The best hotels in Zadar

The Old Town peninsula is the best base. Hotels on or near Kalelarga, the main pedestrian street, are within a 5-minute walk of every major sight. Art Hotel Kalelarga is the top design option on the street itself. Hotel Bastion and Hotel Adriana are within 2-3 minutes of the Sea Organ. Borik, 3 kilometers northwest, suits families with its beach access and larger hotels.

The Sea Organ is a set of underwater pipes built into the Zadar waterfront that produce sound using wave energy. The result is an ambient, haunting tone that changes with the sea conditions. It is genuinely unique and worth 30 minutes sitting on the marble steps listening. The Greeting to the Sun, an 88-panel solar power installation directly next to it, lights up at night with shifting colors. Both are free. Go at sunset for the best experience.

Zadar is significantly less crowded than either. It has comparable historic architecture and better proximity to the Kornati islands for boat trips. Alfred Hitchcock called it the best sunset in the world, which is overquoted but not wrong. Dubrovnik is more dramatic and photogenic. Split has a more dynamic restaurant scene. Zadar has better value hotels and a more authentic local atmosphere than either. If you are doing the Dalmatian coast, do not skip it.

Zadar Airport has direct flights from many European cities including London Stansted, Brussels, and German cities. The airport is 10 kilometers from the Old Town. A taxi costs 130-160 HRK. Split is 160 kilometers south by road, about 2 hours by bus or car. Zagreb is 290 kilometers north, about 3 hours by bus. The coastal road from Split to Zadar passes through Sibenik and Primosten, worth stopping at.

May-June and September-October are ideal. The Old Town is genuinely beautiful in shoulder season without August's overwhelming crowds. Sea temperature in September is 23-24C, perfect for swimming. August is peak season with higher prices and more tourists, though still less intense than Dubrovnik or Hvar. The Sea Organ sunset is worth experiencing in any season.

Kornati National Park is the best boat trip from Zadar. The archipelago of 89 islands with dramatic limestone cliffs and clear water costs 400-600 HRK for a full day boat tour. Plitvice Lakes National Park is 90 kilometers inland, a 1.5-hour drive, and Croatia's most visited natural sight. Entry costs 200-300 HRK depending on season. The Paklenica National Park near Starigrad is a 30-minute drive with excellent hiking and rock climbing.

The Old Town is 100% walkable. Everything from the Sea Organ to the Church of St. Donatus to the main ferry terminal takes under 10 minutes on foot. Local buses connect the Old Town to Borik and the airport. Taxis and Bolt (the Croatian ride-sharing app) cover wider Zadar and the coastal road. The coastal walk from the Old Town to Borik takes about 35-40 minutes and is pleasant in good weather.

The Old Town has good seafood and a mix of Croatian and Mediterranean options. Try pasticada (Dalmatian beef stew with gnocchi) at traditional konobas near the Forum for 100-140 HRK. The covered market on Petar Zoranica Square sells fresh produce, local cheeses, and olive oil. Petrus restaurant near the Church of St. Donatus is the best mid-range dinner option. Hemingway Bar on the waterfront is the classic evening stop.

Yes, particularly if you stay in Borik. The Falkensteiner resort in Borik is purpose-built for families with a waterslide, kids club, multiple pools, and direct beach access from $160-240/night. Hotel Zagreb in Borik is the budget family option. The Old Town is walkable and safe for children. Plitvice Lakes is 90 minutes away and excellent for families with children of all ages.

Luxury Rooms Largo near the Forum is the most refined small property with a handful of suites from $280-420/night. Hotel Niko in Diklo has a private beach and full renovation from $255-370/night. Both are significantly higher quality than the larger commercial hotels at similar price points. Book 3-4 weeks ahead in peak season.

Yes, the Old Town is safe and pleasant to walk at night. The Riva waterfront along Obala Kralja Tomislava is busy until midnight in summer with locals and tourists. The narrow interior streets of the Old Town are quiet after 10pm but well-lit and safe. The Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun are at their most impressive at night when the solar installation lights up. Bring a light jacket as sea breezes cool the evening temperature.

Two days covers the Old Town thoroughly: day 1 for the Roman Forum area, Sea Organ sunset, and Kalelarga exploring; day 2 for the Church of St. Donatus, covered market, and a afternoon boat to the Kornati or local islands. A third day suits a Plitvice Lakes day trip (leave early, 7am). If staying 4 nights or more, Zadar makes an excellent island-hopping base for the Kornati, Dugi Otok, and Ugljan islands.