Things to Do in Zadar: The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary

If you are planning a trip to Croatia and looking for things to do in Zadar, then look no further than this guide! Despite its size, Zadar offers a wide variety of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travellers. And since it's such a small and compact place, you can see the whole city in just two days!

So, in this guide we will not present you with just a list of things to do, but we have organised a full two day itinerary! You can use it as inspiration and ask from travel agencies and local guides to prepare a plan that will include all these things, so you won’t miss anything important! We split the activities by day and period within each day as well, to make planning even easier.

Let’s get into it.

But first, we should talk about Zadar itself. With a population of around 70,000 people and built on the Dalmatian coast, Zadar is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. It’s the second largest city in Dalmatia, but it’s an important cultural, commercial, industrial and transportation center. Its compact size and walkable layout make Zadar an excellent choice for short city breaks, especially for travelers with limited time.

The town’s history spans millenia and plenty of cultures and nations have called it home across the ages. From prehistoric tribes, to Illyrians, Romans, Ostrogoths and Romans again in the form of the Byzantine empire. Then came the Venetians, as was common in the Adriatic, the Ottomans, the Austrians, the Italians and French for a brief period of time before the city returned to the Austrian crown again and finally Yugoslavia, the Kingdom and later the Socialist Federation. 

A tumultuous history that has left a still visible mark on the city. With layers of Roman, Byzantine and Venetian heritage still visible today, Zadar is a dream destination for cultural & historical travelers.

Today Zadar is a modern city, with well-maintained infrastructure and friendly people. Tourism is an important part of its economy and the country and city have invested in transportation, security and amenities. Despite its size, it’s totally worth a visit, as there are so many things to do and see! And if you’re wondering about the best time to visit Croatia and Zadar, late April, May, September and early October offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. 

Now, since we talked about things to do and see, let’s get into the meat of the guide.

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Like we said, we have designed a 2-day itinerary for you. You can still see Zadat in only 1 day, but we believe that 2 would be ideal, as it means you could take your time and have room for relaxation and casual exploring. This itinerary highlights just a fraction of the many things to do in Croatia, with Zadar being an ideal starting point.

We are not breaking any norms here by suggesting you should explore the Zadar Old Town. It’s something you should do in pretty much every European city you visit. And since Zadar is Croatia’s oldest inhabited place, there are plenty of things to see! And thanks to its safety, friendly locals and easy navigation, Zadar is also well suited for solo travel, even for first-time visitors. And if as a solo traveler, your main concern is how safe Croatia is, then you would be glad to know that Zadar consistently ranks as a calm and welcoming destination.

Walking around the stone streets, you will quickly notice the ruins and archaeological remains integrated as they are in the city architecture and planning. You can even walk on or touch some of them!

Starting from the Old Town, you can branch out and explore most of the city with ease. Like we said before, it’s small and everything is close together. You can enter the Old Town from the Bridge Gate and climb up the stone steps, if you want to take a quick walk on the old walls. From up there, you have access to amazing views of the coastline, the rooftops of the Old Town and the more modern part of Zadar across the peninsula. 

Alternatively, you can enter through the Fosa Land Gate, besides the port if you are staying somewhere in that direction. It was built in 1543 by the Venetians and it’s a bit awe inspiring.

The People’s Square as it the english translation of the name Narodni Trg, is a popular place in Zadar. There are a multitude of cafes and the square is surrounded by beautiful buildings, restaurants and a general active vibe. You can come back here again later in the day to relax over a cup of coffee before you continue your explorations.

Founded in 1832, Zadar’s Archaeological Museum is almost 2 centuries old! It contains over 100,000 artifacts, ranging back to prehistoric times. It has plenty to see and it can take quite some time to fully explore the museum, but it’s definitely worth visiting it, even for a while. It’s one of the things to do in Zadar with kids who love learning and history.

Behind St. Anastasia’s Cathedral lie the ruins of the Roman Forum. Built between 1st-3rd centuries AD, it’s located right in the center of the city. You will most likely chance upon them while walking around the Zadar Old Town and you might not even realise it. Not much of the Roman Forum is left standing today, but you can walk among the stones and get a glimpse of the city’s ancient history.

The Cathedral is a pretty church, also in the OId Town, that you can’t miss. Well, just calling it a church doesn’t do it any justice, as it’s actually the largest in Dalmatia and the seat of the Archdiocese of Zadar. You can enter it and climb the steps to the bell tower. The steps are a bit steep, but nothing scary and you get to enjoy a great view of the city from the top! Visiting St. Anastasia’s Cathedral is one of the top things to do in Zadar Old Town!

Built in the Byzantine church architecture style during the 9th century AD, the St. Donatus's Church rises close to the Bell Tower of St. Anastasia. It’s a beautiful, circular building with a history of over 1200 years and one of Zadar’s most iconic landmarks.

By now, you should have explored most of the city’s center and feel pretty tired. And hungry for sure! Luckily, Zadar is full of small and big Konoba’s, which are traditional taverns. They usually are family owned and serve recipes rooted in the owner's history. Dining in a konoba is one of the highlights of food & wine experiences in Zadar, especially if you enjoy fresh seafood and local recipes.

You can find many konobas around the Old Town, so you don’t have to stray away from it, in case you want to continue exploring after your break. But remember, Zadar is a small city, so even if you do get out of the center, you can still make your way back there in no time! As a last suggestion, try and find a konoba that specializes in seafood! You won’t regret it.

Back in the 16th century, 5 wells were supplying Zadar with water. Today, in the same area, a square spreads out between the medieval city walls and the Grimani bastion. From there you can also enter the Queen Jelena Madijevka park we mention below. 

You can still see the wells today in the square, all lining up behind each other. It’s a popular attraction and a place where many activities like shows and concerts take place. No matter if you go there during summer or Christmas, the square will be just as beautiful!

Named after the wife of the Croatian king Dmitar Zvonimir, the Queen Jelena Madijevka part was built in 1829. The architect, Ludwig von Weldon was also a botanist, and a passionate one too! He would collect plants that grew in the region and use them to set up the lush gardens of the park. With its flat paths and relaxed atmosphere, this park is especially suitable for senior travel. If you love nature and want to escape the city rhythms for a bit, then visiting Queen Jelena Madijevka park is one of the top things to do in Zadar! 

Greeting to the Sun is a modern monument, more an installation than a statute, built on the promenade. It’s one of Zadar’s most famous tourist attractions and perhaps one of the things the city is most famous for. It consists of 300 solar panels that absorb light during the day, and produce a beautiful light show every night using 10,000 light bulbs! Watching the light show is one of the most fun things to do in Zadar!

Watching the sunset and then the lightshow can be a very romantic moment too, and that alone is a great reason to add Zadar to your itinerary for a honeymoon trip! If you are looking for more ideas, then make sure to check out our website!

You don’t have to walk too far from Greeting to the Sun  to reach the Sea Organ. It’s right next to it! Both installations were designed by the same man, Nikola Bašič. You can sit on the steps, enjoy the sunset and listen to the sounds of the Sea Organ, one of the most unique things you can do in Zadar. And in case you were wondering what exactly is the Sea Organ, well it’s the steps you are sitting on! A series of 35 holes and 70 meters of pipes placed around the steps, use the wind and ebb and flow of the water to produce beautiful and rhythmic music!

After relaxing at Greeting to the Sun and the Sea Organ, you can wrap up the day by going to one of the city’s beach bars! Taking a taxi or walking is the easiest way of reaching most of them. You can dine and drink, while enjoying the sea breeze and stunning views of the sea and the town! Having a drink by the beach is one of the best things to do in Zadar!

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A well-planned Croatia vacation often includes Zadar thanks to its balance of culture, relaxed atmosphere and beaches. We suggest visiting one of the beaches recommended here. You probably won’t have time to go to all of them anyway and if the weather isn’t helping you can completely skip them and just keep exploring the Old Town. 

Kolovare beach is public and easy to access. It has all the facilities needed and it’s close to restaurants. It would be the most obvious choice to spend your morning if you wanted to enjoy some sunbathing, swimming or just walking up and down the sand.

Karma is a bit further away, but it rewards you with fewer crowds. It’s also very clean. Not sandy, but pebbly and with crystal clear waters, Karma mostly attracts locals rather than tourists. So, if they seem to prefer it, there must be a good reason for it. Be prepared though, as Karma isn’t organised like Kolovare. You won’t find facilities like public toilets or lounge chairs for example.

This one requires driving or taking a taxi, but it’s a family friendly beach. It’s part of a big resort, the Falkensteiner Resort, so it utilises its facilities as well. A perfect place to bring your children and have a relaxing morning under the sun. Thanks to its facilities and shallow waters, Borik Beach is ideal for family travel, especially for visitors exploring Zadar with children.

And after you are done splashing around and building castles on the sand, head over to a nearby restaurant and enjoy the local cuisine once more! In most beaches you can find konobas in close proximity and many serve fresh seafood and traditional recipes. Nothing better than enjoying a hearty meal, next to the sea while taking in the beautiful views! 

We put the Zadar Pijaca here as an activity, but it's actually something you can do every day, especially if you live in a place with its own kitchen. This is Zadar’s market, open for business for centuries and selling plenty of fresh local ingredients, fruits, vegetables, cheese and many more. If you are a fan of cooking your own meals and want to take a swing at Croatian recipes, then the Zadar Pijaca is the place to go!

The Museum of Ancient Glass is located inside the 19th Century Cosmacendi Palace, overlooking the Jazine harbour. It’s full of pieces of ancient glasswork, like goblets, jars and vials from excavation sites all over Dalmatia. You can even find perfume bottles from Roman times and glass cups that Christians used to celebrate Mass. Often, the museum hosts exhibitions that also include pieces of modern glasswork!

As one of the best places to visit in Croatia, Zadar combines history, beaches and modern attractions in one compact city.

That concludes our itinerary of best things to do in Zadar for 2-days! It includes a wide range of activities, mostly focusing on exploring ancient and medieval landmarks, but also enjoying the local cuisine and modern art installations like the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun. There are also museums you can visit if you want to learn more about Zadar’s, Dalmatia’s and Croatia's history. Lastly, we saw that Zadar includes many spots for people who love the sea and nature, like the Kolovare Beach or Queen Jelena Madijevka park.

Planning a Croatia getaway? Get a tailor-made itinerary designed by locals. See all of our Croatia Vacation & Tours!