Zadar

Zadar's port sits at the centre of the city, providing immediate access to shopping, sightseeing and other town attractions. Passenger transfers are quick and straightforward because walks between the different locations take no more than 20 minutes. Only smaller vessels berth here.

A new passenger terminal at Zadar Cruise Port officially opened on April 24, 2019. Arranged across two floors, the new terminal building covers more than 18,000 square metres. Larger cruise ships berth here.

Because the city centre is 4 KM from the Gaženica terminal, authorities offer a shuttlebus at each cruise line's discretion. It drops passengers near the Sea Organ, close to central Zadar, and costs Approx 15 Euro if the service is operating

A local bus stop at the port offers journeys into town for a few Euros. Begin with bus #9 on the Liburnija line to the central bus station, then change to #2 or #4 for a direct ride to the old town. Services run approximately every 30 min. Both #2 and #4 stop at the Sea Organ in the old town.

Depending on wind and wave conditions, the Sea Organ may be audible as soon as passengers leave the ship.

Zadar's musical Sea Organ, or morske orgulje, is the world's first musical pipe organ played by the sea. Simple, elegant steps in white stone line the quay, with 35 musically tuned tubes and whistle openings beneath the pavement. Sea movement forces air through them, producing musical chords according to each wave's size and speed. The waves therefore generate random harmonic sounds.

Ranked by visits, Croatia's cruise ports are 1.Dubrovnik, 2.Split and 3.Zadar.

Bring a printable map along.

Zadar and its surrounding region possess a significant, rich artistic heritage stretching from Roman and early Christian eras to the early Croatian medieval period. Above all, numerous sacred buildings and extraordinary evidence of a thousand-year culture merit a visit.

Traffic-free marble streets in the Old Town are filled with Roman remains, medieval churches and several compelling museums. Huge 16th-century fortifications continue to protect the landward side, while high walls follow the harbour.

Opposite Zadar lie the islands of Ugljan and Pašman, separated from the city by narrow Zadar Strait. A deep moat once cut the old-city promontory off from the mainland, but it has since been reclaimed as landfill.

Zadar is recognised not just for historic and cultural monuments, but also for the peninsula's abundantly stocked vegetable and fish markets in the old city. Fresh fruit and vegetables arrive daily from the fertile "Ravni Kotari" hinterland, the productive waters of Lake Vrana, and Ugljan and Pasman islands. By the range of goods sold, this is one of Croatia's largest markets. People come not simply for provisions, but for the bustle, wealth of colour and bargaining with local women merchants.

Beside the "green market" is a fish market with an exceptionally varied choice of seafood and fish, including salted sardines sold individually. It stands near the promenade, where brightly coloured fishing boats of every size crowd together each morning. Local fishing traditions are very old: 1995 marked the 1000th anniversary of Croatia's first written fishing record, from Sali / Dugi Otok, and the Adriatic's best-known fishing town is on Ugljan island. As at the market, customers need to bargain with sellers here too, and, even if on that particular day…

Payments are made in Euro.

Croatian is the local language.

WiFi and internet points are located near the tourist office downtown.

Banks and post offices generally trade from 7AM to 7PM without breaks, while public offices open Monday to Friday from 8AM to 4PM. In tourist season, post offices usually remain open until 9PM, including Saturdays.

From 8AM until 8PM, Zadar's shops and department stores trade without breaks.

Shopping hours have been unregulated since 2009, so most stores in tourist destinations trade 7 days a week.