Apartment Seaview Diklo - your place to feel Dalmatia

Zadar is known as the city of basketball – an identity that makes it recognizable far beyond Croatia’s borders. Basketball here is more than a sport; it is part of everyday life, a topic of conversation, and a way of living.

Its rich sporting tradition is confirmed by 23 trophies, as well as a unique fan culture that creates an atmosphere comparable to major football stadiums, both at home and away games.

A special place in the history of Zadar basketball belongs to Krešimir Ćosić, one of the greatest European basketball players of all time. He was the first Croatian inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, the third non-American to enter this prestigious institution, and the first European to appear in an NBA All-Star Game. His famous quote, “The Lakers are calling, but so is Zadar,” perfectly reflects his connection to his hometown.

In his honour, the largest sports hall in Zadar is named Krešimir Ćosić Hall. Located within the Višnjik Sports Centre, it has a capacity of 8,000 spectators, and a monument dedicated to this basketball legend stands in front of it. The Croatian national basketball cup also bears his name.

In Zadar’s old town, on the historic peninsula, you can visit the KK Zadar Fan Shop at Ulica braće Vranjana 11, near the famous Kalelarga street, where you can find authentic souvenirs from the city of basketball.

Zadar is the oldest Croatian city and one of the oldest cities in Europe. According to the History of Europe encyclopaedia, Zadar is the 13th oldest city on the Old Continent. The same source states that the city has existed since around 1000 BC.

The rich history of the city can best be experienced at the Forum, the ancient town square featuring remains of monuments from the Roman Empire. It is also home to the Church of St. Donatus, considered the oldest Romanesque-style church in the world.

Next to it stands the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, whose bell tower, open to visitors, offers a breathtaking view of the city, the sea, the islands, and the wider Zadar region all the way to the Velebit mountain range.

Zadar is also unique for having four heavenly patrons: St. Chrysogonus, St. Simeon, St. Anastasia, and St. Zoilus, who have symbolically protected the city and its traditions for centuries.

Zadar is the only city in the world with the unique Sea Organ, a musical instrument played by the movement of sea waves. Right next to it is the Greeting to the Sun installation, powered by solar energy and interacting with the sea and sky through spectacular light effects.

Watching the magical sunset from this location is an experience not to be missed. The applause of sunset spectators has become a recognizable part of the Zadar experience and a tradition created by the city’s own visitors.

Less well known is the fact that Zadar, much like Dubrovnik, has its own impressive city walls. For centuries, the Zadar fortifications protected the city from attacks and stood as a testament to its strategic importance on the Adriatic coast.

Known as the Defensive System of Zadar, these fortifications are part of the Venetian defensive architecture and have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2017. Following restoration and revitalization in 2020, supported by European funds, the walls became one of Zadar’s must-see attractions and an important part of the city’s cultural and historical heritage.

One of Zadar’s most valuable cultural stories was initiated by the great Croatian writer Miroslav Krleža, who recognized and highlighted the exceptional value of the city’s ecclesiastical treasure. At his initiative, the exhibition Gold and Silver of Zadar was created and, in 1976, became a permanent exhibition.

Today, this remarkable collection is housed in the Benedictine Convent of St. Mary, located in the heart of Zadar’s historic old town.

This invaluable treasure is carefully preserved by the Benedictine nuns.

Zadar’s traditional boatmen, known as barkajoli, are unique on the Adriatic and have been connecting Brodarica with the old town peninsula for centuries, making them one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. According to most historical sources, their tradition dates to the 14th century, when the Zadar commune granted them the right to transport people and goods across the city harbour for a fee.

This profession has been passed down from generation to generation within a few local families. Even today, the barkajoli transport passengers daily, saving them time, while for tourists this short boat ride represents a particularly charming and authentic experience.

As the locals say: you haven’t truly visited Zadar until you’ve taken a ride with the barkajoli and rewarded the boatman with a few euros.

Zadar also has its own sphinx, one of the largest in this part of Europe, created in 1918. It was commissioned by Zadar conservator and painter Giovanni Smirich in memory of his wife Attilia, who died young. The monument is located next to Villa Attila in Maestral Bay on Brodarica.

The sphinx is set within a landscaped park designed in the historicist style of the 19th century. According to a romantic legend, this unusual statue is said to grant love wishes to those who visit it.

It is easy to reach the Zadar sphinx by boat from the old town peninsula (Poluotok) towards Brodarica, followed by a walk along the coastline. From the Hyatt Regency Zadar, simply continue left along the sea to quickly arrive at this intriguing and somewhat hidden attraction.

Zadar is famous for its spectacular sunsets, which continue to amaze visitors from all over the world year after year. Their beauty was particularly highlighted by the renowned film director Alfred Hitchcock, who, during his visit to Zadar in 1964, famously said: “Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world, even more beautiful than the one in Key West in Florida, where people go to applaud every evening.”

Throughout history, Zadar has been officially visited by two popes, and their arrivals left a significant historical mark on the city.

Pope Alexander III stayed in Zadar in 1177, when a strong storm at sea forced him to take shelter in the city while travelling to Venice for a meeting with Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. The people of Zadar welcomed him with a ceremonial reception and sang in the local language, which is considered the first recorded instance of such a practice.

Pope John Paul II visited Zadar in 2003 as part of his 100th Apostolic Journey and his third pastoral visit to Croatia. He celebrated Mass at the Forum, a historic square now known as Poljana pape Ivana Pavla II, located next to the Church of St. Donatus, where many faithful gathered.

Near Zadar, there are four national parks that can be reached by car or boat within less than two hours. The most famous is the Plitvice Lakes National Park, while the equally impressive Kornati National Park is known for its stunning island archipelago.

For hiking enthusiasts, the Paklenica National Park is particularly attractive, while families especially enjoy the Krka National Park. Numerous travel agencies offer day trips to all these parks, although visiting independently is also easy to arrange.

The Telašćica Nature Park with its unique salt lake, the Velebit Nature Park with the Zrmanja River canyon, and the Vransko Lake Nature Park with the Kamenjak viewpoint are also popular excursion destinations well worth visiting.

Less known to the public is that the Winnetou film series, starring Pierre Brice in the lead role, was almost entirely filmed in the Zadar region, especially in the Zrmanja River canyon and at Plitvice Lakes.