Zadar County: Nature, Coast and Culture
Accommodation in Zadar County
The landscape stretches from Velebit and its slopes through Bukovica and Ravni Kotari to the coast and islands. There are also marked trails, climbing routes, impressive cliffs, historic buildings and Pag’s regional cuisine.
Zadar County at a glance
Paklenica National Park has around 600 well-equipped, marked climbing routes of varying difficulty and length. The park also includes 150 to 200 kilometers of marked trails and paths, including routes to the highest peaks of Velebit. In Telašćica Nature Park, the cliffs on Dugi Otok rise up to 161 meters above sea level and descend to depths of up to 90 meters. The region is accessible by land, sea and air, with direct connections to major Croatian cities.
What landscapes and natural settings would you like to experience?
The county encompasses diverse landscapes: Velebit and its slopes, Bukovica and Ravni Kotari, as well as the coast and islands. This offers different starting points for planning a trip, without implying a single type of holiday for the entire region. When looking for a hotel, consider which of these landscapes and experiences matter most for your trip.
In Paklenica, you can choose between marked trails and climbing routes. The trails and paths span a total of 150 to 200 kilometers; some routes lead to the highest peaks of Velebit. For climbing, there are around 600 well-equipped, marked routes, varying in difficulty and length. This gives you a range of options for hiking as well as an extensive selection of climbing routes, without requiring you to plan both activities in the same way.
Telašćica Nature Park on Dugi Otok offers a different natural setting. Its cliffs reach up to 161 meters above sea level and descend to depths of up to 90 meters. Diving is possible at several attractive locations near the cliffs. When comparing accommodation with nature and activities in mind, you can consider these experiences as a focus in their own right, alongside Paklenica’s trails and climbing routes.
Which culture and regional cuisine suit your trip?
In Zadar, the Church of St. Donatus is considered an outstanding example of pre-Romanesque architecture. Pag’s old town dates back to the 15th century. Its streets were laid out according to a planned design, with the Church of the Assumption, which also dates from this period, at its center. Kaštel Benković in Benkovac was built in the second half of the 15th century. These different buildings and urban features offer concrete points of reference if culture is important to your choice of destination.
Pag also contributes its own culinary specialties to the region: the island is known for its cheese of the same name and its lamb. Cultural interests and regional cuisine are further themes to consider alongside nature and outdoor activities.
Getting there and finding your way around the region
The region’s accessibility by land, sea and air, as well as its direct connections to major Croatian cities, offer a starting point for planning your journey. When choosing a hotel, your planned itinerary also matters: Paklenica is known for marked trails and climbing, Telašćica for its cliffs and diving opportunities, while Zadar, Pag and Benkovac offer different cultural points of interest.
Other regional subpages lead to: Municipality of Lišane Ostrovičke, Municipality of Škabrnja, Municipality of Sukošan, Municipality of Starigrad, Municipality of Stankovci, Municipality of Zemunik Donji, Municipality of Privlaka, Municipality of Posedarje, Municipality of Pirovac, Municipality of Poličnik, Municipality of Novigrad, Municipality of Nin, Municipality of Jasenice, Municipality of Ražanac, Municipality of Gračac, Municipality of Pakoštane, Municipality of Biograd Na Moru, Municipality of Bibinje, Municipality of Polača, Municipality of Benkovac, Municipality of Obrovac, Municipality of Sveti Filip I Jakov, Municipality of Zadar, Municipality of Sali, Ostrovica and Mali Iz.
FAQ
What activities does Paklenica National Park offer?
The national park has 150 to 200 kilometers of marked trails and paths, including routes to the highest peaks of Velebit. For climbing, there are around 600 well-equipped, marked routes of varying difficulty and length.
What makes the cliffs of Dugi Otok distinctive?
The cliffs in Telašćica Nature Park rise up to 161 meters above sea level and descend to depths of up to 90 meters. Diving is possible at several attractive locations near the cliffs.
What regional specialties does Pag offer?
The old town dates back to the 15th century, and its streets were laid out according to a planned design. Pag is also known for its cheese of the same name and its lamb.
How can you reach the region?
Zadar County is accessible by land, sea and air, with direct connections to major Croatian cities.
For the broader travel overview: Croatia.
