Another Croatia.
Zadar is a city with a rich historical past where you can still find traces of Roman civilization such as palaces built under the Venetian Republic.
These monuments, hidden behind ancient ramparts bordered by the Adriatic Sea, are the charm of the old town where you can stroll with your head in the air in the pedestrian streets.
Zadar can be visited all year round and on sunny days its port allows you to reach the many islands that surround it.
A paradise for divers and hikers.
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Visit the old town of Zadar and watch its sunset
The famous sunset over the Sea Organ designed by Croatian architect Nikola Basic.
SEA ORGAN Naslovna by Ivan Čorić
Zadar is not yet on the radars of mass tourism.
And that's good.
The small city, which has retained part of its ramparts (classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), is home to beautiful buildings dating from the period when it was under Venetian domination.
It was then the largest fortified city of the Republic of Venice.
We love strolling through its streets paved with this beautiful luminous stone extracted from quarries that also supplied the builders of the Capitol in Washington and the Sacré-Coeur in Paris.
Lanes lustrous by time where there are Roman remains, such as this forum facing the astonishing Saint-Donat church.
It is the largest pre-Romanesque construction in Croatia, all round and a favorite landmark of the inhabitants of Zadar.
She is today
today the scene of very popular classical music concerts.
Don't miss a visit to the permanent Gold and Silver exhibition in Zadar.
Initiated by the great Croatian writer Miroslav Krleža in 1976, it brings together the most beautiful pieces of religious art in the country in the Benedictine convent of Saint Mary.
A real treasure that the sisters discover, always delighted to share their knowledge with visitors.
Finally, how can we talk about Zadar without mentioning its fabulous sunset, towards the western tip of the city, which Alfred Hitchcock held to be the most beautiful in the world.
The attraction is not only solar, since the
Sea Organ
(Morske orgulje), designed by the Croatian architect Nikola Basic, provides a soundtrack all day long.
It is an ingenious system of steps flowing into the water and hiding 35 pipes of different lengths and diameters and heights.
The water that rushes in to the rhythm of the waves pushes the air and composes a natural melody, sometimes soft, sometimes worthy of a thundering opera in heavy weather.
The effect is magical and poetic.
Like the circles of light embedded in the ground that
SEE ALSO
- In Croatia, listen to the sea organ of Zadar
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Discover the island-city of Nin
The "Queen's beach" so named in memory of the wife of the first Croatian king, on the island of Nin.
Aleksandar Gospic
About fifteen kilometers from Zadar is a small historical gem: the island of Nin, the first royal city of Croatia and a major political, religious and cultural center in the Middle Ages.
You can access the old town by a bridge, since it is perched on an islet in the center of a lagoon.
Strolling through its narrow streets you will come to the Sainte-Croix church which claims the title of "the smallest cathedral in the world".
In the (small) historical museum of Nin, you will be presented, among other curiosities, with one of the coins that would have been given to Judas for his betrayal!
To forget this tragic event, go and taste the local speciality:
sokol
of Nin.
A kind of coppa, made with salted pork neck and sprinkled with various spices.
Dried with spray from the mountains and smoked, it can be eaten in thin slices and if you are lucky enough to find it, stock up because it is only produced here!
Finally, go and rest at the "Queen's beach" so named in memory of the wife of the first Croatian king, who liked to smear her skin with the black mud with dermatological properties found near this beach. of sand where you can also observe a rich variety of birds.
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In Pag: cheese, lace and salt
On the island of Pag, the cheese specialty made from sheep's milk to taste absolutely.
Zadar Region Pag cheese / Photo Press
It is necessary to move away a little from Zadar to discover the “desert” landscapes of the island of Pag (which is also accessible by road via a large impressive bridge).
This city has long exploited salt marshes and the salt spread by the winds coming from the mountains prevents any vegetation from growing.
In winter, on windy days, it is not unusual for a thin layer of salt crystals to settle on city streets.
It's not snow but the visual effect is stunning.
The city derived its wealth from this salt, which was so precious in ancient times to preserve food.
We therefore necessarily leave Pag with a bag of Croatian fleur de sel.
Or with a lace since it is the other specialty of the city!
An art that is protected by Unesco because it is unique in the world.
We discover this local tradition in a small museum where we can afford a doily that is a real work of art.
Also take advantage of your visit to Pag to taste the local cheese, made for generations with sheep's milk (the only animals to resist the arid and salty world of the region) and awarded many international prizes.
The best known brand is Paska Sirana and it is possible to visit the factory.
Many beaches are also accessible around Pag.
arid and salty universe of the region) and rewarded by numerous international prizes.
The best known brand is Paska Sirana and it is possible to visit the factory.
Many beaches are also accessible around Pag.
arid and salty universe of the region) and rewarded by numerous international prizes.
The best known brand is Paska Sirana and it is possible to visit the factory.
Many beaches are also accessible around Pag.
On the island of Dugi Otok: beaches and hikes
The island of Dugi Otok, in the Kornati archipelago, surrounded by crystal clear waters.
A. Gospic / Sakarun
With more than 150 islands, the Kornati archipelago is the largest in Croatia.
And the island of Dugi Otok is the longest of all.
It can be reached in 45 minutes by boat from Zadar.
Once landed in Sali, one of the 11 villages of Dugi Otok, you will have to choose your beach, unless you prefer to find a wild cove just for you.
At the very end of the island is a lighthouse which offers an endless view of the blue sea.
And one of the few sandy beaches in the region (Sakarun).
Our preference goes, however, to the beach of Veli Zal, which is smaller and made up of large pebbles that roll under your feet.
But its crystal clear waters and its air of lost paradise more than make up for the lack of sand!
Dugi Otok also hosts the Telascica Natural Park.
To be explored via hikes along
impressive cliffs that lead to an amazing marine lake surrounded by vegetation.
The water is even warmer there than in the sea and swimming there is a delight.
The less cautious can swim until October.
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The Paklenica Riviera: from the sea to the mountains
Breathtaking view of the Paklenica National Park.
Aleksandar Pospic / NP Paklenica
The Paklenica Riviera is an amazing place.
We go from the beaches to the mountains in a few minutes, crossing pretty little picturesque villages.
Paklenica National Park is one of Europe's top mountaineering locations.
There are dozens of easily accessible routes for beginners and real climbing pros alike.
It is also a paradise for hikers who plunge into its two canyons.
And you can even visit the former underground passages of the Yugoslav army, dug into the mountain.
They now house a didactic and fun information center on climbing, the fauna and flora of the park.
Practical notebook
GO
Transavia operates its line between Paris Orly and Zadar until October, with resumption in the spring.
Flights on Saturday.
Ticket prices: from €44.
You can easily reach Zadar from the airport by taxi in about fifteen minutes (count around €20) or by bus (€3.5 per ticket).
Information on the website: zadar-airport.hr
WHERE TO SLEEP IN ZADAR
The Bastion Hotel, Relais & Chateaux, in Zadar.
Photo Press
Hotel Bastion
was built on the remains of an old medieval Venetian fortress from the 13th century.
Some rooms have a sea view. All are very quiet.
And the main monuments of the city are all within walking distance, in particular the sea organs.
Very good breakfast and pleasant terrace for a drink in the evening.
Double room from €149.
The Bastion Hotel, Bedemi Zadarskih Pobuna 13, 23000, Zadar.
Such.
:+385 23494950.
WHERE TO EAT IN ZADAR
The old town is full of restaurants, ice cream parlors and bars with terraces where you can have a drink.
We recommend two addresses that are not on the main tourist routes.
Fosa
is nestled in the small eponymous marina at the foot of the famous Zadar ramparts.
This elegant address offers a superb and quiet terrace to enjoy contemporary seafood cuisine.
Fosa also boasts a rich cellar with more than 120 references, mainly Croatian.
Fosa, Kralja Dmitra Zvonimira 2, 23000 Zadar.
Such.
: +385 23 314 421.
To sit at a table at
Kornat
, you have to leave the old town and go down a few steps to reach this address which faces the port of Zadar.
The clientele is largely local and Croatian, which is always a guarantee of quality.
The cuisine offered in the Art Deco dining room is delicious, authentic and generous.
Kornat, Liburnska obala 6, 23000 Zadar.
Such.
: + 385 23 254 501
