Where to stay in Zadar, Croatia for First-Timers

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If you’re wondering where to stay in Zadar, my first choice is simple: stay in the Old Town. You’ll have Roman ruins outside your door, restaurants within a few minutes’ walk and the Riva close by for Zadar’s famous sunsets.

I’ve visited Zadar twice. On our first trip, we treated it as little more than our arrival point in Croatia and stayed briefly on the outskirts. We cheated ourselves. When we returned and stayed beside the Roman Forum, we discovered just how enjoyable this compact city is.

We’re happy to accept dragging luggage over a few cobblestones and awkward parking arrangements for a central location with maximum atmosphere.

However, the Old Town won’t suit everyone. You may prefer the facilities of a traditional hotel, straightforward parking or easier luggage access. You might also want to stay near Kolovare Beach—although, having grown up in Australia, my standards for beaches are probably unfairly high.

This guide compares Zadar Old Town with Kolovare and recommends luxury, mid-range and best-value places to stay in and around the historic centre.

Which Area of Zadar is Best for You?

Choose Zadar Old Town If You:

• Are visiting Zadar for the first time
• Want to walk to the main sights, restaurants and waterfront
• Prefer historic surroundings and atmosphere
• Don’t mind pedestrian lanes or carrying luggage a short distance
• Are travelling without a car—or are comfortable arranging parking outside the centre

Choose Kolovare If You:

• Want straightforward parking and vehicle access
• Prefer a traditional hotel with facilities such as a pool or reception
• Want to stay near Kolovare Beach
• Don’t mind walking 15–20 minutes to the Old Town
• Prefer a quieter, more modern setting

Best Areas to Stay in Zadar

Zadar Old Town: Best for First-Time Visitors

Zadar’s Old Town occupies a compact, largely pedestrianised peninsula. This is where you’ll find the Roman Forum, Church of St Donatus, Sea Organ, Greeting to the Sun and most of the city’s restaurants and bars. For a first visit, it is easily my preferred place to stay.

One of my favourite memories from Zadar shows exactly why the location matters. After watching the sunset from the Riva, we returned to our room near the Roman Forum. Soon afterwards, we realised that the colours outside had become even more intense. Because we were staying so close to the waterfront, we could dash straight back out and witness the most spectacular sunset I have ever seen.

Later, we listened to buskers performing near the Roman Forum before walking the short distance back to our accommodation. It was a wonderfully memorable evening—and one we wouldn’t have experienced in quite the same way if we had been staying outside the Old Town.

The peninsula is small enough that you don’t need to worry too much about choosing a particular part of it. Staying near the Roman Forum puts you at the centre of the historic sights, while the northern end is convenient for the Sea Organ and waterfront.

The compromise is access. Most of the Old Town is closed to regular traffic, so you may need to carry or wheel your luggage through pedestrian lanes. Parking can be limited or located away from the property, and some apartments use self check-in or an agency at a different address. Check these arrangements before you arrive.

Best for: First-time visitors, sightseeing, restaurants, sunsets and travellers who want to walk everywhere.

Think twice if: Easy parking, direct vehicle access or full hotel facilities are more important to you than staying in the historic centre.

Kolovare: Best for Beach Access and Easy Parking

Kolovare sits immediately south of the Old Town and offers a more practical alternative for travellers arriving by car. Accommodation here generally has easier vehicle access, and several properties offer on-site parking, swimming pools and the facilities of a traditional hotel.

The area is also convenient for Kolovare Beach and Zadar Bus Station. Depending on where you stay, you can reach Land Gate and the southern entrance to the Old Town in approximately 10–20 minutes on foot.

You won’t have the Roman Forum outside your door or the same historic atmosphere in the evening. However, Kolovare makes sense if you want to combine sightseeing with time at the beach or would rather avoid navigating luggage and parking arrangements around the pedestrianised centre.

It wouldn’t be my first choice—I would still stay in the Old Town—but it is the most practical alternative.

Best for: Drivers, beachgoers, families and travellers who prefer a conventional hotel with parking and additional facilities.

Think twice if: Your priority is being surrounded by Zadar’s historic sights and stepping out into the Old Town each evening.

Zadar Neighbourhood & Attractions Map

Where to Stay in Zadar

Best Hotels in Zadar for First-Time Visitors

Luxury & Boutique Stays

Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel

📍 Inside Zadar Old Town

An atmospheric boutique hotel for guests aged 14 and over, spread across two restored heritage buildings. Its stylish rooms, attractive courtyard restaurant and location close to the waterfront make it particularly well suited to couples.

🚶 Walk to Sea Organ: 4 minutes
🏛️ Location: Inside Zadar Old Town
🚗 Parking: Paid private parking | 🛗 Lift: Yes | ❄️ A/C: Yes

Before booking: Guests must be aged 14 or over. Rooms are divided between two neighbouring buildings, so check which building your selected room is in.

👉 Check availability for Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel

Heritage Hotel Bastion

📍 Inside Zadar Old Town

One of the few traditional full-service hotels within Zadar’s historic centre. It offers a restaurant, spa and excellent position near the city walls, while the Sea Organ and Roman Forum remain within an easy walk.

🚶 Walk to Sea Organ: 6 minutes
🏛️ Location: Inside Zadar Old Town
🚗 Parking: Paid private parking on-site | 🛗 Lift: Yes | ❄️ A/C: Yes

Before booking: This is one of Zadar’s more expensive central hotels, and its traditional décor may not suit travellers looking for a contemporary boutique style.

👉 Check availability for Heritage Hotel Bastion

Miramare Hotel Zadar

📍 Kolovare – close to the beach

A small boutique hotel near Kolovare Beach, with 36 rooms, a restaurant, seasonal outdoor pool and free parking. It’s a strong choice for travellers who want hotel facilities and beach access while remaining within walking distance of the Old Town.

🚶 Walk to Zadar Old Town: 15 minutes to Land Gate
🌊 Walk to Sea Organ: 29 minutes
🏖️ Distance to Kolovare Beach: Approximately 200 metres
🚗 Parking: Free private parking | 🛗 Lift: Yes | ❄️ A/C: Yes

Before booking: Miramare isn’t inside the historic centre and can cost more than nearby apartments offering a similar location.

👉 Check availability for Miramare Hotel Zadar

Mid-Range Accommodation Options

Teatro Verdi Boutique Hotel

📍 Inside Zadar Old Town

A small boutique hotel in the quieter northern part of the Old Town peninsula. It’s particularly convenient for the Sea Organ, Roman Forum and waterfront, while still placing you within easy walking distance of Zadar’s restaurants and historic sights.

🚶 Walk to Sea Organ: 7 minutes
🏛️ Location: Inside Zadar Old Town
🚗 Parking: Paid private parking on-site | 🛗 Lift: Not required—ground-floor property | ❄️ A/C: Yes

Before booking: The hotel has only three parking spaces, which must be reserved in advance. Prices can also rise into the luxury range during summer.

👉 Check availability for Teatro Verdi Boutique Hotel

Before booking: Confirm the garage location and arrival instructions in advance, particularly if driving into Zadar’s pedestrianised historic centre.

👉 Check availability for Sea Organ Apartment 1

Best Value Stays in Zadar

⭐ Tinel Superior Residence (Editor’s Choice)

📍 Roman Forum in Zadar Old Town

Tinel Superior Residence offers rooms in an exceptionally central position directly on the Roman Forum. It’s a good-value choice for travellers who want to stay among Zadar’s principal sights without paying boutique-hotel prices.

🚶 Walk to Sea Organ: 5 minutes
🏛️ Location: Inside Zadar Old Town
🚗 Parking: No private parking | 🛗 Lift: Yes | ❄️ A/C: Yes

Before booking: Check the arrival instructions carefully, as guests have reported some confusion around the self check-in process. Breakfast is provided through vouchers for a nearby Old Town café rather than served at the property.

👉 Check availability for Tinel Superior Residence

Elegance Studio Apartments by Adex Travel

📍 Inside Zadar Old Town

These centrally located studios provide convenient access to the Old Town’s restaurants, shops and historic attractions. They’re a practical budget-friendly option for travellers who prefer the independence of an apartment.

🚶 Walk to Sea Organ: 12 minutes
🏛️ Location: Inside Zadar Old Town
🚗 Parking: Paid public parking | 🛗 Lift: Yes | ❄️ A/C: Yes

Before booking: The apartments are above a bar, and some guests have reported noise during the evening. Light sleepers may prefer a quieter part of the Old Town.

👉 Check availability for Elegance Studio Apartments

Lipotica Luxury Accommodation

📍 Just outside Zadar Old Town

Lipotica offers modern rooms and studios just beyond the historic centre, with the Old Town still within an easy walk. Some units include a balcony, and nearby public parking makes it more convenient for drivers than many properties inside the pedestrian centre.

🚶 Walk to Zadar Old Town: 10 minutes to Land Gate
🌊 Walk to Sea Organ: 24 minutes
🚗 Parking: Free public parking nearby | 🛗 Lift: Yes | ❄️ A/C: Yes

Before booking: This property isn’t inside the Old Town, so it lacks the atmosphere and immediate sightseeing access of the more central options.

👉 Check availability for Lipotica Luxury Accommodation

How Many Days Should You Stay in Zadar?

Allow at least two nights in Zadar, giving you one full day to explore. The Old Town is compact, and you can comfortably see its principal attractions in a day, including the Roman Forum, Church of St Donatus, Land Gate, Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun.

Two nights also give you more than one opportunity to watch the sunset. The weather may not cooperate on your first evening, and it would be a shame to visit Zadar without seeing the colours over the Riva at least twice.

Stay for three or four nights if you want to explore the Zadar Archipelago. Ferries and boat trips connect Zadar with islands including Ugljan, Dugi Otok, Iž, Rava, Silba, Olib and Premuda. The islands are often described as offering a more traditional and less developed side of Dalmatia than the mainland resorts.

Zadar also works well as a base for day trips to Plitvice Lakes National Park and Krka National Park. If you plan to visit an island and one of the national parks, allow at least four nights so that you still have time to enjoy Zadar itself.

For most first-time visitors, two nights is the ideal minimum. Choose three or four nights if you want to experience more of northern Dalmatia without changing accommodation.

FAQs for Where to Stay in Zadar

Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Zadar

Choosing where to stay in Zadar mainly comes down to atmosphere versus convenience. For most first-time visitors, I recommend staying in the Old Town. You’ll have Zadar’s historic sights, restaurants and waterfront within an easy walk, while still being close enough to return to the Riva whenever the sunset looks promising.

The trade-off is that parking and luggage access can be less straightforward. If you’re arriving by car, want traditional hotel facilities or prefer to stay near the beach, Kolovare is the more practical alternative.

If I returned to Zadar, I would choose the Old Town again. Staying beside the Roman Forum allowed us to experience the city beyond its main attractions—and completely changed my opinion of a place we had previously treated as little more than an arrival point.