Zadar (Croatia)

Zadar is an Adriatic Sea cruise port in Croatia. By population (around 75,000) the city is ranked the country's 5th largest - after Zagreb (capital), Split, Rijeka, and Osijek. Other major Croatian passenger ports (cruise and ferry) are Dubrovnik, Split, Rijeka, Sibenik.

In 2018, the cruise port (Luka Zadar Gazenica, locode HRZAD) handled around 137,000 passengers. Ferries connect Zadar with Ancona (Italy), via 7 crossings weekly (travel time 6 hours). Italy-Croatia routes are operated by the company Jadrolinija, with departures from Ancona (to Zadar and Split) and from Bari (to Dubrovnik).

Zadar (called Zader by the Romans) lies sheltered by offshore isles on Croatia's central coast, approx 120 km (75 mi) to the north of Split. Zadar was established as a Roman colony and was among the largest and most important towns of the Roman Empire's Dalmatia province.

Since April 2019, a new daily cruiseferry service links the Dalmatian seaside resorts and port cities Split and Zadar via Sibenik. The new route provides domestic and international tourists (arriving by planes in Zadar and Split) a more picturesque sea-travel alternative. The fast-ferry service is provided by the company ENVIRA Sibenik. The ferryboat leaves Split at 9 am, departs from Sibenik at 10:35 am, and arrives in Zadar at 0:40 pm. The return crossing leaves Zadar at 5:30 pm, departs from Sibenik at 7:35 pm, and arrives in Split at 9:10 pm.

Most cruise ships to Zadar dock at Travel Port Gazenica (to the southeast of Multi-Port Racunalni).

As a shore excursion option from Zadar, cruise tourists are offered guided bus tours to Krka National Park.

Zadar cruise terminal