Zadar walking tour & city guide

The old town

The Roman Forum, the largest on the eastern side of the Adriatic, lies at the heart of the peninsula, with columns and stones scattered around. Next to it, the round Church of St Donatus, from the 9th century, is the symbol of the city. The bell tower of the Cathedral of St Anastasia offers views over the rooftops and the sea.

The old town is surrounded by Venetian walls, and the Land Gate, decorated with the lion of St Mark, is one of the finest Renaissance monuments in Dalmatia. Kalelarga, the main street, is lined with shops and cafés.

The Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun

At the tip of the peninsula, the Sea Organ is a set of marble steps with pipes underneath. Waves push air through the pipes and create a constantly changing, haunting music. Next to it, the Greeting to the Sun is a large circle of solar panels set into the pavement, which light up in colorful patterns after dark.

Watching the sunset over the islands while listening to the Sea Organ is one of the most memorable experiences in Croatia.

Visiting tips

Zadar is a good base for the Kornati and Paklenica national parks, the Krka waterfalls and Plitvice Lakes. Small boat ferries called 'barkajoli' have carried people across the harbor for centuries. Ferries link the city to nearby islands such as Ugljan.