Located along the coasts of central Dalmatia, the port of Zadar (Zadar in Italian) is one of the most important seaports in the region and in Croatia. It is equipped with infrastructures that allow it to accommodate both tourist carriers (ferries, catamarans, yachts) and boats used to transport goods.
The Croatian city, to be more precise, is served by two ports: one near the town, the other in the suburb of Gaženica (New Port). Inside and near the first port we have mentioned, it is possible to identify specific areas for the mooring of pleasure boats, which, especially during the summer season, arrive at the Dalmatian port. The ports of Zadar are connected with Italy and with the islands of the Zadar archipelago.
One of the main shipping companies operating within the port of Zadar is Jadrolinija, the most important in all of Croatia.
There are various ways to reach the port of Zadar. Below we provide you with a range of solutions.
Bus
The public transport service by road is managed by Liburnija, thanks to which you can move easily from one point to another in the Dalmatian city. The central bus station is located at 1 Ante Starčevića street , a stone's throw from the railway station. To reach the central port, take line 2 or line 4. If, on the other hand, you need to get to the Gaženica airport, you will have to opt for line 9.
For further and more detailed information on lines, timetables and fares, we advise you to take a look at the official website of the Croatian company, also available in English.
Cars or two-wheeled vehicles
In the city and at the airport there are several agencies where you can rent cars, motorcycles or scooters.
If you are traveling by car and departing from Trieste, you will arrive in Zadar via the E71 (4h, 362 km).
If you land at Zadar airport (Zemonico), rent a car and follow the D424 : in 20 minutes, and after traveling 13 km, you will reach the central port of the Dalmatian city.
Taxi
Near the station, the railway and the airport there are pitches where taxis can be parked.
The city is served by the international airport of Zadar, located in Zemonico, a municipality which is located about 8 km from the Zadar railway station. Once landed, there are several solutions that will allow you to reach the city and its two ports.
Car
As already mentioned, at the airport you will have the opportunity to rent a car. By connecting to the airport's website, you can view the complete list of agencies operating within it. For more information on the route to get to the city, read the previous paragraph (under "Car or two-wheeled vehicles" ).
Bus
There is a bus service running on the following route: Zadar airport-Gaženica port-bus / train station-central port. For more info, click here.
Taxi
If none of the previous proposals are for you, once you leave the airport you can take a taxi.
As already mentioned in the paragraph dedicated to "How to reach the port", the train station of Zadar is located in Ante Starčevića street 1. Next to the latter there is the central bus station, from which the means that will allow you to reach the central port and the port of Gaženica depart.
Jadrolinija
Agencija Zadar - Liburnska obala 7 and Liburnska obala 4;
Agencija Gaženica, Zadar - luka Gaženica.
There are none in the immediate vicinity of the two ports. However, we point out that a left- luggage office is located in the central bus station , located in Ante Starčevića street 1.
Walking through the streets of Zadar (and in particular along Calle Larga, the main artery of the city center ), you will find a whole series of commercial activities where you can go shopping.
Despite being the subject of numerous bombings during the Second World War, Zadar still preserves many traces of its past. Walking along the streets of the city center, in fact, you will have the opportunity to admire and visit monuments and places of interest of the Dalmatian city.
One of the symbols of Zadar is certainly the church of San Donato. Built in the 9th century, it is one of the most shining examples of Byzantine architecture in all of Dalmatia. It has a central plan, and the structure is very reminiscent of the Palatine Chapel in Aachen and the church of San Vitale in Ravenna. Its greatest peculiarity lies in the fact that the building was erected using material from the nearby Roman Forum, whose ruins are still visible.
Other notable places of worship are the marvelous Romanesque cathedral of Sant'Anastasia (inside which the relics of the saint are kept), the church of San Crisogono, the church of San Simeone and the church of Santa Maria.
Zadar is also the city of museums. Among the main ones we point out the National Museum (which includes the Art Gallery, Zadar City Museum and the permanent exhibition "The gold and silver of the city of Zadar") and the Archaeological Museum. If you are passionate about crafts, a visit to the Museum of Ancient Glass is a must.
The Dalmatian city also boasts a World Heritage Site. We refer to the defense works erected by the Venetians at the turn of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when Zadar was part of the State da Mar, an expression with which the Serenissima indicated its maritime domains. Along this imposing fortification system there is, among others, the Porta di Terraferma: erected in the first half of the sixteenth century, it bears in the central archway the Lion of San Marco, emblem of the Republic of Venice.
A few steps from the portal is a place that will not fail to attract your attention: it is Piazza dei Cinque Pozzi, which were built to guarantee water autonomy to the city during the Turkish invasions. Behind the square, moreover, you will find two green lungs of Zadar: the park of Queen Jelena Madijevka and the park of Vladimir Nazor, first president of the People's Republic of Croatia.
Next to the square of the Five Wells is the Petar Zoranić square, from which Calle Larga starts , the most important street in the historic center of Zadar (the street ends near the aforementioned Roman Forum and the church of San Donato).
Finally, two monuments that have aroused great interest abroad also deserve a quick mention. We are alluding, for those who have not guessed it, to the Greeting of the Sun and the Sea Organ. Both visionary works were created by the well-known Croatian architect Nikola Bašić and are located along the quay that frames the historic center of Zadar.