Are you planning a vacation to Croatia? Looking for the cheapest way to get to this country? I propose to consider a flight through the airport in Zadar, which is located at an equidistant distance from the northern Rovinj and Pula, and the southern beaches of the Makarska Riviera.
Ryanair flies here from different European cities. Due to the fact that low-cost airlines often have flights either early in the morning or late in the evening, I advise you to stay in Zadar for at least one day or night to plan your next trip in peace, or on the way back to catch your plane and also see the city.
Zadar is located on the coast of Dalmatia. It is very convenient to get from here to the beaches of the Makarska Riviera, as well as to the northern Rovinj, or the islands of Ugljan, Dugi Otok and others, where ferries run. But the city itself is worth paying attention to: exploring its historical heritage, tasting delicious food, and of course, watching the stunning sunset.
So here’s some information about Zadar: what to see in one day, where to stay, how to get to the airport. And other useful answers to questions about Zadar.
Getting to Zadar
Ryanair, EasyJet, Lufthansa, LOT and otherairlines fly to the small Zadar airport. The former military airport was rebuilt into a civilian airport, and with the advent of low-cost airlines, it has become a good alternative to the airport in Split. The airport is located just over 10 kilometers from the city center. It is well connected to many European cities.
From the airport, you can get to Zadar by public transport – a bus that runs between the city center and the airport. Bus stop near the airport terminal. The bus makes 3 stops in the city:
- Port of Gajenica – stop near the passenger terminal (namely, near the Crodux gas station);
- Zadar bus station (platform No. 8);
- Center, Old Town – Liburna stop (to the right of the bridge, at the entrance to the Old Town).
The bus schedule is available on the airport’s website. The fare is 5 euros one way. The price includes luggage transportation.
You can also rent a car at Zadar Airport. There are several car rental companies here – it’s convenient to look at prices for your travel dates on the aggregator Rentalcars.com – here you can find a budget option, read reviews about rental companies in Zadar. The car will be waiting for you right at the parking lot near the airport terminal. 10 minutes of parking is free of charge.
Advantages of Zadar Airport over the airport in Split
- Location – Zadar is conveniently located at an equal distance from the north and south of Croatia. Therefore, you can come here to relax in the resorts of Rovinj or Pula, or the island of Krk or Cres, as well as on the Makarska Riviera, in Dubrovnik or the northern islands of Hvar, Brac and others.
- Low-cost airlines fly here – Ryanair, EasyJet.
- Renting a car in Zadar is cheaper than at the international airport in Split, where flights arrive not only from Europe but also from other parts of the world. Therefore, the price of car rental in Croatia (and not only there) differs depending on the city.
The story of Zadar
Zadar is one of the oldest cities in Croatia, about 3000 years old. It was part of the Roman Empire until the 5th century, and later Zadar became the administrative center of Dalmatia under Byzantine rule. From the 15th to the late 18th century, it was an important trading port and the largest fortress city in the entire Venetian Republic. Zadar was then ruled by the Austrians until 1918 and became part of Italy between the two world wars.
After World War II, it was annexed to Croatia and became a part of the Federation of Yugoslavia. After the declaration of independence of the Republic of Croatia and the subsequent Serbian aggression, Zadar and its surroundings were attacked with a destructive force never seen before.
The city was repeatedly targeted, and the cultural heritage of Zadar was severely damaged. Today, Zadar is a preserved monument of various historical times and cultures. In 2017, Zadar’s defense system was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List thanks to the three-kilometer-long defensive walls that the Venetian Republic built in the 16th century to protect against the Turks. So, what to do in Zadar during the day while traveling to Croatia?
What to see in Zadar
If you decide to devote at least one day to Zadar, enjoy this city – there is a lot to see.
The historic center of the city is a small peninsula surrounded by the Adriatic. There are always a lot of yachts here, and regattas are held. But everything is natural and calm, there is no sense of huge pomp and circumstance like in Split.
Old walls of Zadar and the city gate
Some parts of the defensive walls were built in the Middle Ages, and some were built by the Venetians much later as fortifications against the Turks, who were constantly attacking the city. Today, only parts of the walls and a few ancient gates leading to the Old Town remain.
Between the ferry port and the church of St. George is the Sea Gate. Above the Roman cornice on the side of the gate facing the land, there is a large Renaissance panel depicting the naval battle of Lepanto and a beautiful relief of St. John the Baptist. Christ above her. The gate is decorated with a relief image of the lion of St. Mark on the side facing the sea.
The Land Gate, built by the Venetians in the 16th century, is the most famous of all the gates. The gates consist of three triumphal arches decorated with allegorical statues of Zadar’s main patron saint, St. Chrysogonus on horseback, and the shield of St. Mark, the coat of arms of the Venetian Republic.
Five Wells Square
The area of five wells contains the remains of 5 wells that were once responsible for the water supply of the city of Zadar. The wells were built in the early 16th century by the Venetians, who invested heavily in the city’s defense to ward off a potential threat from the Turks. The square overlooks the old city walls of Zadar, dating back to the era when Zadar was the largest fortress city of the Venetian Republic. The Queen Madiivka Park is filled with picturesque gardens and tranquil walking trails. The old city ramparts on the edge of the park offer a great view of the city.
Church of St. Donatus
In the center of the Old Town there are Church of St. George. Donata (Crkva Sveti Donata)The church was built in the early 9th century and is 27 meters high. It stopped being used as a church at the end of the 18th century, but is still a great concert venue and a symbol of Zadar.
Climb the bell tower of St. Anastasia Cathedral
On the bell tower of St. George’s Cathedral. Anastasia, located almost next to St. Anastasia Church. Donata, you can go up to see the magnificent views of Zadar and the sea. The staircase to the top is quite narrow, but not scary, and the views from the top are more than worth the climb.
Visit the Princely Palace
The prince’s palace (Kneževa palace) was mentioned in historical sources as early as the 13th century. It was completely restored in the 16th century and then in the 19th century according to the designs of the classicist architect Franco Zavore. The palace was later joined to the Palace of the Provosts, forming a joint viceroyalty, the headquarters of the government of Dalmatia in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The central hall of the palace has been used for centuries for various functions as a courtroom, city theater, hall for games and entertainment, and concert hall. During the Patriotic War, in 1991, the Princely Palace was demolished, which violated the structural integrity of the building, making it unusable. It has now been renovated and contains permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Listen to the Sea Organ
This masterpiece of acoustics and architecture was created by an experienced Dalmatian stone carver and architect Nikola Bašić in 2005. For this project, he received the European Prize for Urban Public Space. The musical sea organ (morske orgulje) is the world’s first musical organ played by the sea.
A simple and elegant 70-meter-long staircase carved in white stone was built on the embankment. Below it on the sidewalk are 35 musically tuned tubes with holes for sounds to escape. The waves create random harmonious sounds, allowing this organ to offer an endless concert of numerous musical variations, with nature itself as the performer.
And this circle was called the Greeting to the Sun – Pozdrav suncu. It consists of solar panels that shine in different colors at night, depending on which square you step on. Children and adults alike love this installation.
And in the evening, go to the waterfront to admire the sunset – they are simply unsurpassed in Croatia!
Lighthouse and a good restaurant near
When I was in the Old Town on the peninsula, I saw a lighthouse on the opposite side of the bay from afar. We decided to get there by car and found a great restaurant near the lighthouse called Antinov (Obala kneza Domagoja 3) with good seafood, which I can safely recommend.
Where to stay – hotels and apartments in Zadar
If you rented a car at the airport, you will need a parking lot. Therefore, I advise you to settle on the mainland, but near the peninsula where the Old Town is located. Parking is much cheaper here, and there are even free hours (after 10 pm to 8 am). If you walk a little further into the city, you can find large and free parking lots (for example, the parking lot at 30 Josipa Jelačića Street).
Practical information for preparing a trip to Croatia
Plan a route: if you want to relax on beautiful beaches surrounded by pine trees, go south to one of the cozy towns of the Makarska Riviera – Brela or Baska Voda. From here, close to Dubrovnik, you can see the analog of the Chinese Wall in Ston, or just relax by the sea. If you want small towns more like Italy, go north to Rovinj.
Buy plane tickets to Zadar:
Book a car to get around Croatia freely and see the most of its beauty.
Book your accommodation in advance – it is convenient to do it through Booking.com. If you’re planning a trip in the summer, booking accommodation at the last minute can be shocking. But planning and booking several months in advance will help you find the best options for a reasonable price.
Useful articles and links:
- Primosten – a beach vacation in Croatia
- 10 European destinations where it’s warm in winter
- Algarve – the best beaches in Portugal
Rent a car – Rentalcars.com
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com
