Planning to spend 2 days in Zadar? Even though it’s hard to pack everything worth seeing in Zadar into just two days, I’ve tried to create a simple two-day itinerary for you where you won’t miss much, yet you’ll still want to return to Zadar. Since there’s a lot to see in Zadar, this itinerary will include activities that you can start as soon as you touch the ground.
This guest post was written by Danielle Koch from The Amazing Traveler.
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Day One in Zadar
When you have 2 days in Zadar, it’s best to spend your first day exploring the Old Town.
Morning: Explore the Old Town of Zadar
The Old Town is the main landmark of Zadar, so it should be your primary destination as well. Although many guides on things to do in Zadar, found online, break the Old Town into several sections, the truth is, if you’re a fast walker and don’t spend more than a minute at each place, you’ll complete your tour in half an hour. You should start your walking tour at the entrance of the Old Town, which is just over Zadar’s bridge. This path will take you through a series of interesting places, ending at the famous Sea Organ.
Your first stop is the Land Gate, an old gate with a lion statue on it. Right next to it is Fosa Harbor, a nice place by the water where you can take some great pictures. Then, head to the Five Wells Square. As the name suggests, there are five old wells here. Nearby is Queen Jelena Madijevka Park, a quiet place to sit and relax for a bit. Keep walking to the Roman Forum, the old center of Zadar. Here, you’ll see the Church of St. Donatus, a round building dating back to the 9th century. It’s next to some ancient Roman ruins, which are interesting to see. Not far from the Forum is St. Anastasia’s Cathedral. This big church is really beautiful inside and worth a visit.
As you walk, enjoy the narrow streets of Zadar. There are lots of small shops and cafés, mainly on Kalelagra Street (the wide one) where you can stop for a coffee or a snack. Finally, end your tour at the Sea Organ. This is a unique place where the sea makes music through special pipes built into the steps. It’s a relaxing place to sit and enjoy the sound of the waves.
Afternoon: Relax at Borik Beach
After experiencing the Old Town’s prestige, it’s best to spend the first afternoon of your 2 days in Zadar at the beach. But to be honest, Zadar doesn’t have many great beaches. After all, it’s a city. Usually, local people go outside of the city to Sukosane, Punta Beach in Bibinje, or the other side of the city to Kozine. But if you’re set on visiting a beach in the city, like we did as high school kids, then head to Borik Beach.
It’s on the opposite side of the shipyard, so you won’t be swimming in water contaminated with oil. For the same reason, I do not recommend Kalelarga Beach, which is in the city center. You’ll see for yourself that the marina is in the city center, and all those big ships are dumping whatever they dump into the sea.
Evening: Watch a basketball game at Krešimir Ćosić Hall
Personally, whenever I’m in a new place, I like to experience the life of local people, something you can’t fully appreciate by visiting tourist spots only. So, before calling it a day, I would check the schedule of events at Krešimir Ćosić Hall. Whether the Zadar basketball club is playing in the Adriatic League (games are usually on Wednesday and Sunday) or there’s a handball game, this is the place where you will see and meet die-hard Zadar fans.
By the way, let me tell you an anecdote about Krešimir Ćosić, the guy the hall is named after. He was so tall as a kid that when the teacher entered the classroom for the first time, she said, “You, kid, sit down. You’ll be grounded if you continue standing during the class.” I don’t know whether this is true or just an urban legend.
Day Two in Zadar
Do you like the trip so far? Zadar has that effect. But wait, there’s more! The second day of your 2 days in Zadar includes experiencing the culture in Croatia up close and, of course, visiting sites that’ll ensure an exciting culmination to your 2-day itinerary of Zadar!
Morning: Embark to Ugljan Island
Croatia is famous for its numerous islands, some of them being party islands and some small and relaxing ones. A visit to Ugljan Island is one of the most popular day trips from Zadar, but actually, this island can be considered a Zadar suburb. Get on a ferry at Zadar’s main port for a 25-minute ride across the sea to Preko, which is the main place to land on Ugljan Island. Buying your ferry ticket is easy – you can do this right at the port. If you’re doing a European road trip and are planning to take your car over to the island, it’s best to get there a little early. The ferries can fill up quickly, especially when it’s tourist season. You can also choose to join a half-day boat trip to the little island.
Once you’re on Ugljan Island, there’s plenty to see and do. You can walk around, rent a bike, or drive to explore the island. Ugljan is known for its small, charming villages, beautiful beaches, and nice walking paths. One of the highlights is St. Michael’s Fort, where you can get an amazing view of the sea and the islands around. Alternatively, you could also plan a day trip to one of the many islands located in the Zadar region.
Pro Tip: If you’re an early riser, go to the docks to wait for the fishermen to return from their fishing trips so you can buy fresh fish for a fraction of the price. They are usually there around 5 or 6 in the morning. Fishermen are superstitious and don’t want to lose their first customer because they believe they will have a good sales day if they sell fish to the first buyer. Therefore, they will sell it cheaply just to avoid bad luck.
Afternoon: Visit the Solana Nin Salt Museum
If your visit to the Ugljan island overjoyed you, the visit to Solana Nin Salt Museum will leave you awestruck! Located 25 minutes away from town, the Solana Nin is one of the oldest saltworks in Europe and is one of three saltworks in Europe that has the European ecological certificate.
Take a tour around the mine to discover how this essential mineral is cultivated and distributed. On your tour, you’ll be surrounded by the marvelous views of the beautiful salt pools. To add a humanistic touch to the product, you’ll see locals harvesting salt manually through the mineral deposits. What fascinated me the most is that they have over 300 different products!
Evening: Enjoy the Sunset at the Sea Organ
It’s a must on your 2 days in Zadar to culminate your trip by witnessing the sunset at the sun installation! Located next to the Sea Organ, the sun installation has multiple solar plates installed, allowing it to store solar energy during the daytime. As the sun begins going down, these plates illuminate with a wonderful glow. This ensures an experience nowhere to be found. Considering that both locations are the geniuses of the same creator, it only makes sense for them to blend.
The glowing lights from the photosensitive glass panels, when paired with the melodic chimes from the Sea Organ, create a relaxing environment, gracing the harbor with the famously beautiful sunsets. After all, this unique experience led Alfred Hitchcock to say, “Zadar is the city with the most beautiful sunset in the world.” As you experience this view, it’ll feel like Zadar bidding farewell to you.
Where to eat during your 2 days in Zadar?
If you’re a fan of street food, then burek is one of the most popular choices across the Balkans. It’s affordable, available in every bakery, and just one piece can be quite filling. If you prefer restaurant-type food on your 2 days in Zadar, your choice might depend on your budget.
On the one hand, if money is no object, then Fosa is the place for you. For a decent amount of money for dinner, I recommend Bruschetta, which is my go-to place. It’s right next to the Zadar sunset spot, just a five-minute walk from the Sea Organ down the shore. On the other hand, if you’d like to eat where the local people do, then I would suggest Pizzeria Šime. It’s the oldest pizza place in Zadar and is mostly frequented by locals.
Final Words on the 2-Day Zadar Itinerary
I hope you enjoyed reading this 2-day Zadar itinerary and I hope it helps you to better plan your next Croatia trip! If you’re deciding to visit Zadar for only one day, make sure to read my 1-day Zadar itinerary as well. For more Croatia inspiration, take a look at this guide on how to spend one day in Split.
Don’t forget to save this itinerary for your 2 days in Zadar!
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