Zadar

Zadar is the largest city on the coast of Northern Dalmatia and offers, therefore, not only a variety of leisure activities and beautiful beaches, but also a colorful nightlife. In the evenings, many locals and tourists come to Zadar from the surrounding villages to let loose in the bars and clubs of Zadar. In addition, particularly in the summer, Zadar is host to many music events, concerts and theater performances that promise a lively evening. At the same time, those visitors at the folklore festivals who experience the traditions and customs leave with a greater understanding of the locals. Zadar is also home to the major ferry port in northern Dalmatia which operates to all the islands of the archipelago, goes to Split, Dubrovnik, Rijeka and even to Italy. Zadar International Airport connects the region with all the major cities in Europe. Since some low-cost airlines fly to this city, tourism has also risen sharply amongst the young people. Here guests from Scandinavia, Ireland and the UK are particularly well represented but there are also many tourists from Germany, Italy, Poland, France and other European countries.

In the old town complex of Zadar, which lies on an easily seen peninsula off the mainland, you can roam through the alleys and experience over 3000 years of this city's history. Peaking out between the typical Dalmatian stone buildings are the old and new attractions of the city, such as the Roman Forum, the former church of the Holy Trinity or the now world-famous Sea Organ. The latter is a piece of work from the architect Nikola Basic done in 2005. This Sea Organ produces magical sounds by means of waves and is located right on the waterfront promenade, which is easily accessible and whose staircase-like structure invites you to linger. Three years later, the same architect who created the Sea Organ, created a new highlight for the city: the so-called salute to the sun which sits directly adjacent his previous work. Here you can watch the 300 multi-layered glass plates, which have been shaped into a circle on the ground, unfold after dark to create a colorful light show reconstructing the orbits of the planets in the solar system. The two works of art interact with each: the sounds of the sea organ transfer over without hesitation to the visual circle of light. Historical buildings like the Country Gate of Porta Terraferma with the Venetian Lion of St. Mark as well as the Church of St. Donatus bring many visitors under their spell.

The marina in Zadar attracts sailors and boaters who are either starting here and plan to go further to the surrounding islands of Ugljan and Iz or are here to just watch the picturesque boats rocking on the gentle shore as twilight comes. Zadar has a wide selection of gastronomic variety in the restaurants and taverns in the old town, which varies between regional specialties and modern kitchen. Visitors should definitely try the local specialty, Pasticada: a delicious dalmatian roast beef which is usually served with gnocchi. A walk through the city will be dotted with numerous shops, blacksmith works and handmade crafts and cafés where you can spend many pleasant hours.

The city and the areas surrounding the city offer all kinds of recreational possibilities from wellness to hiking in the Paklenica National Park; from cycling around the Vransko Jezero to horse-riding in the hinterlands of Zadar. In addition, several of the numerous islands off the coast of Zadar make for ideal destinations - including the Kornati archipelago where the same named national park lies or the Telascica Nature Park with the saltwater Lake of Mir and its magnificent cliffs. The islands and their underwater world is a paradise for boaters and divers in particular.

In addition to the larger and more well-visited beaches in and around Zadar there are numerous coves where romantic moments are bountiful. Among the most popular beaches include Borik, Kolovare and Sjever.