Zadar Attractions to visit, what to see, landmarks

Unique blend of architecture and music, the world-famous Sea Organ, sound is created under the influence of the waves and tides. Series of steps with underwater pipes create melodic sounds as the waves push air through them.

The Sea Organ produces harmonious, random tones that blend with the natural sounds of the sea, offering a serene and meditative experience. It has become a symbol of Zadar and a must-visit for tourists seeking a blend of art and nature.

The Sea Organ is one of the most unique to visit Zadar attractions. This architectural sound art installation, located on the waterfront, creates melodic sounds as waves push air through underwater pipes.

Visitors often sit on the steps to listen to the soothing, random tones that blend with the natural sounds of the sea. It’s a perfect spot to relax, take in the sunset, and experience the harmony of art and nature.

Adjacent to the Sea Organ, Greeting to the Sun installation comprises 300 glass plates arranged in a 22-meter-wide solar-powered circle which absorb sunlight during the day and create a stunning light show at night.

Greeting to the Sun installation represents the sun and the solar system, paying homage to Zadar’s historical connection with astronomy. It’s a popular spot for evening gatherings and photography.

During the day, the Greeting to the Sun absorbs solar energy, and at night, it produces a mesmerizing light display, symbolizing communication with light. At sunset the installation is a feast for all your senses.

Visitors gather here in the evening to watch the colorful display and enjoy the lively atmosphere. It’s a modern contrast to Zadar’s ancient landmarks and a favorite for photography enthusiasts.

This iconic 9th-century church is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Zadar. Built in the pre-Romanesque style, on the remnants of the Roman Forum, its unique architecture and historical significance is a must-visit site.

The church is known for its circular shape and excellent acoustics, making it a popular venue for musical performances. Its simple yet striking architecture offers a glimpse into Zadar’s medieval past.

St. Donatus Church is not only a historical landmark but also a popular venue for musical performances. The church’s excellent acoustics make it an ideal setting for concerts, particularly classical and choral music.

Attending a performance here offers a unique cultural experience and a chance to appreciate the church’s architectural beauty. It has been the venue for Renaissance music festivals for decades.

The Roman Forum in Zadar dates back to the 1st century BC and was once the center of public life in the ancient Roman city of Iader. Today, visitors can explore the ruins, including columns, altars, and fragments of temples.

The Forum is the main square of all cities in ancient Rome, where the entire public life of the city took place. Originally, there was a temple dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva on its southwestern part

The Roman Forum in Zadar was founded by the first Roman emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian. It was once enclosed by porches with galleries on the first floor, and under the porches were shops and stores.

The forum is located in the heart of the Old Town, in front of the Church of St. Donatus and the Archbishop’s Palace, making it easily accessible and a great starting point for exploring Zadar’s historical sites.

The Cathedral of St. Anastasia is the largest church in Dalmatia and a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, it features a beautiful façade, a tall bell tower, and an ornate interior.

Climbing the bell tower offers panoramic views of Zadar making it a favorite activity for visitors providing a unique perspective of the city’s red rooftops, historic landmarks, Adriatic Sea and surrounding islands.

Cathedral of St. Anastasia is, in its oldest parts, an early Christian basilica that was dedicated to Saint Peter. The portals are richly decorated with reliefs. The main portal has a Gothic-style relief in the lunette.

Cathedral of St. Anastasia is named after the martyr who was venerated in Zadar by two popes. At the beginning of the 9th century, Bishop Donatus of Zadar brought the relics of the martyr Saint Anastasia.

Museum of Ancient Glass showcases an impressive collection of ancient Roman glass artifacts, more than 5,000 glass objects from the ancient period from the 1st century BC to the 5th century, discovered in the Zadar region.

Housed in the 19th-century Cosmacendi Palace, the exhibits include delicate glassware, jewelry, household items, offering insight into the craftsmanship and daily life of the Roman era.

The Museum of Ancient Glass has permanent exhibition and luxurious souvenir shop, where you can buy exclusive souvenirs made at the museum’s glass making workshops by hand glassblowing, replicas of actual ancient glass artefacts.

Visitors can observe glass-blowing demonstrations and explore exhibits detailing ancient glass making techniques. The museum offers glassblowing workshops, visitors can create their own glass souvenirs.

Established in 1832 it is the 2nd oldest museum in Croatia, and one of the oldest in this part of Europe, the museum presents artifacts from Zadar’s rich past, including Roman relics, medieval exhibits, and prehistoric items.

It’s a journey through time, highlighting the region’s diverse cultural influences from all the cultural and historical periods from the Palaeolithic to the end of 11th century.

On the glass windows of the Archaeological Museum, you can see the reflection of the remains of the Roman Forum and the early Medieval church of St Donat, with which the Museum is unbreakably connected.

As part of the museum, the preparatory workshop also deals with hand-made souvenirs: amphorae, vessels, fibulae, jewelry and other valuable museum material.

People’s Square or Narodni Trg is the main square in Zadar’s Old Town and has been the city’s social and political hub and central public space since the Middle Ages, spring that attracts and sucks in with its energy and beauty.

Everything that has ever been important in Zadar, since the medieval period, has happened or been heard on the People’s Square, the center of city life and city administration with City Lodge, City Guard and the modern City Hall.

The People’s Square was formed in the Middle Ages as Platea magna (great square), later name Lord’s Square (Piazza dei Signori), is the center of secular life in Zadar and the center of city administration with City Lodge.

Surrounded by historic buildings, including the City Guard and the City Loggia, the square is a lively spot where locals and tourists gather. It’s a great place to enjoy a coffee, people-watch, or attend cultural events.

Zadar’s Old Town is a treasure trove of history, with narrow cobblestone streets, Roman ruins, and medieval churches. Enclosed by ancient city walls, the area is a pedestrian-friendly zone where visitors can explore landmarks.

The Old Town is a perfect blend of history like the Roman Forum, St. Donatus Church, the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, culture, and vibrant local life, with numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops.

Zadar’s Old Town is a pedestrian-friendly area filled with ancient Roman ruins, medieval churches, and charming cobblestone streets. Visitors can wander through landmarks and enjoy in many cafes and restaurants.

The Old Town is also home to lively squares, such as People’s Square, where you can enjoy coffee at outdoor cafes or shop for local souvenirs. Exploring this area provides a deep dive into Zadar’s rich history and culture.

In Zadar, it is officially called Siroka ulica (Calle Larga, Kalelarga), and it is sung like no other street or city symbol. It has its own anthem, it is the place for every serious city gossip or news.

Since ancient times in Zadar, known as Via Magna, Strada Grande or Ruga Magistra, Zadar’s Kalelarga has been the main and the most important city street.

On Kalelarga and the neighboring People’s Square, great sporting successes of Zadar clubs are welcomed and celebrated, just as defeats and former loves are gently mourned with the first morning coffee.

For the people of Zadar, it is even more; the city’s lifeblood, a cult space and a symbol of the city with which the most beautiful memories are associated.

This historic square is named after the five aligned wells built during the 16th century to supply water to the city during the Ottoman sieges. It’s a testament to Zadar’s resilience and engineering prowess.

On the site of the defensive ditch, a large cistern for drinking water was built with five decorated cornices or wells, and parts of the old aqueduct have also been preserved.

The Renaissance Five Wells Square in Zadar is great to take a photo with medieval western wall and the Captain’s Tower, which rises 26 meters high, and a retaining wall to the east with the entrance to the City Park.

The wells are no longer in use, but the square remains a picturesque spot with a charming atmosphere. Nearby, visitors can explore the medieval city walls and the Captain’s Tower.

The city walls of Zadar date back to the Roman and Venetian periods and are among the best-preserved fortifications in Croatia. Notable gates include the Land Gate and the Sea Gate, which served as entrances to the city.

Encircling Zadar’s old town, fortifications date back to Roman times and were reinforced in the 12th and 13th centuries and strengthened in the 16th century for the purpose of defending Venice from Turkish invaders.

Zadar City Walls are UNESCO World Heritage Site, the well-preserved walls and gates, such as the Sea Gate, offer insight into the city’s strategic importance and architectural evolution.

Walking along the unconquerable Zadar City walls offers a glimpse into Zadar’s defensive history and provides scenic views of the city and sea.

The Palace in Zadar is today a multimedia renovated and renovated space intended for exclusive concerts, exhibitions, theater performances or lectures. As in the past, it still enriches the life of the city.

The Rector’s Palace is a cultural monument, the palace was for a long period the city library, music and ballet school, concert hall or the seat of the Dalmatian government.

Historical sources mention the Prince’s Palace in Zadar as early as the 13th century, and archaeological research has discovered parts of the building from the Roman and late antique periods.

The palace ​​2,000 square meters brings together in one place museum space, atrium, concert hall, halls for exhibitions, video gallery, multimedia hall and spaces for education and creative expression.

The monumental Providur’s Palace in Zadar dominates the eastern part of the historic city center, where city institutions were once located.

Today, it is undergoing renovation, and with the renovated Rector’s Palace it will become the largest cultural and historical complex and a heritage center of national importance.

The oldest part of the Providur’s Palace dates back to 1607, and was expanded from the 17th to the 20th century, preserving its social, cultural, political and architectural importance.

In 1978, it was included in the Register of Immovable Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Croatia.

The Church and Monastery of St. Francis in Zadar, dating from 1283, is the oldest Dalmatian church built in the Gothic style, a beautiful example of a monastery of its time with a spacious atrium.

In its sacristy in 1358, the Peace of Zadar was signed between the Venetian Republic and the Hungarian-Croatian King Louis I of Anjou.

The Church of St. Francis is a type of Gothic monastic church characterized by a single-nave space with a raised sanctuary. South of the church, there is a Renaissance cloister built in 1556 with a rich library.

In the treasury next to the historically famous sacristy, there is an art collection with a large number of exhibits, the most valuable is considered to be a painted crucifix from the 12th century.

This Baroque church is home to the ornate silver-gilded sarcophagus of St. Simeon, a masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship. The sarcophagus is adorned with intricate reliefs depicting scenes from the saint’s life.

South of the Church of St. Simeon is a Roman column erected in 1729, composed of two columns from the city temple that had been preserved on the Capitol in the Forum. The church is a peaceful place to visit.

The Church of St. Simeon in Zadar was originally an early Christian three-nave basilica, then a Gothic building, and later a monument of provincial Baroque. On its main altar is a silver chest of St. Simeon from 1380.

The chest in the Church of St. Simeon is an exceptionally valuable piece of goldsmithing commissioned by the Hungarian-Croatian Queen Elizabeth for the relic of St. Simeon. It was made by the goldsmith from Milan.

Kolovare Beach is one of Zadar’s most popular beaches, located just a short walk from the city center. It offers a mix of pebbly and concrete areas, with the Adriatic Sea’s clear waters perfect for swimming.

Visitors can rent sunbeds and umbrellas or enjoy refreshments at nearby cafes. It’s an ideal spot for relaxation and soaking up the sun.

The Zadar’s main beach is equipped with amenities like sunbeds, umbrellas, and cafes, making it a great spot for relaxation and recreation with water sports.

The Zadar Archipelago consists of over 300 islands and islets, many of which are easily accessible by boat. Popular islands include Ugljan, Pasman, Dugi Otok, and the Kornati National Park.

These islands offer series of gentle coves, lovely coves and sandy pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and opportunities for sailing, snorkeling, and exploring untouched nature.

Each of the hundreds of islands is actually a special story, what they have in common is the cleanest sea imaginable, distance from the crowds and the possibility of solitary enjoyment in natural surroundings.

Boat tours often include swimming, snorkeling, and exploring secluded beaches. These tours provide a chance to experience the pristine beauty of the Adriatic Sea and its islands.

Although not directly in Zadar, the Kornati National Park is a short boat ride away and is one of Croatia’s most stunning natural attractions. an archipelago oasis practically in the center of Europe.

The park comprises 89 islands, islets, and reefs, known for their rugged landscapes, clear waters, and rich marine life. It’s a paradise for sailors, divers, and nature enthusiasts.

The Kornati National Park, with its rugged landscapes and crystal-clear waters, is a favorite destination for sailors. Sailing in Kornati offers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and breathtaking scenery.

Activities include sailing, diving, hiking and more, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.