Zadar holidays
Mid-size coastal city offering workable mix of Old Town peninsula, nearby beaches and road access to national parks.
30°C AugustBest Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep3–6 nightsDirect from London Stansted
At a glance
- families wanting beach plus town
- road trips to national parks
- medium-length coastal stays
Trip cost
- One-way flight
- ≈€25
- Stay
- ≈€440
- Food & local
- ≈€96
Includes the one-way fare from London Stansted. An estimate, not a quote — each booking happens separately with its supplier. How we work this out.
Stays
Stays in Zadar
From €56/night · Typical €120 · 176 stays · 4-night stay assumed
Booking.com (opens in a new tab)- Best 3-star
TherosBibinje · 6.2 km from the centre€65 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 3-star options
- Best 4-star
Bralic Residence84 Prizemlje · 5.9 km from the centre€120 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 4-star options
- Best 5-star
Cozy Apartment In Bibinje With House Sea ViewBibinje · 5.8 km from the centre€299 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 5-star options
- Cheapest
App for 2Bibinje · 6.4 km from the centre€56 a night (opens in a new tab)See more options, cheapest first
Map
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Getting to Zadar
- AirportZadar Airport (ZAD)
- Transfer optionsBus, taxi
Zadar Airport sits about 8 kilometres from the city with dedicated buses linking the terminal to the Old Town and main bus station, plus taxis.
We haven’t found enough fresh fares for these dates yet.
Check flights on Aviasales (opens in a new tab)Areas of Zadar
A few places people base themselves, and who each tends to suit.
- Old Town (Poluotok)Best for first-time visitors who want historic streets and seafront promenades within a compact, mostly pedestrian zone.
- BorikSuited to families wanting child-friendly beaches and accommodation while remaining a short journey from the Old Town.
- DikloGood for budget-conscious travellers seeking a quieter, more residential seaside area north-west of the centre.
- ArbanasiAppeals to couples and visitors wanting a calmer neighbourhood with easy access to beaches and a short hop to the peninsula.
- KolovarePractical for travellers who want a main city beach and nightlife while staying close to central streets.
When to go
Monthly climate normals (multi-year reanalysis data). Gold months are the best weather fit.
- Best overall
- June · July · August · September
- Hottest
- July · 30°C
- Wettest
- November · 187mm
- Jan11°121mm
- Feb12°88mm
- Mar14°111mm
- Apr17°80mm
- May22°105mm
- Jun27°40mm (good month)
- Jul30°44mm (good month)
- Aug30°81mm (good month)
- Sep25°139mm (good month)
- Oct21°119mm
- Nov16°187mm
- Dec13°167mm
What each season is like
- Spring
- Pleasant for mixing town walks with early-season beach visits; some beach services and boat trips may still be limited.
- Summer
- Beach areas and Old Town bars become busy and weekend noise can carry, especially near central streets.
- Autumn
- Sea remains usable for a while and crowds ease, though some beachfront facilities and seasonal services scale back.
- Winter
- City continues functioning but beach and island options are reduced, making Zadar more of a local centre than a seaside holiday base.
What’s on in Zadar
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Good to know about Zadar
Worth it for
Better suited than Split or Dubrovnik as a base for combining coastal days with Kornati and inland national parks by road.
Keep in mind
Old Town can be noisy at weekends and in summer, which may not suit light sleepers.
Why go
- Better suited than Split or Dubrovnik as a base for combining coastal days with Kornati and inland national parks by road.
- Offers family-friendly beach neighbourhoods like Borik and Diklo within reach of the Old Town, which Zagreb lacks.
- Feels less dominated by cruise ships and large resorts than Dubrovnik or some Istrian peninsulas.
Worth knowing
- Old Town can be noisy at weekends and in summer, which may not suit light sleepers.
- Public transport to some beaches and outlying areas is limited, so families may prefer having a car.
- Seasonal focus means some beach bars and facilities close or reduce hours outside peak summer.