The Most Awesome Day Trips from Zadar
Historic Zadar sits on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, in northern Croatia. The town is packed full of Roman ruins, great places to eat and incredible sea views. However, Zadar is also perfectly placed to explore the gems of Northern Dalmatia. Close to Zadar are five of Croatia’s eight National Parks as well as loads of historical sites and outdoor activities. We will introduce you to the most awesome day trips from Zadar, including how to get there, what to bring with you and loads more useful tips.
Visit Krka National Park from Zadar
Krka National Park is a fantastic day trip from Zadar. One of the many phenomenal National Parks in this part of Croatia, Krka is a natural beauty not to be missed! We followed the 3km elevated wooden path around the park admiring the brilliant greens and icy blues of the waterfalls and flora. After walking for a while, and taking hundreds of photos, we found the star of the show, Skradinski Buk waterfall.
The park is located towards the southern portion of Croatia on the Krka River. It is 77km from Zadar, 87km from Split and only 10km from beautiful Šibenik.
There is a bus from Zadar to Krka National Park. This leaves from Zadar bus station, takes about an hour and costs €10 each way. There are 5 buses per day so plan your times carefully. It is cheaper to book in advance online and we used GETBYBUS. There is then a ferry at Skradin to take you to the National Park entrance.
Day Trips from Zadar – Discover Beautiful Pag Island
Pag Island has a rather unusual landscape for an Adriatic Island. While parts look like the surface if the moon, there are also beautiful beaches. Pag town is traditional and relatively unchanged for several hundred years. It is know for making beautiful lace and pungent cheese! However, there is also a decent party scene at Zrće beach during the summer.
It is possible to reach Pag town by bus from Zadar. A ticket costs €7 and the journey is under an hour.
Day Trips from Zadar – Plitvice Lakes
One of the most popular day trips from Zadar is a visit to the spectacular Plitvice Lakes. It’s easy to see why! Plitvice is Croatia’s largest national park and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1979. During the peak seasons it can be busy and the ticket prices increase. However, plan your trip well and it will be a phenomenal day trip from Zadar!
There are regular buses from Zadar to Plitvice. The journey is around 3 hours and tickets cost about €12 each way.
Explore Paklenica National Park
To the North of Zadar is the phenomenal Paklenica with its rocky canyons, rugged mountains and beautiful wildlife. Hiking in Paklenica National Park is one of the best things you can do in this part of Croatia. And it’s so easy to take a day trip from Zadar!
The National Park is also home to the biggest climbing site in southern Europe as well as being home to extraordinary wildlife and some amazing places to eat.
The bus departs from Zadar bus station and drops you at Starigrad Paklenica. Check it out HERE. The early bus leaves at 8am and arrives at 8:50. Our return ticket € 17 each and was bought online with GETBYBUS. After getting off the bus, there is a 20 minute walk to the park entrance. From this point, there is a further 2km to walk to the canyon where the fun really starts!
Take a Day Trip from Zadar to Split
Split is one of the most popular destinations in Croatia! There is plenty of history to explore in the city’s ancient centre. Make sure you check out the Diocletian Palace and take a stroll along the beautiful promenades.
A day trip from Zadar to Split is super easy by bus as there are several companies running services between the two towns. Typically, it will take a little under 3 hours and cost between €10-15 each way.
Day Trips from Zadar – Relax on the Island of Dugi Otok
Beautiful Dugi Otok is one of the largest islands in the Adriatic Sea. At 45km long, the name translates as “Long Island”. It is also home to part of the spectacular Kornati National Park, stunning Telašćica Bay and many dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches. Dugi Otok is definitely a bit of a hidden gem making it one of the best day trips from Zadar!
Getting to Dugi Otok from Zadar is pretty easy – with enough planning. There are 4 ports on the island but the most popular is Sali. There is a ferry from Zadar to Sali quite regularly throughout the day. Tickets can be bought online HERE and cost about €3 each way.
Currently, the Port at Sali is under restoration. This is due to be complete thus year – 2024. The ferry will take you to Zaglav where you will find a bus to Sali. If you miss the bus, like we did, you can walk. However, a portion of the route is on quite a busy road. The bus will also take you back again and runs in time with the ferry departures.
Try a Day of Cycling from Zadar
To the south of Zadar, in the town of Biograd na moru, there is a 50km circular bike route. Along the way you will discover the charms of rural Croatia. It is also possible to take your bike on the ferry to some of the larger island such as Pag and Dugi Otok. Cycling is a great way to explore the islands.
There are many places in Zadar where you can hire bikes for the day and enjoy a bit of exercise as well as the stunning scenery.
Visit the Historic Town of Šibenik
Historic Šibenik is the oldest native Croatian town on the shores of the Adriatic and makes an excellent day trip from Zadar. Don’t miss the Cathedral of St James while exploring the old town. Šibenik is not too far from Krka National Park. If you plan well, you can fit both into one day.
To ride the bus from Zadar to Šibenik will take you around 1h 20min. The ticket prices vary but start from €5 each way.
Day Trips from Zadar – Kornati National Park
One of the ultimate day trips from Zadar is a visit to Kornati National Park. Made up of 109 islands, the scenery around Kornati National Park is breath-taking.
The only way to get to Kornati is with a guide. In the peak season, many companies offer guided tours and most things are included in the price.
Work up an Appetite by Kayaking for the Day
Kayaking is a really cool way of exploring the Zadarian islands. There are plenty of places to hire a kayak for the day. Or you might consider a guided tour by kayak that will take you to all the hotspots!
Discover Nin City from Zadar
Nin is little city in Zadar county. It is very important in the history of this area and a real treat for history fans, as it is the oldest royal city in Croatia. The city is on a small island connected to the mainland by two beautiful bridges. Don’t miss the old town which includes Sveti Kriz Cathedral – the world’s smallest cathedral – and be sure to visit the incredible beaches.
There are regular buses from Zadar to Nin and you can be there in under 30 minutes. Another option, if you’re feeling energetic, is to cycle from Zadar.
The Ultimate Day Trips from Zadar, Croatia
After a busy day of exploring the amazing sites around Zadar, you will be welcomed back to the town by the most phenomenal sunset – if you time it right. The famous Zadar sunset was once highly praised by Alfred Hitchcock. He proclaimed, “Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world, more beautiful than the one in Key West, in Florida, applauded at every evening.“ What a way to end the day!
What to Pack for your Day Trips from Zadar
We have put together a convenient packing list for your awesome day trips from Zadar.
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack
- Snacks for travel
- Mini handheld fan (buses get incredibly hot in the summer!)
- Book/audiobook/music
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing, such as windbreaker and fleece for hiking OR swimsuit and towel for hitting the beach
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone
- Charging pack if needed
- Decent camera (phone) with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
- Cash (Croatian Kuna)
- Driving licence and passport – if hiring a car
Should I Rent a Car for my Day Trips from Zadar?
This is a tricky one, and definitely down to personal preference. North Croatia’s public transport is actually pretty decent and most places are accessible by bus. However, there are very few railways in Croatia. The buses are great for travelling between towns and cities and are fairly priced. However, the timetable can be a bit restrictive, especially out of the busy tourist months. If you are short on time, hiring a car might help you make the most of your day trips from Zadar.
If you decide to rent a car in Zadar, please make sure you take out the full insurance. Drivers in the Balkans have their own unique style…
Plan your journey in advance as there are many small roads and these places can get super busy in peak season.
If you take the plunge and decide that driving is best for you, try Avax Rent a Car. They are really handy if you are based in Zadar old town and provide a great service.
The Croatian Language
Many Croatians in the cities speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases in Croatian. It is certainly not an easy language for English speakers, but any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:
| English | Croatian | Sounds Like |
| Hello | Bok | bohk |
| Goodbye | Doviđenja | doh-vee-jen-yah |
| Please | Molim | moh-leem |
| Thank you | Hvala | hva-lah |
| Yes | Da | da |
| No | Ne | ne |
More information
- For Zadar tourist info click HERE
Where to go next
Ready for more day trip ideas? Check out our Awesome Day Trips from Tirana, Albania. There is plenty of history and nature to discover in beautiful Albania.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Zadar or anywhere else in Croatia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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This is such a helpful post. I am planning a trip to Croatia very soon (hopefully), and I am saving this for future reference.
I hopefully get to return to Croatia next year on a business trip. I can’t wait. I love this country. I definitely will save this post. I only saw the airport when I traveled through Zadar.
Great ideas to explore beyond Zadar which everyone should do.
What fantastic options there are I love Plitvice Lakes, Pag Island and Split, will be adding these to the Plan…thank you
This is so helpful! I am hopefully planning a trip to Croatia next year so I am saving this for when I go!
This is helpful for my next trip in the Balkans. Thank you 🙏