9 Zadar Instagram Spots You Can’t Miss (2024)
Are you looking for the best Zadar Instagram spots? You came to the right place!
Zadar is one of the most beautiful places in Croatia, and this coastal city hides many picturesque corners and unique landmarks to discover.
I visited Zadar many times, so I walked every street in the Old Town looking for the most beautiful spots. I knew the city gets very busy in the summer, so I headed out at 7:30 am to beat the crowds.
Early morning is the best time to take photos at Instagrammable places Zadar offers, as you get to escape the crowds and the heat.
From sitting on the steps of the unique Sea Organ listening to the waves, to admiring historical landmarks like the ruins of the Roman Forum and St Donatus Church, you’re in for a treat!
Let’s jump right in with the best spots for photos in Zadar!
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Instagrammable Places In Zadar
If you’re on a hunt for the best Zadar photo spots, you’ll be happy to know they are all located fairly close to each other in the Old Town.
I suggest you go early in the morning if you’re traveling solo and want to take photos with a tripod. However, Zadar also has beautiful sunsets that you shouldn’t miss.
Spend one day in Zadar and get all the best photos!
I visited Zadar many times, but on this particular occasion, I went around 7:30 am in July. I wanted to take photos with a tripod, and I was alone in most locations.
The city started to get busy already around 9 am.
🤩 If you want to learn more about the historical spots on this list,
join this Zadar guided city walking tour with a local!
1. Greeting To The Sun
The sunset in Zadar is majestic. Apparently, even Hitchcock himself said it was the most beautiful sunset in the world!
As the name suggests, Greeting To The Sun is the best spot to watch and photograph the sunset in Zadar.
While the best time to come here is for sunset, it is an interesting spot to see at any time of the day.
Greeting To The Sun is a light installation designed by Nikola Basic and it opened in 2008. It consists of about 300 glass plates, which are charged by the sun during the day to produce a fascinating light show during the night.
The solar panel looks like a gigantic blue circle during the day, but it lights up with multicolor panels when the sun goes down. There are also 7 smaller solar panels along the promenade, representing the planets of the Solar system.
Unless you’re visiting in the off-season, it will be almost impossible to take a photo alone for sunset.
An alternative is going on one of Zadar sunset cruises! There are countless boat trips Zadar offers, so you’re sure to find the one for you.
- Best time to take a photo: Sunset
- Is the spot tripod-friendly: Yes
- Exact location: Here!
2. Sea Organ
Right next to the Greeting To The Sun, you’ll find one of the most unique art installations in the world. It was designed by Nikola Basic, the same artist who designed The Greeting To The Sun.
The Sea Organ can be best described as an experimental musical instrument, and it is one of the top reasons to visit Zadar.
It is a large system of underwater pipes that create a random but harmonious sound as the waves enter the pipes.
The steps of the Sea Organ overlooking the crystal clear sea is one of the most Instagrammable spots Zadar offers.
Make sure to come early in the morning if you want a photo alone on the steps, as it gets quite busy during the day.
Listening to the Sea Organ and watching the sunset is one of the best things to do in Zadar!
- Best time to take a photo: Early morning to escape the crowds
- Is the spot tripod-friendly: Yes
- Exact location: Here!
3. Saint Donatus Church
Saint Donatus Church is one of the most iconic photos to take in Zadar. This 8th-century circular church is the symbol of Zadar and the most recognizable Zadar landmark.
This unique church is no longer used as a place of worship. Instead, it is a museum and a space for a capella concerts thanks to its exceptional acoustics.
You can take a photo of Saint Donatus Church from several perspectives, but I like it the best from the steps next to the Roman forum. You get the Bell Tower of St Anastasia Cathedral in the shot as well.
The whole area around the church is one of the best places to take pictures in Zadar, as you’re surrounded by historical landmarks and Roman ruins.
For a unique perspective, you can also enter the Church and climb to the second level for a stunning view over the city.
On the field next to the church you can see many ruins dating back to the Roman times. Sure, when you compare Zadar and Pula, the ruins are not that impressive, but they are still a nice intro into the Roman heritage of Croatian lands.
- Best time to take a photo: Early morning to escape the crowds
- Is the spot tripod-friendly: Yes
- Exact location: Here!
4. Land Gate Port
Land Gate is the most beautiful of the entrances to the medieval town of Zadar. This majestic gate and the small port next to it are one of the most Instagrammable places in Zadar.
Keep in mind that a car road passes through the gate, so stay on the footpath when taking photos.
For a unique perspective, climb up to Queen Jelena Madijevka Park. This park is an excellent place to escape the crowds and enjoy the calmness of nature.
As you enter the park, follow the path to the right for a view over the Land Gate. You can sit on the wall or look over the wall admiring the small port and the gate in front of you.
The wall over the Land Gate is a fantastic spot for a “from the back” photo, so pick a travel hairstyle you want to show off.
It is difficult to take this photo with a tripod as the ground is pretty uneven, so you might have to ask someone for help!
- Best time to take a photo: Early morning to escape the crowds
- Is the spot tripod-friendly: Maybe – if you have a good quality, tall tripod
- Exact location: Here!
5. The Five Wells Square
The Five Wells Square is exactly what it sounds like, a square with 5 wells that supplied Zadar with water until 1838.
The square was built in the 16th century, during the Venetian rule. it features 5 picturesque wells build in a line across the square.
Right next to the square, you can see and climb the Captain’s tower for a beautiful view of the city.
You can sit on the first well with others behind you, or in the middle with Petar Zoranic Square in the background.
The whole area with Petar Zoranic Square, Queen Jelena Madijevka Park, and The Five Wells Square is one of the best places to take pictures in Zadar.
Top tip: Take a photo from the square towards the Roman pillar. This singular pillar surrounded by colorful houses survived almost intact for over 2000 years!
- Best time to take a photo: Early morning to escape the crowds
- Is the spot tripod-friendly: Yes
- Exact location: Here!
6. Cathedral of St. Anastasia + Bell Tower View
The Cathedral of St Anastasia and the small square with a cafe in front of it are perfect examples of life in the Dalmatian Old Town.
This majestic stone building is the largest church in the whole of Dalmatia. It was originally built in the 3rd century, but got the look it has today when it was rebuilt in the 16th century.
The Cathedral features Romanesque and Gothic styles, with a beautiful Romanesque-style rose window on the front facade.
While the Cathedral is impressive from the outside, enter the building and climb the Bell Tower for a truly stunning view.
Keep in mind that they adhere to a strict dress code when entering the church, so your knees and shoulders should be covered.
It is hard to take a photo with a tripod from the Bell Tower as it is usually very busy and there’s not much space, so you’ll either have to go for a selfie or ask someone to take a photo of you.
- Best time to take a photo: Late afternoon for the Bell Tower view, stunning sunset view
- Is the spot tripod-friendly: Front of the Church yes, Bell Tower
- Exact location: Here!
7. Statue of Špiro Brusina
There aren’t many statues that are as picture-perfect as the statue of Špiro Brusina holding a seashell on the seafront in front of Zadar University.
Born in 1845, Špiro was a Croatian malacologist who devoted his life to researching marine animals, like the seashell he’s holding.
You can sit on the bench next to the statue and inspect the seashell with Špiro or admire the view over the islands across from Zadar.
This Zadar photo spot is a great hit with kids, so you might have to wait for your turn.
- Best time to take a photo: Any time
- Is the spot tripod-friendly: Yes
- Exact location: Here!
8. Old Town Streets
This will either be the easiest or the hardest one to find of the Instagram spots Zadar offers.
The Old Town is made up of hundreds of streets – some are just regular residential streets, while others will transport you back in time.
Allow yourself to get lost in the Old Town and see what you’ll find! Don’t forget to look up to see charming details on the buildings.
I like the area close to the Church of St. Simon and the view of the Old Town from the Sea Gate. Climb the UNESCO-listed defensive city walls of Zadar for a unique perspective!
- Best time to take a photo: Early morning to escape the crowds
- Is the spot tripod-friendly: Yes
- Exact location: Old Town
9. Church of St. Simon
As you walk around the city, you’ll notice Zadar is home to many picturesque historical buildings.
You won’t be surprised to see this church on the list. The Church of St. Simon differs from most churches in Zadar, and it might not look as impressive as the Cathedral or Benedictine Monastery of St. Marija.
However, the doors on the entrance and the side of the church make for an excellent photo spot!
This spot is perfect to take photos with a tripod as it is located in a pedestrian-only zone with plenty of space to set it up.
Remember that while the side of the church is very photogenic, photos are not allowed inside the church.
- Best time to take a photo: Any time of the day
- Is the spot tripod-friendly: Yes
- Exact location: Here!
FAQ: Zadar Instagram Spots
Photographers agree that sunrise and sunset are the best time to take photos outdoors. Since all Instagrammable places Zadar offers are outdoors, this rule applies. To avoid crowds, go for early morning photos, as Zadar can get very crowded in the afternoon.
You’ll find many beautiful destinations in the Zadar region and on day trips from Zadar to the neighboring regions.
– Krka National Park
– Kornati National Park
– Šibenik
– Trogir
– Split
– Dubrovnik
– Paklenica National Park
– Plitvice Lakes National Park
Final Thoughts: Zadar Instagram Spots
Zadar is a popular tourist destination with numerous picturesque corners, so you’ll want to keep your camera in your hands as you stroll the cobblestone streets of this seaside town.
You can’t miss the most popular Instagrammable places in Zadar like the Sea Organ or the Saint Donatus Church.
However, the beauty of photographing the Old Town of Zadar is getting lost in the cobblestone streets while searching for the most beautiful alleys and hidden gems.
Zadar is just one of many Instagrammable cities in Croatia, so check out Instagramable spots in Rovinj next!
