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

Zadar Airport, located just 8 km from the city centre, connects Zadar with Zagreb and numerous European destinations. In 2025, the airport handled 1,639,601 passengers, reflecting its continued growth and importance as one of Croatia's key regional airports.

The steady increase in passenger traffic has been driven primarily by the expansion of low-cost and scheduled services operated by airlines such as Ryanair, Eurowings, Lufthansa, Croatia Airlines, and easyJet.

The modern A1 Motorway (Zagreb–Split), known as Dalmatina, makes Zadar County one of Croatia's most accessible tourist destinations. The motorway is fully integrated into the European road network, allowing travellers to reach Zadar from Zagreb in less than three hours by car.

The scenic Adriatic Highway (Jadranska Magistrala) follows the coastline and is considered one of Europe's most attractive coastal routes. Zadar's central bus station offers extensive national and international connections, while several taxi operators provide services throughout the city, with an average fare of around EUR 4 for journeys of up to 5 km.

All ports in Zadar County, including those serving the islands, are connected by regular ferry and passenger boat services. During the summer season, the frequency of maritime connections increases significantly to accommodate higher visitor demand.

The coastline of Zadar County is among the most indented and best-preserved on the Mediterranean. Situated along one of the most diverse sections of the Adriatic coast, the Zadar Riviera features numerous bays, coves, islands, and islets that are easily accessible through a wide range of high-quality boat excursions.

The sea in Zadar County is recognised as one of the cleanest in the Adriatic.

Sakarun Beach is an expansive sandy beach stretching approximately 800 metres along the open Adriatic Sea. Located on the northwestern coast of Dugi Otok near the villages of Veli Rat, Verunić, Soline and Božava, it has repeatedly been recognised as one of the Adriatic's most beautiful natural beaches. Surrounded by Mediterranean maquis and black and Aleppo pine forests, the area forms part of the Natura 2000 ecological network and is protected as a significant landscape.

Other well-known beaches in Zadar County include Queen's Beach and Ždrijac Beach in Nin, the beaches of Zaton, Dražica Beach and Bošana Beach, as well as the sandy beaches of Privlaka.

Within the city of Zadar, Kolovare Beach is a public Blue Flag beach recognised for its excellent water quality, facilities and environmental standards. Extending over two kilometres, it features a combination of sandy, pebble and rocky sections. Adjacent to the beach is a seawater swimming pool with a 10-metre diving platform, regularly used by local swimmers and water polo teams.

Other popular beaches include Borik Beach, a sandy beach with a water park popular among families; Vitrenjak Beach, a pebble beach next to the marina equipped with a children's playground and facilities accessible to visitors with disabilities; Diklo Beach, known for its combination of pebble and paved sunbathing areas; Punta Bajlo Beach in the Arbanasi district; and Puntamika Beach, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Zadar's historic old town.

Nautical tourism continues to experience strong growth throughout the Adriatic, and thanks to its exceptionally indented coastline and numerous islands, Zadar County is recognised as one of the Mediterranean's most promising sailing destinations.

The defining feature of the Zadar archipelago is its remarkable concentration of islands and islets arranged in several parallel chains, many of which are connected by narrow sea passages and located within short sailing distances. The coastline is further enriched by the Zrmanja River Estuary, the Novigrad Sea, the Kornati Sea, and the bays of Ljubač and Nin.

The Zadar Archipelago is the most indented island group in the Adriatic, comprising 24 larger islands (17 of which are inhabited) and around 300 smaller islands, islets and reefs, offering exceptional natural beauty and diverse cruising opportunities.

Among the most attractive destinations for sailors are the bays of Pag and Dugi Otok. Particularly popular are Pantera Bay on the northern coast of Dugi Otok and Telašćica Nature Park on its southern coast. The Kornati National Park archipelago, the densest island group in the Adriatic, is renowned for its distinctive elongated islands, islets and dramatic rocky reefs.

Zadar County offers one of the most developed nautical infrastructures on the Croatian coast.

Key figures include:

• Total maritime area: 1,183,773 m²
• 4,202 berths
• 921 dry berths for vessels on land
• 47 nautical tourism ports, comprising:
  • 31 anchorages
  • 2 mooring facilities
  • 4 dry marinas
  • 4 Category II marinas
  • 4 Category III marinas
  • 2 vessel storage facilities

These capacities, combined with excellent natural sailing conditions, modern marina infrastructure and the county's strategic location in the heart of the Adriatic, position Zadar County as one of Croatia's leading destinations for nautical tourism and marine investment.

Rural tourism is a distinctive form of tourism that plays an important role in revitalising and enhancing rural communities. Its appeal is based on an authentic natural environment, traditional lifestyles, and the unique cultural heritage of local communities.

Tradition and authenticity are fundamental elements of every culture. At the same time, modern lifestyle trends including increasingly fast-paced living, the growth of fast-food culture, and rising concerns about industrial food production have encouraged greater awareness of health and well-being. As a result, an increasing number of travellers are seeking authentic experiences centred on local cuisine, natural surroundings, sustainable practices, and genuine cultural traditions. This growing demand for relaxation, unspoilt nature, and a slower pace of life provides a strong foundation for the continued development of rural tourism.

With its rich gastronomic heritage, long-standing agricultural traditions, abundant natural resources, and significant development potential, Zadar County is well positioned to become one of Croatia's leading rural tourism destinations through continuous improvements in both the quality of its offer and visitor services.

Across the rural areas of Zadar County, there are approximately 300 accommodation facilities, the majority of which are of medium to high quality, with only a small number in lower categories. These properties are typically well-equipped and designed to provide visitors with a comfortable and authentic countryside experience.

In recent years, rural accommodation has undergone remarkable development. Today, the sector includes hundreds of holiday homes, many of them created through the careful restoration of traditional stone houses and historic family estates. While preserving their authentic architectural character, these properties have been upgraded with modern amenities, including swimming pools and high-quality contemporary facilities. Many also feature ethnographic displays or small heritage collections that showcase traditional ways of life and local history, further enriching the visitor experience.

The Ravni Kotari region has become particularly recognised for its growing selection of holiday homes and rural accommodation, as well as for its production of premium wines, high-quality olive oil, organic products, and locally grown fruit and vegetables. Together, these assets make the area an increasingly attractive destination for visitors seeking authentic food, nature, and rural experiences.