The pine path
A shaded walkway running the length of the beach.
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Kolovare is Zadar's main city beach, about fifteen minutes' walk south of the old town — and that proximity is its great advantage: you can spend the morning among the sights and the afternoon in the water without a car or a bus. The beach is a mixture of shingle, sand and concrete platforms with ladders into the water, the prevailing pattern on the Adriatic, where long sandy beaches are rare. The water is very clear and shallow at the edge before deepening gradually, and there are quieter stretches suitable for children. Because it is a city beach rather than a resort one, the infrastructure is there: cafes, toilets, parasols and a walking path shaded by pines along its length. That also means it is crowded on July and August afternoons — early morning or after five is far quieter and much less hot.
A shaded walkway running the length of the beach.
Shallow at the edge, deepening gradually.
Kolovare, 23000 Zadar
Vladimir Nazor ParkA small public park near Zadar's old town, named after the Croatian poet Vladimi10 minutes walk4.5
Queen Jelena Madijevka ParkThis small park stands on top of the Grimani bastion at the edge of the old town11 minutes walk4.8
The Five Wells SquareThe Five Wells Square in the old town is named literally: five stone wellheads s12 minutes walk4.7
Zadar National MuseumThe national museum in Zadar, an institution of several departments spread acros13 minutes walk4.8
Puppet Theatre ZadarA professional puppet theatre in Zadar, founded in the mid twentieth century, pr13 minutes walk4.8Zadar is a European city and its beaches are mixed without exception; there are no women-only sections. The practical levers are timing and place: before eight in the morning the beach is nearly empty, and the ends furthest from the cafes are quieter. The other option is renting an apartment or villa with a private pool outside the centre, which is common and reasonably priced outside peak August.