From the airport, it is only 10 km to the central bus station of Zadar. To get to the peninsula where the walled city was built, you will have to take the right city bus - there are many on both sides of the big bridge (Most). The thick ramparts are immediately impressive. Designed according to a "modern" Venetian defensive system, they are a Unesco World Heritage Site. The imposing Porte de la Terre Ferme (Kopnena Vrata), designed by the Renaissance architect Michele Sanmicheli, dates from 1543. Long the main entrance to the city, it is more like a richly decorated triumphal arch, with a central passage and two small side arches for pedestrians.
Kalelarga, the oldest part of Zadar, has always been very lively. It connects with the squares of the Five Wells and the People, the Rector's Palace, and the Roman Forum, as well as with the square in front of the Church of St. Donatus, a rare example of pre-Romanesque style (9th century). Just next door, the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral of Saint Anastasia and, in the extension of its northern aisle, its monumental bell tower. Once you have climbed its 180 steps, you are rewarded by the superb panorama of the city and the sea.
A 360° view even more beautiful in winter, when the sun covers at the end of the day.
Another unique experience awaits us on the sea promenade. In 2005, the urban architect Nikola Bašić delivered two works of art, which will bring him international fame. His Marine Organs operate through polyurethane tubes located under the steps of the quays and produce musical sounds with the ebb and flow of the waves. An ingenious use of geophysical force to which the Salute to the Sun responds, a circle of photovoltaic panels that absorbs solar energy and converts it into a chromatic play of light (to be seen at night).
In addition to its exceptional historical heritage, Zadar has a rich museum offer. The Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ancient Glass, the Museum of Sacred Art, the II Palaces, the most recent restoration of the Duke's and Rector's Palaces into a museum of modern and contemporary art, up to the Museum of Illusions where you can have fun defying the laws of gravity. The young public is won over! The same goes for the interactive game Jadera Secrets, where they can hunt for treasure or discover the city in a different way with a virtual reality headset.
Paklenica Canyons, Lake Vransko, forces of nature
At the northeast exit of the city, you will see the direction of Nin, the ancient city of the first Croatian kings, not to be missed. Where you can see, among other sights, the smallest cathedral in the world, the longest sandy beaches, black medicinal mud of the greatest effectiveness.
Then Pag, the lunar island of contrasts. On the one hand, dearly guarded craft traditions, such as crochet lace, the old-fashioned harvesting of salt in the salt marshes. This precious Pag salt is used to make an excellent sheep's cheese (Paški Sir). And, on the other side of the island, Novalja, the capital of the clubbing phenomenon in Croatia, which has become rich thanks to the beach of Zrće. Huge beach clubs-discotheques have settled there to organize festivals and big parties. So much for a supercharged atmosphere all summer long, day and night.
Still on the northern riviera, the slopes of the Velebit mountain open onto the Paklenica National Park, also classified by UNESCO. A natural area that must be deserved and cannot be reached in one day! From Zadar, leave early in the morning or stay as close as possible to the park entrances in the small seaside resorts (Starigrad-Paklenica, Tribanj or Selina). This way, you will be better prepared to explore these western landscapes, these trails lined with canyons, where mythical scenes have been shot. Do you know Winnetou, the German television series of the sixties? Indeed, in some places, it feels like the American Wild West.
Experienced mountaineers and hikers climb to the top of the Vaganski (1,757 m) and Sveto Brdo (1,751 m) mountains. Climbing enthusiasts have spotted beautiful vertical walls here, for example, the rocky gorge Anića Kuk, which remains the number one climbing spot in Croatia for this demanding sport. Naturalists, on the other hand, enjoy a well-preserved biodiversity. There are forests of giant beech and pine trees, endemic bellflowers, orchids, lilies and berries that butterflies and birds enjoy. The favorite hike for visitors is the one up to the first steep rocks of Velika Paklenica, which takes about 1.5 hours to climb. At 570 m above sea level, we finally reach the Manita peć cave. Here we enter a sumptuous underground world 175 m long, divided into two chambers, where we discover fragile calcite concretions, columns of stalagmites and stalactites. On the southern riviera, the nautical center of Bibinje-Sukošan is important, and there is also the marina of Biograd about twenty kilometers further.
In Pakoštane, the tourist office helps visitors find their way around Vransko jezero, the largest natural lake in Croatia (57 km²). It is a destination that kayakers and fishermen particularly appreciate. Cyclists can follow different routes, while hikers follow didactic paths about the flora and fauna. On the northwestern edge of the lake, the wetlands have favored the creation of a bird reserve, one of the most important in Europe. Viewpoints for panoramic views, for example at Kamenjak, give the measure of the lake and show its different landscapes, wetlands, dry partitions in the Mediterranean scrub, rural environment around Ravni kotari, maritime facade with the nearby islands on this side of the Zadar archipelago (Vrgada and Pašman).
Telašćica Nature Park at the gateway to the Kornati Islands
The island of Pašman is connected by a large pond to the island of Ugljan, a long island. From the old port of Zadar, it takes only 25 minutes by ferry to reach it. Everyone goes down to Preko, a very quiet island resort, with a nice sea promenade, a new marina and flat rocks for swimming. On sunny days, this is the Sunday sea outing for people from Zadar!
North of Ugljan, the small islands of Sestrunj, Molat, Ist are more natural, with coves and a more turquoise and crystal clear sea. Dugi Otok, the largest island of the archipelago, also has a stretched shape (45 km long and 4 km wide) and a powerful nature. In the north, the beach of Sakarun, one of the most beautiful in the Adriatic, then the peninsula Veli Rat and its famous lighthouse. In the southeastern part of the island, the road passes through pine and oak forests, groves, vineyards and olive groves. On the sea side, steep shores and coves, karst cliffs, from which dolphins can be seen, to the bay of Telašćica, classified as a natural park in 1988.
This natural harbor is very busy in summer, all visitors want to see the Mir Lake, which was formed after the last ice age. The sea level then rose about 120 m; the karst depression filled with water, giving rise to this small lake, whose depth does not exceed 6 m, with a very high salinity due to evaporation and enclosure. The temperature fluctuations are very important (up to 33 °C in summer, 5 °C in winter). Extreme conditions where plankton, algae, some fish (goby, mullet, sea bass, eel), shellfish and crustaceans remain.
You can go around the lake but you should avoid moving its muddy waters. To swim, beaches and creeks can be discovered by foot in the bay. The beautiful islets are a delight for boaters, Sestrica Vela - magnificent lighthouse - Taljurić flattened by the sea and wind, Katina, the closest island to the Kornati National Park.
FUTURE INFO
When?
-All year round (heritage, concerts, exhibitions, hiking, gastronomy).
-In May, the Wings for Life race.
- Atthe end of July, in Zadar, the Millennium Jump, the Night of the Full Moon or the KalelargArt Festival (street arts).
-July/August, festivals on the beach of Zrće.
Duration
1 week, or even 2, to do everything, land side, sea side!
Budget
-Depending on the accommodation (5-star hotel complex, charming or family hotels, youth hostels, campsites, seasonal rentals), from 20-25 € to 150-200 € per night.
-A good meal is around 15-20 €.
- Daytrips from 40 €.
Public
-In Paklenica, hikers, mountaineers and rock climbers.
-Rafters on the Zrmanja River, bungee jumpers from the Maslenica Bridge.
-Windsurfers, families, spa visitors in Nin.
-Birdwatchers and cyclists at Lake Vransko and Pag.
-Boaters on the southern riviera, in the archipelago of Zadar, the Kornati islands.
-Music lovers for the Musical Evenings in St. Donat's Church, a classical music festival (July/August).
-For the clubbers of Pag, Songkicks informs you in advance about the dates of the festivals and sends you directly to their website.
The pluses
- From Zadar, possible excursions to the Krka River NP (waterfalls, mills).
- A top transportation network (bus, ferry, several modern marinas).
Minuses
- The Manita peć cave, open only from April to October.
- The touts on the port of Zadar who promise you the marine park of the Kornati and go only to the bay of Telašćica.
- In summer, the high noise level in the historic center.
Getting there
By road, good infrastructure in Zadar (bus and train stations), direct bus links to coastal towns and Zagreb. And many car rental companies. By plane, from April to October, direct flights from Paris, Marseille, Brussels with Ryanair. By boat, ferries connect Zadar to Ancona and 17 inhabited islands of the archipelago. There is also a catamaran service from Zadar to Pula.
Sleeping
Hotels, camping: check with the tourist office and on this website for seasonal rentals.
Useful
- REGIONAL TOURIST OFFICE - More information on the website
Jurja Barakovića 5,
Tel: +385 23 315 316
- NATIONAL PARK OFFICE PAKLENICA
Dr. Franje Tuđmana 14a
HR - 23244 Starigrad-Paklenica
Tel: + 385 23 369 155 - 369 202)
- ANNUAL AGENDA - More information on the website
