Most people come to visit Zadar in summer, taking in the stunning Dalmatian coast and its important Roman ruins. But don’t skip over visiting Zadar at Christmas! Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect Zadar Christmas Market visit so you can enjoy the festive atmosphere of Advent in Zadar.

We spoke with Martina Crnčević from the Zadar Tourist Board to get the best insider tips so you can plan a flawless visit to Zadar at Christmas.

Read Next: 11 Magical Things to Do in Croatia in Winter

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Where to Stay in Zadar

Here are our recommendations for where to stay in Dubrovnik. We’re in the process of creating comprehensive guides on where to stay in other Croatian cities, including Zadar, but for now, we suggest you use Booking.com to find the best deals. We prefer them because of their generous cancellation policies (you never know when your travel plans will need to change at the last minute).

Make sure to book as early as possible. Zadar is a popular destination, so rooms can sell out earlier than expected.

Budget accommodation in Zadar: If you are looking for a convenient hotel overlooking the sea, we suggest Hotel Delfin, which has great reviews on Booking.com. One more option in Zadar is Hotel Porto right in the center of town, you can read reviews and book here.

Mid-rage places to stay in Zadar: Are you able to spend a bit more? then we suggest you check Hotel Niko, with beautiful sea views, you can check prices and reviews on Booking.com. If you prefer a classy and elegant place to stay, check the beautiful premises of Silver & Gold Luxury Rooms. You can book a stay at this link.

Luxury accommodation in Zadar: You can upgrade your stay in town by staying at Teatro Verde Boutique Hotel in the heart of the old town. From this hotel, guests love the friendly staff and amazing location, check it here. As an alternative, you can also stay at the comfy Windrose Design Apartments, which has great reviews on Booking.com.

How to Celebrate Advent in Zadar at the Zadar Christmas Market

Martina was kind enough to answer all of our questions about how to visit. Here’s everything you need to know to attend Zadar Christmas Market.

What are the dates and times for the 2021 Zadar Christmas Market?

The Zadar Christmas Market opens in November 2021 and closes in January 2022. 

Where is the market located?

Photo by Fabio Šimićev provided courtesy of the Zadar Tourist Board

The Christmas Market is held on Petar Zoranić Square (Trg Petra Zoranića, 23000). The Ice Skating Rink is located at Kresimir Cosic Sports Hall (Splitska ul. 3, 23000).

The distance between the two locations is about a thirty-minute walk, so plan to use public transportation or make sure to bundle up!

>>Planning to discover Zadar on foot? Check this Zadar walking tour<<

What kind of entertainment will there be for adults?

Photo by Fabio Šimićev provided courtesy of the Zadar Tourist Board

This year’s Christmas Market in Zadar offers a lot of musical concerts, all sorts of dance performances, and exquisite culinary delights. You can find a full event calendar here. If interested in tasting the local food during the Christmas season, then book a wine and food tour of Zadar like this one.

What kind of entertainment will there be for children?

Photo by Fabio Šimićev provided courtesy of the Zadar Tourist Board

Zadar winter fairy tale includes a lot of entertaining workshops, games, and treats for the small ones. There is a magical world of theater included, full of fun and laughter, sure to spark the children’s imagination!

For more information about the Children’s Christmas Market, check here.

What kind of goods will be for sale?

Stroll around the City is a traditional part of Zadar Christmas Market, when during Christmas period, all restaurants, shops, and museums with the Stroll Around the City signs and labels will offer affordable festive menus, as well as special offers and discounts, or additional programs as well as discounts on tickets and souvenirs.

Read Next: 17 Croatian Souvenirs too Fabulous to Leave Without

What kind of food and drinks will be available?

Photo by Fabio Šimićev provided courtesy of the Zadar Tourist Board

Like every year at the Zadar Christmas Market, the visitors and the locals will find a wide variety of exquisite, finger-licking good gastronomic delights at the booths on the Petar Zoranić Square. According to connoisseurs, a true feast awaits, and this is what you will have the opportunity to taste at 25 different booths – from codfish and homemade sausages to burgers and sarma.

Is there a ticket price to get into the events?

Photo by Iva Perinčić provided courtesy of the Zadar Tourist Board

Are there any other special festivities in Zadar this December or January that travelers might want to attend?

A spectacular ski race in the center of the Veli Iž Island is being held for the third time this year. Named the Queen of Iž (Iška kraljica – on December the 19th), the event stands as pretty unique not only in these parts but on a much wider level – it very well might be the world’s first skiing competition hosted by a small island.

Also, there is the Zadar Christmas Run on December the 22nd, where more than 1,000 runners from all parts of the country are expected on this charity run.

Read next: 23 Best Places to Visit in Croatia: What to See & Do!

Is there anything else you would want a visitor coming to your town this winter to know before they visit?

How can travelers learn more?

We have our recommendations and resources for visiting Zadar below. I want to thank Martina from the Zadar Tourist Board for answering our questions about this spectacular event! For more detailed information about the market, check out the Zadar Christmas Market website.

What to Pack for Croatia in Winter

We have a full Croatia packing list here with winter sections for men and women, but here’s the quick version!

A Guidebook – While travel blogs are great, we also definitely see the benefit of having a good paper guidebook in hand to refer to in your on-the-ground travel. We recommend the Lonely Planet Croatia book.

Winter accessories: Bring a winter scarf like this one (women’s) or this cashmere scarf (men’s) to help block out the wind. We recommend women’s gloves like these which are compatible with your smartphone (for a men’s version, check these). You also lose a lot of heat from the top of your head and ears, so a fleece-lined knit hat (women’s) that you wear tight, like a beanie, is a fantastic choice. Pick a colorful one for cute photos! Here’s a men’s version as well.

An ultra-light down jacket: You can wear this on its own or pair it with a warmer jacket for colder days. This rolls up and packs easily in your day bag so it’s good to bring along – I have one similar to this (women’s) but there’s a men’s version as well. If you want to be warm, or if your trip is mostly focused on Zagreb, the mountains, and northern Croatia, I recommend a winter jacket like this North Face parka which I’ve owned for years and years.

Winter boots: It can be snowy any icy throughout Croatia even at times in the south, as it can snow in Dubrovnik and even get below freezing. For snowy days and super cold weather when you still want to be comfortable, I love these knee-high waterproof Blondo boots and have owned them for over a decade. For men, I suggest a waterproof boot with good traction, like these Timberlands.

Motion sickness pills: Great for bus rides if you’ll be visiting any mountains – I buy these non-drowsy ones. You can also try these natural motion sickness bands which use acupressure to reduce nausea – they work pretty well.

Read more: Essential Croatia Packing List: What to Wear & Pack for Croatia

More Croatia Travel Resources

Headed to Croatia? We have some great travel resources to help you with your trip. First read our guide to planning a trip to Croatia, which covers visas, budgets, vaccines, and much more. We also have a Croatia packing list with a detailed winter section.

If you’ll be in Zagreb, check out our guide to the Zagreb Christmas Market and our list of the city’s best photo destinations. Many of these are decorated even more lovely at Christmas!

If you want to add a few more delightful winter activities to your trip, check out our list of the best things to do in Croatia in winter and our guide to the Dubrovnik Christmas Market.

If you’re still putting together your itinerary, here’s a great list of places to visit in Croatia, our Croatia national parks guide, and the Croatian waterfalls guide to help you choose. We also have a day trip guide for Dubrovnik and Spit if you’re to be visiting these cities as well.

Next, check out our Balkan currency guide which explains how money works in Croatia and local tipping customs.

Of course, if you’re coming to a Christmas market you’ll have lots of opportunities to shop! Read our guide to shopping in Croatia so you know which souvenirs are truly local gems.

If this will be one of your first trips in the Balkans, check out our massive list of things to know before traveling the Balkans as well as our Balkan bus, road trip, and itinerary guides. 

We publish new content nearly every day! Bookmark our pages on Croatia and the Balkans so that you don’t miss out on any new info or resources that we publish before your trip!

Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!

I’m sure you’re aware that travel insurance is a good idea for traveling in Croatia (or really, any part of the world)! Allison and I have both been paying customers of World Nomads for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption.

While the Balkans are perfectly safe to travel around, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel –especially during the winter!– so it’s better to play it safe.

>> Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here <<

Pin this Guide to Visiting the Zadar Christmas Market for Your Trip to Croatia!

Krka National Park is the second most visited Croatian national park, after Plitvice Lakes. It is situated in Šibenik-Knin County, in central Dalmatia.

Its main phenomenon is the Krka River, which has springs near Knin and is famous for beautiful waterfalls, tufa barriers, and karst caves. 

The park encompasses an area of 109 square kilometers (about 42 square miles) and offers dozens of natural and cultural attractions, too many to see in just one day!

If you’re staying in Split and you want to organize a day trip from Split to Krka National Park, you’ll have to decide on which part of the park you’ll want to visit, as you can’t hope to see it all. It all depends on your preferences.

Don’t worry, we’ll cover all the options in this post and hopefully, make the decision a little bit easier for you! If possible, I do however recommend you spend a couple of days in the park and experience everything Krka has to offer. I guarantee you’re not going to be disappointed. However, even if you only can do a day trip from Split to Krka, we’ll make sure you see the best of it!

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Where to Stay in Split, Croatia

Here are our recommendations for where to stay in Split. You can also check our recommendations for Dubrovnik. It’s also a good idea to check out Booking.com as early as possible since this is a popular destination. Generally speaking, a budget stay in Split starts at $35. If you can extend your budget a little bit more, prices range from $40 to $60. A luxury stay in Split starts at $70.These are some of the places we suggest you check.

Budget stays in Split: In the heart of the old town of Split, Adriatic Hostel is a good option that’s also close to the beach. Gravitas Hostel is also in the city center and has excellent reviews!

Mid-range hotels in Split: With a more flexible budget, we suggest you Klara Studio Apartaman, to enjoy a whole apartment for a small price. Instead, if you’d rather enjoy also a private garden, check prices for Apartment Fjaka.

Luxury places to stay in Split: There are several stunning places to stay in Split, and the earlier you book, the better fees you’ll find. One of those places is Garden Apartment Hotel. Another place we suggest you check out is Hotel As, which has very good reviews and is in a comfortable location.

How to Get to Krka from Split

 It’s very easy to get to Krka National Park if you’re staying in Split. The distance between the city and the northern part of the park is only about 100 km (approx. 62 miles). I strongly recommend renting a car as a way of transport.

The bus from Split would take you only as far as Skradin, which is the southern part of Krka National Park. If you want to visit the northern part of the park, you would need a car. From Skradin you can take one of the tour boats to visit some of the “southern” attractions, but you won’t be able to see the northern part of the park.

If you opt for a bus, use this website to check the availability and prices. The one-way ticket costs from 40 to 90 kunas ($6 to $14), depending on the season.

The ride would take about an hour and a half if there are no delays. Remember that June to September is the high tourist season in Croatia, and traffic jams are common. Also, make sure you reserve/buy your ticket in time. A lot of tourists visit Krka from Split during summer, so there’s always a possibility that no tickets would be available.

Psssst. Try to avoid using the Split Bus Station website. It often crashes and the search engine doesn’t work properly!

Renting a car is a great option if you’re traveling in a group. You can check the prices and availability via our favorite car rental search engine in the Balkans, Discover Car Hire. They search over 500 companies to ensure you’re getting the best price on your rental. Check car rentals from Split here.

Depending on the package you choose and the size of the car, it will cost you from 110 to 1000 kunas ($16 to $140). Yes, it’s quite a range, so it depends on quite a few factors!

It would be a simple drive from Split. The park is situated near the A1 highway. The highway will take you from Split to Šibenik, and there are two possible exits you can take to get to the park from there.

If you want to use the Lozovac entrance, take the exit “Šibenik”. Use the “Skradin” exit if you want to enter the park in Skradin. Just remember that Skradin is the most popular entrance, so it could be crowded.

Tolls for both options would cost you between 30–40 kunas ($5–$6), one way. The gas for the round trip would cost you about 140 kunas ($20), and the drive would last about one to one and a half hours.

The other option is to use state roads to avoid tolls, either a D1 state road from Split to Knin or a D8 road from Split to Šibenik.

The routes to the park from both Knin and Šibenik are marked by signs and info boards. The drive could last a little longer, depending on the traffic jams and possible delays or round ways. There’s an official parking space in Lozovac and it’s free.

If you want to park at the Skradin entrance, you’ll have to pay 7 kunas (about $1) per hour.

Extra tip: if you’re using an electric car, you can find the charging/power stations at the park, at Lozovac (southern Krka) and Laškovica (middle Krka).

You could use a taxi service to get to Krka, but I would only recommend it if you’re traveling in a group of 6-8 people and none of you is a driver.

The taxi is pretty expensive and there are not a lot of options to choose from. The round trip would cost you about 1200 kunas ($180) for a car that fits three people. Check out the prices here.

Renting a car is a much better option in my opinion. It would cost you less, even with the tolls and the gas.

There’s always an option to book a tour from Split to Krka. However, bear in mind that most of the tours cover only the southern part of the park and the prices usually don’t include the entrance ticket to the park.

There are a couple of tours to choose from (some offer a short side trip to Šibenik as well), but I would recommend this tour, which you can book online here and present a mobile voucher for. It combines a trip to Šibenik and also covers the entrance fee to Krka, so the only extra is food, drinks, and optional souvenirs.

If that tour doesn’t suit you, there are plenty of others. I always recommend the Get Your Guide platform for booking tours. This tour is a bit cheaper, but it’s a bit rushed and doesn’t include entrance fees. This tour includes entrance fees and also enjoys superb reviews, plus time in Šibenik. These tours are very popular, so make sure you book them in time, especially in high season!

Krka National Park Entrance Fees

Before buying a ticket to visit Krka, you should have in mind which sites in the park you’d like to visit. Certain parts of the park can be reached only by boat, so you’ll have to buy an additional boat ticket to see those.

The prices depend on the season and the popularity of certain sites.

A general ticket (covers all land sites) will cost you from 30 kunas ($5) in the low season and 200 kunas ($30) in the high season ($3-$18 for children aged 7-18).

To visit the Roški slap you’ll need to pay an extra 30 to 100 kunas ($5-$15) or 20-55 kunas ($3-$8 for children).

A ticket for the northern part of the park (Kistanje, Burnum, Puljane) costs 30-40 kunas ($5-$6) or 20-30 kunas ($3-$5) for children.

Note that people with disabilities and children to 7 years of age can enjoy free entrance.

>> Read Next: The 8 National Parks in Croatia: Local Favorites & Hidden Gems <<

The ticket includes a boat ride from Skradin to Skradinski Buk (except in January, February, March, November, and December), and a bus ride from Bogatići and Laškovica to Roški slap (only in June, July, August, and September).

From March to November, the park offers a bunch of boat rides to various sites. The prices range from 50 to 100 kunas ($8-$15) for adults and 25 to 90 kunas ($4-$12) for children aged 4-18.

You can check all the prices and boat excursion schedule here.

General Information for Visiting Krka National Park

I recommend buying your tickets online (though if you’ve booked a guided tour with an entrance ticket included, you can ignore this step).

You can buy them at several places in the park, but sometimes that means waiting in line for a long time, especially when it comes to tickets for boat excursions. Online tickets allow you to enter the park directly, without waiting at the reception.

There are eleven (yes, 11!) park entrances. Lozovac, Skradin, and Skradin most are entrances for the southern part of the park. If you want to visit the middle part, you’ll have to use Visovačka kuća “Kuželj”, Roški slap, Laškovica or Ozidana pećina. The northern part of the park has three entrances: Kistanje – manastir Krka, Burnum, and Manojlovački slap.

The park is open practically 365 days a year (except on the 25^th and 26^th December), and working hours change, depending on the season (you can check them here).

>> Read Next: How to Smoothly Get from Dubrovnik to Kotor & Back By Bus <<

What to See in Krka National Park

As I said, the park is divided into three general parts (northern, middle, and southern) and it’s not possible to see all three in just one day. To help you decide which part to visit on your Krka National Park day trip, here’s a little guide on locations and sites.

So, let’s start with the southern part of the park, the most visited part. Its main attraction is Skradinski Buk, a beautiful tufa barrier with impressive seventeen waterfalls.

You can take a walk on a couple of available trails, all connected with charming wooden bridges. There’s an overlook you can climb on for an amazing view of the park.

The trails are well-marked and there are a lot of info panels with stories about Krka’s cultural and natural heritage.

From Skradin, you can take a boat excursion to Visovac, a tiny island on which you can visit a 17^th-century church and a monastery.

The center attraction of the middle part of the park is Roški slap, a beautiful waterfall with a bunch of little cascades known as “The Necklaces”.  You can take a boat ride to Roški slap from Skradin.

Be sure to visit a prehistoric cave Ozidana pećina, but bear in mind that you’ll have to climb over 500 steep steps, so you’ll need to be somewhat fit.

Visovačka kuća “Kuželj” is an educational park. From there you can take a short walking tour through old oak forests and learn something about natural diversity and the woodland ecosystem.

You should opt to visit the northern part of the national park if you’re interested in cultural heritage and historical sites. There, you can visit Burnum, the only fully restored Roman military amphitheater in Croatia.

If you visit the park in August, you can join the festival Burnumske Ide, a spectacular portrayal of the life of ancient Romans.

If you’re interested in old churches, be sure to visit Krka Manastir, a Serbian Orthodox monastery that dates to the 16^th century. Be sure to dress appropriately.

The monks live a very secluded life and if you wear something revealing (something that shows legs, midriff, and arms), you won’t be able to enter the monastery. If you plan on visiting this site, bring a long-sleeved shirt and long pants.

>> Read Next: Essential Croatia Packing List: What to Wear & Pack for Croatia <<

You can take a boat ride to the monastery from Roški slap. There’s another beautiful waterfall to visit here – Manojlovački slap, the highest waterfall in the park. You can climb a Roman trail to the Burnum site, but again, you should be physically fit to be able to do it.

Additional Information on Visiting Krka National Park

→ If you’re organizing a trip to the park yourself, it would be helpful to use this brochure. It contains all the info on how to get to certain parts of the park, so you can plan the boat rides you’d need to take and mark hiking trails that will get you to certain sites.

→ Park rangers are very helpful and there are many of them, so feel free to ask for advice or recommendations.

→ Remember that swimming is possible in the park, but it all depends on the season and water levels, so bring your suit but ask around if it’s safe to swim.

→ July and August are the most popular months to visit the park, so beware of the crowds!

→ There are a bunch of restaurants in the park, but you are allowed to bring your food with you. Just remember that all the money you spend in the park goes to the fund for the protection and preservation of the park’s cultural and natural heritage!

→ You can take your dog with you to the park, just make sure your pet is on the leash. Dogs are allowed everywhere except on Visovac, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to visit the island.

→ There are a few bike paths you can use if you want to bring your bike with you. Be very careful about where you ride your bike. It’s strictly forbidden to ride a bike on hiking and walking trails, and the park rangers could fine you.

→ Remember that you can always contact the park officials for advice and additional information. I have nothing but pleasant experiences with them. Here’s all the contact info.

Have fun and enjoy yourself at Krka National Park!

What to Pack for Croatia in Winter

We have a full Croatia packing list here with winter sections for men and women, but here’s the quick version!

A Guidebook – While travel blogs are great, we also definitely see the benefit of having a good paper guidebook in hand to refer to in your on-the-ground travel. We recommend the Lonely Planet Croatia book.

Winter accessories: Winter in Split is not that cold, but winter accessories will help keep you warm and they don’t take up much space in your luggage. Bring a winter scarf like this one (women’s) or this cashmere scarf (men’s) to help block out the wind. We recommend women’s gloves like these which are compatible with your smartphone (for a men’s version, check these).

On colder days, be sure to wear a hat. You lose a lot of heat from the top of your head and ears, so a fleece-lined knit hat (women’s) that you wear tight, like a beanie, is a fantastic choice. Pick a colorful one for cute photos! Here’s a men’s version as well.

An ultra-light down jacket: You can wear this on its own or pair it with a warmer jacket for colder days. This rolls up and packs easily in your day bag so it’s good to bring along – I have one similar to this (women’s) but there’s a men’s version as well. If you want to be warm, or if your trip is mostly focused on the mountains and northern Croatia, I recommend a winter jacket like this North Face parka which I’ve owned for years and years.

Winter boots: It can be snowy and icy throughout Croatia even at times in the south, as it can snow in Split and even get below freezing. For snowy days and super cold weather when you still want to be comfortable, I love these knee-high waterproof Blondo boots and have owned them for over a decade. For men, I suggest a waterproof boot with good traction, like these Timberlands.

Motion sickness pills: Great for bus rides if you’ll be visiting any mountains – I buy these non-drowsy ones. You can also try these natural motion sickness bands which use acupressure to reduce nausea – they work pretty well.

Read more: Essential Croatia Packing List: What to Wear & Pack for Croatia

More Croatia Travel Resources

Headed to Croatia? We have some great travel resources to help you with your trip. First read our guide to planning a trip to Croatia, which covers visas, budgets, vaccines, and much more. We also have a Croatia packing list with a detailed winter section.

If you’ll be in Zagreb, check out our guide to the Zagreb Christmas Market and our list of the city’s best photo destinations. Many of these are decorated even more lovely at Christmas!

If you want to add a few more delightful winter activities to your trip, check out our list of the best things to do in Croatia in winter and our guide to the Dubrovnik Christmas Market and the Zadar Christmas Market.

If you’re still putting together your itinerary, here’s a great list of places to visit in Croatia, our Croatia national parks guide, and the Croatian waterfalls guide to help you choose. We also have a day trip guide for Dubrovnik and Spit if you’re to be visiting these cities as well.

Next, check out our Balkan currency guide which explains how money works in Croatia and local tipping customs.

Of course, if you’re coming to a Christmas market you’ll have lots of opportunities to shop! Read our guide to shopping in Croatia so you know which souvenirs are truly local gems.

If this will be one of your first trips in the Balkans, check out our massive list of things to know before traveling the Balkans as well as our Balkan bus, road trip, and itinerary guides. 

We publish new content nearly every day! Bookmark our pages on Croatia and the Balkans so that you don’t miss out on any new info or resources that we publish before your trip!

Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!

I’m sure you’re aware that travel insurance is a good idea for traveling in Croatia (or really, any part of the world)! We have both been paying customers of World Nomads for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption.

While the Balkans are perfectly safe to travel around, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel – especially during the winter! – so it’s better to play it safe.

> Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here <<

Pin This Guide to Visit Krka National Park from Split on a Day Trip!