Zadar
Walk to the Roman Forum and the Sea Organ, then take a ferry from the harbor for a day on the islands.
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Zadar is a city on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, on a low peninsula that reaches into the Adriatic. The old town sits behind Venetian-era walls, and the main sights are a short walk apart: the Roman Forum, the Sea Organ, and the Greeting to the Sun, a solar installation on the waterfront. Ferries leave the harbor for the islands of the Zadar archipelago, so the city works both as a stop in its own right and as a base for a day on the water.
Plan two to four days, more if you add island day trips. Summer is the warmest and busiest season for swimming. Late spring and early autumn bring warm weather and fewer visitors to the old town. The airport is a short drive from the center. Pick your base early: the old town suits sightseeing on foot, Kolovare has the city beach, and Borik is a resort area with hotels and beaches.
Zadar in five
- Take the airport bus to the Old TownZadar Airport sits 8 km from the city. The airport bus to the Old Town takes about 20 minutes at €5.00 one way, and the ticket stays valid for 90 minutes on city buses. A taxi stand faces the arrivals exit.Zadar in 2 days
- Hear the Sea Organ as the light dropsThe Sea Organ runs about 70 m along the waterfront and plays through 35 pipes under the steps, driven by waves. The Greeting to the Sun lights up beside it, so go for the last hour before dark.
- Pick Zadar or Split before you bookSplit lies about 158 km south by the airport's own distance table, with a bigger palace and more ferries. Zadar is smaller, flatter and easier on foot, so the right choice depends on how much you plan to walk.Zadar or Split
- Use Zadar as a gateway to parks and islandsZadar's own archipelago has regular boat and car-ferry lines, and Kornati and Krka work as full-day excursions. Give each its own day.Kornati Islands
Need to know
- Airport
- Zadar (ZAD), 8 km; airport bus to the Old Town
- Getting there
- A1 motorway; Zagreb 297 km, Split 158 km, Šibenik 89 km
- Getting around
- On foot on the peninsula; bus or taxi to the beaches
- Best base
- Old Town for sights; Borik or Diklo for beaches
- Time needed
- 2 days; 3 or 4 with islands and parks
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cool, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cool, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Spring, mildMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Spring, freshAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, fresh
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Warm, calmMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Warm seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Hot, busiestJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busiest
- AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Hot, busiestAugustClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busiest
- SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Warm sea, calmerSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calmer
- OctoberClear10 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild, quieterOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Wet, quietNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 179 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Cool, lightsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 146 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, lights
Average daily high and low in Zadar, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Zadar
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 67%
- Wind
- 38 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 78%
Zadar
11:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°11°78%Monday: Rain. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Tue17°13°5%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed17°8°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu17°6°0%Thursday: Clear. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri17°6°9%Friday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sat14°10°20%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sun16°13°26%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 26%.
Updated 09:39 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Šibenikabout 1 h 15 min to 1 h 30 min by busTwo UNESCO monuments and the gate to Krka.Read the guide
- Pag Islandby road over the Pag BridgeCheese, lace and a moonlike landscape, 78 km from the city.Read the guide
- Kornati Islandsby excursion boatA national park of bare islands for a full day on the water.Read the guide
Before you go to Zadar
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Zadar, checked
- Airport bus to the Old Town: €5.00 one way, about 20 minutes; the ticket is valid for 90 minutes on city buses. Taxis run 24 hours.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Krilo's catamaran line Pula to Zadar calls at Unije, Susak, Mali Lošinj, Ilovik and Silba and is listed at 4 h 45 min from Pula.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Zadar FAQ
How many days do you need in Zadar?
Two days cover the peninsula, the Sea Organ and a beach afternoon. Add a third or fourth day for an island ferry, Kornati or Krka. One day works only as a stop between Plitvice and Split.
Is Zadar worth visiting?
Yes, if you like a compact old town with Roman ruins, a long seafront and an airport close by. It has fewer crowds than Split or Dubrovnik, though its island and park trips need planning.
Is Zadar better than Split?
Zadar is calmer and flatter, with the Sea Organ and easy island access. Split has the larger palace, more ferries and a bigger choice of restaurants. See the comparison page for how to decide.
How do you get from Zadar airport to the city?
Take the airport bus to the Old Town, about 20 minutes for €5.00 one way, or a taxi from the stand opposite the arrivals exit. The airport is 8 km from the center.
Where is the best place to stay in Zadar?
The Old Town for sights on foot, Kolovare for a beach near the center, Borik for resort beaches. Diklo suits quiet swimming stays. The where-to-stay guide compares them.