The historic town of Zadar, Croatia sits proudly on a peninsula surrounded by the Adriatic Sea.
Nearby, stunning islands, national parks and some of the region’s most picturesque places can be reached on day trips from Zadar.
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Why Take Zadar Day Trips?
The Zadar Old Town has enough sights to entertain visitors and plenty of opportunities to relax with a cold beverage at an outdoor café. However, Zadar’s location also makes it an ideal base for exploring more of Croatia!
8 Best Day Trips From Zadar, Croatia
Our list includes many of the area’s top destinations. For each of these outings, we include details regarding transportation and how to book tours.
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Zadar Day Trip Guide for your Croatia Itinerary!
#1 Zadar to Krka Waterfalls
A trip to Krka National Park was our favorite jaunt while staying in Zadar. This aqueous wonderland is an easy excursion from the city.
The Krka River, which tumbles in a succession of waterfalls, is surrounded by 42-square miles of protected land. Besides the amazing falls, there are ruins, churches, islands and caves to be discovered.
However, the main attraction is Skradinski buk, the longest waterfall on the Krka. This single sight alone is worth making the journey from Zadar!
Note: In the past, you could swim at the base of the falls, but that is no longer permitted.
How To Get from Zadar to Krka: We took a 50 minute bus ride to Krka, which conveniently dropped us near the ticket office in Skradin (admission includes a boat ride to the entrance).
As we were there in the off-season, we bought our tickets at the bus station and confirmed the return schedule before setting off. In the summer, definitely book ahead.
Zadar to Krka Tours: Booking an organized outing can save you some time and hassle. This tour to Krka National Park from Zadar gets solid reviews and includes entrance tickets!
{Read all about our DIY Krka NP Trip}
#2 Kornati National Park from Zadar
The Kornati Islands are a must-see natural attraction! The national park encompasses 89 islands, islets and reefs – and is best reached on boat tours from Zadar.
The area beckons adventures with plenty of opportunity for swimming, hiking and wildlife watching.
How To Get from Zadar to Kornati Islands: Unless you have your own boat, this highly-rated 8-hour KNP Tour is a fantastic option!
The full day adventure includes incredible scenic vistas along the route and stops at 4 islands for swimming. Plus breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks are provided!
#3 Zadar Boat Trips
Spending a day on the water is one of the best things to do in Zadar! There are a multitude of options – from local ferry rides to Zadar sailing trips to fun boat excursions and sea kayaking.
Ferry Trips from Zadar
Using the ferry is fabulous for visiting the islands just off Zadar. Ugljan on the island of Preko is directly across from Zadar and is an excellent choice for a cheap and quick getaway.
How To Get from Zadar to Ugljan: The ferries make these Zadar trips both easy and inexpensive. Find schedules on Jadrolinija.
More Islands To Visit from Zadar
There are 140 islands in the Zadar archipelago (including the 89 in KNP) and the best way to visit many of these is on a boat tour.
Top options include this half-day sailing tour, a romantic sunset sail , a full-day kayak adventure or a private speed boat to Sakarun Beach!
#4 Zadar to Plitvice Lakes National Park
A trip to Plitvice Lakes is one of the best day trips from Zadar! Sixteen ponds of intense blue water are connected by a series of tumbling waterfalls.
The flow has carved a deep canyon into the limestone rocks and natural tufa barriers pool the water before it streams over the edge into the next lake.
Wooden boardwalks built just above the water enable you to have an up-close experience (although swimming is not allowed).
How To Get from Zadar to Plitvice: Unlike Krka, the bus ride to Plitvice from Zadar is about 2 hours and services are far less frequent. Unless you have a car, it’s best to book an excursion.
Zadar to Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour: Travel with an organized group on this highly-rated PLNP Tour that includes admission!
{Read all our Tips for Visiting Plitvice}
#5 Visit Sibenik from Zadar
A day trip to Sibenik is one of the popular Zadar tours because of their close proximity. The hillside coastal city boasts a fortress, several churches and the remains of it’s defensive walls.
How To Get from Zadar to Sibenik: Buses to Sibenik run fairly often, making this an easy Zadar DIY Day Trip. Just be sure to inquire at both bus stations for current timetables.
{Read more about all the Best Things To Do in Sibenik}
#6 Zadar to Split and Trogir
Split is one of our favorite cities in Croatia! The Old Town shares the harbor front with the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Diocletian’s Palace.
The city is also known for its many beaches, nature trails, delicious cuisine and the long string of cafes that line the buzzing Riva.
Historic Trogir occupies a small island, which is connected to the mainland via a short bridge. The best way to explore this gem is to wander aimlessly through the narrow alleyways of the Old Town.
How To Get from Zadar to Split: The bus takes 2.5 hours each way, but there are several daily. Some may even stop in Trogir on the way. Again, we recommend double-checking at the station prior to setting off.
Tours from Zadar to Trogir and Split: Booking an excursion from Zadar to Split and Trogir eliminates the hassle of trying to figure out bus schedules!
{Read our guide on Split Sightseeing and What To Do in Trogir}
#7 Game of Thrones Locations Tours from Zadar
Game of Thrones fans will be thrilled to visit Croatia, as many of the television show’s scenes have been filmed in the country. With the popularity of the series, there are many GOT Tours, including a trip from Zadar.
Zadar to Game of Thrones Film Locations: Walking in the footsteps of the show’s characters is best done on private day tours from Zadar, as there are multiple stops in some hard-to-get-to locations.
#8 Trip to Mostar from Zadar
Want to explore beyond Croatia? Take a day trip from Zadar to the fascinating town of Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Not a short endeavor by any means (it takes 3 hours to drive each way, plus the border crossing), the beautiful Mostar Old Town is definitely worth it!
The iconic Mostar Old Bridge is draped over the emerald green Neretva River and minarets pierce the blue sky.
Shops, cafes and restaurants cling to the riverside cliffs and line the cobblestone lanes, enticing you in for a coffee, meal or souvenir.
Tours from Zadar to Mostar: There are no direct bus routes between the two cities, so excursions to Mostar are best done via car or private guide.
{Read our complete guide to Visiting Mostar}
More Things To Do in Zadar, Croatia
Zadar is one of the best places to visit in Croatia! An entire week vacation could be filled with daily outings, but there are things to see in Zadar, too!
Zadar Walking Tour
Zadar sights can easily be discovered by strolling the lanes of the Old Town. Use our free Zadar Self-Guided Walking Tour (which includes a map) to track down the top attractions!
If you would rather a local lead the way, book this 2 hour guided walk or group bike tour in advance!
Find a Zadar Beach
Kolovare is the best beach closest to the center and a Zadar top attraction in the summertime. However, there are many other spots along the coastline and on the islands near Zadar.
Planning a Trip to Zadar, Croatia
Get started with our tips for Planning a Croatian Vacation – where we highlight need-to-know travel info.
As you research your trip and make reservations, you will need to stay organized. With our printable Travel Planner, you can get started right away!
Where To Stay in Zadar
We stayed in an Airbnb Apartment, but there are many Zadar Old Town hotels to choose from, too!
Check out these top-rated properties (based on guest reviews): Art Hotel Kalelarga, Hotel Niko and Bastion Heritage Hotel. Budget travelers can check out Boutique Hostel Forum and Zadar The Hostel.
Before booking, read our tips for Finding the Best Rate!
Getting To Zadar
Our preferred method of getting anywhere is by flying (we are JetSettingFools, after all) and when we need to purchase plane tickets, we start our search for deals on Skyscanner.
If already in Croatia, buses are a good option for reliable transportation. Our preferred bus company is FlixBus – as they are usually economical, clean and comfortable.
What To Pack for Zadar
Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase, you can use our pro packing tips! So grab your FREE Checklist and let’s get you to Croatia!
Durable Shoes
Be sure to pack lightweight travel shoes! I am most comfortable in these versatile trainers – but bring flip flops for the beach, too. Kris prefers wearing trail shoes by Merrell.
Travel Camera
Croatia is gorgeous. Rather than relying on your phone, upgrade to an actual camera. We travel with a Canon Rebel and use a 18/135mm lens.
Start planning your trip to Croatia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
More Croatia Travel Resources
Visiting other Top Destinations in Croatia? Fantastic! Get ready with all our complete guides!
- Best Things To Do in Dubrovnik
- Essential Split Sights
- Top Things To See in Zagreb
- What To Do in Romantic Rovinj
- Sightseeing in Historic Pula
Looking to go on an Croatia Island Hoping Adventure? Super! Read our honest advice about traveling to Hvar, Korcula, Brac and Vis!
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