The most northern Dalmatian city, Zadar, is the administrative, economic, political and cultural center of the region that has around 75.000 inhabitants. It is surrounded by 5 national parks (Plitvice, Krka, Paklenica, Kornati and Northern Velebit), 3 nature parks (Lake Vrana, Telaščica and Velebit) and an archipelago that spreads over 24 bigger and almost 300 smaller islands, cliffs and shoals.
This is why no one was surprised when Zadar was chosen as the best European tourist destination. All with a reason! A place to stay in Zadar has been on many wishlists for years now thanks to the city officials and locals being so original in terms of local tourism. Renowned attractions such as Morske orgulje (the Sea Organ – an experimental musical instrument that creates sounds using the force of the waves that strike against the stone) and Pozdrav suncu (Monument/Greetings to the Sun – a modern installation consisting of three hundred multilayered glass panels shaped into a circular form with a 22 meter radius) or the holograms that can be seen throughout the city when events are organised and which attract tourist from around the world. In addition to all that, there is the Night of the Full Moon, a popular event with an amazing vibe that can not be felt anywhere else. When visiting one of the numerous churches in the city, as for example St Donatus Church dating from the 9th century, St Anastasia’s Cathedral from the 12th century, St Mary’s Church and convent from 1091, St Chrysogonus Church. St Francis church and the Franciscan monastery – the oldest church in Dalmatia built in Gothic style, dating from 1283, be sure to also drop by Five Wells Square and when you head from People’s Square, which is the busiest place in town, down Kalelarga or Wide Street, be sure to enter Archaeological Museum Zadar. You’ll find collections dating from the ancient, Roman as well as medieval times. Alongside historic monuments and cultural sites there are numerous restaurants, bars, exhibitions and souvenir shops. A definite recommendation is the restaurant Dva Ribara, situated in the heart of the old city and famous for not just its daily menus but also for being a nice place to just hang out. And if you’re missing something for your day trip, you can buy it, and so much more, in a shopping mall – City Galleria Zadar.
