Zadar

1. Plivicer Lakes Nationalpark

    1.1 Lake Kaluđerovac

    1.2 Lake Kozjac

2. Restaurant Špajza

3. More excursion tips for Zadar

4. Cruiseguide Zadar

5. Book shore excursions

    5.1 Meine Landausflüge

    5.2 GetYourGuide

    5.3 Viator

Zadar looks back on thousands of years of history, and you feel it immediately the moment you enter the old town through one of the city gates. Surrounded by thick stone walls, the city is filled with beautiful narrow alleys that are perfect for strolling. A visit to the Sea Organ is an absolute must when visiting this Croatian city on the Adriatic coast.

This was our second time in Zadar, this time traveling with the Nicko Princess, which is a very small cruise ship. As a result, we enjoyed the privilege of docking directly at the city waterfront, just a stone's throw from the Sea Organ. From this location, you can reach Zadar's old town within just a few minutes on foot.

Since we were already familiar with Zadar from our last visit, we decided to book an excursion this time. We headed out to the Plitvice Lakes.

The Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia's oldest and most famous natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park is renowned for its 16 cascading lakes, interconnected by vibrant waterfalls and deep blue watercourses. The interplay of emerald waters, limestone cliffs, and dense forests creates an almost fairytale atmosphere. Visitors can explore the pristine nature via wooden walkways that lead directly over the water or cross the larger lakes by electric boat. Especially impressive is the "Veliki Slap," the country's highest waterfall. A trip here is an absolute highlight for any nature lover.

For film fans, the Plitvice Lakes are a very special place. Many scenes from the legendary Winnetou movies (based on the novels by Karl May) were filmed here in the 1960s. Most notably, the Lake Kaludjerovac served as the famous 'Silver Lake' in the movie The Treasure of Silver Lake. You can still recognize the limestone caves where the treasure was hidden. Walking through the park feels like stepping right into a piece of film history.

A definite highlight of visiting the national park is the boat ride across Lake Kozjak, the largest and deepest lake in the park. The trip on the silent electric boats is included in the entrance fee and connects the Upper Lakes with the Lower Lakes. As the boat glides gently across the turquoise water, you get a fantastic view of the surrounding forested slopes. It is a wonderful opportunity to rest your legs for a moment and enjoy the tranquility of nature before continuing your hike along the wooden walkways.

If you are looking to dine away from the typical tourist trails, you should visit Restaurant Špajza. Tucked away in a charming side street of the old town, it impresses with its rustic and cozy atmosphere. The name "Špajza" translates to "pantry," which perfectly reflects the concept: fresh, local ingredients are prepared in an open kitchen to create traditional dishes with a modern twist. The menu is small but select, and the service is incredibly warm. It’s a wonderful place to fully experience Croatian hospitality.

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. 

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