Zadar Shopping and Districts

(Zadar, Northern Dalmatia, Croatia)

You can expect a good shopping experience in Zadar. Lying on the popular cruise route down the Adriatic, the city will appeal to all types of visitor as there are many shopping malls here, along with small curios shops and brand-name stores.

Zadar is especially good for souvenirs and collectibles, since it has more than its fair share of artisans who have been churning out local Croatian textiles and handicrafts for centuries. Lace, woven items and art are all good buys, with the best areas for shopping being the Old Town on the peninsula and within the Polwiejska district.

When to Shop and Where

Zadar caters well to tourists who may be after some local items and international brands. Traditional Pag Island lace that has been handmade is a good buy, as are woven textiles and ceramics.

Studio Lik is a reliable local store that sells these items, along with traditional Croatian sheepskin and collectibles. Gallery Pia is very popular for paintings, ceramics and bags, with items churned out by local tradesmen.

Also in Zadar are an increasing number of flashy shopping malls and centres, with the Relja being one of the biggest and newest. The Jankomir Centre is a huge outlet that also comes with conferencing facilities, restaurants and cafés. Residing in an old brewery in the affable Polwiejska district is the Stary Browar Mall, which is particularly good for fashion. The Callego Mall is another shopping highlight in Zadar, with its designer clothing and multi-screen cinema.

There are also supermarkets in the city centre, as well as a number of excellent book shops and art galleries. For cheap shopping and food, try out the exceptional vegetable market, while for a good tourist guide, there is a decent bookstore on the Knezova Subica Bribirskih called Petar Zoranic's.