My Croatian Experience

Zadar, Croatia

A co-worker and I decided to spend the fall break traveling.

The most important for us was that the travel and accommodation were cheap, and it was by the sea. So, after looking at prices online we found Zadar to be a great place.

The city is small, especially if you just look at the old centre, but just big enough for a two-day- trip.

Temperature

Even though the trip was in the end of October, the weather was warm enough to wear just a shirt and jeans. One man was going for a swim in the sea, but we passed that up!

Sites to visit

The city is filled with great places to visit!

Like the sea organ which looks like a piano, and with the nature, sea and wind, who makes the most wonderful sounds. It’s so unreal you can’t believe it until you’re there.

Right next to it you can find the monument to the sun, which have some sort of solar panels and uses light to make a stunning show. These two places are extraordinary, and uses the natural forces to make something beautiful!

There’s also so much stunning architecture, like the forum, churches, cathedrals and the medieval City Walls.
I would also recommend visiting the Five Wells Square, which is often used for concerts and events.  

It’s also a grand marina here, and beautiful parks.

The taste

As a Norwegian who loves fish, I was happy to find fresh sea food in all price ranges. I had a great fillet of tuna with grilled vegetables at an Italian inspired trattoria, which I sadly can’t remember the name of. But I would definitely go back there!

The old town were also filled with Asian cuisine, Street Food, and traditional flavours from the Mediterranean cuisine.

You could choose the price range, the location... It had it all!

But for us “poor” trainees we found a take-a-way pizza on the dock out to Preko on the island outside of Zadar, and some Street Food in the city enjoyed at the sea organ as memorable as a proper sit down meal. Hearing the waves, looking at the sparkling sea…

The travel

We decided to go by bus, as the price was 48 euros for a return ticket. The company we used spoke poorly English, and there was no mention of a change of bus in Zagreb on the way which made it quite difficult for us. On the way back we missed our bus due to wrong information and no information board at the bus station. When calling the phone numbers on the ticket, one didn’t answer and the other was no longer in use. One called us back, but hung up when I asked if the person spoke English. After a visit to their website I found a different phone number which I called, and were given some options for different numbers. As it was not in English I tried different numbers until I got one that spoke English, and after calls back and forwards it ended up with them saying the bus left at the time it should and they could not help us. So, from Zagreb we ordered a new travel with another company. And got home at last!

(for more information about the bus, check out my earlier publication about transport)

The area around..

As mentioned we took a day trip out to Ugljan, which is an island outside from Zadar. You take the ferry out, for about 3 euros for a return ticket, and one way is about 25 minutes. We decided to go to the small fishing village to the left, which was half an hour walk. The village was quiet and peaceful as it was outside the tourism season. It had beautiful beaches and wonderful views. After a look around we walked back to Preko which we first docked, ordered a take- a- way pizza, and found a dock where it was nice to sit. After eating, we continued our walk around the bay we found Preko to be even bigger and nicer, with both sun beds, houses, play grounds and beautiful nature.

We were recommended to go to the Tvrdava SV. Mihovil fortress, but we didn’t make time for it as it was our last day and we would like to pack and get ready for the mornings travel.

Croatia is cheap, have good food, and great sites to visit.

Highly recommended!

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