Zadar Museums

(Zadar, Northern Dalmatia, Croatia)



There are several quality museums located in Zadar - many featuring archaeological finds of the region, from prehistory through to antiquity. In addition, some of these museums have been set up within monasteries, under the watchful eye of the resident nuns.

The main attractions dedicated to archaeology include both the Archaeological Museum and the National Museum, the latter of which allows free entry to the Zadar Art Gallery. Also popular with tourists, the Gold and Silver of Zadar attraction contains fantastic collections of religious treasures and sacred art.


Archaeological Museum (Arheoloski Muzej)

Address: Trg Opatice Cike 1, Zadar, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 023 250 516
You can learn a lot about the history of Zadar at the Archaeological Museum. It has a fantastic setting within the square of the Forum and boasts an array of artefacts from the Neolithic Age, including many fragments of pottery, pieces of jewellery and some ancient bronze swords. The Arheoloski Muzej helps charter the city's development and also comes with items gathered from all over northern Dalmatia. Many attractions are just a matter of metres away, such as the Museum of Church Art on the Trg Opatice Cike and the Church of St. Donat, which stands across the street.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 13:00, 15:00 to 19:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

National Museum (Narodni Muzej)

Address: Poljana Pape Aleksandra III, Zadar, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 023 251 851
Located in the city centre and near to St. Simeon's Church is the National Museum, which resides within the monastery at St. Krzevan's Church, close to the Bedemi Zadaskih Pobuna thoroughfare and Jazine Harbour. Although much of the 'muzej' focuses on Croatia as a whole, and in particular its coastal cities, there is also much focus on Zadar itself. There are scale models of the city during various periods of history, together with paintings and engravings. Of note, the price of admission also includes entry to the city's highly regarded Art Gallery, which lies to the south, next to both the Medieval Tower and the Trg Pet Bunara plaza.
Open hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - 09:00 to 13:00, Wednesday - 17:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Gold and Silver of Zadar

Address: Trg Opatice Cike 1, Zadar, Croatia, HR
Tel: +385 023 211 545
Residing inside a Benedictine Convent and near to the Church of St. Mary is this high quality museum, the Gold and Silver of Zadar. The church itself is quite impressive, while the religious collections, in particular the sacral art, are stunning. There are paintings, vestments and many crucifixes, as well as some remains of saints houses within intricate reliquaries (containers for holy relics). The onsite nuns keep watch as the visitors explore the offerings.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 13:00 and 18:00 to 20:00; Sunday - 10:00 to 13:00
Admission: charge