Whether you have just arrived, got up or need a break –everything starts with a coffee in Croatia. Coffee lovers, you have found your paradise!

Zadar is a city of the people, by the people and for the people. This is the home of tightly-connected communities that appreciate culture and tradition and show a profound interest in social interaction on every occasion. These friendly outgoing people gladly spend free afternoons with their friends sipping coffee on the dazzling Riva, relishing in the warm embrace of the hot sun, gazing at the beauties of the open sea and discussing some common topics of their daily lives. They also spin a gripping yarn or two for all absorbed visitors who pass the famous Kalelarga in their quest to experience the pulse of the town in the most beloved of all of Zadar’s streets. They reveal a gleam of joy in their eyes while dining in superb local restaurants and show a unique zest for life in attending great cultural venues or the vibrant club scene. Zadrani (people of Zadar) know how to appreciate the finer things in life and display a true flair of their treasured vibrant town, so come and join them and enjoy them!

If you don’t take our word for it, take Alfred Hitchcok’s. One of the most famous directors in the world said that the sunset in Zadar was the most beautiful one in the world. See it for yourself.

After a long day of sightseeing the city, you will be rewarded with the best sight yet – the Zadar sunset. The best place to watch it is definitely by the sea, walking along the promenade. You can take photos or even better – try remembering it in your head, because no pictures and no words can describe it. Afterwards, you can move along to a modern light installation called “Greeting to the Sun” that is charged by the sun during the day and emits a light show during the night. It's in Zadar that one realizes why the sun is in the centre (of attention).

You don’t have to go to Venice to enjoy a gondola ride, as the city’s barkajoli will transport you to the other end of the old town, as well as back in time.

One of the most notable symbols of Zadar are barkajoli (lat. barcatores), an 800-year-long father-to-son lineage of traditional boat rowers! The beloved barkajoli have survived the challenges of modern times and even today they transport their faithful customers for one and a half minutes, crossing just 71 m between the two ports of the city. Although there are only a couple of barkajoli left, they are very proud of their profession passed from generation to generation all the way from the 14^th century. Many use it to save time, but riding in a barka can offer so much more. You haven’t really been in Zadar until you have ridden in a barka. See, or better said, sea Zadar from another perspective!

The Gold and Silver permanent exhibition in Zadar is definitely a must. But, while there, look for another type of treasure – the history behind the story.

The treasure was not kept by kings and emperors – but by nuns! The treasure of Zadar history is inseparable from the Benedictine convent of St. Mary and its nuns guardians. Their shared history goes back to the time of the Byzantine Empire. In newer history, the Benedictines once again proved essential when they hid the treasure in a deep hole under the church bell tower during the bombings of the Allies in 1943. Many items that have been preserved with love, knowledge and pride have great value. But for the people of Zadar, the most valuable item is the so-called Čika’s cross. Although small in size and without gems, it has held a special meaning for the people here since the 8^th century. Find your favourite item while you find out more about the history of this treasure.

Holy moly, what a story! Find out about Saint Simeon and his story about Zadar!

The legend says that, in 1203, a merchant who was carrying the body of St. Simeon from the Holy Land to Venice sought shelter in Zadar because of a storm. He didn’t reveal the identity of the body he was carrying, but when he became ill and before he died, he gave the nurses a hint. That is why they dug up the grave with the local priests. Simultaneously, three city rectors had the same dream the night before the body of Saint Simeon was to be excavated. St. Simeon has been revered in Zadar ever since. The Chest of Saint Simeon, a masterpiece of medieval art, is a rectangular cedar wood sarcophagus in the shape of a chasse, overlaid with silver and silver-gilt plaques, said to hold the relics of St. Simon the God-receiver. On Oct. 8^th, the Patron’s Day, the chest is opened and the mummy of the saint is displayed for a week. But you can visit the Church of Saint Simeon any day of the year!