2025 Zadar Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

From Plitvice Lakes we arrived near the Sea Organ in Zadar, just in time for the beautiful sunset! The entire sea surface and steps were dyed golden yellow, which was simply stunning! When the sun slowly slid towards the sea level, everyone sat on the steps and admired it. The sea here is really blue, and the reflection of each other is beautiful. 🌅Unlike other sunsets, Zadar not only has a golden sunset, but also the melody of the sea organ accompanied by the waves hitting the stone steps. 📜The sea organ plays music through the resonance of the waves and the polyethylene pipes under the marble steps. The music will also change with the frequency of the waves. Every sunset has its own music, a European romance, love to death! Sea Organ Sea Organ 📍Obala kralja Petra Kresimira IV, 23000, Zadar, Croatia 🍽️: The old town is right next to it. You can find a restaurant to have dinner at any time. It tastes really great. Especially the octopus appetizer! Restoran Bruschetta 📍Ul. Mihovila Pavlinovića 12, 23000, Zadar, Croatia #globaltravel #trip #EasternEurope #sunset

Wish I could transport back to my ##summervacation to beautiful Zadar #croatia Decided to go last minute and was only here for a few days, but had such an amazing experience! The stay was cheap and so was the flight from france. The weather was beautiful and people were so kind. Most of these pictures are from Dugi otok. Took a 7€ ferry from Zadar and stayed the whole day at Sakarun Beach! 10/10 recommend #instatravel #trip

Attraction: The Greeting to the Sun Address: Istarska obala, Zadar, Croatia Direction: Uber, Bus or Walk Opening Hours: 24 Hours In Zadar, near the Port has one of the best place for sunset. Next to it is the sea organ so you can hear “flute” like music while enjoying the sunset. After sunset, you can enjoy the light show right at the spot from “The Greeting to the sun” which is a solar panel that create colourful night show at night once it gets dark. Make sure you take lots of pictures! Tip: It can be very hot and sunny during the day, make sure to have enough water and sunscreen. #timetotravel #sunset #croatia #zadar

The city of Zadar is an ancient city with a history of 3,000 years. It is not a big city. You can explore the ancient city in about half a day. After visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park, it is a good stopover to the next city. #Local Tour

I traveled to Zadar in early September, there I visited a near by island called Preko and it was amazing. If you go there you should go to visit it.

| Croatia | Zadar | Most Beautiful Sunset | The evening in Zadar is the essence of the whole day, and the afterglow of the sunset still lingers in my heart. Zadar has a sunset that is known as the most beautiful in Europe and even in the world. Even the horror master Hitchcock once said: "If you want to see the most beautiful sunset in the world, please come to Zadar." A nine-day trip through Croatia. I have gone out to sea at dusk in Dubrovnik; sat on the pier of Hvar Island waiting for the sunset; and lay on the beach in Split to enjoy the sun, but I have to say that the sunset in Zadar is the most magnificent. Croatia, with temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius, is warm and it made me understand what a heat wave is like. It has a strong Mediterranean style while retaining a historical atmosphere. The locals' pursuit of life can be summed up in one word: "leisurely". Will Croatia be my next backpacking destination? Erm...I would still like to come on vacation and enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine and beaches in a different way. The most beautiful sunset serves as a summary of Croatia and brings this journey to a perfect end. Next stop, Slovenia. _____________________________________________ 📍 Obala kralja Petra Krešimira IV, 23000, Zadar, Croatia #mytravoto #LifeThisNeverEndingJourney #IslandHoliday #TravelInspiration #TheMostCoolTravelExperience #OverseasTravel

| Croatia | Zadar | Sea Organ | Croatia's last stop - Zadar. Although it is the fifth largest city, the number of tourists here is obviously less than before, but the historical flavor is still increasing. The historical monuments in the old town are all influenced by the Renaissance in neighboring Italy, and also have some architectural styles from the Goethe period. Surprisingly, the buildings here are in perfect harmony with the surrounding shops, and the two blend perfectly. After lunch, take a walk along the seaside and visit the world's first ocean organ. Thirty-five hollow steel pipes of different lengths and sizes are buried at the bottom of the white stone steps. As the tides rise and fall, they create pieces of ocean music. This open-air concert attracted tourists from all over the world to take a break. I took off my shoes, sat on the bottom step of the stone steps, soaked my feet in the cool sea water, and enjoyed the Mediterranean style. The sound of the waves crashing together with the tones of the sea organ create a unique melody. This is the "voice of the sea". _____________________________________________ 📍 Obala kralja Petra Krešimira IV, 23000, Zadar, Croatia 🕑 Open 24 hours #mytravoto #LifeThisNeverEndingJourney #BestTravelExperience #TravelInspiration #ScenicScenicPhotographyGuide #OverseasTravel

The #seaorgan is an architectural sound art object located in #zadar, #croatia and an experimental musical instrument, which plays music by way of sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps. #unbelievable #happynewyear

Zadar to a historic old town of Roman ruins, medieval churches, cosmopolitan cafes and quality museums. #zadar old town has a lots of beautiful #gardens at every corner of the town. #happynewyear

One of the most intriguing things about #zadar in #croatia, there is the way Roman ruins seem to sprout randomly from the city's streets. Nowhere is this more evident than at the site of the ancient forum, constructed between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD. As in Roman times it's still the centre of civic and religious life. #travelinspiration #roman #ruins #happynewyear

#HawaiiFlightEvent Currently, Zadar Airport is undergoing renovations, so it feels a bit chaotic. I felt like there wasn't enough waiting space for passengers waiting for their flights. I wish there were more comfortable chairs or sofas to sit and relax on. I'm looking forward to it becoming a more modern airport after the renovations are finished. #croatiatravel

#AprilTravelSupport The former palace of the Duke of Zadar is now used as a museum for everyone. The interior is spacious and has many rooms, making it perfect for exhibitions. When I went, I was able to see the works of new artists from Zadar, which was refreshing. I also recommend seeing the works of artist LUCIJA VUKMAN 📍Trg Petra Zoranića 1, 23000, Zadar, Croatia #croatiatravel

#AprilTravelSupport This is a Catholic cathedral in Zadar's Old Town. I heard there was originally an entrance fee, but on the day I visited, there was no entrance fee and I was able to go in and look around the inside of the cathedral. I could see the pipe organ in the back, and the inside of the cathedral seemed to be dark and old-fashioned overall, so I recommend stopping by if you visit Zadar. #croatiatravel

#AprilTravelSupport You can also enjoy a beautiful sunset at the Sun Greeting in Zadar, but you should know that it will be difficult to take pictures because there are so many people. If you visit a little later in the day, you can also see LED lights that collect solar energy and generate heat in the evening, which is recommended. #croatiatravel

#AprilTravelSupportIn the city of Zadar, the old palace where the Duke of Zadar lived has been renovated into a modern space for culture and art. When I visited, I saw the black and white photos taken by Zadar photographer VICKO ZANINOVIC, which recorded the changing history of the city of Zadar like a photo album, so I recommend it.

#AprilTravelSupportIwassurprisedtoseethepilgrimpathsignpostinZadar. The yellow sunburst on the blue signpost was a signpost that showed the way to pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I was surprised to learn that you can walk the Camino de Santiago in Zadar. I recommend you try it because you can walk while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Zadar. #Croatiatrevel

Zadar is a city filled with fairy-tale colors, boasting unique natural landscapes and cultural charm that make visitors feel as if they've stepped into a dreamlike world. Sea Organ: Nature's Music Box One of Zadar's most famous attractions is the Sea Organ. Designed by architect Nikola Bašić, it consists of 35 organ pipes installed beneath marble steps along the seafront. When the tide flows in, air is pushed through the pipes, creating beautiful music. This unique design transforms ocean waves into a musical performance, perfectly blending nature with human ingenuity. Sitting on the stone steps of the Sea Organ, listening to the music while watching the sunset is an incredibly romantic experience. Sun Salutation: A Dreamlike Combination of Light and Music Adjacent to the Sea Organ is another highlight of Zadar, the Sun Salutation. Composed of blue photovoltaic panels forming a large disc, it absorbs solar energy during the day and emits colorful lights through LED tubes at night. When darkness falls, the music from the Sea Organ harmonizes with the light show, creating a magical, dreamlike atmosphere. Ancient History and Architecture Zadar is a city with over 3,000 years of history. The old town preserves many ancient Roman ruins, such as the Roman Forum and St. Donatus Church. Built in the 8th century, St. Donatus Church now serves as a concert hall. Walking through the old town feels like traveling back to ancient Roman times, with every stone telling a historical story. Fairy-Tale Sunsets Zadar's sunsets are renowned as among the most beautiful in the world. The famous American director Alfred Hitchcock once said: "As the magnificent, brilliant sunset slowly sinks into the sea, I feel the eternity of nature. The sunset over Zadar's sea is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sights in the world." Watching the sunset by the Sea Organ is one of the most romantic experiences Zadar has to offer. These unique features make Zadar a place full of fairy-tale charm, with its music, light effects, and history creating an allure that's impossible to resist.

#AprilTravelSupport It was amazing to see ancient glass crafts at the Zadar Glass Museum. I felt grateful as I looked at the crafts that were painstakingly restored. The operating hours are Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4pm during the off-season, and closed on Sundays and public holidays. Admission is 6 euros for adults and 3 euros for children. #croatiatravel

#AprilTravelSupport Oktopus Carpaccio was a starter and it was a dish that raised my expectations for this restaurant. The thinly sliced ​​octopus was not chewy but really soft. The octopus carpaccio here was the perfect starter and I highly recommend it. #croatiatravel

#AprilTravelSupport As you can see, Zadar Airport is a really small airport. After using only large international airports, I tried using the small Zadar Airport, but rather than the inconvenience, the process was fast and I was able to walk from the gate to the plane, so it was fun. Zadar Airport is currently building a new building, so next time I come, I think I will be able to go to the gate in the modernized airport building. #croatiatravel

#AprilTravelSupport This is a restaurant I stopped by while sightseeing in Zadar Old Town. The outdoor chairs were so pretty, so I enjoyed a cup of coffee here and the Old Town. The atmosphere was great, so I recommend it as a place I want to go eat next time. 📍Ul. Jurja Dalmatinca 3, 23000, Zadar, Croatia

#AprilTravelSupport The FRITTO MISTIO I tried at a Zadar restaurant had a really thin batter, which was just my style. When I go to other restaurants, the batter is often thick and the fillings are small, but this place was really different. The batter was of exceptional quality, and the dip I dipped it in was so delicious. I recommend it because it tastes so good with Radler beer. #croatiatravel

#AprilTravelSupport This is the restaurant where I had the most delicious food in Zadar, so I recommend it. Since there are no tables if you don't make a reservation for dinner, I visited during a quiet time and had a leisurely, delicious black risotto. I've had it elsewhere, but this one was much more al dente, and I could feel that the fish broth was made with a richer flavor. I like this place even more because it was recommended by a Zadar Museum employee. #croatiatravel

#AprilTravelSupport Passing the deserted main street, Zadar's Old Town becomes even more beautiful at night. The Sea Gate is illuminated, giving it even more charm and going well with the night. I recommend you to definitely see the night view in Zadar. #croatiatravel

#AprilTravelSupport Fund I think it's hard to capture all the colors that nature has released with a camera lens. On the way back to the accommodation after watching the sunset in Zadar's old town, you can feel the colors of Zadar in the evening, which are different from those seen during the day, so if you stay in Zadar, visit at different times to see the beautiful Zadar! #croatiatravel

When "Game of Thrones" transformed Dubrovnik into the prototype of "King's Landing," when Zadar's Sea Organ was named "World's Most Beautiful Sunset" by Lonely Planet, Croatia still maintains its mysterious low profile. Once the vacation backyard of the ancient Roman Empire and a golden stopover for Venetian merchant ships, it is now Europe's hidden template for slow living—red roofs burning under the sunshine, sea water as blue as if God had adjusted its color, and time forever frozen in the crevices of medieval stone steps. --- ### 📜 7-Day Classic Route: From Epic Ancient Cities to Secret Lakes Day 1-2 Dubrovnik | Pilgrimage Site for Game of Thrones Fans - Must-Experience: - Enjoy the city walls at 7 AM (ticket €35), overlooking the "jewel blue" gradient of the Adriatic Sea - Find the "Walk of Shame" stairs on Stradun Street (free), with Mother of Dragons' style ice cream in hand - Take the cable car to Mount Srđ (€27), order squid risotto with sunset at Panorama Restaurant - Secret Spot: Buža Bar cliff bar, jump into crystal waters through a gap in the city wall Day 3 Hvar Island | Lavender-scented Party Paradise - Transportation: 1.5-hour speedboat from Split (Krilo company/€25 one-way) - Activities: - Rent electric bicycles to tour the island (€20), photograph purple lavender fields in Stari Grad town (best in June) - Climb the Spanish Fortress at dusk (ticket €7), watch white sailboats turn golden pink Day 4 Split | Living Fossil of Ancient Rome - Wonder: Diocletian's Palace Basement (filming location for Mother of Dragons' dungeon, ticket €10) - Food: Stewed baby octopus at Konoba Varos (€28), paired with local Plavac Mali red wine Day 5-6 Plitvice Lakes | Europe's Jiuzhaigou - Photography Bible: - Head straight to the Great Waterfall (Veliki Slap) from Entrance 1, capture the "green silk" lake surface in morning mist - Take the electric boat across Lake Kozjak (included in ticket), chance encounters with wild deer drinking water - Accommodation Comparison: Hotels inside the park vs. lakeside cabins, the latter saves 50% of your budget Day 7 Zadar | Listen to the Sea Organ - Magical Moment: Arrive at the Sea Organ steps 1 hour before sunset, tides play "Earth's Song" - Easter Egg: Greeting to the Sun installation, light up the LED light dance with your footsteps --- ### 🍽️ Taste of Croatia: 3 Must-Try Soul Foods 1. Black Risotto (Crni Rižot) - Seafood hidden in squid ink-dyed rice (recommended at "Proto" restaurant in Dubrovnik) 2. Truffle Pasta - Wild white truffle shavings from the Istrian Peninsula (most authentic in Motovun town) 3. Peka Stew - Slow-cooked lamb chops + potatoes in stone oven (reservation required 4 hours in advance) --- ### 🚗 Practical Toolkit - Transportation: Coastal self-driving offers the most freedom (car rental €50/day), book island ferries in advance using the Jadrolinija App - Money-saving: Buy Dubrovnik Pass (includes city walls + 5 museums), picnic with bread + smoked meat from supermarkets - Avoid Traps: Check Google ratings for old town restaurants, avoid "tourist traps" with English-only menus --- The magic of Croatia lies in turning every traveler into a time traveler—eating ice cream under Roman columns in Diocletian's Palace, drinking the same red wine in Hvar's vineyards as 2,000 years ago, understanding why Earth needs national parks in front of the waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes. There's no anxiety of "social media check-ins" here, only the Adriatic sea breeze year after year, carving the contours of stone walls and souls. "We will eventually return to Croatia, Not because of unfinished scenery, But because of those incomplete Lessons about slow living." --- 📌 Blogger's Exclusive Tips - Outfit: Prepare white/red long dresses, perfect for photos against the old town backdrop - Question: Add at the end "Which Croatian experience appeals to you most? Game of Thrones scenes/island hopping/waterfall hiking?" - Related Content: End with links to "Croatia Self-driving Pitfall Guide" or "Balkan Three-Country Tour Guide"

#AprilTravelSupport When I entered the hamburger shop that was full of only locals, everyone stared at me. The atmosphere was good, the hamburger was juicy, the bun was a brioche bun that was soft, and the sauce seemed to be a sauce that they had developed themselves. It was so delicious that I recommend it if you have a place to stay nearby, even though it's not in downtown Zadar. 📍PICNIC - mingle&fun #croatiatravel