If you are planning visiting Zadar then you have to check out these incredible day trips from Zadar that will turn your holiday into a great adventure. From mesmerizing waterfalls to beautiful islands with amazing beaches and picturesque old towns.
Check out our complete guide on how to get to Zadar, where to stay and things to see (click the link here).
What makes Zadar the perfect destination is that it is so close to many other interesting locations and national parks – that can be reached just by a day trip from Zadar.
Keep reading to find out which are the best day trips that you can take from Zadar, Croatia to fully discover the area.
7 EXCITING DAY TRIPS FROM ZADAR:
1. Zadar to Plitvice waterfalls
Plitvice waterfalls (see our previous post what to see in Plitvice here) are about 1,5 hour drive far from Zadar and our number one recommendation for perfect day trip from Zadar. It is multi level system of 16 connected lakes that are linked together by magnificent waterfalls. Turquoise color and crystal clear water will amaze you as you stroll through wooden paths along the lakes surrounded by a thick woods. You will see numerous waterfalls and the biggest waterfall that is 78 m high. You can even enjoy calming boat cruise on the largest lake to get to the other side of the national park. Don’t forget to charge your camera because you will be snapping lots of photos of incredibly beautiful nature.
2. Explore Dugi otok island in adventurous tour by the speed boat
Day trip from Zadar to Dugi otok (literal translation: Long island) will take you to one of numerous islands of the Zadar archipelago. For more information about the trip check here. You will enjoy exciting ride in a speed boat and visit Telašćica Nature Park, which includes natural salt lake Mir, well known for its healing mud and higher salt content than the nearby sea. You will visit location of a sunken ship, the highest lighthouse and underground cave that has open ceiling through which enter sun rays and create unique underground swimming area. You will swim in one of the best sandy beaches in Adriatic called Sakarun that has specific white color of the sand and clear shallow waters. Former military tunnels are also one of the stops and at the end you will visit fishing village with traditional stone houses. This tour has it all and it is perfect for those that love spending time at sea.
3. Day trip from Zadar to Krka National park and Šibenik
Krka National park is situated just an hour drive from Zadar and close to the historical town of Šibenik. Those two combined together make perfect day trip with amazing nature and UNESCO sites in one (click here for more information about the trip). Krka is actually a river and one of two national parks in Croatia dominated by waterfalls. Krka National park has 7 travertine barriers, former hydro power plant built among the first in the world and ethnographic exhibition with ancient watermills. Beautiful formations of a water world, diverse wildlife and calming nature will enchant all your senses.
Šibenik is one of the only five cities in the world to host two UNESCO sites. First UNESCO site is the Cathedral of St. James that was being constructed for over 100 years and built entirely from stone, without any binding material. Second is St. Nicholas’ Fortress constructed in 16th century on the island to ward off Turkish ships before they can reach the port.
After visiting cathedral you can explore charming old town, its narrow stone streets and go uphill for Barone fortress that has the best panoramic view of the old town and Šibenik archipelago.
4. Day trip from Zadar to UNESCO cities Split and Trogir and to Klis fortress
Split is almost 2-hour drive away from Zadar. It is the largest coastal city in Croatia, known for its rich historical monuments and Roman emperor Diocletian who built the palace there 2.000 years ago. Nowadays Diocletian palace is protected as UNESCO site. It is always recommended to visit a nearby Klis fortress that is situated on a hill overlooking the valley that leads to Split. It became quite famous since Game of Thrones serial as it represented fictional Meereen, slave state that Daenerys conquered. You can stroll through fortress, learn more about the way people lived in it and its turbulent history because due to its strategic position on a ridge it was almost unconquerable.
Trogir is a historical town situated on a small island not far from Split, connected by bridges to the mainland. It was founded in 3rd century BC by Greek colonists and it is considered to be the best preserved Romanesque-Gothic city in Europe. Its entire historical core is protected as UNESCO world heritage site.
One of the best tours that combines all those mentioned destinations can be found at the link here.
5. Discover islands Ugljan and Pašman from Zadar
Ugljan and Pašman are two islands situated opposite of Zadar’s historical center. The island Ugljan is the closest to Zadar and you can reach it by a short ferry ride, about 25 min in one direction. The Island of Ugljan is connected to the island of Pašman by the Ždrelac passage. Back in time, Ugljan and Pašman were once connected into a one big island, but with the rise of the sea level, they got separated where is today Ždrelac bridge. The best way to explore both islands is by bike. Get the ferry tickets and rent a bike here.
You will enjoy the smell of evergreen pine forests, you will see ancient olive groves that witness 2000 years old tradition of producing olive oil of exceptional quality and flavor, St. Michael fortress situated on a hill with turbulent history and great viewpoint, tiny island with a Medieval monastery that has valuable exhibition, then the only active male Benedictine monastery in Croatia, traditional houses made from stone, village with long fishing tradition that kept until today and so much more that is yet to be discovered.
6. Tour to Pag island with cheese tasting
Pag is another island in Zadar county, just an hour of drive away from Zadar, connected to the mainland by the bridge. Pag is famous for its high quality cheese, roasted lamb, traditional salt production and unique lace making that was protected by UNESCO. The island is dominated by dramatic rocky landscape, magnificent beaches with crystal clear waters and picturesque Renaissance old town of Pag that hides a secret. You can even view incredible, 1000 years old olive trees in the Olive gardens of Lun.
For day trip to Pag island that includes cheese tasting and sightseeing of Pag old town click here.
7. Hiking in Paklenica National park
Paklenica is incised into the southern slopes of the Velebit Mountain and it is famous for dramatic canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica, karst rock formations and black-pine forests. It is less than an hour of drive from Zadar. The park is a very valuable floristic area with 79 of them endemic species. It is home to endangered and rare bird species such as the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, roar deer and brown bear. Full of beauties Paklenica can be experienced only by hiking and it has over 150 km of hiking paths. To book a tour with experienced hiking guide, click the link here.
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