Attractions Nearby Zadar, Day Trips and Excursions

(Zadar, Northern Dalmatia, Croatia)

There is a lot to see around Zadar, with numerous attractions and day trips suiting the whole family. In fact, tourists who like to explore are spoilt for choice as there are beaches, islands, national parks and medieval towns all within a short drive or boat trip. Many travel agencies are based in the city, offering various excursions and cruises, to places such as the Kornati Islands and Telascica Bay.

Of the five national parks within reach, the Plitvica Lakes region is the most stunning, while Ugljan is easily accessed and known for its laid-back vibe. The old town of Nin is just a short distance to the north of Zadar and has a tiny cathedral to seek out. To the south are the fun towns of Sibenik and Split.

Nearby Islands

Zadar is the perfect base for those with time to explore the wealth of surrounding islands. Many of the islands are well connected by ferries and boats, and feature some of the nicest northern Dalmatian beaches in existence. Notable islands include the likes of Dugi Otok, the Kornati Islands, Pag, Pasman, Silba and Ugljan. The closest to Zadar is the island of Ugljan and ferries sail here directly from the port (to Preko, Ugljan) throughout the day.

Nin

Nin is a little medieval suburb town lying on the coast, a mere 18 km / 11 miles to the north of Zadar. This is a quiet, old town nestled on a small island, connected to the mainland by narrow roads, and comes with a golden shoreline. To go with its diminutive persona, Nin also has a tiny cathedral (the 9th-century Church of the Holy Cross), which is touted as the 'smallest cathedral in the world'. Although you wouldn't want to spend an entire week here, Nin is good for a day trip.

Sibenik

Sibenik is a 91-km / 57-mile drive to the south-east of Zadar, along the coast. The Sibenik-Knin region is a very pleasant spot and the town itself is highly suitable for a day trip, since you can also stop off at medieval Biograd on the way. The big draw in Sibenik is its Old Town, and in particular the huge Saint James Cathedral (Katedrala Svetog Jakova). Be sure to buy one of the traditional Sibenik hats (black and orange) as a souvenir of your visit.

Split

Split is the next main stop down from Sibenik, on the road to Dubrovnik, and ranks amongst Croatia's top tourist draws. Roughly 150 km / 93 miles to the south-east of Zadar, Split boasts an Old Town curved around an elegant harbour and comes with some fantastic facilities. The ancient Roman palace (Diocletian's Palace) is the top sight, containing many interesting buildings, squares and temples. Split is actually Croatia's second-biggest city and tourists will be able to take walking tours of the palace, visit the city's museums and enjoy some lively seasonal events, such as the Carnival each February, the May Flower Show, the Festival of Popular Music in late June, and the Split Summer Festival in July and August.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Address: Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 053 751 015
Just 40 km / 25 miles to the north-west of Zadar is the sublime Plitvica National Park. This slice of paradise is home to a series of lakes, fed by streaming waterfalls, and there are some fantastic swimming and hiking options here as well. The UNESCO World Heritage site is also known for its large concentration of wildlife, especially birds (over 120 species), bears, deer and wolves. Plitvice park's main entrance is located on the Plitvicka Jezera, with a further entrance being found at Velika Poljana. As you tour the lakes, you will discover forest trails, various grottoes and some imposing waterfalls, such as the Novakovica Falls next to the Kaluderovac Lake. Other lakes include those of Ciginovac, Galovac, Gavanovac, Gradinsko, Kozjak, Milanovac, Okrugljak and Proscansko.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, seniors, and students and, children seven years old and under are free

Paklenica National Park

Address: Paklenica National Park, Croatia, HR
The karst river canyon of the Paklenica National Park is situated in Northern Dalmatia and within comfortable reach of Zadar. With the mountain peaks of the Velebit Massif range towering for just under 150 metres / 492 feet and overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the park itself encircles the Great Paklenica Gorge (Velika) and the Small Paklenica Gorge (Mala), where dramatic cliff faces await visitors. The Paklenica National Park Office in Starigrad is the place to come for maps and trail information. Amongst the main recreational attractions here are rock climbing (such as the Klin, Mosoraski and Velebitaski climbs), mountaineering and hiking, while there are also some interesting caves to explore.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Krka National Park

Address: Krka National Park, Croatia, HR
Located approximately 70 km / 43 miles to the south-west, the Krka National Park can be reached in little more than an hour and really does warrant a day trip. Near to Sibenik and alongside the Dinaric Range, this national park is best known for its spectacular waterfalls and swimming opportunities. Specific attractions include the Krka Monastery, the Roski Slap barrier, the Medu Gredama Gorge and also Lake Visovac, where the island monastery named the Samostan Visovac resides. The park's most impressive waterfall is the Skradinski Buk, which cascades down over 17 different natural steps and is particularly photogenic.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Starigrad (Starigrad-Paklenica / Stari Grad)

Starigrad serves as a popular gateway to the Paklenica National Park and lies around 45 km / 28 miles to the north-east of Zadar, being just under an hour away and reached by taking the road to Rijeka. Buses make the town easy to reach, stopping in the centre, as well as outside of the Hotel Alan on the Dr. Franje Tudmana. Many people come to Starigrad to take advantage of the plentiful camping sites here, especially since the adjacent national park does not permit camping. Starigrad also features a choice of reasonably priced private accommodation.