimir Nazor Park, which runs along the peninsula’s waterfront, features shaded paths lined with maritime pines and palm trees, well-equipped playgrounds, and open spaces where children can run freely. We saw families there enjoying the sea breeze in the late afternoon. The beaches at Kolovare and Borik have calm, shallow waters, ideal for young children. The Museum of Ancient Glass also organizes glassblowing workshops tailored for children during the summer—a unique way to discover Roman techniques in a different light.
For a unique experience, a semi-submarine tour lets you explore the seabed of the Adriatic from a boat with a glass bottom—without getting wet. It’s a popular option for both children and adults. Finally, there’s the Museum of Illusions.
Option 4: with more beaches
If your day in Zadar includes a break for swimming, there are several beaches accessible from the Old Town. Kolovare Beach, just a few minutes’ walk from the center, combines pebble areas with paved concrete sections, complete with showers, changing rooms, and beach chair rentals. Golden Wave Beach (Plaža Zlatni Val) is a hybrid of a tree-lined public park and an urban beach, perfect for a quick break between sightseeing stops. Further north, Borik Beach, surrounded by pine trees, offers welcome shade and shallow waters. We recommend planning your swim for early afternoon, before resuming your sightseeing in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset on the Riva.
What You Need to Know for Your Day in Zadar
The Weather in Zadar
Zadar has a Mediterranean climate: summers are hot and dry, with temperatures that can exceed 30°C in July and August. This is the busiest and sunniest time of year—ideal for enjoying the beaches—but also the time when the city is most crowded with tourists. Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer pleasant conditions for visiting the old town, with fewer crowds and temperatures ranging from 18 to 25°C. In winter, the city takes on a calmer atmosphere: temperatures remain mild, generally between 10 and 15°C, and the main attractions remain open, although some may have reduced hours.
The Crowds in Zadar
Zadar is a popular summer destination, especially between June and September. The Old Town can get very crowded during the middle of the day. We recommend starting your sightseeing early in the morning to enjoy the sights without the crowds, particularly at the Roman Forum and St. Donatus Church. The Riva and the Sea Organ are especially lively in the evening—this is also the best time to visit them. Outside of peak season, the atmosphere is calmer and accommodations are less expensive.
Adapt your itinerary when it rains
On rainy days, Zadar’s museums offer great alternatives. The Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Ancient Glass are great places to spend several hours out of the rain. The many historic churches in the old town, including St. Anastasia Cathedral andSt. Donatus Church, are also open to visitors. The cafés and konobas in the city center are perfect for a leisurely break to enjoy local specialties. If it rains all day, the Supernova shopping center also offers movie theaters and shops.
