Five full days in Zadar, Croatia: Itinerary

A little piece of paradise that everyone seems to overlook sits opposite Italy on the map of Europe. Croatia is a gem waiting to be discovered in the Adriatic. Dubrovnik, Split, and the capital city of Zagreb are all on the “must see” list, but a trip to Zadar holds many special experiences that appeal to all members of the family. I wouldn’t do this city and beyond in any less than five days. But if you have more time, definitely take a few days to sit by the beach or pool and relax. If you only have five days, this is the perfect way to spend them.

Table of Contents

• Old Town Zadar: What to Know Before You Go
• Day One: Zrmanja River Safari
• Day Two: Krka National Park
• Day Three: Beach Day
• Day Four: Old Town and the Sea Organ
• Day Five: Speedboat
• Where to Stay in Zadar
• How to Get to Zadar
• Getting Around and Parking in Old Town
• Best Time to Visit

Bonus time: Old Town Zadar and what to know before you go

A note from Pure Wander: Shauna’s itinerary dedicates Day Four to Old Town, and it’s a wonderful way to experience it. We’ve pulled together a bit more context on what you’ll find there, to help you plan that day, and to give you enough background to wander off-script if you have extra time.

Zadar’s Old Town sits on a narrow peninsula surrounded by the Adriatic on three sides. It’s car-free, compact, and best explored entirely on foot. The limestone streets and squares date back thousands of years, and the layers of history here (Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian) are visible on nearly every block.

The Roman Forum is the heart of it all. Dating back to the 1st century BC, it’s one of the largest Roman forums on the eastern Adriatic coast. You can walk right through it at any time of day, and in the evenings when it’s lit up, it’s genuinely breathtaking. Right on the edge of the forum stands the Church of St. Donatus. It’s a massive, circular pre-Romanesque church from the 9th century that has become the symbol of Zadar. It’s rarely open for regular services but worth circling from outside. In summer, it hosts classical music concerts.

Deep, beautiful Croatian history

St. Anastasia’s Cathedral on the same square is the largest Romanesque cathedral in Dalmatia and worth stepping inside. Climb the bell tower if you can: 180 steps earn you a view over the terracotta rooftops and out to the islands.

Kalelarga is the main pedestrian promenade running through the Old Town, lined with cafes, boutiques, and locals. It’s the kind of street you walk slowly. The Land Gate (Kopnena vrata), at the eastern end of the peninsula, is the grand 16th-century Venetian arch that served as the main entrance to the city. It’s one of the best-preserved Renaissance gates in Croatia.

The Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation are at the far western tip of the peninsula at the waterfront — both are covered in detail in Shauna’s Day Four below. The sunset from this spot is one of the most famous in Croatia. Alfred Hitchcock reportedly called it the most beautiful in the world. Arrive early in summer to claim your spot on the steps.

Read about Shauna’s full Old Town experience on Day Four.

Day One: Zrmanja River Safari

The first day of your trip is dedicated to a little adventure. Take a tour bus up to Kaštel Žegarski where everyone in the family will be outfitted with life jackets, helmets, and waterproof jugs for their belongings like towels or cell phones. Once everyone is safely seated — two to each inflated canoe — the day really begins.

One guide leads the flotilla down the Zrmanja River, showing everyone how to paddle properly, while another guide takes up the rear to ensure that no stragglers get left behind. Kids of all ages will delight at having their own paddle and trying to figure out the intricacies of how to work it.

This endeavor will take up a good 20 minutes of your trip as each person discovers that paddling on the same side of the canoe as your partner is ill advised and dragging your paddle in the water will cause your whole canoe to do an about face. And for the tiniest humans, they can just sit back and enjoy the ride, no paddle required.

As the mechanics of the whole thing become more clear, the group will start to approach waterfalls. These areas of white water can be anywhere from 1 foot to 4 or 5 feet in height. Various levels of shrieks can be heard as kids and adults alike move their canoes through them and down the river.

Going over the waterfalls is most definitely the highlight of the trip but every family member will also enjoy taking a rest stop to swim in the clear blue-green water.

About two-thirds of the way through this excursion, there is a 10-foot waterfall dumping into a rocky area that isn’t safe to traverse in your canoe. Getting past this obstacle safely requires walking over a narrow rocky path with your paddles and waterproof jugs. Meanwhile, your tour guides send the canoes down. This will be a bit tricky for the kids, so be prepared to help them down the path while holding all the accouterments.

Near the end, participants will be allowed to go over another 10-foot waterfall that is safe, and this experience made the day for my kids. They were a little scared, but totally proud and exhilarated at the feat they had accomplished.

The waterfalls are fun and the scenery is simply stunning. The entire trip from Kaštel Žegarski to Muškovac is 12 kilometers (or about 7.4 miles). You will be pleasantly exhausted by the end! But I can guarantee that your canoe safari on the Zrmanja will be a big highlight of your Croatian vacation.

Here’s a great option for a Zrmanja River canoe safari!

Day Two: Krka National Park

After a day in the sun out on the river, it can be nice to see the sites at a more leisurely pace. For day two, you’re going to adore visiting Krka National Park. Here, we opted for the less popular national park option simply because of the wine tour at the end! Plitvice Lakes are also an excellent option when you’re visiting Zadar.

Check out the wine tour via Get Your Guide here!

The day really starts when you arrive in the little town of Skradin. We caught the ferry, which will take you and the family to the park. This is a nice, slow ride that allows everyone to enjoy a gentle boat trip while spotting local wildlife. Our favorite were the swans!

The boat will drop you at the park’s entrance. You’ll begin to follow the trail that goes up past a number of gorgeous waterfalls and then loops down the other side. The very first thing we came across on our walk was the Skradinski Buk waterfall, a wide natural pool with several falls flowing into it. While this one is definitely a showstopper, you’ll see many more falls as you follow the trail through the park.

At the top of the falls, local merchants are set up to sell everything from souvenir trinkets to pizzas and slurpees, and old town buildings have been lovingly converted into shops. A few restaurants can be found in the market area if you’d like to sit back and enjoy some local fare while you soak up the views.

On the day we visited, we were with a tour guide, so we opted for a frozen snack and continued onward. As much as the waterfalls are wonderful to see, the kids’ favorite part of the day was walking the wooden boardwalks. Shaded from a good bit of sun during the hottest time of day, these boardwalks took us through what seemed to be an entirely different world!

From atop the wooden planks, we traversed a lush forest of trees with bright blue-green waters on both sides of us — and sometimes under our feet as well! We took this part slowly, stopping at just about every turn to eye all the big fish swimming about. Our group even stopped for a while to find the singing frogs hiding low in the bushes at the water’s edge.

You could easily spend all day in this underrated national park! But after about 3 hours, we took the ferry back to Skradin and took a swimming break while others in our group explored the local shops. Swimming used to be allowed within Krka, but it is no longer allowed within the park.

After our dip, the tour took us to Sladic Winery about 30 minutes outside of Skradin. This may be the tiniest winery I’ve ever been to, but the selection did not disappoint. The winery team indulged us with a selection of meat and cheeses to accompany some lovely wines — the rosé being a favorite among our group. They ended our tasting with some luscious ice cream for the kiddos, so everyone ended this day tired and happy.

Day Three: Beach Day (or maybe the pool!)

Now, with two pretty active days under your belt, you may need a little vacation from your vacation. And there’s no better place to have that vacation than the beach.

We were a little disappointed to discover that the coastline in the Zadar area was very rocky. Enjoying a day at the beach wasn’t as simple as we had hoped. But if you don’t have a great place near your accommodations to kick back and enjoy the water, Sakarun Beach may be the place to go.

This little area is not super easy to get to, but it’s definitely a very pretty spot. The rocky beach turns sandy in a few places. It remains shallow a good ways out, so the kids had plenty of room to splash and play in the clear water overlooking a ton of boats floating at the entrance of the bay.

Our family really enjoyed this spot, but we were happy to spend a few extra hours in the pool at our hotel: Falkensteiner Premium Camping Zadar. Here we had access to a nice restaurant, a little grocery store, a kid’s club, and a great pool. Best of all, we had our own 3-bedroom camper with 2 full bathrooms and a little kitchen. It was the perfect place to stay with kids!

Day Four: Old Town Zadar and the Sea Organ

It would be silly NOT to spend a day in the old town of Zadar. This old city is known for its medieval churches and historical ruins. Our very first stop: the Sea Gate. Done in the Venetian style, this imposing gate is flanked by water on one side and the city just beyond it. We enjoyed looking at the boats over here before exploring.

The old city is full of little restaurants serving a mix of seafood and pasta dishes. You’ll find some great ones overlooking the water if you venture far enough. While there isn’t any lack of things to see down here including the 12th-century St. Anastasia’s Cathedral and the round, 9th-century pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donatus — not to mention a Roman Forum outside of Rome — our main purpose was to experience the Sea Organ.

Croatian architect Nikola Bašić developed this musical instrument made up of many tubes underneath several meters of large marble steps that “play music” as the waves roll in and out of them.

The sound is lovely and haunting, and I definitely thought my kids would be bored quickly. Spoiler: our children aged 4 through 13 were entranced. We had to force them to leave after about 40 minutes of sitting and listening to the tunes of the sea.

Bonus: if your young ones are good swimmers and you feel like taking a dip, you can go swimming at the Sea Organ as well!

We stopped for dinner at Restoran Bruschetta, which had a lovely ambiance inside and a nice outdoor seating area. The staff was wonderful and every single member of the family was full and happy when we left. If you go, be sure to get the truffle and bacon bruschetta — it was to die for.

Day Five: Speedboat

On your 5th and final day in Zadar, you have to take it all in from the water. Our destination for the day was the gorgeous caves of Dugi Otok. The weather was feeling a little spicy and the waves were too big for our tiny boat to make it out there safely, so we did activities a bit closer to town.

Our first stop: Shipwreck Michelle. You read that right, a shipwreck! This ship ran aground in 1983 and when you grab your snorkeling gear, you can check it out yourself. We had the opportunity to swim all around the ship. My teenager even got to stand on it where it was protruding from the water at the top. I don’t recommend this as rusty old ships aren’t the safest things to touch. Even so, this felt like a very special experience — especially on a trip to Europe!

Next our guide drove the boat to some secluded beaches. We were completely alone and got to splash and play in the bright, clear waters of the Adriatic. Then he took us out for an hour of tubing and I can say, I’m not sure who enjoyed this more: the kids or the adults!

Before heading back to the marina, we made a pit stop in an old submarine bunker. Built during World War II, my kids and husband were absolutely in awe. The ride back was full of dolphins playing in the waves.

Hiring a boat to take you out for the day is a bit of an indulgence. But it is so, so worth it. It’s simply the best way to experience all that Zadar’s coast has to offer.

Where to Stay in Zadar

Pure Wander’s recomendations to complement Shauna’s family camping experience!

Shauna and her family loved the self-contained setup at Falkensteiner Premium Camping Zadar, which is perfect if you want space, a pool, and a kitchen. If you’d prefer a hotel base, here are the options we’d point you toward.

Mid-Range

Teatro Verdi Boutique Hotel sits in the heart of Old Town, a short walk from the Sea Organ, Kalelarga, and the nearest beaches at Uskok and Kolovare. It’s a solid, comfortable base for first-timers who want to be close to everything without a long walk.

Art Hotel Kalelarga is right on Zadar’s famous main promenade in Old Town, with modern amenities and a distinctly local character. Rooms are well-appointed and the location makes it easy to roll out of bed and straight into the best of the city.

Hotel A’mare is a good option if you’re arriving by car and want to avoid the pedestrian-only Old Town with luggage. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to the Old Town, modern and well-run, with an excellent restaurant and live music in the evenings.

Splurge

Bastion Heritage Hotel is built into the ruins of a 13th-century fortress within the Old Town walls, with 27 rooms blending exposed stone walls with luxurious finishes. The spa uses the historic stone rooms to incredible effect, and the restaurant, Kaštel, is among the best in the city. It feels more like staying in a private residence than a hotel.

Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera is about 15 minutes from Old Town in Petrcane, with panoramic ocean views, a vast spa, multiple pools, and a Dalmatian restaurant that draws guests and locals alike. If your group wants a full resort experience, ideal for families or a friends trip who want to decompress between day trips, this is the perfect option.

How to Get to Zadar

By Air

Zadar Airport (ZAD) is only about 8-11 km from the Old Town, making it one of the most conveniently placed airports in Croatia. Budget carriers dominate the routes — Ryanair connects Zadar to a wide range of European cities, with easyJet running seasonal service from London Gatwick in summer. Wizz Air, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, and SAS (via Scandinavian hubs) also serve ZAD seasonally.

US travelers will connect through a European hub. Common options are London, Frankfurt, Vienna, or Rome. From Split or Zagreb, domestic connections on Croatia Airlines are available if you’re building a wider Croatia itinerary.

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The airport shuttle (operated by Liburnija) runs in conjunction with flight arrivals and takes about 20 minutes to Old Town. It stops first at the main bus station, then just outside the Old Town walls. The ticket is valid for 90 minutes on city buses, so you can continue onward if needed. Taxis and Bolt/Uber are also available from the terminal and take a similar amount of time, or you can rent a car.

By Bus or Ferry from Other Croatian Cities

From Split the journey takes roughly 2.5 hours by bus, with Flixbus, Nomago, and Croatia Bus all running the route. From Zagreb it’s around 3.5 hours. Buses are reliable and comfortable — book ahead in summer.

Jadrolinija runs an overnight ferry from Ancona, Italy, which operates from June through late September and is a great option if you’re combining Croatia with an Italian itinerary. The crossing takes about 9 hours. Summer ferries also run from Cesenatico and Pesaro near Rimini.

Getting Around and Parking in Old Town

The Old Town peninsula is pedestrian-only. Cars cannot drive in, and you won’t want them to. Once you’re in the Old Town, everything is walkable. The Sea Organ, Forum, cathedral, Kalelarga, and most restaurants are within easy strolling distance of each other.

If you’re staying outside the Old Town, the city bus network (Liburnija) connects most neighborhoods reliably. Single tickets are available from the driver, or slightly cheaper via the SmartCity app. Bolt and Uber both operate in Zadar and are the most practical option for getting around the wider city without a car.

For parking near Old Town, the main options are just outside the walls at the edge of the peninsula. The largest parking area is near the Foša harbor and the Kopnena vrata (Land Gate). From there it’s a short walk through the gate and into the Old Town. In peak summer, these fill up quickly, so arriving early in the morning is the best strategy. Note that some hotels outside the Old Town offer free parking, which makes a good base if you’re traveling by car.

For the day trips in Shauna’s itinerary — Krka, the Zrmanja, and Dugi Otok — organized tours are the most practical option, especially with kids. They handle all transport and logistics, which is considerably easier than coordinating ferries, buses, and park entry independently. Most tours depart from central Zadar and include hotel pickup.

Best Time to Visit Zadar

The shoulder seasons (May through June and September through October) are the sweet spot for visiting Zadar. The weather is warm and sunny, the sea is still comfortable for swimming, everything is open, and the Old Town is navigable without fighting through crowds. Accommodation rates are noticeably more reasonable than peak summer, and you’re much less likely to be queuing for anything.

Peak summer (July and August) is hot, busy, and expensive. The Old Town gets very crowded at sunset, particularly around the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation, and beaches fill up early. If you’re visiting in summer, plan to be at the waterfront well before sunset and book everything ahead of time.

Winter is quiet and mild by northern European standards, though some seasonal businesses close and the beach side of things winds down. The Old Town itself remains charming year-round and is genuinely peaceful in the off-season.

If you’re planning around Shauna’s itinerary of active day trips — the Zrmanja canoe safari, Krka, and speedboating — May through October is the practical window for all of these, as most tours operate seasonally.

READ MORE: Top 5 Destinations for Families Tackling Europe

PS: If you only have three days for an adventure, this is a great guide to reference for a shorter 3-day Vacation in Croatia!