10 fun day trips from Zadar: The most beautiful places in the region

Zadar is a great base for a vacation in Croatia. The city itself is lovely and there are many great day trips from Zadar. Check out these fun activities.

Table of contents hide

1 About Zadar

2 The best day trips from Zadar

3 Book a trip to Zadar

4 Read more about Croatia

About Zadar

Zadar, located on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. With centuries-old city walls listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city has a beautiful historic city center. Here you can wander the charming streets, sit on the terrace in one of the beautiful squares, climb the tower of the cathedral for a gorgeous view of the city and surrounding islands, and enjoy the unexpected music coming from the sea organ.

But Zadar is more than just a destination for a short city break. It is a perfect base for an (adventurous) vacation in Croatia. Around the city, you will find beautiful natural parks, islands full of authentic villages, and special historic cities.

I myself visited Zadar twice and as a result, I got to discover several beautiful places around the city. In this article, I will tell you all about the best destinations for a day trip from Zadar.

The best day trips from Zadar

What to do in the area of Zadar? There is plenty of beauty to see! This is an overview of the best day trips from Zadar, from beautiful destinations to adventurous activities.

Ugljan

During my first visit to Zadar, I combined city life with island life. And this is incredibly easy thanks to the fine island of Ugljan, which is just a half-hour boat ride from Zadar.

This island is known for its olive groves, picturesque villages, and beautiful beaches. For example, visit the charming town of Preko or explore one of the many bays. Ugljan is perfect for a relaxing day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Travel time: 35 minutes by ferry
Fun thing to do: Ugljan is a great island to explore by bike. From Zadar, you can book a self-guided bicycle tour.
Learn more: Ugljan island: Croatia’s hidden gem

Kornati National Park

The Kornati archipelago consists of as many as 140 islands and islets and has been declared a national park (Nacionalni park Kornati). The best way to explore the park is to go on a boat trip.

Enjoy the azure sea, hidden caves, and pebble beaches. Because it is a protected nature reserve, you will find rich marine life. This makes it a perfect place for snorkeling or scuba diving.

Good to know: the best way to visit Kornati National Park is to join one of the many tours that depart daily from Zadar. One of the best rated tours is this day trip on a traditional wooden sailboat.

Dugi Otok

During my last visit to Zadar, I took the ferry to Dugi Otok, one of the most beautiful islands in the region. Dugi Otok, which means “long island,” is the largest island in the Zadar archipelago.

On this island you will find beautiful nature, such as pine forests, olive groves, and vineyards. Be sure to visit the natural park Telašćica with its beautiful bay and special salt lake. You will also find some beautiful beaches on Dugi Otok, such as Sakarun Beach. My favorite spot on the island was Veli Rat lighthouse, the perfect place to enjoy the sunset.

Travel time: Between one and a half and two hours by ferry.
Make it easy: With this tour from Zadar, you will discover some of the most beautiful places on Dugi Otok in one day.
Read more: 12 Fun things to do in Dugi Otok

Krka National Park

Croatia is known for its magnificent national parks, of which the Plitvice Lakes is undoubtedly the most famous. A close second is Krka National Park, and let it not be so far from Zadar.

This park is known for its breathtaking waterfalls and verdant nature. Take a boat trip on the Krka River, hike on wooden platforms along the waterfalls, and take a refreshing dip at the Skradinski Buk waterfall. In this park, you can wander around for hours and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Travel time: 1 hour drive
Pro tip: You can also book a day trip by coach from Zadar to National Park Krka. Then you will have six hours of free time to explore the park.

Nationaal Park Krka - photo via Unsplash

Photo: Milada Vigerova | Unsplash

Vrana lake

Vrana Lake is the largest lake in Croatia and is a short hour’s drive from Zadar. The water in the lake is brackish, which means it is both fresh and salty. Indeed, on one side fresh water enters from the river, but there is also a connection to the ocean thanks to a canal.

What makes the nature reserve so interesting is that it is a breeding ground for dozens of different bird species. It is also a fine recreational area; in addition to bird watching, you can hike, mountain bike, kayak, and swim.

The most beautiful viewpoint of the lake is next to Konoba Kamenjak, an incredibly nice place for a snack and drink. It is at an altitude of 260 meters, so from here you can see not only the lake very well, but also the Adriatic Sea full of islands. Would you like to kayak? You can rent them at this place (link to Google Maps).

Travel time: 45 minutes drive

Zrmanja Canyon

For adventurous travelers, a trip through the Zrmanja Canyon is a must. Carved by the Zrmanja River, this impressive gorge offers spectacular scenery.

The most fun way to explore the canyon is by kayak. Together with a guide, you will descend the river for a few kilometers, and paddle along the steep rock faces, a green environment full of butterflies, and over rapids and small waterfalls. An exciting and unforgettable experience!

Travel time: 1 hour drive to Kaštel Žegarski, this is where the kayak tours start.
Good to know: Not so adventurous? You can also admire the canyon by taking a little road trip. You can see the canyon itself very well from Pariževačka glavica (link to Google Maps), this is where the movie Winnetou was shot a long time ago.
Make it easy: You can book the kayaking trip with departure from Zadar, that way you don’t have to arrange anything yourself. They’ll drive you to the place where the tour starts and they will also bring you back to Zadar afterwards.

Pag

Did you know that you can also just drive onto an island from Zadar? In fact, the island of Pag is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Pag his is another great destination for a day trip from Zadar.

The island is best known for its lunar-like landscape, sheep cheese, and salt production. You can enjoy a day of sightseeing here. For example, visit the town of Pag with its old town center and lace costumes. Or head to Ručica beach for a relaxing beach day.

Travel time: 40 minutes drive
Fun thing to do: Discover the most beautiful spots (including beaches and a cave) along the coast on a kayak tour.

Nin

Nin is a historic town just 15 kilometers from Zadar. It was once the royal capital of Croatia. You can still see much of its history in the ruins of Roman temples and the medieval St. Donatus Church, one of the smallest cathedrals in the world. A wonderful place to wander the old streets and imagine what life was like here in the past.

In addition, you can also relax on the beautiful beach Ždrijac, with a beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea and the mountains.

Travel time: 30 minutes drive

Šibenik

The historic town of Šibenik is located south of Zadar and is an incredibly beautiful place to visit as a day trip from Zadar. I personally found this one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia, as it has a beautiful old center full of alleys and stairs.

The main attraction is St. James Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fun detail: this particular church was also used as a filming location for the television series Game of Thrones.

In addition, you can go for a nice walk along the promenade, for example to Banj beach. From here you have a beautiful view of the historic city. For the best view from above, climb up to St. John’s. John’s Fort, the city is at your feet.

Travel time: 1 hour drive
Read more: 14 Fun things to do in Šibenik

Paklenica National Park

One place I definitely want to visit next time I’m back in Zadar is Paklenica National Park. This is a place with impressive mountain landscapes. The park consists of two gorges: Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica.

It’s a fantastic place for hiking, as you walk along steep cliffs and through dense forests. In addition, the park is also a paradise for climbers, as it has more than 400 climbing routes. From the mountains, you have breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

Travel time: 45 minutes
More information can be found on the park’s official website .

As you can see, the Zadar area has a lot to offer. Whether you like beautiful nature, historical sights, or gorgeous beaches, there is plenty to see and do. These fun day trips will complete your stay in Zadar. What would you like to do first?

Book a trip to Zadar

Are you excited to visit Zadar and its beautiful surroundings? Book your trip now!

✈️ Plane tickets – Zadar has a small international airport, in addition, you could fly to Split and then drive to Zadar. Check Skyscanner to find the best deals on plane tickets.

🚍 Bus tickets – You can reach many places in Croatia by bus. I myself used Flixbus a lot when I was traveling in Croatia. But there are certainly more companies, you can find more options on BusBud.

🚘 Rental Car – To visit most of the places in this list with fun day trips from Zadar, it’s useful to have a rental car. Check Discover Cars to find the best deals.

🛏️ Places to stay – There are many great accommodations in Zadar, suitable for every budget. Check out Booking.com for more hotels and apartments and Hostelworld if you’d like to stay in (more affordable) hostels.

💊 Travel insurance – Having good travel insurance will give you peace of mind. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.

🎡 Tours & activities – Are you looking for fun tours and activities in Croatia? Check Get Your Guide.

10 fun day trips from Zadar: The most beautiful places in the region

About Zadar