Popular tourist attractions nearby
PETRČANE
Near Zadar, there is a gorgeous town called Petrčane, surrounded by the sea and lush Mediterranean vegetation. In the past twenty years, it has developed strongly, mostly because of tourism. Its coast is gravelly and easy to reach. The town is famous for the sincerity, hospitality and kindness of its locals. Petrčane is a settlement and a harbour in the eponymous bay, which is well-protected from ''burja'' and ''jugo''. There are several stores and restaurants, private suites, apartments and a post office. An extremely beautiful sand beach is two kilometres long.
The diversity of the setting, sports fields and the offer of various water sports, quality restaurants and entertainment, cultural programme and the sights of Zadar – this is what makes staying in Petrčane a very pleasant experience. The town is located by the main road on the exit Zadar – Nin. To the southeast of the town, there is a church of Saint Bartul (XII.-XIII. century) with a massive belfry on its facade. Later, in the 19th century, the church was transformed into a residential building known as Kulina which carries the remains of the wall-pictures.
ZADAR
Zadar – once the capital of Dalmatia, today the centre of the region, a city with rich, world important monumental heritage in every corner: the Roman forum, the medieval basilica, the town wall with the gates, several palaces and mansions.
In the region of Zadar there are almost as many islands as there are days in a year, strung in four rows along the 1200 kilometres long, dynamic coastline. Besides the biggest lakes like Pag, Dugi Otok, Ugljan and Pašman, there are some smaller ones, but interesting as well, like Silba, Molat, Olib, Premuda, Iž, Vrgada, Sestrunj etc. The region's popularity derives from its own position. It is situated in the bare core of the Adriatic coast, surrounded by four national parks: the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Paklenica National Park, the waterfalls of the Krka river, the Kornati National Park and others, equally attractive national parks, like Telaščica Nature Park, the canyon of a karst river Zermanja and the largest Croatian natural lake – lake Vrana.
Zadar is not famous only for its cultural and historic monuments, it is also known for its always rich ''green'' market and fish market in the old part of the city. The market is abundant with fresh fruit from the outskirts of Zadar and the islands. The purchase of food is not the only reason why people keep coming to the market, perhaps they enjoy the typical hustle, colourful diversity and bargaining with the local merchants. The adjacent fish market is situated by the coast where the fishing boats land every single morning and supply the vendors with fresh fish, mollusks, clams etc.
Our recommendation when visiting Zadar is to sightsee the Grisogono Palace, Palace Nassis, Palace Petrizio, Proveditor’s Palace, Coast of the king Petar Krešmir IV., theatre Hrvatsko narodno kazalište, The Square of five fountains, an aqueduct, a fort called Forte, The Archeological Museum, The National Museum, the fortress, the Land Gate, the Sea Gate, People's Square, The Roman forum, the Captain's Tower, the Sea Organ, the Monument to the Sun, ...
THE PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK
The national park and its natural heritage should receive visitors’ extra attention. There are 16 bigger lakes, interconnected and arranged in cascades, and some smaller ones.
In the park, there are also several extensive forests, some of them show specific features of rainforests – the latter are specially protected.
It must be emphasized that the park is a very gentle complex, sensitive to climate changes or incautious human interventions.
Your first impression in the park will be that there are only fish in the lake and some plants around. But if you are persistent and if you observe thoroughly, you may see the tracks of a fox, badger, marten, wolf or even a bear. The park has been rightly declared the world natural heritage by UNESCO.
THE KORNATI NATIONAL PARK
The Kornati National Park is the densest archipelago in the Mediterranean. It consists of 101 islands in the area of 224 square kilometres. Its environment is unspoilt and wild, which is exactly what attracts many nature lovers, sailors and divers from all over the world who seek for unique experience while exploring numerous desert islands.
The high sea coast is mostly made of upright rocks, from 30 to 80 meters high which slope down in the 40 to 100 metre deep sea. The inner sea is relatively shallow and the coastlines are poor, but suitable for swimming and for the quays.
Visiting the place for several days will make an unforgettable adventure for a thrill seeker and a treasure of motives for every photographer.
Especially recommended are the mountain ascents, particularly in the evening.
PAKLENICA
In Paklenica National Park, there are about 150 kilometres of mountain paths. The most visited one is definitely the two-hour trail that leads from the entrance through the canyon Velika Paklenica to the Paklenica mountain hut.
In the canyon Velika Paklenica you can visit the underground tunnels (bunkers) built by the Yugoslav People’s Army as a shelter for country and military leaders.
Visitors are allowed to use bicycles, but they abide by instructions of the park attendants.
Paklenica is the most important climbing centre in Croatia, known also outside the country, it is one of the tidiest and most quality marked climbing centre in Europe.
What gives the climbing centre a special charm is the vicinity of the coast that makes the riviera of Paklenica a perfect place with a combination of climbing and water sports.
Today, Paklenica offers many well-organized trails of different difficulty levels and lengths, so every climber can find something for their satisfaction. Every year, there is an international alpine meeting at the end of April or at the beginning of May with an annual competition in speed climbing (Big wall speed climbing).
THE WATERFALLS OF THE KRKA RIVER
The Krka National park, the seventh Croatian national park, was proclaimed so in 1985. It extends to more than 100 square kilometres along the Krka river. With its seven waterfalls and a total drop in altitude of 242 m, the Krka is a natural and karst phenomenon.
Skardinski buk is the last - the seventh- and the longest obstacle on the Krka and one of the most famous natural beauties of Croatia. The surrounding system of paths and bridges does not provide only a panoramic view, but pleasant and safe walks as well.
The visitors of Sardinski buk have a yearly opportunity to sightsee the ethnographic collection and old mills. There are about 18 species of fish that dwell in the river, 10 of them are endemics, which makes the Krka a natural monument of the highest category.
Numerous birds, the structure of their groups and the importance of the Krka during their spring and autumn migrations make the river one of the most beneficial ornithological zones in Europe. In the park, 860 species and subspecies of plants have been discovered, including several Illyrian-Adriatic endemics.
LAKE VRANA
Between Šibenik and Zadar, you will see a natural wonder of closeness of two equally beautiful, but yet so different colours of blue. On the one side - the beautiful Adriatic Sea and, and the largest natural lake in Croatia - Lake Vrana- on the other.
In 1999, the lake was declared a national park – a place with almost untouched natural home of waterfowls, with plenty sources of drinkable water and an area of natural features and diversity. The park is a suitable nesting place for 85 species of endangered birds in Europe and 101 species endangered in Croatia. Rare species of fish in the lake give a special value to the park. Not only viewers will find some time for relaxation, but fishermen as well. The latter are allowed to fish throughout the whole year. There is a 40-kilometre long cycle track around the lake.