Zadar

• 🌍 Turistička zajednica Grada Zadra (Tourist Information Centre), Mihovila Klaića 1. (updated Aug 2016)

• 🌍 Zračna luka Zadar (Zadar Airport ZAD  ^IATA) (12 km east of the centre). The airport shares its airfield with military. It used to be a civic road crossing its taxi lanes, so the traffic was regulated by lifting gates, but it doesn't seem the case anymore. Nevertheless it's an international airport with flights by Croatia Airlines, Eurowings, Ryanair, and few others; various charters in season. It is rapidly growing as they passed 1,000,000 passengers and 70 destinations, likely to become one of the Ryanair hubs for the region through the year also. (updated Aug 2016)

• Airport shuttle. The bus runs to the city's bus station and then continues up to the bus hub at the old town. €4.65. (updated Oct 2023)

Buses run to the Central bus station and Old town from Zadar airport terminal. These buses are clean, comfortable and efficient. Buses run in conjunction with arriving flights. Therefore they will run more frequently during weekdays than at weekends, as more flights are arriving at the airport. However, at weekends it is still possible to catch a bus. The airport bus costs €4.65.

You can also rent a car at Zadar airport. There are multiple car rental companies.

For taxi or pre-booked transfers are also available.

• 🌍 Autobusni kolodvor Zadar (Bus station), ☏ +385 23 211555. 05:30-22:00. Frequent buses run to and from Zagreb (3hr 30 min), Rijeka (change for Trieste in Italy), Pula, Sibenik, Split and on to Dubrovnik, some services to destination in Germany. In the season daily buses to Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina. (updated Aug 2016)

Left luggage. Storage is available at the station. €0.54 per hour. (updated Oct 2023)

About half the buses for Zagreb pass through the stunning Plitvice National Park.

• 🌍 Kolodvor Zadar (Railway station), Ante Starčevića 3. M-F 07:10-14:40. A few slow trains a day run to Knin and connects with trains for Zagreb (5.5 hours or 8.5 with overnight trains) and Split (3.5 hr). (updated Aug 2016)

Very few people use train to get to these cities. The train to Knin is just of one carriage with no A/C and can be quite uncomfortable, however the scenery is beautiful and will leave you in wonder at the numerous stations which appear to be in the middle of nowhere.

• 🌍 Long distance ferries, Istarska obala. Jadrolinja runs large ferries every few days up and down the coast between Dubrovnik and Rijeka, stopping off at ports including Zadar and islands on the way. They also run almost daily ferries in summer to and from Ancona, Italy. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 Local ferries, Liburnska obala. Zadar is a hub for local boats and hydrofoils in Northern Dalmatia. Services run to and from Olib, Mali Losinj, Ugljan, Dugi Otok, Premuda and others. Timetables and prices are available online from Jadrolinija. (updated Aug 2016)

The centre is easy enough to get around on foot. To reach the bus and train stations or Youth Hostel you will probably need to catch one of the frequent local buses, which are the only form of public transportation.

• Liburnija. Provides local bus services in the city. Buses are relatively new and well maintained. Single ride ticket €1.59 (valid 50 min); double ride: €2.65. (updated Oct 2023)

Virtually all the routes have a stop at the Autobusni kolodvor (Bus station). In the newer part of the city there is another popular bus stop: 🌍 Mala Pošta stop – at the a post office at the crossroads of Ul. Josipa Jurja Strossmayera and Ul. Stjepana Radića.

Single tickets can be bought either at the driver or at Liburnija kiosk at a bus stop. Double ride tickets, sold individually or bound into a carnet of 10 (so for 20 rides) are available at newsstand (Tisak) kiosks.

Buses are usually scheduled from early morning (05:30 - 06:30) and finishing just before the midnight, so plan your trips accordingly.

You can check the map here.

The cycling infrastructure improved during the 2010s. But still, foreign traffic participants pay more attention to cyclists than locals.

• 🌍 Bike Station Ullmann (Ullmann d.o.o.), Blaža Jurišića 1 (approx. 470 m from the Magistrale - within Smiljevac.), ☏ +385 23 244 010. They work primarily with quality products you hardly find elsewhere in Croatia. When it comes to Rohloff, SON/Schmidt and mobile power supplies, Bike Station Ullmann are the specialists in Croatia. First address for bicycle tourists and mountain bikers. 

The main taxi ranks in Zadar are at the following locations:

• Autobusni kolodvor (Bus station)
• Ferry quay at the Liburnska obala in the old town (near the bus stop), tel. +385 (0)23 251 400
• Obala kneza Branimira at the opposite end of the bridge across the Jazine bay

• 🌍 Zadarski barkajoli (Rowing boat ferry) (Liburnska obala 5 - Lukobran aka Điga (Breakwater)), ☏ +385 95 802 6134. 06:30-23:00. A small rowing boat makes regular trips between the old town and the breakwater at the other side of the harbour. The boat is 10.5 meters long, 1.76 m wide, capacity: 10 passengers. These days it's mostly a tourist attraction. €1. (updated Aug 2023)

Zadar has been advancing its offerings in Contemporary art and culture in 2010s. With few festivals and strong dance scene it also has alternative cultural centers like Nigdjezemska and Knjigozemska (for indy and grassroot culture), as well as most recent institutional offerings in so called II Palaces (for modern-history and contemporary culture).

• 🌍 Crazy Pizza, Stomorica ul. 1. Daily, 24h. The pizza is fresh and tasty, the people who serve are very nice. If you seek a quick, easy treat then get to this place. A giant pizza can feed a family of 4. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Konoba Tovar, Ul. Matice Dalmatinske 1. Small tavern. Real local food. You can eat very well here. Chef and staff ensure good food and a good atmosphere. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Barbakan, Ul. Ruđera Boškovića 5. Tables outside - nice atmosphere. Frequented especially in the evening by young people and adults. Good food. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Gušti, Ul. Zrinsko Frankopanska 20. Very good pizza, quality ingredients, the dough is very soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Great and fast service, employees speak English. Great atmosphere and kindness. (updated May 2022)

• 🌍 2Ribara (Dva Ribara), Ul. Blaža Jurjeva 1, ☏ +385 23 213 445. 11:00-23:00. Small restaurant in the historic center of Zadar, 5-min walk from the Roman Forum. Decent food for a fair price. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Restaurant Karoca Gre, Sutomiska 3, ☏ +385 23 213 992, gladneoci265@gmail.com. 10:00-01:00. Specialized in grilled meat and fish. Large portions, fast service, competitive prices. Suitable for large groups and lunch or dinner with kids. Outside the old town, reachable by public transport (bus 8 Diklo - Kolodvor). (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Mijo, Ul. Tina Ujevića 28, ☏ +385 23 332 728. Italian restaurant specialized in sea food, pizzas and pasta. Outside the old town, but close to a Borik. A romantic restaurant offering dining inside and outside, great for couples but not for families with kids. Large portions for fair prices. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Papica, Veslačka ul. 2, ☏ +385 23 312 957. Specializes in quality burgers served with fries, but with a Mediterranean flavor. Quick service, no-nonsense. Suitable for families with kids. Easily reachable by public transport (bus 8 direction Diklo). (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Kornat, Liburnska Obala 6, ☏ +385 23 254 501. Upscale Croatian Mediterranean cuisine, high prices. Making a reservation is necessary. Next to a busy road, so not recommendable if you're looking to dine outside. (updated May 2022)

• 🌍 Foša, Ul. kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 2. Great food and presentation. A dream atmosphere, waiters very nice and friendly. Fresh sea food from Adriatic sea. Great location. Beautiful view. (updated Jan 2023)

• 🌍 Sunset hostel. Located at the edge of town near the harbor, this small hostel offers private rooms and dorms on 2 floors. Communal kitchen, Wifi. Small courtyard, balconies. Dorm bed €10. (updated Nov 2020)
• 🌍 Hotel Kolovare, Bože Peričića 14, ☏ +385 23 211 017, toll-free: +385 23 213 079, info@hotel-kolovare.com. The only hotel close to the city center. (updated Jul 2017)
• 🌍 Youth Hostel, The Obala kneza Trpimira 78 (5 km from the city centre by the marina in Borik. Take buses 5 or 8), ☏ +385 23 331145, info@hfhs.hr. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Not the most romantic place, but one of the cheapest. (updated Jul 2017)
• 🌍 Villa Nico, Krešimirova Obala 138, ☏ +385 23 337 540, villa.nico.zadar@gmail.com. A small family-run hotel and restaurant at the sea side, halfway between Borik and Diklo. Bus stop of line 8 is 50 m away from the hotel. Fair prices, friendly service. (updated Aug 2016)

• 🌍 Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa, Punta Skala, ☏ +385 23 500 901, iadera@falkensteiner.com. A five-star hotel north of Zadar in Punta Skala peninsula. (updated Jul 2015)
• 🌍 Hotel Niko, Obala kneza Domagoja 98, ☏ +385 23 337 880, hotel.niko@hotel-niko.hr. Hotel Niko is 3.5 km from Zadar city centre. It offers a panoramic view of the old town of Zadar. It has 15 stylish and comfortable rooms. (updated Jul 2015)
• 🌍 Hotel Bastion, Bedemi zadarskih pobuna 13, ☏ +385 23 49 49 50, info@hotel-bastion.hr. Hotel Bastion is a boutique hotel, built on the remains of a medieval fortress. Hotel Bastion has 28 rooms, including 5 suites. (updated Jul 2015)