2 Days in Zadar for Solo Travelers

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When I was first planning my Croatia itinerary, Zadar wasn’t even on my list of places to visit. I had planned to start in Split, visit one of the islands, and end my trip in Dubrovnik. But then I stumbled upon a cheap flight from Paris (where I started my Europe trip) to Zadar and decided to start there instead.

And honestly, I’m so glad I did! Zadar turned out to be one of my favorite stops in Croatia. It felt less touristy and overcrowded than Split or Dubrovnik, but just as beautiful. I fell in love with the sunsets over the sea, the narrow marble streets, and the laid-back Adriatic charm.

I technically only had one full day to explore, but I made the most of my time and managed to see a little bit of everything. Here’s exactly how I spent my 2 days in Zadar as a solo traveler, plus my top tips on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat.

Is Zadar Good for Solo Travelers?

Yes, Zadar is a perfect destination for solo travelers, especially if this is your first solo trip. The city is compact, walkable, and safe. It’s the kind of place that you can wander on your own, without running out of things to do. Here’s a few reasons why it’s so great for first-time solo travelers.

• It’s super safe: I felt completely comfortable walking alone during the day and at night, especially around the Old Town and along the waterfront.
• The Old Town is compact and walkable: Everything you’ll want to see, from beaches to restaurants to Roman ruins, is within easy walking distance.
• It’s social but not overwhelming: Zadar has a friendly travel scene, with plenty of hostels, bars, and tours that make it easy to meet other solo travelers. But I liked that it didn’t feel as overcrowded as Split or Dubrovnik.
• There’s plenty of solo-friendly activities: Walking tours, boat trips, beaches and museums make it easy to explore on your own or join group tours.
• It’s affordable (for Croatia!): While Croatia can be pricey, I found Zadar to be more budget-friendly, with cheaper accommodation and food compared to Split or Dubrovnik.

Is 2 days in Zadar enough?

Zadar is the perfect 2 day stop on a Croatia itinerary. Reserve at least one full day to see the main highlights, like in this itinerary. Two days gives you sufficient time to relax, take a boat tour, and really enjoy explore the city at an easygoing pace.

Zadar is a great base to explore inland destinations in Croatia, such as Plitvice Lakes National Park or Krka National Park. So if you want to take a day trip from Zadar to either of these national parks, stay for at least an extra day.

How to Get to Zadar?

Zadar has its own international airport with budget flights from major European cities. I arrived there on a €50 Ryanair flight from Paris (it was the cheapest flight I could find to Croatia). The airport is about a 15 minute drive from the Old Town.

You can also reach Zadar by bus from Split or Zagreb. The bus station is about 10 minutes from the Old Town by Uber. Check transport options to Zadar here on Omio.

Where to stay in Zadar?

For solo female travelers in Zadar, I would highly recommend staying at Downtown Boutique Hostel. I had a great experience staying here in their female only dorm. The rooms are clean and have everything you need, like lockers, curtains on the bunks for privacy, and outlets and lights next to the beds. The bathrooms were just ok (they were shared between a few rooms so there was sometimes a line), but besides that it was a great hostel. And the location could not be more perfect, right in the middle of the Old Town.

If you’re a traveller who likes more privacy, Downtown Boutique Hostel offers private rooms along with dorm rooms.

Although I would recommend staying in Old Town Zadar, if you want to have a more beach focused vacation, Hotel Kolovare is a great option. The Kolovare Beach promenade is just outside the entrance to the hotel, and there’s also a pool. The Old Town is about a 20 minute walk away, so it’s not too far.

Now let’s get into the 2-day Zadar Itinerary!

Day 1: Arrive in Zadar

If you’re arriving to Zadar by plane like I did, then you can take a quick, 15 minute Uber ride to the city. Check into Downtown Boutique Hostel, located right in the Old Town, where you’ll be able to walk everywhere you want to go, including restaurants, beaches, Roman ruins, lively squares, and the best sunset spots.

Depending on your arrival time in Zadar, you may have time to do a couple activities, like take a walking tour or relax at one of the nearby beaches. I arrived in the late afternoon, so after I checked into my hostel, I just took a stroll around the Old Town to get my bearings.

It was getting dark, so I headed over to the Zadar Riva to see the sunset. Alfred Hitchcock famously said that Zadar has the best sunsets in the world, and I definitely agree. There’s unobstructed views of the sun setting along the horizon of the Adriatic, and great vibes as everyone gathers around to watch.

After the sunset, I ate dinner at Submarine Burger, where I had a delicious vegan burger and fries. Then I headed back to my hostel and called it an early night.

Day 2: A Full Day of Activities in Zadar

Exploring the Old Town

Start your morning with breakfast at your accommodation or a cafe, then head to the Zadar Market. It’s open until around 1 PM and is a great place to experience the local culture of Croatia. You’ll find people selling fresh meat, fish and produce, and local goods like lavender and olive oil. I picked up a bag of cherries for just one euro, which I saved for a picnic I’d be having later on.

Next, make your way to the Cathedral of Saint Anastasia and climb the bell tower. It only costs a few euros and gives you panoramic views of the terracotta rooftops of Zadar and deep blue Adriatic Sea.

Just outside the cathedral, take a few minutes to walk through the Roman Forum (Rimski Forum). It’s the remains of Zadar’s ancient Roman marketplace that dates back to the 1st century BC. I was so impressed how these ruins were just sitting right in the heart of the modern city. You don’t see stuff like that in America!

If you have time this morning, I recommend joining a walking tour of Zadar. I didn’t get the chance to do one (I overslept), but looking back I wish I had. Walking tours are one of my favorite ways to learn about the history of a place from a local.

Kolovare Beach

After exploring the city, head back to your accommodation to change into your swimsuit. We’ll be spending the rest of the day by the sea!

I also stopped at Mlinar, a bakery chain you’ll see everywhere in Croatia, and grabbed a spinach and cheese pastry to bring with me to the beach, along with my cherries from the market.

From the Old Town, it’s about a 20-minute walk (or a quick Uber ride) to Kolovare Beach, a rocky stretch of coastline with beautiful clear blue water. It’s not your typical sandy beach (you won’t really find this anywhere in Croatia), but the water is pristine. There’s also a famous diving board that’s popular in the warmer months.

I visited in May, so the water was very chilly. I put my feet in but didn’t quite have the confidence to jump in. I spent about an hour relaxing, snacking on my picnic, and soaking up the sun.

In case you need a caffeine boost at the beach, stop by Daloro Café, just up the road, for a coffee or smoothie.

Island Hopping Boat Tour

After some time at the beach, make your way to the marina, about a 10-minute walk from Kolovare, for a boat tour around the Zadar archipelago.

I booked this tour and I can’t recommend it enough! It was one of the best things I did in Zadar, both for the views and for meeting other travelers. It was pretty small boat with only about 10 people. The tour included free drinks like water, iced tea and beer.

We cruised for about 20 minutes towards the island across from Zadar. We first stopped at a quiet swimming spot with turquoise water. Even though it was freezing, I had to jump in for a quick dip. If it was warmer, I would have loved to go snorkeling.

Then we visited the small island town of Kali, which is actually is pronounced exactly like my name, Caleigh! We had about 30 minutes to explore, which I spent walking around and taking pictures. I also stopped for a Hugo Spritz at a bar with a great view.

Our final stop was Preko, another charming town with a pretty marina. I grabbed an ice cream cone and sat by the water chatting with new friends I made on the boat.

Dinner & Sunset

After returning to the marina around 5 pm, I walked back to my hostel for a short rest before heading out for dinner.

For dinner, I grabbed 2 slices of pizza from Crazy Pizza, which serves giant slices for just €4 each. Then I walked to the Sea Organ for catch the sunset.

The Sea Organ is the best sunset spot, and one of Zadar’s most unique attractions. It’s a massive instrument built into the steps along the waterfront that plays harmonious sounds using the movement of the waves. During golden hour, everyone gathers on the steps listening to the natural tunes made by the waves and watching the sunset.

Day 3: Leaving Zadar

For my last morning in Zadar, I had breakfast at Coffee & Cake, a cute café with healthy breakfast and specialty coffee. I wandered through the Old Town for an hour, snapping a few more photos and picking up a souvenir. Then I Ubered to the bus station for my bus ride to my next destination, Split.

Have an Extra Day in Zadar?

If you have more than just 2 days in Zadar, consider booking a tour to one of Croatia’s national parks. They’re all within two hours of Zadar, so perfect for a day trip.

Save this Post for Later!

My 2 days in Zadar completely exceeded my expectations. I’m so glad I added it to my Croatia itinerary becuase it was the perfect introduction to the country. Zadar felt safe, welcoming, and effortlessly beautiful, making it a great destination for a solo traveller like me.

If you’re planning a Croatia itinerary, definitely add Zadar to your list, even just for a quick stop like mine. It’s the kind of place that’s easy to explore on your own, but hard to forget once you leave.