Planning a trip to Zadar

Visitor Information -- Zadar is a tourist-friendly town with well-marked streets and addresses and large illustrated explanatory posters installed in front of almost every notable building. For more detailed information, maps, and brochures, you can check with the local Tourist Information Center (tel. 023/316-166) at Mihovila Klaića 1 or the Zadar Tourism Board (www.tzzadar.hr; tel. 023/212-222) at Ilije Smiljanića 5. For information on Zadar and the surrounding region, contact the Zadar County Tourist Board (www.zadar.hr; tel. 023/315-316) at Sv. Leopolda B. Mandića 1.

Getting There -- Almost every mode of transportation flows through Zadar, but some methods are better than others.

By Car -- Driving is one of the easiest ways to reach Zadar thanks to the A1 super-highway along the coast. The drive time between Zagreb and Zadaris is about 3 hrs.

By Bus -- Bus service to Zadar from Zagreb is convenient and inexpensive, as is the service to Zadar from Split. Zadar’s bus station lies a 15-minute walk (also served by bus numbers 2 and 4) northeast of the Old Town. For schedule and ticket information contact the Zadar Coach Station (www.liburnija-zadar.hr; tel. 060/305-305) at Ante Starčevića 1.

By Boat -- Jadrolinija operates overnight ferry service between Ancona (Italy) and Zadar, as well as twice-weekly summer coastal service from Rijeka to Dubrovnik, including stops in Zadar, Split, Stari Grad (Hvar), and Korčula. From Zadar, you can also catch regular ferries and catamarans to the nearby islands of the Zadar archipelago. The Jadrolinija Zadar office (www.jadrolinija.hr; tel. 023/250-555) is at Liburnska obala 7.

By Plane -- Zadar Airport (www.zadar-airport.hr; tel. 023/205-800), about 8km (5 miles) south of the city, handles an average of 12 scheduled domestic and international flights per day (more on weekends), including Croatia Airlines shuttles and European budget airlines. Zadar Airport is located in the small municipality of Zemunik Donji.

By Train -- The train station stands next to the bus station, but unfortunately train service (www.hzpp.hr) from Zadar is minimal and not really useful for tourist destinations.

Getting Around -- Croatia Airlines provides shuttle service between the airport and Zadar bus station, scheduled to coincide with flights, for 25kn. Zadar’s Old Town is a lovely place to explore on foot, as it is closed to vehicular traffic.