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Zadar
A historic peninsula town with Roman ruins, the Sea Organ and famous Adriatic sunsets
A historic peninsula town with Roman ruins, the Sea Organ and famous Adriatic sunsets
Steps leading into the sea with pipes beneath them that play sounds as waves push air through, designed by architect Nikola Bašić and opened in 2005.
Sit on the steps at sunset and listen.
Photo: Böhringer Friedrich, CC BY-SA 2.5
A round 9th-century church built partly from Roman stones, standing beside the remains of the Roman forum and the cathedral of St Anastasia.
Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
A national park of bare, rocky islands south of Zadar, best visited on a full-day boat trip with swimming stops.
Photo: Argo Navis, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try fresh fish and shellfish, Pag cheese, pršut (cured ham) and Maraschino, the cherry liqueur made in Zadar for centuries.
The old town has many konobas; restaurants along the seafront have sunset views.
Zadar Airport (ZAD) is about 15 minutes from the old town by shuttle bus or taxi. Buses connect Zadar with Split, Zagreb and Plitvice, and ferries go to nearby islands.
Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area and uses the euro. EU citizens need only an ID card; citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with biometric registration under the EU Entry/Exit System. An ETIAS travel authorisation is also due to be introduced. Check current rules before you travel.
Zadar is cheaper than Dubrovnik and Split. Croatia has used the euro since 2023. Prices on the coast rise sharply in July and August.
Old town, sea and national parks.
Explore the Forum, St Donatus and the cathedral, then watch sunset at the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun.
Take a boat trip to the Kornati islands.
Take a day trip to Krka National Park or Plitvice Lakes.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Croatia is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
The Greeting to the Sun lights up after dark, powered by solar panels.
Book Kornati trips a day ahead in summer.
July and August are very busy and expensive; June and September are often the best balance of weather and crowds.
Stone streets are polished and slippery.
Quick answers for planning time in Zadar.
Yes, Croatia joined the Schengen area and adopted the euro on 1 January 2023.
A set of marble steps with pipes underneath that play sounds created by the waves.
About two hours by road.
By shuttle bus or taxi, in about 15 minutes.
Yes, full-day boat trips leave from Zadar and nearby towns.
Google Maps works well; download offline maps for islands and national parks.
Free
Croatian is the language; English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Free
Bookable boat trips, walking tours and national park excursions.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Croatia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.