Zadar in 24 hours - All the Things You Can See and Do in a Day
Got 24 hours in Zadar? See the best of and feel the pulse of the city without having to rush all over the place. Here’s how:
Stay centric
Right in the very heart of it all! Where the top sights are. Where the buzz is. Where you can get a great value for money.
Boutique Hostel Forum is your obvious choice for precisely that. Not only because you can choose between the more affordable dorms and private rooms. You also get the top view of the historical peninsula, and free expert advice from insiders, who happen to be our staff.
Start at square one… for top historical attractions
Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning at the Roman Forum, the center of public life since ancient times. From the outdoor terrace, enjoy the sight of the uniquely shaped Church of St. Donatus, a famous Zadar landmark. Then, if you’re up for it, climb the Belltower of St. Anastasia’s Cathedral, or take a minute to walk to the cathedral itself in the nearby street.
Learn something new… in a museum or two
Spend an hour or so in the Archaeological Museum right at the Roman Forum. Or grab a unique souvenir at the Museum of Ancient Glass. Maybe even add a touch of magic to your stay with a visit to the Museum of Illusions. Those two are right next to one another on the eastern side of the peninsula, only a 10-minute walk away from the Archaeological Museum.
Image source: Museum od Illusions, Zadar
Walk the UNESCO walk
Follow the defensive walls and gates that have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start the tour at the impressive Land Gate, then follow the walls past historical gates such as the New Gate (Cro. Nova vrata) near the pedestrian bridge and the Sea Gate (Cro. Morska vrata), on the eastern side of the peninsula.
Feel the buzz of the city...at the top places to hang out
Take the pulse of the city along its main street Kalelarga (officially known as Široka ulica), said to be older than the city itself, and on the vibrant historical squares. From Roman Forum over People’s Square (Cro. Narodni trg) to Petar Zoranic Square, they are all places with a story, all within a 10-minute walk. They also host exciting events especially in the summer.
Another great area to explore is the historical district Kampo Kaštelo on the northern side of the peninsula, less than a 10-minute walk away from the Forum. Stop for a breather admiring the facades of historic residential houses while in the area.
Similarly, Varoš, the historical district in the south-eastern part of the peninsula, is well known for its ambiance. You can stumble across random parties (the so-called feštice) that sometimes start in the afternoon and simply continue into the night.
Grab a bite to eat
Feeling peckish? You can get a fresh piece of fruit from the market, a sandwich along the way, or do as the Zadar natives do. Take a moment to fully enjoy a meal in a restaurant such as 2Ribara, less than 5 minutes from Forum.
If it’s brunch time, locally known as ‘marenda’, walk into Varoš. Let your curiosity guide you through its narrow streets and grab a lunch at a friendly price along the way.
Save the best for last … with top modern attractions
As the evening approaches, head to the promenade. It happens to be the best time of day to see the Greetings to the Sun and listen to the Sea Organ, contemporary light and sound installations that are unique in the world. They are both representations of love for nature and the city of Zadar. With the sunset as the perfect backdrop, it’s when you realize that you’ve fallen, fallen hard for Zadar.
Once the sun sets, it’s time to hit the town. Explore the nightlife all over the historical peninsula and dance the evening away at the Svarog Dance & Night Club at Five Wells Square and at the Ledana Lounge & Bar in the nearby Queen Jelena Madije Park.
Yes (and no)... to Zadar in 24
Oh, yes, there’s a lot you can see and do in a single day. A day full of discovery, new experiences and just fun, a day you won’t forget any time soon. But no, a day in the city just won’t be enough. Because after 24 h in Zadar, you’ll want more.
There’s a lot. A lot to see and do. With the perfect combination of modern attractions and the old, UNESCO old. If you are a museum goer, check out the top ones in Zadar, and take your pick. Most of them are quite near fascinating historical squares, so remember to take a breather there.
