Zadar is truly the center of activity for northern Dalmatia and also a point of departure for many other destinations. The medieval city of Nin is just a short drive north of Zadar. It is a town with funky charisma, the smallest cathedral in the world, and entrancing spirit legends. Zadar is also a ferry port for the decidedly undeveloped northern Dalmatian islands of Silba, Ugljan, Pasman, and Dugi Otok. Sometimes known as "the islands of the Zadar Archipelago," Ugljan, Pasman, and Dugi Otok are the three most visited of the offshore islands, but none are overrun by tourists. From Zadar, it's an easy drive to Paklenica National Park, a challenging environment for hikers, rock climbers, and spelunkers. And Zadar is also a major departure point for tours to the Kornati National Park, which is really a portion of the southern islands of the Zadar Archipelago. South of Zadar on the way to Sibenik, you'll hit Biograd, once a medieval metropolis and now a crowded package resort. Each of these locations has its own charms, and each is a reasonable distance from Zadar -- accessible either by private or public transport.
