Destinations · Northern Dalmatia
Zadar,art on the waterfront
The Roman city Alfred Hitchcock called the most beautiful sunset in the world. A guide to villa holidays in Zadar and its archipelago of 300 islands.
The city in short
Zadar is the largest city on the northern Dalmatian coast and, for our money, the most under-appreciated. Its old town sits on a limestone peninsula ringed by Venetian walls, with two of the most quietly memorable public artworks in Europe on the waterfront: the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun.
Offshore, the Zadar archipelago spreads across more than 300 islands and islets, including the wildly quiet Dugi Otok and the Kornati archipelago just south.
Zadar suits guests who want a serious base for sailing and island-hopping, without the summer intensity of Split or Dubrovnik.
- 300+
- Islands offshore
- 3,000 yrs
- Continuous settlement
- 89
- Kornati islands
- 0
- Cruise ships (mostly)
Why Zadar
The gateway tothe northern archipelago
Zadar's advantage is its coastline. From here, the Kornati islands are an hour by boat, Dugi Otok is 90 minutes, and the small settled islands of Ugljan and Pasman are visible from the old town.
For guests planning a serious sailing week, Zadar is the natural starting point on the Croatian coast.
Luxury lifestyle
Waterfront art,quiet villas, active days
The Zadar villa scene is quieter than Split or Dubrovnik and predominantly outside the old town. The finest properties sit on the Kozino peninsula, in Petrcane and around Zaton, with private sea access and views back toward the city.
Days combine active water time, sailing lessons, dolphin-watching in the Zadar Channel, kayaking, with unhurried evenings in the old town.
Best beaches
Sakarun sand,and quiet coves offshore
Sakarun on Dugi Otok is the northern Adriatic's finest sand beach, a shallow white-sand bay reached by a 90-minute boat from Zadar.
On the mainland, Kraljicina Plaza in Nin is the region's other rare sand beach. Punta Bajlo and Diklo offer easy stone-platform swimming a short drive from the old town.
Fine dining
Foša, Kašteland konoba dining
Restaurant Foša in the old harbour, Kastel and Bruschetta for waterfront dining. Pet Bunara and Konoba Skoblar for the traditional Zadar kitchen: paska cheese from Pag, tuna carpaccio, and the local Maraska cherry.
For a proper Zadar evening, dinner at Foša followed by an hour on the Sea Organ.
Family activities
Sea organs,waterparks and shallow bays
The Sea Organ, which plays notes generated by the waves, and the Greeting to the Sun light installation next to it, entertain children of any age.
Fun Park Mirnovec near Biograd is the coast's largest amusement park. Sakarun and Nin's shallow lagoon are unrivalled for younger children.
Nature
Kornati, Paklenica,Plitvice within reach
Kornati National Park, an archipelago of 89 uninhabited islands, is a full-day sailing trip from Zadar and one of the most memorable single days on the Croatian coast.
Paklenica National Park (Velebit mountain climbing) is 40 minutes north. Plitvice Lakes is 90 minutes inland. Zadar is the best coastal base for guests who want to add a national-park day to their week.
Local experiences
Sea organs,salt pans, private sailings
A private sailing charter to Kornati, anchoring for lunch in a bay accessible only by boat. A salt-tasting at the medieval salt pans in Nin.
An evening on the waterfront with a bottle of Prosek, watching the sunset that Hitchcock came back for.
When to visit
A long, honestshoulder-season city
Zadar is at its best in May, June, September and early October. The airport is served year-round by several European carriers.
July and August are hot but less crowded than Split or Dubrovnik. Winter is calm and grey; the city empties but stays open.
Helpful information
Practicalitiesfor Zadar
Getting there
Direct flights into Zadar airport from most European capitals from spring to autumn. Split is 90 min south by car; Rijeka 3 hours north.
Getting around
A car is useful for beaches, national parks and Nin. In town, everything is walkable. Private driver for day trips.
Where to base
Kozino peninsula and Petrcane for closest sea-view villas; Zaton and Vrsi for larger family estates; Sukosan and Debeljak for easy sailing access.
Sailing from Zadar
Sukosan and Sv. Filip i Jakov marinas are the largest on the coast. Kornati day-charters typically leave from Biograd, 30 min south.
National parks
Paklenica for climbing and hiking. Plitvice Lakes for the famous waterfalls (arrive at opening to avoid crowds). Kornati by boat only.
What to pack
Layers for exposed boat days, water shoes for the sand-and-pebble Nin beaches, walking shoes for Paklenica.
Frequently asked
Zadarin questions
Luxury concierge
Plan your Zadarholiday
Tell us the dates and whether you want sailing, national parks or waterfront quiet. A specialist replies within four hours.
Luxe Villas Collection
Browse villasin Zadar
Sea-view villas on the Kozino and Petrcane peninsulas, larger estates around Zaton, and quiet coastal houses toward Biograd.