Zadar: Old Town walks, islands and nature excursions

• The Old Town lies on a peninsula on the Dalmatian coast.
• The Forum, the Church of St. Donatus and the cathedral are in the historic centre.
• The Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun are close together on the waterfront.
• The foot-passenger ferry runs from the central harbour to Preko on Ugljan; car ferries depart from Gaženica harbour.
• Ugljan is well suited to an island visit and hikes; Dugi Otok and Telašćica need more time.
• Summer heat and shade shape the walking routes through the lanes and along the waterfront.

A walk through Zadar’s Old Town begins at the Land Gate, beside the historic harbour entrance at Foša. From there, the route leads to the Five Wells Square and through Queen Jelena Madijevka Park to the People’s Square. Follow the broad Kalelarga to reach the Roman Forum. The Church of St. Donatus stands right beside the Forum, and the Cathedral of St. Anastasia is also in the historic centre. This sequence brings together Roman city history, church architecture and squares without stringing together sights that are far apart.

The Land Gate was built in 1543 as part of the Venetian fortifications. Zadar’s city walls have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017. Those who begin their walk at the harbour can then place the Dalmatian coastal region in the context of a wider trip; Šibenik and the Croatian islands work well as separate days out. Squares and lanes are close together, but interior visits need time of their own.

From the Forum, the walk continues west towards the waterfront promenade. The Sea Organ produces sounds through 35 pipes, driven by the movement and pressure of the waves. Beside it is the Greeting to the Sun, a circular installation made of glass panels. The two sights can be enjoyed on a walk along the water’s edge; the waves continually change the organ’s sound. The promenade makes a fitting end to a day exploring the Old Town.

Foša and the Land Gate make up a shorter stretch by the harbour and Renaissance fortifications. If you stay near the Old Town, the Forum and waterfront are within walking distance; if you arrive by car or take a ferry, compare the location of your accommodation with your departure point. When choosing accommodation by location and type of trip, consider your daily journeys. For a longer trip through Croatia, Dalmatia and Croatia help put the city into context on your route.

The foot-passenger ferry runs from Zadar’s central harbour to Preko on Ugljan. You can combine the crossing with walks on the island for a day out; timetables vary by date. Jadrolinija publishes information about the route and timetable for Zadar–Preko. If you’re travelling by car, the ferry to Preko departs from Gaženica harbour, outside the Old Town peninsula.

Preko lies on Ugljan’s eastern coast and is a starting point for a walk along the shore or a hike inland. The routes pass olive groves, coves and small villages. One circular hike runs from Preko to the medieval Fort St. Michael and then descends to Željina Bay. A steep descent and a section with a safety cable require sure footing. For a shorter island visit, take a route along the coast.

Combining the visit with Dalmatia, Šibenik and the islands of Croatia works well for a stay of several nights. For connections, see getting there and transport and transfers and local transport; plan your departure time around the day you spend on the island.

Dugi Otok is a more distant option for a full day out. The car ferry runs from Gaženica harbour to Brbinj; according to Jadrolinija, the crossing takes one hour and 40 minutes. Telašćica lies at the southeastern end of the island, near Sali. The sheltered bay, its offshore islands and steep cliffs make the nature park quite different from a beach day in the city. The ferry journey and onward travel need to be planned together.

The island visit can be planned as a separate part of your trip alongside nature and landscapes and culture and history. Šibenik offers another coastal city break; for a longer journey south, Dubrovnik and Split are separate stops. Croatia’s island region encompasses routes that won’t all fit into a single day based in Zadar.

One day is enough for the main squares, churches and waterfront, provided you choose interior visits and breaks carefully. An extra day gives you time to visit Preko and Ugljan; Dugi Otok and Telašćica call for a separate excursion because of the longer ferry crossing. On a day in the city, plan breaks in the shade during the summer heat. Preparing for your trip also means considering money and payments as well as language and communication.

If you’re using Zadar as a base, choose excursions according to the season, your mobility and the time available. For a coastal route, consider Dalmatia and Šibenik; for another island stay, the Croatian islands are a good option. Comparing Zadar with Dubrovnik or Split helps distinguish longer journeys south from excursions around Zadar. Getting there, local transport and transfers, trip planning, payment options, nature spots and cultural sights can help you plan your chosen stop.

Which Old Town route links the main squares?

From the Land Gate, head past the Five Wells Square and People’s Square, then follow the Kalelarga to the Roman Forum and the Church of St. Donatus. The waterfront walk to the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun completes the route.

Which island is best for a shorter excursion?

Preko on Ugljan is directly accessible from Zadar’s central harbour. You can combine a waterside stroll with time in the island village; the hike to Fort St. Michael is longer and more demanding.

How long does the journey from Zadar to Preko take?

The foot-passenger ferry from the central harbour takes 25 minutes and runs several times a day. This makes it possible to return to Zadar the same day.

How is Telašćica different from Ugljan?

Preko offers a short crossing to the island and walking routes on Ugljan. Telašćica is on Dugi Otok and combines a longer ferry journey with a bay, islands and dramatic cliffs.