The Old Town lies on a peninsula contained within the roads running along two quays. Beyond medieval Zadar lies the economic heart of the city as postwar housing, industrial parks and commercial zones sprawl outward to the suburbs.
About 6km to the northwest lies the wooded beach suburbs of Diklo and Boric which have been developed into a tourist zone replete with hotels and a hostel.
Visiting Zadar is like peeling back layers of time until you end up in the 9th century BC in ancient Illyria. The Old Town is paved with gleaming white stone and the straight streets were first laid out by the Romans. A high wall remains on the harbour side, built by the Venetians in the 16th century, and an entrance gate still sports the Venetian lion.
History
Zadar was conquered by the Romans and became the colony of Iadera. Later the Venetians moved in but the port city was repeatedly attacked by the Turks. Venetian rule passed to the Austrians in the 18th century and then to Italy until 1943 when the Germans moved in. Allied bombing destroyed much of the historic centre which was rebuilt after the war only to suffer more attacks by Yugoslav forces in 1991. Read more Zadar history.
What to See
In addition to reminders of Venice, Zadar highlights include
Roman ruins from its days as a Roman colony,
St Donat church in a Byzantine style which dates from the 9th century
Cathedral of St Anastasia completed in the 13th century
Franciscan Monastery and Church, the oldest Gothic church in Dalmatia
St Simeon Church with an intricately carved gold-plated sarcophagus
sea organ that transforms waves into mournful melodies
sun salutation a circle of glass that captures the daylight and emits it at night.
Getting to Zadar
Flights: Croatia Airlines connects Zadar with Zagreb daily and there are direct international flights to Zadar in the summer.
Ferries: Getting to Zadar from Italy is easy on the Ancona-Zadar ferry but it only runs in the summer. From other towns in Croatia, not so much.
Buses: Buses are frequent, convenient and cheap.
Trains: It may not be the most practical solution but trains are a convenient option from Zagreb and Split.
Driving: Major motorways make Zadar easily accessible and it's easy to rent a car.
