Things to do in Zadar

From the Roman Forum and the Sea Organ on the Old Town peninsula to a walk along the Riva at sunset and out to the islands just offshore, Zadar packs an unusual range of history and coastline into a small city.

Signature experiences

The categories that define a first trip to Zadar — the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun, the Roman Forum and Cathedral of St Anastasia, boat trips to the islands, and Zadar's own Old Town.

Plitvice Lakes Day Trips

Plitvice Lakes Day Trips

Day trips from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes National Park, with stops at Rastoke on some itineraries.

7 guides
Krka Waterfalls Tours

Krka Waterfalls Tours

Tours to Krka National Park, including Skradin, Roški slap and boat trips to Visovac island.

5 guides
Zadar Airport Transfers

Zadar Airport Transfers

Private and shared transfers, shuttles, taxis and chauffeur services to and from Zadar Airport.

2 guides
Dolphin Watching Tours

Dolphin Watching Tours

Boat trips to spot dolphins along the North Dalmatian coast.

2 guides
Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor Adventures

Rafting and kayaking on the Zrmanja, hikes in Paklenica and Velebit, canyoning, quad and jeep safaris, ziplining and horse riding.

5 guides
Sea Kayaking & SUP

Sea Kayaking & SUP

Sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding tours along the Zadar coastline.

4 guides
Island Hopping Cruises

Island Hopping Cruises

Cruises to the Kornati islands, Telašćica, Dugi Otok, Sakarun beach, Ugljan and Pašman.

12 guides
Sunset Cruises

Sunset Cruises

Evening boat trips with sunset views, including spritz and champagne cruises and party boats.

6 guides
Boat Tours & Snorkelling

Boat Tours & Snorkelling

Speedboat, sailing and catamaran tours with snorkelling and swim stops, including Blue Lagoon excursions.

9 guides
Pag & Nin Tours

Pag & Nin Tours

Tours to Pag island and Novalja, plus Nin with its salt pans, lace and Pag cheese.

2 guides
Šibenik Riviera Tours

Šibenik Riviera Tours

Tours around Šibenik, Vodice, Primošten and Murter on the Šibenik riviera.

4 guides
Food & Wine Tastings

Food & Wine Tastings

Wine, olive oil and Maraschino tastings, food tours, cooking classes and pub crawls.

3 guides
Zadar Walking Tours

Zadar Walking Tours

Guided walks through Zadar's Old Town, the Sea Organ, Greeting to the Sun, the Roman Forum, plus segway and photo tours.

6 guides
Day Trips from Zadar

Day Trips from Zadar

Full-day and private excursions departing from Zadar.

3 guides

Good to know about things to do around Zadar

This hub arranges Zadar-area activities into more than a dozen categories, because a historic coastal town, several national parks and a scattered archipelago don't fit under one label. Museums & landmarks cover the Roman Forum and St Donatus Church, plus the Cathedral of St Anastasia — all draw visitors that can build up on fine days. Old Town walking splits by destination: the Riva and Five Wells Square for visitors wanting the highlights, and the quieter lanes behind the Land Gate for shorter walks — never a rushed visit in poor weather. Other outings cover Vransko jezero on the mainland side.

The Sea Organ is its own category: a set of steps that turn waves into music, reached on foot from the harbour, a short walk from the Old Town rather than in it. Island outings centre on Kornati National Park and its scattered islets. Adriatic beaches covers Sakarun on Dugi Otok, Nin's sandy lagoon and Zrće on Pag across the wider region. Town walking covers the Riva and the Roman-era streets, while Museums groups the Forum and the Cathedral of St Anastasia. National park visits cover Krka's travertine barriers, Plitvice's terraced lakes and Paklenica's canyon trails.

Culture, family activities, day trips, transport, seasons and planning round out the rest, since weather that changes hour by hour changes what's actually possible on a given day.

Frequently asked questions about things to do around Zadar

What are the main categories on this hub?

Museums & landmarks, Old Town walking (split between the grand highlights and the quieter streets), other walks, the Sea Organ, island outings, Riva town walking, culture and museums, national park visits, the archipelago & Pag–Nin, family activities, day trips, transport and seasons.

Is the Sea Organ walk suitable for beginners?

Yes. It's a flat, easy walk along the Riva with no chained sections or fall risk, and it makes a genuinely easy outing for most visitors.

What is Rastoke?

A quirky watermill village built around cascades and old wooden mills, kept open to visitors near Plitvice Lakes, not far from Zadar.

Is entry to Krka National Park free?

No — Krka charges an entry ticket for the park: prices vary by category, with reductions for students and families; in July to September tickets can sell out hours ahead, so buying ahead online is worth doing.

What's the best way to see the Adriatic coast itself?

By ferry from Zadar to the islands, or on foot along the marked promenades of the Riva and Nin's lagoon. Regional buses and ferries reach every stop, so a rental car isn't required for sightseeing on this scale.

Island Hopping Cruises

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GetYourGuide does not provide a product photo for this activity — the image shows the meeting point, photographed by us.