Zadar

1. The port

2. on foot;

3. Shuttle buses

4. public transport

5. Taxis

6. Rental car

7. Uber and Bolt

8. Excursion tips for Zadar

9. Book shore excursions

    9.1 Meine Landausflüge

    9.2 Get Your Guide

    9.3 Viator

Zadar is located in Northern Dalmatia on the Adriatic coast, directly across from the Italian city of Ancona. With a population of 75,000, the city boasts a long and rich history. Many cruise ships dock here as part of Adriatic cruises. Zadar features a heavily fortified Old Town, inviting visitors to stroll and linger in its narrow, charming alleys.

While many national parks surrounding Zadar attract cruise tourists, the city itself has a lot to offer. Of particular note are the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun.

Until a few years ago, cruise ships docked at the pier right at the edge of the Old Town. As ships grew increasingly larger, the city constructed a new ferry and cruise port featuring a large passenger terminal to accommodate today’s vessels. This new facility can host up to three cruise ships simultaneously. The new port is located 5 km south of the Old Town.

In 2019, the Zadar Gaženica cruise port was named "Port of the Year" at the Seatrade Cruise Awards. Furthermore, the cruise terminal was voted "Europe's Best Cruise Terminal" in both 2023 and 2025.

You can check the port's official website to see exactly where your ship will be docking.

Zadar's Old Town is a good 5 km away from the new port. Although there is a shortcut, you would still have to cover a distance of nearly 4 km.

Cruise lines offer shuttle bus services for a fee. Prices vary, but you should expect to pay an average of €10. These shuttle buses drop you off at the City Gate near the Sea Organ, providing an excellent starting point for exploring Zadar.

Local public buses connect the cruise terminal to the city, with stops located directly in front of the terminal building. Line 9 takes you to the main bus station (Autobusni kolodvor). From there, you can either transfer to Lines 2 or 4 to continue your journey or simply walk the remaining kilometer (about 0.6 miles) to the Old Town.

Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver for approximately €1.60. If you buy two tickets at once, you pay 2,65€.

Status 2015

Taxis are available right outside the terminal. It is recommended to agree on the fare before starting your journey. A ride to the city center costs approximately €25; so if you are traveling in a group of four, it is more cost-effective than taking the shuttle bus.

Many taxi companies also offer private tours, which can be booked in advance. 

• Euro Taxi

Uber works excellently in Zadar and is often the easiest and cheapest way to get from the cruise port (Gaženica) to the Old Town. A ride usually costs between €8 and €12. Typically, you can choose between UberX (standard) and Uber Select (newer, more comfortable vehicles).

How to book: Only request your ride once you have left the terminal building and are standing outside. Meeting Point: The app will usually show a designated pickup point directly in front of the terminal. Be sure to check the license plate number displayed in the app. Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is available inside the port terminal, allowing you to use the app without expensive roaming charges.

In Croatia, the Bolt app (green logo) is just as popular as Uber and sometimes even a few euros cheaper. It is worth having both apps installed to quickly compare prices.

Pro Tip: If you want to head straight to the Sea Organ, enter "Sea Organ" or "Morske orgulje" as your destination in the app. This will save you a long walk across the entire Old Town.

A rental car is a great alternative for exploring the surroundings of Zadar. The company Avaxrent offers the option to pick up and return your vehicle directly at the port. You can make a reservation here (the link leads directly to the port office). The rental company Sixt also maintains an office in Zadar.

Zadar can be explored very well independently. Here you can see the highlights awaiting you.

Meine Landausflüge offer you fantastic cruise trips at the most popular ports worldwide. Typically, they are available in much smaller groups and at more affordable prices than the cruise line’s own excursions. All our options are carefully selected to guarantee you an unforgettable outing experience.

• Small group sizes  
• Punctual return guarantee  
• Convenient pick-up and drop-off service from/to the port  
• Money-back guarantee for itinerary changes and port cancellations  
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour (Flex option up to 60 minutes before the tour start)

With GetYourGuide, you can book land excursions in small groups, often at better prices than those offered by cruise lines. All experiences are carefully selected and reviewed by experts. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start of the excursion.

Viator, a Tripadvisor company, is one of the world's leading online marketplaces for travel experiences. The platform provides travelers with access to more than 300,000 activities, including guided tours, day trips, attraction tickets, and exclusive experiences in thousands of destinations worldwide. A key advantage for users is the millions of authentic traveler reviews that help in making informed choices. 

Viator is known for its high flexibility:

• offering free cancellation on many bookings up to 24 hours in advance.
• Additionally, the "reserve now, pay later" option provides financial freedom during trip planning. 

Would you like to never miss a post and be instantly notified whenever I publish new content? If so, feel free to sign up for the newsletter.