On a trip to Croatia, a visit to Zadar is essential. Even if it’s less popular than Split and Dubrovnik, its authenticity gives it its charm. And it’s less crowded with tourists. The question of where to stay in Zadar is therefore essential to making the most of your stay.
We’re going to list and detail the most interesting areas to stay in Zadar. We’ll talk about each one’s tourist and cultural attractions, its location within the city, and the budget for accommodation. We’ll also share our recommendations for hotels, bed & breakfasts and apartment rentals.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Zadar, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. They should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Zadar:
- $ This hostel, right in the heart of the peninsula, offers very good-value rooms,
- $$ This accommodation on the south coast offers very modern apartments and rooms,
- $$$ This luxury complex is ideally located and features a gourmet restaurant and spa.
Map of Zadar’s different areas to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Zadar, you’ll find on the map below all the Zadar accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Zadar
Where to stay in and around Zadar
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a presentation of the best neighborhoods where we recommend staying in Zadar.
The Old Town: to stay in the heart of Zadar
Zadar's Old Town represents its historic heart. It lies on a fortified peninsula to the northwest.
Most of the city's commercial and tourist activity is concentrated on the peninsula. And it's here that you'll find the city's most beautiful monuments. It's clearly the best place to stay during your stay in Zadar. There are many places of interest to discover, including :
- the ruins of the Roman forum, in the center of the district
- the famous Marine Organ , which plays music thanks to the movement of the waves. The perfect place to watch the sunset.
- the Salute to the Sun, a work of art that lights up at sunset
- the Church of Saint Donat, a pre-Romanesque Catholic church
- the Zadar market, a typical open-air market
- people's Square, the main square
- the Square of the Five Wells
Please note that everything in this part of Zadar is on foot. Cars are not allowed. If you have a car, you'll only be able to drive on the roads around the center. But that's not a problem in itself, as you can reach the center in just a few minutes on foot.
The area offers a variety of where-to-stay accommodations at very affordable prices and close proximity to numerous restaurants and bars. It's the ideal place to enjoy Zadar's authenticity and live at the pace of the locals.
To the east, on the outskirts of the center, you'll find easy access to the local pier for excursions or to continue your journey to discover Croatia.
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Located in the heart of the peninsula. Small, modern rooms at unbeatable prices. This is surely the best hotel where to stay in Zadar for the value for money.
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Aparthotels in the heart of Zadar. The decor is quite typical. You can choose the view that interests you most when booking. It's an ideal place to stay if you're driving, as it has its own parking lot.
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Upscale establishment located in the heart of the historic center. Rooms are spacious and very modern. When booking, you can choose the view you prefer. The complex also featuresa gourmet restaurant, bar and spa.
The south coast: accommodation around Kolovare Beach
Some of Zadar's pleasant beaches can be found on the south coast. In fact, if you want to stay outside the old town and by the sea, this is the perfect area!
Just a stone's throw from the historic center is Kolovare Beach, one of the most famous in the area. It's worth noting that in Croatia, the notion of a beach isn't necessarily what you think of at first glance. In fact, it's a rather narrow, pebbly area that's very crowded at the height of the season. But it's a perfect example of Zadar's charm.
You'll find a number of bars nearby, as well as a few places to stay at very reasonable prices. It's a good compromise for enjoying the sea without straying too far from the historic quarter, which is less than 10 minutes away on foot.
In the surrounding area, you can enjoy other tourist attractions, including :
- golden wave beach, a large public bath north of Kolovare beach
- beach Karma, further to the north, offers a beautiful view of Zadar
If you're traveling by car, you'll find it easier to get around than in the city center. On foot, you can use the local buses to get around Zadar.
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A choice of modern apartments. Possibility of having a balcony and access to a specific viewpoint from the apartment. Close to the beach, with private parking.
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Guesthouse offering very modern apartments and rooms close to Kolovare beach. It is possible to book accommodation with a small private patio. Free private parking is also available.
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Very modern establishment located 100 meters from the beach and just a few minutes from the center. You can book a room with a balcony and choose the view you prefer. There's also a restaurant within the complex, as well as two swimming pools, a spa and private parking.
Is staying in the south-east of the peninsula a good idea?
The south-east of the peninsula is a port area outside the historic center. It's not really the most interesting place to stay from a tourist point of view. In fact, you won't find any places of interest in this sector, which is considered more of a transit area.
However, if you're travelling by car, staying here is strategic, as you'll find plenty of parking. And it's just a few meters from the ferries, bus and train stations.
It's not a very lively area. There aren't many restaurants and bars. However, as far as accommodation is concerned, the offer is satisfactory. You'll find interesting accommodation at low prices.
On the plus side, you'll have easy access to the Perivoj Vladimira Nazora park, at the entrance to the old town. Ideal for a bike ride or a jog during your stay.
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Well-decorated apartment close to the center of Zadar. It is possible to book accommodation with a balcony. It has a garden and private parking.
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Very large apartment located close to Zadar's places of interest. It has a balcony with a view of the city. The ideal place for families to stay.
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Modern apartments with balcony located near the center of Zadar and its places of interest. Apartments with harbor views are also available.
Accommodation in Puntamika, on the north of the peninsula
Puntamika is located a few kilometers north of the peninsula. It takes its name from the pebble beach. It's a pleasant place to stay to enjoy the sea and a spectacular view of the old town, easily reached by car or public transport.
With family or friends, it's the ideal area to enjoy your stay. There aren't many restaurants in this part of town, but you'll find a few bars along the coast for a refreshing drink. If you're looking for a place to stay, there are a number of inexpensive accommodation options, but be sure to book well in advance, as they sell out quickly in the summer months.
There are also two other beaches further north:
- Plaža Borik, a less-frequented pebble beach
- Borik sandy Beach, private
To the south of the district, you can take advantage of the D-Marin Borik Marina for a stroll or to hire a boat for a trip around Zadar.
If you're looking for a seaside vacation with family or friends , this is the place to be!
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Very modest hotel located close to the area's beaches. Standard rooms with typical decor. It is possible to choose accommodation with a balcony at the time of booking. The complex is equipped with private parking.
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Apartments with balcony or terrace located just a few meters from the sea. Guests have access to a garden and private parking.
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Rooms and apartments by the sea. Spacious accommodations with antique decor. Accommodation with balcony and/or sea view available. Private parking available.
Summary
As you can see, the choice of where to stay in Zadar is fairly limited. Indeed, beyond the peninsula, the old town offers the majority of places to stay.
What’s more, Zadar is usually a stopover on a Croatian road trip. So it’s best to stay close to the tourist attractions, since they’re all in one place.
Budget-wise, rates are generally in line with the average for the country’s major cities. However, it is still possible to find more luxurious hotels by the sea. But for Zadar, given its size and tourist appeal, it’s best to think ahead when booking, especially during the very high season (June to August)