Broad horizons Back to nature

44 Getting around
SPORT
45
Beaches
Harbourmasters’ office
Lučka kapetanija K-5/B-2, Liburnska obala 8, tel.
(+385-23) 25 48 88, milivoj.maricic@pomorstvo.hr.
Rent a bike
Calimero M-5, Ulica II zasjedanja ZAVNOH-a 1, tel.
(+385-23) 31 10 10/(+385-) 098 189 55 28, www.
calimero-sport.hr. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00, Sat 08:00 -
13:00. Closed Sun. A
Eurobike M/N-5, Franje Tuđmana 14, tel. (+385-23)
24 12 43. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00, Sat 08:00 - 13:00.
Closed Sun. A
Bus lines
In the sweltering heat of the Mediterranean summer the
last thing that tourists need is to contemplate on how to
get from A to B. Rest assured dear visitors as you can
wipe the sweat of your brows as you’ll be pleased to
know that Zadar has excellent connections to the rest
of Croatia. All the major destinations are covered and if
you do have any inquiries, simply check directly at the
Zadar Bus Station or phone 060 30 53 05.
Zadar is well connected to Zagreb with daily lines. For
those wishing to travel closer to the Zadar surroundings
there is a bus line for Benkovac at 07:00 and 17:45.
Island hoppers who choose Vir as a destination won’t
miss out as there is a bus line that comes from Zagreb
and leaves Zadar at 19:30. In addition, there is also a
line Čakovec-Vir that runs from May 31 until August 31
which stops in Zadar at 10:45 and continues through
to Vir.
The bus line Zagreb-Murter stops in Zadar and leaves
for Murter at 07:30. If you’ve done your research you’ll
know that Novalja is one of the hit party destinations
Travel agencies
Kompas B-2, Poljana Natka Nodila 9, tel. (+385-23)
25 43 04/(+385-23) 25 43 06, zadar@kompas.t-com.
hr, www.kompas-travel.com. QOpen 08:00 - 15:00.
Closed Sun. A
Terra G-2, Matije Gupca 2a, tel. (+385-23) 33 72 94/
(+385-23) 33 72 95, 33 72 96, info@terratravel.hr,
www.terratravel.hr. Rafting, bungee jumping... QOpen
08:00 - 22:00. A
TUI Generalturist E-2, Obala kneza Branimira 1, tel.
(+385-23) 31 89 97, pzadar@generalturist.com, www.
generalturist.com. QOpen 08:00 - 19:00, Sat 08:00 -
13:00. Closed Sun. A
www.inyourpocket.com
Street smart
Street ulica Square trg
Road cesta Walk šetalište
Passage prolaz Way put
City centre centar Station stanica
and therefore there is a bus that travels daily at 14:00
and 20:00. Take note as an additional line to Novalja is
scheduled from June 1 until September 30 with a bus
that departs at 17:00.
With the new state of the art freeways built, the
Zagreb-Split bus line is definitely the best way to travel
time-wise. In saying that, there are also buses available
for those who wish to take the lovely coastal route along
the sea. As a bonus, this Zagreb-Split line does stop in
Zadar.
If you’re travelling south to Dubrovnik, there is a line
from Trieste that arrives to Zadar at 00:55 and then
proceeds further down.
To the north of the country there are bus lines for the
city of Rijeka. For the Istrian peninsula and the city of
Pula the bus lines from Zadar depart at 08:00, 12:00
and 23:30.
For the most eastern part of Croatia there is a bus line
to Osijek which leaves Zadar at 23:00.
If you’re in the heart of Zadar and dying for a swim, you can
head to the Riva, the promenade on the south side of the
Old Town, it’s perfectly clean for swimming. The traditional
town beach is, however, at Kolovare, east of the Old Town.
Although the water is clean, unfortunately the pebble
beach is not as attractive as it could be if someone would
only pick up the pieces of brick and assorted rubble that
have somehow found their way there. Kolovare beach
does have good faciltites including cafes and restaurants,
and is a good place to hang out, day or night. Behind
Taverna Kolovare are public toilets and you can play table
tennis in the shade. There are more secluded bathing
spots all the way to the headland in the east.
Borik is a very popular place to bathe, and this year will
be much improved after extensive investment. It’s good
for kids, as the bay is shallow with a sandy bottom, while
the beach has had new shingle added this spring. The new
aqua park is sure to be a big hit with kids. There are plenty
of places for refreshments, watersports, beach games as
well as toilets, showers and changing cubicles. The further
west you walk from Borik, the quieter it gets. Diklo still has
plenty of bars and restaurants, while Kožino is a refined
area of villas.
If you have wheels, north of Zadar you choose either
the crystal, pine-fringed waters at Petrčane, or sandy
bays at Zaton, Nin and Privlaka. Zaton is particularly
good for active types and families with children, as the
holiday settlement has tons of sports and games going
on, the beach is huge and the water is shallow. For those
interested in culture, Nin is one of Croatia’s most ancient
settlements and there are curative mud baths nearby.
But definitely the best bathing awaits you on the islands.
Closest is the island of Ošljak. One ferry a day stops
there on the way to Preko on Ugljan (at 11:00) and picks
you up at 18:00. But the further you venture, the better it
gets. All the islands we feature in Around Zadar have their
own little pieces of heaven. Hire a boat, and pick yours!
And once you get to the quieter islands, of course, you can
find secluded places where you can happily sun yourself
au naturel, undisturbed.
Biking
Zadar’s surroundings are ideal for a spot of hiking and
biking even in high
summer. The Ravni
Kotari plains in the
hinterland offer gentle
terrain for a spot of
touring. One of the
oldest cycling routes
is between Zadar and
Benkovac, where you
can experience local
Tempo della signore
‘...back in the old days on the Croatian coast, the sunset
used to be called tempo della signore; it was believed that
the sun’s rays which beamed down at an angle made girls
look all the more beautiful, adding to their complexion and
tan...’’ Milorad Stojević: Tempo della signore
hospitality in the surrounding villages and visit the ancient
ruins of Asseria. The Nature Park and lake Vransko Jezero
offer gentle terrain, though some routes pass canyons and
higher spots where you can enjoy great views. The islands
of Ugljan and Pašman have a particularly well-developed
tradition of active tourism, and a number of routes
cater both for those wanting a gentle sight-seeing tour
allowing you to see some of the islands’ finest churches
and monasteries, and for thrill-seekers demanding more
challenging terrain. Pag island is excellent for intermediate
cyclists, as it’s not too mountainous and there’s plenty
to see and do. The best kicks and the most spectacular
scenery are to be found in the Paklenica National Park.
See “Zadar County” for more info on all of these, or call
into the Zadar County Tourist Office, Sv. Leopolda B.
Mandića 1, Zadar tel. (+385-23) 31 51 07, www.zadar.hr.
Calimero bike shop M-5, Ulica II zasjedanja ZAVNOH-a
1, tel. (+385-23) 31 10 10, www.calimero-sport.hr.
Bikes for sale and rent, servis. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00, Sat
08:00 - 13:00. Closed Sun. A
Eurobike L-5, Obala kneza Branimira 6c, tel. (+385-23)
24 12 43. Bike purchase, service and rental, plus other
sports equipment, including punchbags for when those family
holidays are just getting too much. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00,
Sat 08:00 - 13:00. Closed Sun. A
Climbing
The Paklenica National Park is an excellent choice for
climbers. Stunning karst landscapes, rich flora and fauna
and innumerable torrents combine to create a little piece
of heaven. Add to that some challenging climbs on smooth
rock and days bathed in brilliant sunshine overlooking
the sea, and you’re sold (or at least we are). There is a
40km mountaineering trail, which takes about 2 days to
travel. See peaks over 1600m high, steep-sided canyons,
creeks with pools and waterfalls and water so clean you
can drink it - it tastes great. Famous peak Anića Kuk has
a challenging smooth 400m high cliff which attracts the
greatest number of climbers. One of the most beautiful
mountain refuges is Vlaški Grad at 1260m. There are a
great number of routes for hikers, climbers and mountain
bikers. The Paklenica National Park authorities can provide
you with full lists. Also check out www.summitpost.org for
excellent pictures, information and advice.
Zadar In Your Pocket
zadar.inyourpocket.com
zadar.inyourpocket.com
Summer 2011