Zadar holidays

Pine-backed bays Zadar’s beaches offer a mix of pebbly shores, crystal-clear waters, and a relaxed vibe. Popular spots like Kolovare and Borik are ideal for swimming and sunbathing, while quieter coves near Diklo and Puntamika provide more of a footprint-free escape.

Kolovare Beach is Zadar’s most popular beach, located near the old town. It ticks off pebbly shores, clear waters, and shaded areas with pine trees. Well-equipped with showers, changing rooms, and beach bars, it’s ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and socialising – and it’s a favourite for tourists and locals alike.

Sakarun Beach, on Dugi Otok Island, is an eye-widening crescent of white sand and blue waters. Surrounded by pine forests, it’s ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and family outings. To reach Sakarun Beach from Zadar, take a ferry or catamaran to Dugi Otok Island, then travel by bus, taxi, or boat tour to the beach near Soline. The journey typically takes between one and two hours and is absolutely worth it.

Located in the heart of the city, Zadar Market is a bustling open-air spot known for its fresh veggies, local cheeses, olive oil, and handmade goods. It’s ideal for bargain hunters seeking authentic Croatian flavours at local prices. Vendors often offer deals on seasonal fruits and vegetables, and you’ll find regional specialities like Pag cheese and dried figs at lower prices than in the souvenir shops.

Supernova Zadar is the city’s largest and most popular shopping mall. It shows off a wide range of mid-range fashion brands, electronics and home goods. You’ll find stores like H&M offering clothing and footwear at reasonable prices. This shopping centre also has a supermarket, cafés, and a weekly farmers' market, making it a convenient stop-off for both locals and tourists.

For all your designer clothing needs, head to XYZ Premium Fashion – a luxury clothes shop located in the Supernova Zadar shopping centre. Here, you’ll find a curated selection of high-end international brands, like Armani, Versace Jeans Couture, Michael Kors, and Hugo Boss.

Thanks to a lack of light pollution, Zadar’s a particularly good place for stargazing, especially along the waterfront between May and September. Grab a glass of local wine or a pot of creamy gelato from a café about 90 minutes after sunset – known as nautical twilight – and sit back as the stars put on a show across the clear night sky.

Zadar’s nightlife blends scenic seaside lounges with lively bars and energetic clubs. You can listen to live music in a seafront cocktail bar, before making your way to one of Zadar’s nightclubs, where you can show off your best moves on a DJ-led dance floor.

Black risotto, or crni rizot, is a popular Croatian seafood dish made with cuttlefish or squid and coloured black with their ink. This traditional savoury dish is often made with garlic, onion, white wine, and olive oil. You’ll find it in most restaurants across Zadar.

Pasticada is a traditional Dalmatian beef stew from Croatia, slow-cooked in a rich sweet-and-sour sauce and typically served with gnocchi pasta. It’s considered the crown jewel of coastal Croatian cuisine, and often appears as an occasional dish prepared for weddings, holidays and special gatherings in Croatia.

Got a sweet tooth? Grab yourself a portion of fritule, miniature fried doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar, and sometimes flavoured with rum, raisins, citrus zest or rakija – Croatian brandy. Find them at street food stalls in the old town, especially near Kalelarga Street and Five Wells Square.

Pag cheese – AKA Paski sir – is a famous Croatian sheep’s milk cheese made on Pag Island. Aged and hard-textured, it has a rich, tangy flavour shaped by the island’s herbs. Often grated or sliced, it pairs super well with white wine, olives and prosciutto.

Maraschino liqueur is a Croatian spirit made from marasca cherries, which are grown along the Dalmatian coast. Distilled with cherry pits, it has a delicate almond-like flavour. It originated in Zadar, so you’ll find it in most restaurants and bars. And if you want to take one away, it’s also sold as a souvenir in elegant bottles, making it a great pick-up for a holiday gift to take home.