Mistakes everyone makes in Zadar
Almost every mistake in Zadar comes from assuming something runs when it actually doesn't — a boat, a parking space or off-season opening hours.
- The Kornati
- No scheduled boat
- The peninsula
- Parking is zone zero, residents only
- St Donatus
- November–March
Most mistakes in Zadar come from assuming something runs on the same schedule all year, from the Kornati boat to peninsula parking to a museum's opening hours. Eight of them are below, with what changes once the season does.
Expecting a scheduled Kornati boat
There's no regular line to the national park — the only way in is an organised full-day trip from Zadar or Murter, organised tour (no scheduled boat). Arrive at the harbour looking for a departure timetable like a ferry's, and the day is left without a plan.
Booking on the peninsula with no plan for parking
Space on the peninsula itself is zone zero, reserved for residents; everyone else may stay an hour at most, charged on Sundays too. Book accommodation in the old town without checking where the car actually goes, and every evening ends with metered parking outside the walls.
Arriving in November expecting to see St Donatus
The church of St Donatus is November–March, except by arrangement. Arrive off-season without checking, and the inside stays closed — the outside is still there to see and photograph, but the interior visit is off the table.
Combining Krka and Plitvice in one day
Krka and Plitvice are sold together in plenty of offers, but they sit on opposite sides of the interior, and each wants half a day of walking inside the park on its own. Try both in one day and you see less of each than if you'd picked just one.
Assuming Nin is a free day out
The town itself, the church of the Holy Cross and a walk by the salt pans need no ticket, but the Salt House tour, which explains the extraction process, runs €6 (Salt House tour). Assume the whole trip is free, and that tour stays off the plan.
The Museum of Ancient Glass with summer hours in mind
Opening hours are summer (1 May–31 Oct) daily 9–21; winter (2 Nov–30 Apr) Mon–Sat 9–16. Arrive on a winter Sunday afternoon, and the door is locked.
Expecting parking to cost the same all year
Off-peninsula parking drops in price from September — zone I runs €1.60 in summer, half that outside season. Budget for the summer rate in October, and you pay more than you need to.
Expecting the same fish prices as a smaller town
A main course in the old town runs €16.50–24, more than in a smaller coastal town, since the price depends more on how close a place sits to the waterfront than on the food itself. Look for a lower price a few streets back from the promenade.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Is there a regular boat to the Kornati?
No — only an organised full-day trip from Zadar or Murter, booked in advance.
Can you park for free on the peninsula?
Only if you're a resident. Everyone else may stay an hour at most, charged on Sundays too; off the peninsula there are metered zones.
Is the Museum of Ancient Glass open on Sundays?
In summer, yes, daily until 21; in winter (November–April) it's closed on Sundays, open until 16 the rest of the week.
Ready for Zadar?
Where to next
Zadar in 2 days
→Day one covers half the town on foot; day two goes out to sea, to a park reachable no other way.
Šibenik · 68 km
→A cathedral slotted together from stone slabs without mortar, and seventeen Krka waterfalls upstream
How well does Zadar suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
Front row for the next trip
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