{"id":3077,"date":"2026-04-16T14:34:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T14:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/croatialovers.com\/pourquoi-aller-zadar-raisons\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T11:00:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T11:00:23","slug":"is-zadar-worth-visiting-reasons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/croatialovers.com\/en\/is-zadar-worth-visiting-reasons\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Zadar worth visiting? Our 10 reasons (+ photos)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Planning a trip to Croatia and wondering if Zadar is worth a visit? This thousand-year-old city on the Dalmatian coast boasts a Roman heritage, medieval churches and unique contemporary facilities on the Adriatic. We loved this city that blends history and modernity, all by the sea! <\/p>\n\n

In this article, we share with you 10 reasons to visit Zadar.<\/p>\n\n

\"Why<\/figure>\n\n

This opinion is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.<\/p>\n\n

Is Zadar worth a visit?<\/h2>\n\n

Absolutely. Zadar brings together in one place protected Roman ruins, exceptional pre-Romanesque churches, and two art installations that are unique in the world: the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun. The beaches, hotels, and cuisine are not to be missed either! We recommend this city for both a short cultural getaway and a beach vacation. <\/p>\n\n

We list the reasons in more detail below. You can also take a look at our selection of the city’s top attractions<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

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WHERE TO STAY IN Zadar<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historic Center<\/strong> – H\u00f4tel Bastion Heritage – check photos and availability<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Borik Marina<\/strong> – Hyatt Regency Zadar Hotel – check photos and availability<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the coast<\/strong> – Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera – check photos and availability<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Hotel<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

See our selection of the best hotels in Zadar<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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See all available accommodation >><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Reason 1 – For its old town, ramparts and Roman Forum<\/h2>\n\n
\"Zadar<\/figure>\n\n

Zadar’s old town stretches out on a peninsula surrounded by listed Venetian walls, which you can walk along for unobstructed views of the Adriatic Sea. We were impressed by the historic center, where every cobbled alley reveals a new Venetian fa\u00e7ade, a lively square or a medieval church. The Roman Forum is the ancient heart of the city: built between the 1st<\/sup> and 3rd<\/sup> centuries BC, it was over 90m long and 45m wide. Here you can admire columns, temple foundations and the Column of Shame, which still stands proudly in the middle of the site. A few steps away, the Place des 5 Puits bears witness to another page in history. These five stone copings, built in 1574, supplied the city with water during Ottoman sieges, thanks to an ingenious network of underground cisterns. <\/p>\n\n

Reason 2 – For the Organ of the Seas and Salvation to the Sun<\/h2>\n\n

Zadar is home to two unique art installations designed by architect Nikola Ba\u0161i\u0107, which have contributed to the city’s international renown. TheOrgan of the Seas<\/a>, inaugurated in 2005, transforms the movement of the waves into melodies. 35 tubes of different lengths, placed under the stone steps of the waterfront, produce harmonious sounds that vary according to the intensity of the sea. We were fascinated by this natural, unpredictable concert. Just a few metres away is the Salut au Soleil<\/a>, a 22m-diameter circle of 300 multi-layered glass plates that captures the sun’s energy during the day. We recommend returning at dusk to witness the light show, synchronized with the sounds of the marine organ. These two creations make the sunset from the Riva de Zadar particularly memorable. Alfred Hitchcock himself described it as the most beautiful in the world! <\/p>\n\n

\"Zadar<\/figure>\n\n

Reason 3 – For Saint Donat Church, the town’s architectural symbol<\/h2>\n\n

TheChurch of St. Donatus<\/a> is the symbol of Zadar, and it’s easy to see why at first glance. Built in the 9th<\/sup> century by Bishop Donat, this pre-Romanesque church has a monumental circular form, a cylindrical volume rare in Western Europe. We were struck by the sobriety and power of this edifice, whose construction incorporates blocks of stone salvaged from the nearby Roman forum. Fragments of ancient columns and inscriptions are still visible. The uncluttered interior highlights the circular gallery on the second floor and the central dome, while the three semicircular apses create a harmonious space. The building’s exceptional acoustics also give it a second life in summer. Every summer, it hosts classical and medieval music concerts. A fine example of pre-Romanesque Byzantine architecture. <\/p>\n\n

\"Zadar<\/figure>\n\n
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OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING YOUR CAR AT \nCroatia<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n