ZADAR

Zadar, the place where Maraschino cherry liqueur comes from, is Croatia’s rising star. With 75,000 people, it’s Croatia’s fifth largest city, but it has only half as many who live in Rijeka, Croatia’s third largest. Despite its small size, it has its own busy little airport with direct connections to lot of European cities and a seaport that’s luring in a lot more cruise ships. A big reason why Zadar is so popular is that it’s smack in the very middle of the Adriatic coast--surrounded by four National Parks, Paklenica mountain, fabulous Krka waterfalls, Lake Vrana, Croatia’s largest, and amazing offshore islands that offer vastly different experiences than like those in Dalmatia.. Its rich heritage is also impressive—the old town, located on its own peninsula, is crowned by the city’s most famous symbol, the 9th century St. Donatus’ Church.  Other highlights:  Romanesque St. Grisigono's Church from the 12th century; St. Mary's bell tower from 1105; 16th C fortification walls and even a 1st century Roman forum!  And then there’s Nikola Bašić, the iconic designer of the city’s world-famous art installations--the Sea Organ (which uses the changing tides to make ethereal sound) and Greeting to the Sun (which filters Zadar’s famous sunsets through glass panels for a dazzling effect).  These surreal waterfront installations attract thousands—when you come, be sure to take the nifty two minute Rowboat Taxi from the Liburnian coast to the jetty at “Maraska”, i.e. Diga as it is known.

Tourist office