Making the most of Zadar
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Zadar port is placed in the heart of the city. This position provides direct access to shopping places, sightseeing and other contents in the town. The passenger transfer to the port is fast and easy because walking distance between different localities is not more than 20 minutes. Only smaller ships dock here.
A new passenger terminal was officially opened on April 24, 2019 at Zadar Cruise Port. The new Zadar terminal building extends over 18,000 square metres on two floors. Larger cruise ships dock here.
As the citycenter is far away (4 KM) from the terminal in Gaženica, the authorities offer a shuttlebus, at the discretion of each of the cruise lines, that wll drop you near the sea organ, which is close to the center of town. Approx 15 Euro if this service is in operation
There is a local bus stop at the port and it can get you to town for a few Euros. First you should take the bus #9 (Liburnija bus line) which takes you to the central bus station. There, change buses and take #2 or #4, they will take you straight to the old town. The buses run every 30 min approximately. Buses #2 and #4 will drop you off at the Sea Organ in old town.
The sea organ, which, depending on the wind and waves, you can hear as soon as you get off the ship.
The musical Sea Organ (morske orgulje) is located on the shores of Zadar, Croatia, and is the world's first musical pipe organs that is played by the sea. Simple and elegant steps, carved in white stone, were built on the quayside. Underneath, there are 35 musically tuned tubes with whistle openings on the sidewalk. The movement of the sea pushes air through, and – depending on the size and velocity of the wave – musical chords are played. The waves create random harmonic sounds.
The most visited cruise ports in Croatia are 1.Dubrovnik 2.Split 3.Zadar.
Printable map to take along.
The town of Zadar with its region boast an important and rich artistic patrimony dating from Roman times to early Christian times and early Croatian medieval times; above all there are many sacred buildings worth visiting together with the extraordinary testimonies of a millenarian culture.
The marble, traffic- free streets of the Old Town are replete with Roman ruins, medieval churches and several fascinating museums. Massive 16thcentury fortifications still shield the city on the landward side, with high walls running along the harbor.
Getting around
Zadar is located opposite the islands of Ugljan and Pašman, from which it is separated by the narrow Zadar Strait. The promontory on which the old city stands used to be separated from the mainland by a deep moat which has since become a landfill.
Food and shopping
The City of Zadar is not only known for its historical and cultural monuments but also for its amply supplied vegetable and fish markets on the peninsula (a part of the old city). The market is daily supplied with fresh fruit and vegetables from the rich hinterland of "Ravni Kotari", the fruitful waters of Lake Vrana and the islands of Ugljan and Pasman. Judged by the variety of goods on offer, it is one of the largest markets in Croatia. The market is not only frequented for supplies, but also for the bustle, the abundance of color and the haggle with the local women merchants.
In the direct vicinity of the "green market" is the fish market with an exceptionally diverse offer of fish and seafood, as well as salted sardines by the piece. The fish market is situated close to the promenade, where lively colored fishing boats of all sizes lay crowded in the morning. The fishing tradition in these parts is very old (1995 marked the 1000th anniversary since the first written account of fishing in Croatia – Sali / Dugi Otok) and the most famous fishing town on the Adriatic is situated on the island of Ugljan. Just as at the market, here too it is necessary to haggle with the merchants, and, even if on that particular day…
Money
Euro
Staying connected
Language: Croatian
Near the tourist office downtown are WiFi and internet spots.
Opening Hours and
Opening Hours and Holidays: banks and post offices are generally open from 7AM to 7PM without breaks, and public offices from Monday to Friday from 8AM to 4PM. During the tourist season, post offices are generally open until 9PM, including Saturdays.
Shops and department stores are open from 8AM to 8PM without breaks.
Since 2009 shopping hours are not regulated anymore, therefore most stores in tourist destinations are open 7 days a week.