Zadar, Croatia

Following my short trip to Zadar in  August, the time has come to write a slightly belated blog post. What better time to write about sunny Croatia as I sit here wrapped in blankets while drinking hot chocolate in January..
So my boyfriend and I set out in mid August and flew directly to Zadar with Ryanair. Our flight was only €50 which was incredible value and as we were only going for a week we squeezed all of our belongings into carry-on suitcases. The struggle was real. We arrived late enough that evening and got an inexpensive shuttle bus to the Old Town where we were staying.

We had booked accommodation in the Sea Organ Apartments as they had received positive reviews and were also quite cheap. On arrival, we had to meet with one of the owners in the Old Town who kindly walked us to our apartment and also gave us ideas of what to do during our stay, First of all we were so impressed with the location of our apartment. It was a few metres away from the promenade and was very close (but not too close) to the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun, the main attractions of Zadar. Second of all the apartment itself was comfortable and very well equipped. They had everything we needed.
The Old Town of Zadar had a buzzing atmosphere and was packed with tourists. The old cobble streets and restaurants certainly ooze Italian vibes, not to mention the amazing pizza and pasta dishes on offer. On our first day we strolled along the promenade, browsed markets and explored the lively squares and streets. The first evening was spent sitting at the Sea Organ watching the most beautiful sunset I had ever witnessed, This surreal sight is accompanied by the calming sounds of the Sea Organ as the waves hit the steps. This seems to be an evening ritual for both tourists and residents of Zadar, as crowds gathered here every evening. So we decided it was going to be our ritual too!

The Famous Sunset

We planned to do a few day trips during our stay and a trip to Nin's Lagoon was our first one. Because Zadar isn't necessarily a 'beach destination', with only a stony town beach, we decided to hop on a bus to Nin. The weather was beautiful and the shallow water and sandy beach makes this a suitable location for families.

Nin's Lagoon

Another trip that we were both very excited about was Krka National Park. Similar to Plitvice except much smaller, slightly cheaper and comes with the option to swim in the lake. We booked with an agency and got a student ticket for €60 including transport from the Old Town, lunch, entrance and a guided tour around the park. We did a loop around the park taking in the incredible sights of the waterfalls and enjoyed a nice refreshing dip in the water at the foot of the fall. The swimming area was really packed and I would definitely recommend bringing swimming shoes because the surface is very slippy and uneven. If you go to Zadar, do not leave without paying this park a visit - you won't regret it!

Krka National Park

Our final, and rather eventful, day trip was to Saharun beach on the island of Dugi Otok. This place looked like paradise and we couldn't miss out. We got a taxi to the port and got a Jarodlinija ferry to Brbinj which took about 40 minutes. Then from there we hoped to get a shuttle bus to the beach. I say 'hoped' due to the fact that our bus never actually made it to the beach. Instead it burst into flames while we were going over a hill. Luckily we all made it out alive and had to make our own way to the beach. Might I add that this was the only bus on our side of the island... Talk about a disaster! In the end, the stunning Saharun beach was 100% worth it. I had never seen water so turquoise blue and clear. We were lucky enough to bump into other 'survivors' of the bus journey and we walked miles until we came across a town where we managed to get a ride back to the ferry. It was during this moment that I witnessed the pure kindness of Croatian people.

                                     

                                     

One of my favourite things about Zadar was their restaurants and bars. If you are doing a walk along the promenade, I'd recommend making a pit stop in Restoran Fosa for some lunch or dinner. You will find it near the sea gate when as you come towards the end of the walk. The views are amazing and the seafood is even better.

Restoran Fosa

Also Restaurant Bruschetta was another favourite, which serves Italian cuisine and specialises in.. yes you've guessed it.. bruschetta! More amazing views from this restaurant and the staff were so friendly. Just make sure to book in advance as it's quite popular.
The Garden Lounge was the best place to chill both night and day and they make incredible cocktails. Their pina coladas were to die for. They have the comfiest seating as well and the open terrace provides beautiful views of the city wall and harbour. They also have a raw vegan menu which I didn't get a chance to try but heard it's great.

The Garden Lounge

Greeting to the Sun

Last but not least, a day in Zadar is not complete until you take a visit to the Greeting to the Sun. The solar panels collect power during the day and then when the sun goes down the light display begins. It's like an outdoor disco with music provided by the Sea Organ. It can be quite packed during the evening with people trying to get the perfect snap, but the best time to go is around midnight when it's more quiet.