Zadar Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Zadar, Northern Dalmatia, Croatia)

Zadar is loaded with tourist attractions, from beaches and promenades to ancient churches and Roman ruins. Whilst the Zadar beaches aren't the best, if you head out of town, or hop over to one of the nearby islands, you will find nicer shores close by.

The Old Town Peninsula is bounded by the waterfront and this is where many of the oldest churches are clustered, along with the remains of the Roman Forum. One particular attraction of note in Old Town Zadar is the Riva promenade, also known locally as the Obala Kralja Petra Kresimira IV.

Although only parts of the medieval City Walls and Gates remain today, tourists can still appreciate this structure and with a little imagination, its former grandeur.

Old Town Peninsula

Address: Zadar, Croatia, HR
This is the best part of Zadar for tourist attractions. The Old Town Peninsula resides on the promontory right in the heart of the city and boasts many characterful churches and Roman ruins, along with shops, boutiques, restaurants and galleries. It is nice just to amble around the tight streets of the Old Town and take note of all the churches - St. Simon's Church being the oldest and most eye-catching.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Riva Promenade (Petra Kresimira IV)

Address: Riva, Zadar, Croatia, HR
As with any Croatian coastal city, Zadar has its own Riva, that is, a walkway facing the seafront. Zadar's Riva lies on the southern side of the Old Town, looking out over the upper Adriatic Sea and islands. This attraction is a beautiful, wide promenade lined by a string of parks and gardens, with steps that lead down to the sea. At night, the Riva comes alive with food vendors and cafés, and also takes in the city university. As you walk along the promenade, keep an eye out for the slightly wacky and rather fascinating Sea Organ.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Five Wells Square (Trg Pet Bunara)

Address: Trg Pet Bunara, Zadar, Croatia, HR
The Five Wells Square, or the Trg Pet Bunara as it is known locally in Croatian, is to be found tucked behind the Church of St. Simeon. Founded in the 1570s, this plaza was constructed of the site of a moat and is named after its five wells that once supplied the city with water, right up until 1840. On the opposite side of the city, the Trg Pet Bunara is often compared with the Trg Tri Bunara, a smaller plaza where the Arsenal is situated - a revamped shipping warehouse converted into a cultural centre, complete with concert hall, restaurant and shops. The city's Art Gallery is close by and worth a look.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

People's Square (Narodni Trg)

Address: Narodni Trg, Zadar, Croatia, HR
Historically the People's Square of Zadar played a central part of city life, now being used as something of an open-air exhibition space. Many historic important public speeches and gatherings have taken place here in years gone by, with proclamations being announced from the loggia. Presiding over the westerly side of this plaza is the 16th-century Town Watchtower, while just a short stroll away is the Orthodox Church and a friendly district packed with Serbian character.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

City Walls and Gates

Address: Zadar, Croatia, HR
The ancient City Walls and Gates are collectively an impressive attraction. Zadar was at one time a huge fortified city under the Venetians, who added sections from what the Romans originally built in order to keep out the Turks. Although only parts of the wall and just a few gates remain, what is left is impressive, with sections turned into parks and paths. The Land Gate on Fosa Harbour is particularly wonderful and worth a look. If you have the time to tour the walls, start with the easterly section, close to the footbridge. These are the oldest remaining walls, since much of this section dates from the days of the Venetian rule. From here, head to the Gate of St. Rok and then check out the Port Gate. To the south-east is the Renaissance-style Town Gate, which was built in the middle of the 16th century and is decorated with various inscriptions and carvings, including the iconic winged Venetian lion.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Sea Organ (Morske Orgulje) and Sun Salutation (Pozdrav Suncu)

Address: Zadar, Croatia, HR
The Zadar Sea Organ is without question one of the city's most unusual and intriguing attractions, and is known to draw the crowds. These stone stairs leading to the sea incorporate a series of pipes, which create a whistle as the motion of the sea forces air through these tubes. The result is a rather hypnotic, haunting and often melodic tune unlike anything that you will ever have heard before, being at its loudest and most pronounced when a ship sails by and creates stronger waves.

Located right next to the Sea Organ is the Sun Salutation, another unique creation. This large circle measures just over 20 metres / 66 feet in diameter and is set into the pavement, where it comprises various glass plates gaining energy from both the sun and the waves. When the sun sets, a moving light show begins, with a rainbow of light pulses and patterns lasting all night, until sunrise.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Roman Forum

Address: Zeleni Trg / Simuna Kozicica Benje, Zadar, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 023 272 479
Residing in the Old Town, the Roman Forum in Zadar was said to have been built between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD. Now lying in ruins, the Forum was finished under Emperor Augustus and included a temple to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, along with sacrificial altars, meeting rooms and workshops. Only the paving stones, some walls and sections of stairs remain today, along with a huge column - named the Pillar of Shame, where locals who misbehaved were once chained up as a form of public humiliation. The Church of St. Donat was built over a section of the Forum, incorporating two of the original pillars, and provides a striking contrast to these old ruins.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free