Tourism in Zadar has a very long tradition. The historical yearbooks record that in June 1879 a group of excursionists from Vienna visited Zadar, in 1892 the City Beautification Society was founded (active until 1918), and in 1899 the Mountaineering and Tourism Society "Liburnia" was founded.

At the beginning of the 20th century, in March 1902, hotel Bristol was opened for the public (today's hotel Zagreb). The most important period for the development of tourism in Zadar County was from the 1960's - 1980's of the 20th century, when the majority of hotel complexes were erected.

• Zadar County is safe, attractive, hospitable and environmentally aware county
• Fast development of tourism offers investors a unique opportunity to invest in a continuously growing dynamic sector.
• Croatia has been successfully building an image of a safe and attractive tourist destination, which is a significant competitive advantage given the fact that safety is high on the list of factors influencing the choice of holiday destination.
• No high category tourist facilities.
• Tourist facilities and capacities are available throughout the year and there is potential for prolonging the tourist season beyond the usual summer months.
• Additional tourism potential lies in the hinterland of the Zadar County (there are only 15 registered rural tourism facilities).

Among numerous others the most important tourist facilities are:

• "Falkensteiner Hotels & Resorts", Zadar
• Hotel "Kolovare", Zadar
• Hotels "Ilirija", Biograd
• Hotel Mediteran, Zadar
• Hotel Porto, Zadar
• Hotel Pinija, Petrčane
• Art Hotel Kalelarga, Zadar
• Hotel Niko, Zadar
• Boutique Hostel Forum, Zadar
• Youth Hostel Zadar, Zadar
• Zaton Holiday Resort, Zaton near Zadar
• Resort „Zelena Punta", Kukljica, island Ugljan
• Pine Beach Pakoštane, Pakoštane
• Tourist Resort Croatia, Sv. Filip i Jakov
• Crvena Luka Resort, Biograd na Moru