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Camping by the sea: discover Zadar

Zadar Sea Organ

The Zadar region has everything it takes to be considered truly special: sea, islands, mountains and lakes. It also happens to have one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, not to mention a rich historical and cultural heritage and a unique gastronomy.

In this article, we present the Zadar region from our perspective. We have personally researched the best places to visit, swim and eat, as well as the best places to stay – both in Zadar and its surrounding area. Read on for inspiration and start planning your camping holiday in the Zadar region today!

What to see

The Old Town of Zadar – The old part of Zadar is located on a peninsula and contains numerous historical sites. The good news is that you can explore them all on foot comfortably within an hour. Park here and start exploring, preferably in the early evening. Begin your walk in the park and finish at Greeting to the Sun to enjoy the light show and the sunset.

Here’s the route: Vladimir Nazor Park → Five Wells Square (Trg pet bunara) → People’s Square (Narodni trg) → Kalelarga (Široka ulica) → Roman Forum → Church of St. Donatus → Cathedral of St. Anastasia → Sea Organ → Greeting to the Sun

An essential part of visiting another city is local shopping. Don’t miss the popular Zadar market, where you can stock up on fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish.

Kalelarga Street is the longest street in Zadar

The town of Nin – Once a royal town, it is now a popular destination for those who don’t like big crowds but love sandy beaches. In Nin, you will find the longest sandy beach in Croatia (8 km), the smallest cathedral in the world, and a statue of Gregory of Nin (rub his thumb for luck).

Paklenica National Park – Located on the southern slopes of Velebit, it is a real treat for lovers of active holidays. The Velika and Mala Paklenica canyons have over 200 km of marked hiking trails. If you’re only going to visit one attraction, we recommend the Manita Peć cave. It takes an hour to hike from the entrance of the national park to the cave, and the climb is of medium difficulty. You can find food and drinks at the tavern Marasović.

Zrmanja River Canyon – If you’ve ever wanted to go rafting, the Zrmanja River Canyon is the perfect place for it. And if you’re not an adrenaline junkie, you can swim in the river or admire its beauty from the Pariževačka Glavica viewpoint.

Island excursions – From Zadar, you can reach numerous surrounding islands by boat or ferry. We recommend Ugljan, the closest island to Zadar. From Ugljan, you can take a bridge to Pašman. Dugi Otok is also worth a visit, and excursion boats will take you to Kornati National Park. You can also visit the nearby island of Pag, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Zrmanja is one of the most beautiful and cleanest European rivers

Where to eat

Restaurant 4 kantuna, Zadar – A restaurant in the city center with an innovative menu with an emphasis on pasta and seafood. Here you will try the best tuna carpaccio, and we also recommend the black risotto and homemade pasta with beef and truffles.

Restaurant Bruschetta, Zadar – Another restaurant with mainly fish dishes, also in the city center. The portions are large, and we recommend, of course – bruschetta. With shrimp, tuna, salmon. And for dessert, pistachio cheesecake.

The Botanist, Zadar – A vegan restaurant with very interesting names of dishes. So don’t be surprised when you see Flamingo tounge snail or Monkeyface prickleback on the menu 😄. As far as we know, they don’t offer snails, but you can always check with the waiter (or ask him for a recommendation).

Crazy Pizza, Zadar – A great choice if you ever find yourself in town late and want a quick snack. They offer sandwiches and pizzas. You can grab these to-go and enjoy the food somewhere by the sea.

The Garden Lounge, Zadar – Head here for after-dinner cocktails. It’s located on an elevated terrace on the city walls and has a great view of the harbor. The sunset is on the opposite side, but you can catch a glimpse of the beautiful sky if you sit on the edge of the terrace.

Restaurant Lazaret, Ošljak Island – Come here if you really want to treat yourself. Prices are high, but fine dining by the sea is priceless. The restaurant is located on the island of Ošljak. A skipper will take you there by boat from Zadar.

Konoba Udica, Ugljan Island – A widely praised restaurant that has been doing great business for years. They have something for everyone’s palate – from fresh fish to steaks. We recommend the fish platter.

Restaurant Olive Garden, Ugljan Island – If you love meat, especially lamb, this is the restaurant for you. It’s located within the marina in Sutomišćica, and in addition to the excellent grilled lamb, they also offer lots of fish-based dishes.

Ever heard of učijak? It looks like a bean, and was once a favorite snack in northern Dalmatia. Today, the only person still selling it in Croatia is Mr. Goran Pavić. If you would like to try this delicacy, he has a stand in the center of Zadar. If you won’t be able to find him, just ask any of the locals – they will direct you.

The sunset in Zadar is so special that even Alfred Hitchcock wrote about its beauty

Where to go to the beach

Kolovare Beach, Zadar – A long pebble beach about a 15-minute walk from the old town. There is shade, but like everywhere – shaded areas are very popular so you have to come early in the morning to secure your spot. There are showers and changing cabins, as well as a water park in the sea and bars and restaurants in the area. There is also a sea pool on the beach with a large diving board next to it – perfect for those who enjoy diving 🌊.

Puntamika Beach, Zadar – A somewhat wild rocky beach with natural shade in the northern part of the city. Be sure to bring beach slippers and sun loungers. We recommend coming in the afternoon and staying until sunset. You can find refreshments at the nearby Famous Beach Bar & Grill.

Kraljičina (Queen’s) Beach, Nin – A paradise for children and anyone who loves sand and shallow sea. You can rent sun loungers, parasols, pedal boats, and jet skis. There is also an inflatable water park in the sea. Near the beach, there is a bay with medicinal mud.

Večka kula Beach, Starigrad – A pebble beach just outside of Starigrad. You can park in a pine forest about a 10-minute walk from the beach. On the beach itself, you’ll find a tower. There is a beach bar near the parking lot. It has natural shade and there are no crowds, which is always a plus.

Sakarun Beach, Dugi Otok – Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. It is popular with tourists, especially yachtsmen. Be prepared for crowds, but also for the beautiful turquoise sea, which retains its color despite the crowds. There is parking, a beach bar, and 2 restaurants.

Enjoy swimming with a view of the island of Ugljan

Where to stay

Falkensteiner Premium Camping Zadar

This 5-star campsite is located just 3 kilometers from the old town. Open all year, it offers well-maintained pitches, mobile homes, and glamping tents right next to a pebble beach. The campsite has outdoor pools with a slide, as well as a wellness area with a smaller pool and saunas. During the summer, there are also animations for children.

Campsite Zaton Holiday Resort

Consistently ranked as one of the best campsites in Europe, it is located 15 kilometers north of Zadar and only 1 kilometer from Nin. As for accommodations, it offers pitches, mobile homes, glamping tents, and apartments. The campsite is also known for its wide range of additional facilities, including entertainment, swimming pools, and sports. It features a sandy beach, with large swimming pools located right next to it.

Campsite Ugljan

A smaller campsite on the western (wild) part of the island of Ugljan, the best on the entire island. The campsite has a private beach (there are no villages nearby) with a beach bar. As for accommodation, you can choose between pitches and mobile homes for 2, 4 or 6 people. In the middle of the campsite there is a smaller pool that is great for kids.

Campsite Bluesun Paklenica

Located near the Paklenica National Park, just below Velebit, it offers camping pitches and mobile homes for 2 – 6 people. There is a hotel next to the campsite that has an outdoor pool available for guests of the campsite. The location is great for visiting Starigrad (5 minutes on foot) and hiking trips in the Paklenica National Park.

Campsite Park Soline

An interesting campsite located in a pine forest in Biograd na Moru. You can rent pitches by the sea as well as several different types of mobile homes for 4 – 6 people. The pebbly beach has sandy areas, making it ideal for kids. You can reach the town via a seaside promenade, and if you’re up for an adventure, visit Dalmaland Fun Park & Aquapark, located near the campsite.

Zadar is a very touristy town so we recommend visiting during the off-season when there are fewer crowds, but the town is equally magical. Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to take a rowing boat ride, where skilled “barkajoli” will transport you from one end of the harbor to the other. After doing so, you can say that you have experienced Zadar in all its glory.

Fully flexible booking

Due to the uncertain travel situation, it is important to book flexibly. At AdriaCamps you can cancel this accommodation free of charge up to a few days before your arrival.