Hostel Forum Blog

Dišpet (deesh-pet) is a simple word typical for a dialect spoken in Dalmatia, but it goes beyond mere linguistics and reflects a very specific lifestyle. It’s one of those words that are more often than not explained in a context than simply translated, even though in this case ‘defiance’ is roughly the word we’re looking for. It’s like saying ‘in your face!’ when you achieve something nobody believed you could. And it’s one of the most important traits in sportspeople born and raised in Dalmatia, some of which have accomplished truly magnificent sport achievements. And, yes, it’s quite easy to tell apart a person from Dalmatia and elsewhere just by listening to which sports they talk about. The key is a four letter word - a ball…

It’s classic(al). Traditional. Jazzy. Electronic. Soul ‘n’ blues. The story is quite simple - music loves Zadar and the city loves it back. It’s practically impossible to find a day without a concert or performance in July. You may not love it, not even like a particular style of it, but the rhythm of music just gives your holiday that magical, irresistible dimension of carefree moments. Besides, it’s the time of year when the music doesn’t seem to stop, when the city seems to continually sway in the fun summer beat.

Hitchhiking along Dalmatian coast in direction north? Or thumbing your way south towards the coast from the interior? Flying to Zadar to start your adventure in north Dalmatia? Or is it maybe your final stop before you head home? Whatever the reason, take a moment in Zadar to fully appreciate what the city is all about. After all, it’s not for nothing it’s been selected the best European destination. If one day is all you have (left) for Zadar, you’ll miss certain things. It’s a fact. But it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. After all, it’s always better to take it easy and seize fun moments, so here’s how we see it:

Centric, just a few steps away from our namesake, the ancient Roman Forum, and Zadar’s most famous landmark, St Donatus’ Church, that’s where we are. Clean and minimalist on the outside, blue and orange (just like Zadar’s sunset) on the inside, that’s what our hostel looks like. Friendly and welcoming people who love going the extra mile and surprise you with what just happens to cross our minds, that’s who we are. To get at least a vague idea about what to expect when you walk through our doors, here are some reminders of the things we do to make you feel loved in Zadar.

Provocative. Raw. Obnoxious. Defiant. Innovative. Geniuses. Yes, just read the first letters and there you have it: the Prodigy. The British electro-punk trio are coming to Zadar and they’re gonna make the city dance, and fully wrap it in spectacular sound and effects. Whether you are a true fan and already have your ticket safely stored or are still just thinking about it, it may turn out to be the concert of the summer. The one not to be missed. The one that gives you a real good reason to visit Zadar (again), in case you haven’t already pin it on your map for the summer.

Wanna rush through Croatia in the blink of an eye and yet see as much as possible? Have the time to explore it with calm? Wondering about how to come to point B from point A? There are several options to consider when heading to Dalmatia, some of them are fun, while others are just plain funny. But in the end, it’s all up to you and the travelling plan you have, or don’t have. 

There are four letters nobody wants to need on holiday in Croatia. And yet if you happen to be in a tough situation, those four letters will materialize themselves in the form of the friendliest faces you have ever seen. They represent your relief, they are HGSS (Hrvatska gorska služba spašavanja - Croatian Mountain Rescue). For more than half a century they’ve been here. Available 24/7. And just awesome, even though you never want to meet them.

Certain things are just impossible to define - we all have a general idea about what they are. Still, the moment we are asked to explain what they mean, we tend to resort to a lot of errs, we lack similar expressions and we try to explain it with examples hoping that we’ll manage to get our message across. For example, how would you explain the colour of the mirror, what water tastes like or which is left or right? Well, fjaka is one such word in Croatian language.

What is a great way to get the feel of the ancient streets combined with a modern, exciting vibe in Zadar? On foot. What is the cheapest way to explore the city and its vicinity? On foot and by using public transport. What is the best way to experience Zadar to its core as well as towns and villages nearby at an affordable price? Bike is the answer!