How Much Does Zadar Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Zadar offers a more accessible entry point to the Croatian coast compared to the high prices of Dubrovnik or Hvar, with daily budgets typically ranging from $61 / €52 to $412 / €350. While the historic Old Town commands a premium for its Roman ruins and sunset views, the surrounding areas like Borik and Diklo provide better value for resort-style stays. Costs are heavily influenced by the seasonal nature of the Adriatic, with mid-range accommodation averaging $126 / €107 per night. Visitors can expect a blend of affordable street food and mid-range dining, where a three-course meal for two typically costs around $77 / €65. By utilizing local ferries and public transport, it is possible to experience the archipelago without the high cost of private charters.
Is Zadar expensive to visit?
Zadar is a moderately affordable coastal destination where travelers should expect to spend between $61 / €52 and $412 / €350 per day depending on their choice of accommodation and island excursions.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Zadar
$61
per person /day
$194
per person /day
$412
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $184 | $583 | $1,236 |
| 5-Day Trip | $306 | $971 | $2,060 |
| 7-Day Trip | $428 | $1,359 | $2,884 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% buffer is recommended to account for the mandatory Tourist Tax paid at check-in and the 20–30% seasonal price increases on ferries during the summer months. These small daily additions can add up, especially when island hopping through the Zadar archipelago.
How Does It Compare?
See how Zadar stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Zadar
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-Range Three-Course Meal for Two Excludes drinks. Expect to pay ~$38 / €33 per person for a full dinner. | $77 €65 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5L) Prices at bars in the Old Town can reach ~$5.3 / €4.5 during peak season. | $3.53 €3 |
| Burek (Street Food) Classic Balkan pastry snack found at 24-hour bakeries. | $2.94 €2.5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Public Bus Single Ticket Valid for one journey within the city zone. A 2-trip ticket costs ~$3.12 / €2.65. | $1.88 €1.6 |
| Airport Shuttle Bus Operates between Zadar Airport and the main bus station/Old Town. | $5.89 €5 |
| Ferry to Dugi Otok (Passenger) Standard adult fare for the Zadar–Brbinj or Zadar–Sali line. Price varies slightly by boat type. | $6.87 €5.84 |
| Uber/Bolt Ride (City Center) Typical cost for a 3-5km ride from the Old Town to the Borik area. | $9.42 €8 |
Accommodation (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Downtown Boutique Hostel Dorm Bed Budget-friendly option located ~0.5km from the city centre. Private rooms start around $12 / €10. | $14 €12 |
| Boutique Hostel Forum Dorm Bed Located directly on the Roman Forum in the Old Town. Premium location surcharge applies. | $24 €20 |
| 4-Star Hotel Average Nightly Rate Based on historical data for mid-range stays. Equivalent to ~$132 / €112 per night. | $126 €107 |
| Hyatt Regency Zadar (Luxury Double) Beachfront luxury stay. Equivalent to ~$193 / €164 per night for a double room. | $184 €157 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Archaeological Museum Zadar Entry The Roman Forum ruins outside are free to walk through. | $5.89 €5 |
| Gold and Silver of Zadar (St. Mary’s) Features one of the most valuable collections of church art in Croatia. | $5.89 €5 |
| St. Anastasia’s Bell Tower Climb Best panoramic view of the Old Town and the Zadar archipelago. | $3.53 €3 |
| Sea Organ & Sun Salutation Open-air public installations that are free for everyone 24/7. | $0 €0 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Zadar ranges from quick bites like a $2.94 / €2.5 burek at local bakeries to mid-range dinners costing approximately $38 / €33 per person. Local draft beers are reasonably priced at $3.53 / €3, though prices often rise to $5.3 / €4.5 in the heart of the Old Town during the busy summer months.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Gricko Grill
$8.24–$14 / €7–€12Poluotok · Local chain
Best spot for authentic Balkan grilled meats like ćevapi for under ~$12 / €10.
Bezburger
$11–$18 / €9–€15Old Town · Street food area
High-quality craft burgers that are filling and much cheaper than a sit-down seafood dinner.
Pancake House Slatka Tajna
$5.3–$9.42 / €4.5–€8Old Town · Bakery
Massive stuffed crepes that can easily serve as a budget lunch.
La Famiglia
$9.42–$16 / €8–€14Old Town · Local chain
Reliable Italian-style meals in the heart of the city.
Mlinar
$2.35–$5.89 / €2–€5Various · Bakery
The ultimate budget saver; a meat burek for ~$3.06 / €2.6 is a full meal.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is cost-effective with single bus tickets at $1.88 / €1.6 and a reliable $5.89 / €5 airport shuttle. For island hopping, the passenger ferry to Dugi Otok costs $6.87 / €5.84, making it a much cheaper alternative to private boat transfers which can be significantly more expensive.
Accommodation Overview
Value seekers can find hostel beds for as low as $14 / €12, while those seeking a premium location on the Roman Forum will pay around $24 / €20. Luxury beachfront stays, such as the Hyatt Regency Zadar, average $184 / €157 per night, offering a more upscale resort experience outside the city walls.
Accommodation Budget in Zadar
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Eat at Gricko Grill in Poluotok for affordable Balkan grilled meats away from the tourist-heavy Riva.
- 2 Visit Mlinar or other local bakeries for a $2.94 / €2.5 burek, which serves as a filling and traditional budget breakfast.
- 3 Avoid the high margins of Old Town restaurants by walking to the Borik or Diklo areas for beachside dining at local prices.
- 4 Use the public ferry lines for $6.87 / €5.84 to reach Dugi Otok or Ugljan instead of booking organized 'all-inclusive' boat tours.
- 5 Fill water bottles at the historic public fountains; the tap water in Zadar is safe, clean, and free.
- 6 Travel in May or September when temperatures are 22–26°C (72–79°F) and hotel rates are nearly half of the July peak.
- 7 Purchase a 2-trip bus ticket for $3.12 / €2.65 instead of two singles to save on local transit between the city center and the bus station.
- 8 Grab a $3.53 / €3 domestic beer at local bars in the Varoš neighborhood rather than at the upscale lounges directly on the waterfront.
- 9 Look for 'Gablec' or 'Marenda' signs between 11:00–14:00 for fixed-price lunch specials intended for local workers.
- 10 Visit the Zadar City Market (Pijaca) in the morning for fresh, affordable local fruit and snacks for island day trips.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug
+40-60%
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
-30-50%
May, Jun, Sep
Peak summer (July-August) sees prices for mid-range hotels double from ~$94 / €80 to ~$188 / €160. May and September offer warm weather (22–26°C (72–79°F)) with significant discounts.
Events to Watch
- ● Zadar Outdoor Festival (May): +20% hotel demand
- ● Full Moon Festival (August): Peak crowds and accommodation spikes
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Listen to the Sea Organ (Morske Orgulje), an experimental musical instrument played by the waves.
- 2 Watch the light show at the Sun Salutation (Pozdrav Suncu) during and after sunset.
- 3 Walk through the Roman Forum ruins, which are open-air and free to explore 24/7.
- 4 Stroll along the Zadar Riva, the wide seaside promenade perfect for people-watching.
- 5 Visit the Five Wells Square (Trg Pet Bunara) to see the historic cisterns built by the Venetians.
- 6 Relax at Queen Jelena Madijevka Park, the city's oldest public park located atop the city walls.
- 7 Explore the Land Gate (Kopnena Vrata) and the UNESCO-listed defensive walls.
- 8 Search for the Zadar Sphinx, a concrete monument located in the garden of Villa Attilia in the Bay of Maestral.
- 9 Swim at Kolovare Beach, the most popular public beach within walking distance of the Old Town.
- 10 Walk through the People's Square (Narodni Trg), the heart of public life in Zadar since the Renaissance.
- 11 Admire the exterior architecture of the 9th-century Church of St. Donatus.
- 12 Watch the local fishermen at the Foša harbor as they bring in their daily catch.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Boat Tour to Kornati Islands
Avoids the crowded 'party boats' and lets you visit hidden bays inaccessible to larger groups for ~$106 / €90 per person (if split by 5).
Seafood Tasting Menu at Kaštel
Fine dining inside a historic Venetian castle; the fresh Adriatic catch is world-class for ~$100 / €85.
Sunset Sailing Experience
Hitchcock called Zadar's sunset the most beautiful in the world; see it from the water for ~$71 / €60.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Zadar
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Zadar and what they cost
Plitvice Lakes National Park
$41 / €35 by bus
$47 / €40
$106 / €90
Krka National Park
$29 / €25 by bus
$47 / €40
$94 / €80
Nin (Historic Town)
$7.53 / €6.4 by suburban bus
Free
$29 / €25
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Widely accepted in restaurants and hotels, but smaller island konobas, street food stalls, and local markets are cash-only.
Service is rarely included. Rounding up the bill is standard for coffee; for restaurants, a ~10% tip (approx. $5.89–$8.24 / €5–€7 for a mid-range dinner) is expected for good service.
Always choose 'Decline Conversion' at ATMs to let your home bank handle the rate. Use PBZ, Erste, or OTP bank ATMs; avoid Euronet which can cost ~$5.89 / €5 per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $12–$24 for 10-120GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12 / €10 at T-Center or newspaper kiosks (Tisak).
WiFi: Excellent in the Old Town, cafés, and hotels. Limited on ferries.
The Hrvatski Telekom 'Visiting Croatia' eSIM is the best value at $12 / €10 for unlimited data for 10 days.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Zadar.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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