Beaches in Zadar
Kolovare, with its bays and a city seawater pool, is a few steps from the centre. Borik is a pebble and sandy beach with an aquapark and beach bars. Vitrenjak has a marina behind it and a children's playground. In Petrčane there are pebble, sandy and concrete beaches backed by pines, and the Zadar tourist board calls the almost 5 km of shallow coastline suitable for children.
Getting to Zadar
For the drive to Zadar Airport, the airport recommends the A1 motorway, exit Zadar 2. The airport bus takes about 20 minutes to the Old Town. According to the Zadar tourist board, Zagreb is about 280 km away, roughly three hours by road. See also the travel page and the weather page for Zadar.
Parking in Zadar
Paid parking in the Old Town and along Branimirova obala is divided into a blue zone and a white zone, which differ in time limits and price. Parking fees follow a winter and a summer regime, and the city also has a public garage. Zadar has a car removal service for wrongly parked cars.
Sights and islands
The Sea Organ produces sound from waves and tides, and the Greeting to the Sun overlooks the Zadar Channel and the islands. Jadrolinija line 431 links Zadar (Gaženica) with Preko on Ugljan; Jadrolinija gives a crossing time of 25 minutes. Check the current timetable at jadrolinija.hr.
Trips from Zadar
The Zadar tourist board recommends the small royal town of Nin as a day trip. It places Paklenica National Park forty minutes north of Zadar and Krka National Park an hour south of the city. It also says Zadar is connected to all of its islands all year round.
Frequently asked questions – holidays in Zadar
How do you get from Zadar Airport to the city?
The airport bus from Zadar Airport takes approximately 20 minutes to the Old Town of Zadar; by car the recommended route is the A1 motorway, exit Zadar 2 (Zadar Airport).
Where to park in Zadar?
In Zadar, paid parking in the Old Town and along Branimirova obala is divided into a blue and a white zone, with different time limits and prices. A public garage is also available (Zadar Tourist Board).
Which beaches are in Zadar?
Zadar's beaches include Kolovare, with bays and a city seawater pool near the centre, and Borik, a pebble and sandy beach with an aquapark and beach bars. Vitrenjak has a playground (Zadar Tourist Board).
How long does the ferry from Zadar to Ugljan take?
The Jadrolinija ferry from Zadar (Gaženica) to Preko on Ugljan takes 25 minutes one way on line 431. Check the current timetable at jadrolinija.hr before travelling (Jadrolinija).
How far is Zadar from Zagreb?
Zadar is about 280 km from Zagreb, roughly three hours by road, according to the Zadar Tourist Board. By car, the recommended route to Zadar Airport is the A1 motorway, exit Zadar 2.
Data sources: zadar.travel, zadar-airport.hr, jadrolinija.hr · Updated: October 2026
