Is Zadar expensive to visit?
Zadar is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Zadar can definitely get expensive if you let it, but you have options to reduce costs, including eating at less expensive restaurants and taking public transit.
On average, budget travelers spend $48 (€47) per day, mid-range travelers spend $113 (€110) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $239 (€231) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Zadar.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Zadar is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Novi Sad, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Avignon.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Zadar Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Zadar?
The average Zadar trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Zadar travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Zadar cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your budget for Zadar. Many assume they can visit on a shoestring, but most travelers find that to be very challenging. Think about what matters to you when traveling. Is it staying in a resort, visiting all the attractions, or dining out at nice restaurants? These factors will determine how much you spend on your trip.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $48 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Fortunately, Zadar features plenty of hostels, including The Lazy Monkey Hostel & Apartments, Downtown Boutique Hostel, and Boutique Hostel Forum. At hostels like these, you can find cheap dorm beds and a vibrant social atmosphere, though amenities are often scarce. Dining is a highlight for all types of visitors in Zadar, but budget travelers typically settle for street food or hostel meals, meaning they may not fully enjoy the delightful local cuisine.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. Many visitors to Zadar are keen to visit the prominent attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $113 per person, per day.
There are plenty of hotels and vacation rentals available in Zadar. If you're traveling with companions, sharing a hotel with a partner, friend, or kids can help lower costs. Families should seek out hotels and dining options that are suitable for children. Hotel Niko is a wonderful family-friendly hotel, and Bastion Heritage Hotel - Relais & Chateaux is another excellent choice. For more family and couple-oriented hotels, visit our hotel cost guide for Zadar here.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're looking for an all-encompassing vacation filled with luxurious amenities and higher-level service, prepare your budget for around $239 per day. Selecting nicer hotels, savoring meals at award-winning establishments, indulging in lavish adventures, and traveling around the town with taxis or private drivers will call for a luxury budget. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Private Half Day Speedboat tour to Zadar's Nearby Islands - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Zadar
In Zadar, hotel prices can swing drastically. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury, but come at a cost, especially in peak summer season when prices are higher. Off-season prices are more reasonable, averaging $72, but during peak season they jump to an average of $134. You can find budget options starting at $50 up to luxury rates at $216. Hostels are typically cheaper, especially dorms. Book early and avoid peak season to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Zadar for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $105 (€102). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $53 (€51) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Zadar? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Zadar include:
- B&B Demar Residence starting at $76
- Hotel Niko starting at $109
- Bastion Heritage Hotel - Relais & Chateaux starting at $98
- Palazzo Venezia starting at $92
- B&B Domus Romana starting at $88
While Zadar has a good public transit system that allows for staying farther from the town, cheaper accommodations could lead to more expensive and time-consuming commutes.
This town provides numerous resorts to consider. You might find one that includes meals or at least breakfast, and many feature onsite dining options.
By skipping summer and traveling during the low or shoulder season, you'll enjoy lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds.
Many enjoy discovering Zadar by walking, so it's beneficial to stay in a central spot. However, this convenience could lead to increased costs.
The town's unique old town is a major draw for visitors. Hotels here may be more expensive, but they typically offer a lot of character and convenient access to all the attractions.
Transportation Budget in Zadar
Public transit in Zadar is reliable and reaches key landmarks. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town. For a budget-friendly way to travel, public transportation is ideal, provided it's near where you need to go. Taxis and rideshares are also easy to find.
For those who enjoy foot exploration, this destination is perfect. The old town is particularly walkable and can easily be explored on foot in a few hours.
Public Transit: 
(good)
Walkability: (great)
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $9.83 (€9.53) per person, per day, on local transportation in Zadar. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Zadar is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$9.83
€9.53
If you're driving, it's essential to check if your hotel offers convenient parking.
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Zadar Airport to Novalja Private Transfer for $232 details
- Private Transfer from Zadar to Split with 2 hours for sightseeing for $216 details
- Private Transfer from Zadar City to Zadar Airport (ZAD) for $59 details
How much does it cost to go to Zadar? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Zadar will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Zadar
You can't miss the fantastic food in Zadar. Make sure you carve out some time to enjoy all the local tastes. The town is filled with outdoor cafes that serve up a healthy and delicious selection of recipes. The ingredients are fresh and local with olive oil and seafood making frequent appearances on the menus. Prices are also reasonable.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Zadar can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Zadar is $50 (€49) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$50
€49
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Zadar is around $50 (€49) per person, with previous travelers spending from $21 to $107. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Zadar are as follows:
- Breakfast: $5 to $15
- Lunch: $8 to $20
- Dinner: $15 to $35
- Coffee: $4
- Fast Food or Street Food: $8
There are a descent number of good restaurants around town, many of which offer some good Croatian food or seafood options at a reasonable price. You can find some genuinely authentic cafes that you may not see at more touristy destinations such as Dubrovnik or Split. There are a few hotels and hostels around town that are reasonably priced and offer good sleeping options. Generally, reservations are not required as they do not usually fill up.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Enjoying a picnic is a great way to save money while taking in the scenery. Find a local grocery store or market, gather fresh food, and head to a lovely park or scenic area to enjoy your meal.
Having a water bottle can help you save on drinks and do your part for the environment.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Zadar, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Cooking class and shellfishing with a local on the island of Preko for $206 details
- Gourmet Sunset dinner on board for $211 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Zadar
The reason people visit Zadar is clear, as it offers food, resorts, beaches, and historical sights.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Zadar typically cost an average of $20 (€19) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$20
€19
You'll find you spend most of your time in the city's quaint old town area, which has the highest concentration of historic sights, and the most attractions that appeal to visitors. You'll find thirty four different churches in the old town alone, with the oldest being Saint Simeon. The best preserved church in the area is Saint Donat's, which has also evolved into the symbol of the city, making it quite recognizable. The church now acts as a museum and no longer holds religious services. It does often have music concerts in the summer months however, which can be fun to attend. Also make sure you take a walk through the Roman Forum, which is one of the most preserved Roman Forums in the world. It's also a great place to people watch, as many locals come here to relax on a nice day. Saint Anastasia is another nice cathedral in the city, and Saint Mary and Saint Simeon are other churches that now act as museums worth visiting. The University of Zadar is a fun place to wander. It was founded in 1396, making it the oldest university in Croatia.
If you've seen your fill of old churches and historic sights you can head to a beach for the day. Some of the top beaches in the area for swimming and sunbathing include Kolovare, which is the closest to the city center, Borik, a large hotel complex, and Vitrenjak, which is popular with local families.
Beaches:
Many visitors are drawn to Zadar for its inviting beach atmosphere. There are some nice beaches outside of town with one of the most famous being Sakarun Beach, which is part of the Zadar archipelago. There are a handful of beaches nearby that are pebbly and popular with the locals. These include Puntamika Beach and Beach Borik.
Historical Sights:
A significant number of visitors flock to the historic old town. The small old town is filled with charm and character. It's a walled medieval town that can easily be explored in a few hours.
A nice way to explore destinations in Zadar is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Half-Day Cruise of Ošljak and Preko for $51 details
- Full-Day Tour in Dugi Otok with Stand-Up Paddle Experience for $111 details
- Dugi Otok Island Discovery Day Tour from Zadar for $94 details
Nightlife Budget in Zadar
While Zadar offers some nightlife options, they aren't as bustling as those in other more popular locations. The town comes to life at night when the bars and restaurants fill with people chatting and socializing. This is an easy place to enjoy the evening as almost all of the nightlife venues are within a five minute walk of each other.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $12 (€12) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Zadar per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$12
€12
Exploring the nightlife is often a fun part of any trip, but skipping a few drinks can make a big impact on your overall travel cost.
When enjoying the nightlife, stay alert and cautious, as you may attract the attention of pickpockets or other criminals. It's best to stay with a group of people you trust.
Nightlife activities and tasting tours are popular in Zadar. A few favorites from other travelers include:
- Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting, Boat Ride & Zadar Old Town for $51 details
- Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting, & Old Town Tour for $50 details
Zadar, Croatia
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.