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If you’re traveling in Croatia, you may find yourself asking the same question we did: “Is Zadar worth visiting?”

It’s the 5th biggest city in the country and is located along the coast between Zagreb and Split. For travelers in the capital city that want to visit the beach, it’s easier and cheaper to visit than the more popular towns of Split and Dubrovnik (of Game of Thrones fame).

Daniel and I had a three day weekend to fill and knew we had to see the famous Croatian coast during our five week stay in the country. We went to Zadar and discovered some good and some bad aspects to this beach-side getaway.

The good: the old town was beautiful and the nearby islands are nice.

The bad: the beaches in Zadar itself are nothing special and the city is expensive.

All in all, though, I recommend a trip to Zadar for anyone who wants to stick close to Zagreb (personally, I hate long bus rides) and backpackers or digital nomads who are on a budget as well. Our three day weekend definitely drained the wallet so I can’t even imagine what our bank account would look like if we went to Split or Dubrovnik instead.

So, is Zadar worth visiting?

Everyones’ travel style is different so that’s a question only you can answer. However, you can check out these 10 photos from our trip to help you decide!

Zadar Marina in the Old Town

Cobblestone Streets in Zadar’s Old Town

The View from the Zadar Church Tower

Zadar Old Town at Night

View of Preko on the Zadar Ferry Ride to Ugljan Island

Swimming in Ugljan

Swimming in Ugljan

Taking the Ferry Back to Zadar at Dusk

Watching Swimmers Jump From the Zadar Diving Platforms

Nighttime in Old Zadar

So, what do you think? Is Zadar worth visiting?

This city may not be as popular as Split or Dubrovnik, but there are some amazing day trips to Zrce beach, the Kornati Islands, Krka National Park, Ugljan Island and more for adventurers on a budget.

Hopefully, this photo diary helps you make a decision and I hope you enjoy your trip.

Click here to book your stay in Zadar!

PS if you’re looking for more, browse the Croatia Guide to find 3 cheap restaurants in Zadar and learn how to take a day trip to Ugljan Island from the city.