Zadar

Zadar is the centre and the watershed of the Croatian Adriatic. Zadar is therefore a town steeped in history dating from the ninth century BC. The town was the capital of Byzantine Dalmatia; surrounded on three sides by water the town's natural defences were enhanced by the Venetians who built the massive sixteenth century walls to keep out the Turkish invaders. Zadar is renowned for its many fine churches including the impressive St Donat's church which is the largest pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

Zadar came under attack during the Second World War and again from the National Army in 1991. Today Zadar has developed into one of the most interesting towns on the Dalmatian coast. Places to visit include the impressive Sveti (church) Donat, St. Anastasia's Cathedral, the Archaeological Museum, National Museum and Museum of Church Art. The livelier side of Zadar can be found along the cafe-lined Siroka Street down to where it meets Trg Narodni (National Square).

Numerous churches and cultural monuments dating from all historical periods have been preserved from the Roman period through Middle Ages up to the modern period of architecture. The symbol of the city of Zadar and the most famous monumental edifice in Croatia from the early Middle Ages (9th c.) is the pre-Romanesque church which was called the Church of the Holy Trinity until the 15th c., and from that time on carries the name of Saint Donat, by the bishop who had it built.

The "Sea Organ" is situated near the new cruiser port, as a part of Zadar's Riva, and can be observed as a differently shaped part of the coast which consists of several stairs that descend into the sea. The stairs extend for about 70 metres along the coast, under them, at the lowest sea-tide level, 35 pipes of different lenght, diameter and tilts were built in vertically to the coast and they raise aslant until the paved part of the shore and end in a canal (a service corridor). On the pipes there are LABIUMS (whistles), which play 7 chords of 5 tones. Above the canal there are perforated stone stairs through which the sound comes out, the air pushed by the sea.

An exceptionally indented coast, islands and untouched nature attract many sailors to this area. The archipelago which consists of 24 bigger and 300 little islands, 3 nature parks - Telašćica, Northern Velebit and Vransko Lake as well as 5 national parks - Paklenica, Plitvice, Kornati, Krka and Velebit, rank Zadar and its surroundings on the top of the Croatian tourist trail. Thanks to its geographical position, Zadar has a mild Mediterranean climate (warm and dry summers, and mild and rainy winters) which is reflected in a beautiful Mediterranean vegetation.   

Zadar is an excellent base to explore the area, including the islands of Pag, Rab and Ugljan and the National Parks of Paklenica and the Kornati Archipelago - the largest in the Mediterranean. Zadar is very central and makes an ideal stop of 1 to 3 nights on most fly-drive holidays; there is even a flight link from the UK to Zadar.

Our chosen hotels:
Hotel Bastion (4*)	Hotel Villa Nico (3*)	Hotel Mediteran (3*)
The Hotel Bastion is a unique boutique-hotel which accentuates the cultural heritage of Zadar. It is located in the historic core, built on the remains of the 13th C. medieval fortress "Kaštela".	The Hotel Villa Nico is a small private run property, situated in a peaceful area of Zadar. The Hotel overlooks the sea and is located just a short drive from the centre of Zadar.	The Hotel Mediteran is located in peaceful surroundings but still close to the centre of Zadar.

Holiday Prices

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