1. How to get there

By car
Zadar can be reached using the highways A1 from Zagreb, A6 from Rijeka and by driving down the coast from Rijeka. More information on the state of the highways and maps can be found at www.hak.hr
By ferry
The ferry port just outside the city connects Zadar to Ancona (Italy) and some ferry ports on Croatian islands and harbours (Rijeka, Dubrovnik, Pula etc.). Information about schedules and destinations can be found on the Tours Agency official web sites of Jadrolinija www.jadrolinija.hr, and Mia Tours www.miatours.hr.
By plane
The International Airport of Zadar is located in Zemunik (12 km from Zadar) and offers flights to major European Cities. All details on flights are available on their website: http://www.zadar-airport.hr/en
By bus
Buses connect Zadar with all of the larger European cities: Ljubljana, Trieste, Vienna, Munich, Rotterdan and others.
ZADAR BUS STATION – LIBURNIJA d.o.o.
Address: Ante Starčevića 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia
Web: http://www.liburnija-zadar.hr/

2. Where to sleep

Boutique Hostel Forum
http://hostelforumzadar.com/hr

Hotel Kolovare
http://www.hotel-kolovare.com/

Art Hotel Kalelarga
http://www.arthotel-kalelarga.com/

Hotel Bastion
http://www.hotel-bastion.hr/hr

Apartments Donat
http://www.apartmentsdonat.com/

The Hostel
http://www.thehostel.com.hr/hrv/o-nama.html

Hotel ZaDar i M family hostel
http://www.hotelza-dar.com/hr/o-nama

and many more…

3. Where to eat

Bruschetta
Quality produce grown the region ensures the range of food is varied from several types of bruschetta to fish and meat carpaccio as well as different types of pizza and pasta. Price range: 60-110 kn

Bistro Gourmet Kalelarga
This bistro offers a large selection of great seasonal foods, such as asparagus dishes, a lovely choice of wines and a good selection of sweets. Price range: 60-150 kn

Pet bunara
This restaurant offers both delicious modern food and, such as ravioli with white fish and artichokes or classic Mediterranean dishes. Price range: 60-180 kn

2Ribara
A restaurant offering a wide array of dishes, specializing in seafood, as reflected in the name “The Two Fishermen”. Price range: 40-250 kn

Pašta & Svašta
Small family bistro specialized in different dishes with pasta and local food produce.

Trattoria Canzona
Delicious, traditional Mediterranean food, with reasonable prices.

and many more…

4. Where to go out

Caffe bar Callegro
Situated on Main Street, this new yet refined coffee shop and bar has an excellent choice of goods and a service to match, as well as a great view of the Roman Ruins.

Ledana lounge & bar
Icehouse lounge & bar is a modern designed bar where architects design able to correlate historical value to modern trends and requirements. Former icehouse space that housed the bar was built in the early 19th century.

Caffee bar Illy
Somewhat secluded with both indoor and outdoor seating, this coffee shop is a lovely venue to relax and socialize.

Maraschino bar
The interior of the bar is specific because of its museum sections. It’s modern combined with a lot of heritage from the Maraska factory and Maraschino liqueur itself, such as old bottles of liqueur as well as tools for manufacture.

and many more…

5. Zadar : General history

Zadar is a city of rich and often turbulent history, which began almost three thousand years ago. The city’s earliest dwellers were the Illyrian tribes who lived in Dalmatia, and their oldest settlements date back to the 9^th century B.C. The city’s days as a part of the Roman Empire came to an end with the fall of the empire in the 5^th century, and the city suffered a very bad period in the 5^th and 6^th centuries, under the Ostrogoth rule. In the 11^th century Zadar became a part of Croatian lands for the first time along with the rest of Dalmatian cities. The period between the 11^th and 14^th century is considered the Golden Age of Zadar with culture blossoming and the first university in Croatia being founded in Zadar in 1396.

The Venetians managed to get a hold of Zadar in the 15^th century when Ladislaus of Naples sold the city to them along with the rest of Dalmatia. The city remained under the Venetian rule until the end of the 18^th century, when the Republic of Venice was abolished. Zadar’s economic role during this period was greatly diminished and the city was forced to contend with two additional threats: the plague and the Ottomans (Turks). After a brief period of French rule at the beginning of the 19^th century, Zadar became a part of the Austrian Empire, turning into a splendid, vibrant Dalmatian city once again.

Throughout the 20^th century, Zadar experienced Austrian, Italian, Yugoslavian and finally Croatian rule. Heavy bombardment during WWII destroyed more than half of the original centre, and the end of the 20^th century was marked by a series of attacks during the Croatian War of Independence. Today, Zadar is a preserved monument of various historical times and cultures that have placed their boundaries and visible outlines of their urban appearance.