Zadar in Croatia is often sidelined by tourists in favour of the likes of Dubrovnik and Split, but the city can make for quite a unique city break.
Nestled on the Dalmatian coast, it offers up heaps of historic sites such as St Donatus' Church and Zadar Cathedral, not to mention there are plenty of museums to explore.
No wonder it's hailed as one of Croatia's best cities.
And with Jet2holidays having announced it as a new destination for 2020, we reckon it's only going to get more popular.
But what exactly is there to see in Zadar? We take a look at some of the top landmarks to visit – and how to get there on a budget.
As for how long to go for, opt for a three-day break to give yourself plenty of time to explore, or put aside two breaks on a wider Croatia itinerary.
Best things to visit in Zadar
1. Church of St Donatus
Get a glimpse of Croatian history at this pre-Romanesque church which was called the Church of the Holy Trinity until the 15th century before it was re-dedicated to St Donatus.
The church boasts an unusual shape – there's not a huge amount to see inside but it's worth it just for the architecture.
Plus it won't cost much to visit with adult tickets starting from 15kn (approx £1.80).
2. Zadar Cathedral
Zadar's cathedral is the biggest in Dalmatia, so it's not surprising that it's often a must-visit for tourists. There's not loads to see but it's well worth it for the pretty architecture and the historic tidbits to be found here.
Head up to the bell tower for some pretty spectacular views of the city.
3. Monument to the Sun
At the end of Zadar's peninsula, near the iconic Sea Organ, sits this monument made of three hundred multi-layered glass plates set across a 22m diameter circle.
These light up using photo-voltage solar modules which can make for a pretty impressive and quirky sight, especially if you head there at sunset.
4. Wander around the Old Town
The Old Town is where you'll find most of the monuments and churches, but it's also well worth taking a leisurely stroll through the streets as there are plenty of charming boutiques and resturants.
5. Sea Organ
Located on the western end of Zadar's Riva, this installation has plenty of tubes underneath it that use the sound of the sea and waves to make for some pretty unique music!
6. Land Gate
This impressive intricate stone gate once served as the main entrance to the city along the UNESCO-listed city walls.
Built in 1542, nowadays you can walk through two smaller side arches at the landmark in the Fosa harbour.
7. People's Square
If you're looking for somewhere to stop for a coffee or spot of lunch, head to this picturesque square which is also conveniently located right by a series of the city's top attractions.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants around here, so it's also a great spot if you're looking for somewhere with a bit of atmosphere in the evenings.
8. The museums
The city has heaps of brilliant museums from the Museum of Ancient Glass to the National Museum which offer a fascinating insight into Croatian culture and history (and can be handy on those cloudy or rainy days).
How to find cheap Zadar city breaks
CHEAP FLIGHTS
Ryanair offers direct routes to Zadar with fares from €23.39 each way from London Stansted, while Norwegian has direct flights from London Gatwick. easyJet also has budget-friendly fares from £23.21pp each way.
Meanwhile, Jet2 has plenty of UK departures for flights to Zadar, and will be increasing the number of flights for summer 2020.
We've also got guide to finding cheap flights to Croatia if you're planning on including the city as part of a wider holiday.
CHEAP HOLIDAYS
LoveHolidays has Zadar packages from £159pp, while easyJet Holidays offers a wide array of short breaks to suit plenty of budgets.
Jet2holidays will be offering packages for summer 2020.
Check out our guide for finding cheap Croatia holidays for more inspiration and top tips.
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