If you’ve visited Zadar, you will have marvelled at the town’s many wonderful sights. It’s gorgeous, compact Old Town is home to a number of wonderful points of interest, old and new. Not least the area heading away from the Forum – which was built in the 3rd century by the Romans, but is now mostly ruins – leading to the sea. As well as the remains of what would have been a bustling marketplace in Roman times, you have a view of the iconic Church of St Donatus and the bell tower of the Cathedral of St Anastasia. But head down right to the seafront and there are two fascinating modern sights – the Greeting to the Sun and the magical Sea Organ. And today, we’ll take a look at the latter!
A close-up of the openings from which the sounds are heard, with people sitting and enjoying what they hear
About The Sea Organ
Known as morske orgulje in Croatian, the Sea Organ was designed by Croatian architect Nikola Basic, who was also the genius behind the Greeting to the Sun. Taking up about 70 metres of Zadar’s sea front, under the marble stone floor, thirty-five pipes of different lengths, sizes and slopes have been laid. When the sea waves hit these pipes, beautiful notes are carried through the holes up to the ears of those sitting above. Although the notes produced are completely random, of course, they do sound rather harmonious. It really does sound as if the sea is playing an organ!
The Sea Organ was opened in April 2005.
Getting There
Simply head down to the main seafront promenade in Zadar’s Old Town, known as the Riva. Next to the Greeting to the Sun light installation, you will hear the gentle notes of the Sea Organ and see the holes and cutouts located in the stone floor from which the music escapes. And that’s it – you’ve made it there!
A large part of Zadar’s Old Town is pedestrianised so it’s easy to reach the Sea Organ by foot. But you could also drive (or be driven to) Ulica Zadarskog Mira.
The holes laid in the stone work on the seafront in Zadar
Experiencing The Sea Organ
There’s honestly something so special about Zadar’s seaside promenade; you really must experience it for yourself. (And many do!)
To get the most of your “money” – I’m simply borrowing an expression here, as all of this is free – head to the Riva just before sunset and sit yourself down on the marble steps. You may like to bring along a small drink of something refreshing or relaxing, or even a coffee, to fully elevate what you’re about to experience.
You’ll almost instantly be hearing the gentle sounds of the Sea Organ, as the waves lap against the underfloor pipes. Generally, this is a popular time of day to come and hear the Sea Organ, so the notes will be intermingled with the delicate chatter of other people all around you.
As it’s approaching sunset, the Sea Organ’s sounds will soon be joined by glorious shades of orange and pink and the sun sets in front of you. It’s not for nothing that Zadar is proclaimed to have one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
Once the sun has fully set – or almost has – pick yourself and walk the few steps towards the Greeting to the Sun installation to dance around the colourful, twinkling lights here. Read more about that sight in our guide to it: Spotlight On: The Greeting to the Sun, Zadar.
Experience a preview of the Sea Organ in the comfort of your own home with the video below:
Opening Hours and Price
The Sea Organ is “open” to be enjoyed any time of day or night – and it’s totally free! Better still, you can hear its gorgeous music whenever you want; there is no better time to visit it than any other. (Unlike the Greeting to the Sun, which obviously works best at dusk or nighttime.)
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/spotlight_zadar-sea-organ.jpg533800annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2025-11-17 14:14:052025-11-18 14:23:09Spotlight on: The Sea Organ, Zadar
School summer holidays can mean only one thing – family summer holiday time! If you have young kids, you’ll know that a family-friendly resort can be an invaluable choice for a holiday; despite such resorts normally being packed to the rafters with excitable young children running around for what feels like 20 hours of the day, there’s normally so much to do for kids and adults alike. This year, I decided to holiday at the Falkensteiner Funimation Hotel Borik, which is located in the hotel-heavy part of Borik in the North Dalmatian city of Zadar. Find out what I thought here.
A quick info bit before I start – The Falkensteiner Funimation Hotel Borik is owned by Austrian hotel group Falkensteiner, which, as well as running a number of properties in the Zadar region (and a hotel on the island of Krk), owns some lovely-looking hotels in its home country, plus Italy (mostly northern Italy), Czechia, Slovakia and Serbia.
The “funimation” part of the hotel’s name is because there certainly is plenty of entertainment practically all day long! As I mention below – there was aqua aerobics in the pool to evening discos and live music, kids’ clubs to swimming lessons, a decent-sized games arcade and even a nighttime quiz! The hotel chain itself rates this property as five out of five for entertainment, which I wouldn’t disagree with.
The exterior of the Falkensteiner Funimation Hotel Borik, as seen from the garden/pool area – at sunset!
A friendly arrival, and we get acquainted with our room
Our late in the day Ryanair flight got us to the hotel at around 9.45pm which meant that check-in was a breeze – there was no one else trying to do the same at that time of day! This was also no doubt because it was a Thursday, a very untraditional check-in day of the week. Had we been arriving on a Saturday or Sunday, the lobby would have undoubtedly been fuller.
Our late arrival meant we had missed dinner, but upon reaching our room (a very short time after arriving at the hotel) we were greeted with a very full plate of salami, cheese and a massive basket of bread. Which I call a full dinner!
What was our room like? Well, we had a room on the second floor, overlooking the pool and with views out to sea. The room was a little bit of a tight squeeze but overall a decent size; a large and comfortable double bed in the centre, and two single beds for the kids in a small space separated from the rest of the room by a curtain. Great for getting them to sleep earlier than us adults!
Our room (note: sunhat – model’s own)
The bathroom only had a shower – no problem for us – but with nonsensical doors that meant the bathroom nearly flooded every time the shower was used. Why?! Why do so many hotels do this?!
We were lucky enough to have a balcony – not that we ever had the time to sit on it – but it came equipped with a proper drying rack which is a great idea. Provide something for your guests to properly hang their pool towels and swimwear on, and they won’t clutter up the balconies.
First day – start as you mean to go on with some pool time
This is very much a family holiday, so what happens on a family holiday? Eat – pool – eat – pool – afternoon drink or ice cream – pool – small rest – eat – dinner, drinks and entertainment – bed. Repeat x 7 (insert your own holiday length here) – go back home.
And that’s essentially what this hotel is all about. Or at least, that’s how we enjoyed it! After our first experience of a buffet meal, the breakfast, we headed down to enjoy a long stretch of pool time. The pool selection is more or less excellent at the Hotel Borik. There’s one very large pool that’s divided in the centre, with one side I would suppose intended for swimming and the other for fun, seeing as that’s where the large slide ends up. In reality, both sides were used for fun – i.e. kids splashing about – all the time.
A second, smaller pool is off to one side that seemed to be more for smaller children and their parents to use. This pool was actually linked to the indoor pool by a doorway you could swim through – much to the delight of many kids. It looked as though this door would close in the colder months, and the indoor pool would then be self-contained. Both the indoor and outdoor sections of this pool had an area that bubbled up every so often, no doubt intended for relaxation but actually commandeered by kids (but of course) who shrieked with delight every time the bubbles appeared.
Room view of the pool – including slide – and sea
The “baby pool” was a fair bit away from the above-mentioned pools; I felt it was a bit of a disappointment. The pool was actually not really a pool at all, and in fact a small waterfall which saw water drain down into a large fountain – so, more like a splash area (but set on the ordinary tiled ground). Whilst some kids, I’m sure love splashing about in this sort of setting, I would have preferred a proper pool to allow my young one to walk around/splash around in confidence.
The water slide into the main pool provided literal hours of fun for some kids. Even I had a go, and I’m a total scaredy-cat! My verdict: very fun, a tiny bit scary, and I can see how some would go on this all day long.
I know the next question on your lips – are pool towels provided? Thankfully, yes! You’re given a number of cards (depending on your group size) that you exchange each day at the spa reception for towels. Then, when you return your towels, you get the same number of cards back. It’s a system that works really well, and there was never a towel queue.
And yes, to answer your next question, guests DO reserve sun loungers despite posters asking then NOT to. Sigh. But there were always enough loungers (with some spare) to find some free ones.
The beach is minutes away
Get this – a sandy…yes, sandy…beach is right outside the Hotel Borik.
And by right outside, I mean exit the garden gate by the pool area and woah – there you are on the beach. It takes just seconds to get there!
The beach isn’t a private one, but no matter – there’s plenty of space for everyone, although you do need to pay for beach furniture should you wish to sit down on something that isn’t sand or the small pier. But if you’re staying at the Hotel Borik, you will likely do what we did and just head down with some towels for a brief swim before retreating back to the pool.
The beach here is unbelievably shallow for ages – obviously, always great for kids. This kind of beach also makes for an energetic swim if you had far enough out to get to where you need to tread water.
The kids won’t stop playing
And I mean this as a statement, rather than a complaint!
Why? Well, there’s a great deal here for them to enjoy. There are two small-ish outdoor playground areas to explore, but a star attraction for any kid – even when they’re on a summer holiday with sunny, hot weather – is the soft play area. This indoor playground was actually of a decent size and had enough variety to keep my two entertained for ages. Even better, the soft play was open from 9am to 9pm each day, so we could pop by after breakfast, before dinner, after dinner, whenever we had a free moment…
The soft play was located in the kids’ club room, which had other toys and activities to dive into, and plenty of adults and entertainers on hand to keep an eye on things and interact with the children. Just off this room was a gaming room for older kids – not something we used, but I suppose an essential if you have kids of a certain age and interest.
The soft play/kids club room is cleverly located right by one of the bars, so adults can sit outside and be close enough to keep an eye on things (kind of) with a coffee or something even more relaxing. And on the left was the arcade/games space, which had a number of decent arcade machines (including one of those always impossible grabber toy things) and a game with the prize of a Luka Modric Croatia shirt. (For the whole week, we couldn’t figure out what the game actually was.) Then also perennial favourites such as ping pong, air hockey, sit-down football and more.
The kids club offered a very extensive timetable of activities, which were separated out into Falky ones (for younger kids) and those for Falkons (for the older set). Activities included circus workshops, slackline challenges, t-shirt painting, scavenger hunts, water polo, bath bombing making and much more. My lot aren’t into holiday kids’ clubs so I can’t offer much comment on the quality of Hotel Borik’s one – but from what I saw, the kids joining seemed to be having a good time.
And then the all important evening entertainment, for kids need to be included in something once the pool closes. It was always family-friendly – from kids disco to shows (we caught a very acrobatically-themed adaptation of The Greatest Showman) to a movie night to live music.
An evening show – The Greatest Showman – attracts a big audience
If all of the above isn’t enough, the hotel mascot – Falky the Falcon – makes an appearance every now and again to the delight of the many screaming children.
There was also a giant inflatable assault course next to the hotel (not actually part of it), which offered 15 minutes of play for €5. Just in case you needed another way to entertain the kids!
Eat as much as you want, when you want (kind of)
Whilst I suppose all inclusive means you could stuff yourself silly at mealtimes, all inclusive for a family holiday has the massive advantage of not having to think about meals for your children for the entire week. Worth its weight in gold, isn’t it? Sure, they’re eating doughnuts for breakfast, three portions of chips for lunch and one piece for pasta followed immediately by watermelon and ice cream for dinner – who cares?! You’re on holiday! Slightly more adventurous eaters may even sample something new!
Personally, I thought mealtimes at the Falkensteiner Funimation Hotel Borik – which were always served buffet style – were good, fine, not amazing…but is a buffet ever amazing? There was always a very decent choice, with multiple options – cereals, cold cuts, fruit and cooked breakfasts for the first meal of the day and so on. I loved the choice of salads, which were varied (with an option to make your own from basic ingredients too), and I thought desserts were also great; lots of nicely presented cakes, with a Croatian option (strukli, plum dumplings, orahnjaca, kremsnita and similar) always on offer.
There were two special nights – a Dalmatian night on Friday and a BBQ night on Wednesday. Both involved the food laid out on stalls in the courtyard, and a special welcome drink of a cocktail. The Dalmatian night was a nice touch, with dishes such as pasticada with gnocchi, grilled squid and more, whilst a klapa band wandered through the restaurant. The BBQ night was disappointing, only insofar as little of the food actually seemed to be being grilled out there in the open!
Traditional singing in the restaurant for dinner on Dalmatian Night
I have to mention the snack bar by the pool which also laid out items for lunch for guests each day. (Lunch was also served in the restaurant.) This was a simple affair, with chips, pizza, and salad available most days, whilst pasta dishes, hot dogs and burgers also appeared on some days. A truly easy and tasty way of taking a break from pool time.
All-inclusive also means all-inclusive drinks! Look, I’m not fussy when it comes to beer and wine in these situations; if I can apparently ask for unlimited quantities, I’m not expecting €100 bottles of wine to be cracked open. I normally opted for a glass of Grasevina white wine from the main bar in an evening; some nights I even went “wild” with a pina colada, which was stronger than I expected! The kids (mine and…everyone else’s) couldn’t get over the unlimited kids’ mocktails, with a Falky (a orange and red drink), a Blue Lagoon (a blue drink) and a non-alcoholic pina colada the top hits.
Cevapcici on BBQ night – delicious!
What about some R ‘n’ R?
Tending as I was to small children on my holiday, I didn’t get much of a chance to indulge in the spa apart from a few minutes in the jacuzzi!
The spa seemed extensive, surprisingly so, with the aforementioned jacuzzi, a cold plunge pool, relaxation area, sauna, steam room and private rooms for treatments.
Really, I should have booked myself in for a massage – my regret!
Unexpected highlights
Always pleasing on any holiday, especially a family one, is a surprise or two.
One of our surprise highlights was the coffee and cake offer in the Barbara Bar, just off the lobby, every day from 11am to 6pm. (We chose to enjoy the offer at a normal British tea time hour.) Some rather fancy-looking “cakes” (usually more of a dessert such as mousse) were also available to take from the small fridge in this bar, whilst coffee, wine or lemonade could be ordered from the waiter. (Other drinks were available for a price.)
Coffee and cake in Barbara Bar
I was also very pleased to see swimming lessons offered (for free!) to younger guests aged 4+. I spotted a jolly teacher leading small groups in the indoor and outdoor pools.
The central corridor between the two main buildings featured a small selection of shops, including a toy shop, a souvenir shop and what I’m going to call a “pool supplies” shop. (Swimwear, inflatables, sun cream and the like.) Whilst I didn’t need my children to gaze longingly at the toys every day, having inflatables to purchase on our doorstep – albeit pricey (but, you know, when in Rome…) – kept everyone happy.
The staff were all very friendly, particularly the Reception staff who always greeted me with a smile. Entertainment staff seemed to work long and hard each day, keeping everyone amused, and were always in good spirits around the kids. The barman in the Barbara Bar was also very professional, although he clearly wanted someone to ask him to make a proper cocktail or for a wine or whiskey recommendation! (Won’t someone please put him out of this misery?!)
More info about the Falkensteiner Funimation Hotel Borik and good to know
You can find out more about the hotel and what it offers guests on the Falkensteiner website.
The hotel is only around a 30-minute drive from Zadar Airport – a pleasingly short transfer time. It’s around a 20-minute drive to Zadar’s Old Town, and Uber and Bolt taxis can easily find the hotel and collect you right outside the door. The ride into town/from town costs €5-10 depending on the time of day. You could also travel to the Old Town by local bus number 5 or 8, with the bus stop outside the hotel.
A 15-minute walk away from the hotel is the marina in Drazanica Bay, from where you can get the Zadar Water Taxi directly to (or from) the Riva in the Old Town.
Local excursions can be booked in the lobby.
A doctor is available for consultations during certain hours each day. (Not inclusive)
There is a decent-sized Konzum supermarket across the road from the hotel.
There are numerous bars and restaurants within walking distance from the hotel, should you want a change of scene from the all-inclusive offer.
Note: This is NOT a sponsored post, and Visit Croatia paid for the entire holiday. All thoughts in this review are Visit Croatia’s own and not influenced by any company.
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/falkensteiner-borik-hotel-exterior-2-min.jpg7501000annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2025-09-03 15:45:582025-09-03 16:13:40Visit Croatia Review: Falkensteiner Funimation Hotel Borik, Zadar
At the start of the new year, let’s continue Visit Croatia’s “Spotlight on…” series with a wonderfully colourful and super magical modern sight in the exceedingly charming town of Zadar in North Dalmatia. The Greeting to the Sun light installation might seem a bit hard to comprehend on paper but in real life, it’s a wonderful experience. It’s also a true example of how a relatively new landmark can equally delight visitors and sit alongside and complement much older sights.
Various shades and patterns of The Greeting to the Sun as the sun sets in the background
About Greeting to the Sun
The Greeting to the Sun (Pozdrav suncu in Croatian) monument was installed in 2008 and designed by Croatian architect Nikola Basic. (Basic is also the man behind Zadar’s Sea Organ which is just a few steps away…but we’ll cover that excellent audio experience in another post!) It is made up of 300 glass solar panels that harness the sun’s rays during the day to power the lights at night. Pretty clever and inventive, wouldn’t you say?
The monument’s glass panels are arranged in a circle that is 22 metres in diameter – so it’s a fairly large installation and can be enjoyed by many, many people all at the same time. The panels are laid in stone which gives the whole area a neat, modern appearance and is a suitable contrast to the colour when the installation is awakened at dusk.
Just by the “Sun” are smaller circular panels – which also light up – that represent the planets of the solar system. It’s clear that this whole monument was rather smartly designed and is a great addition to the wonderful Zadar.
Getting There
The Greeting to the Sun is located on the northwestern tip of the peninsula on which Zadar’s Old Town is located. Head to the Riva in Zadar – the beautiful seaside promenade – and walk in a northerly direction. If you can hear the Sea Organ, you’re going the right way! Essentially, keep walking until you can walk no more (because otherwise, you’d fall into the sea) and you’ll find the twinkling lights underfoot.
Location of Greeting to the Sun – it’s popular in daytime too!
The Experience
This light installation is best viewed when its lights come on, so the most suitable time to experience it is just after sundown. Or rather, head to the Greeting to the Sun for sunset – to take in one of Zadar’s always gorgeous sunsets and to enjoy the convivial atmosphere on the Riva – and then see the lights of the installation come on.
Once the lights come on, then what? Well, look, watch and enjoy them! You’ll notice the Greeting to the Sun lights up in all manner of colours and light intensities, with different patterns continuously moving around the whole installation. Children in particular will be delighted chasing after the lights and patterns as they shift around; you may find yourself doing the same.
You may also want to return to the lights later in the evening (perhaps after a tasty dinner or after some drinks…mind the maraschino!) to really see them in full action when it’s properly dark.
But the Greeting to the Sun is also worth seeing in bright daylight as you’ll be able to see the glass panels better when unlit to get a better understanding of their mechanism.
An aerial shot of Greeting to the Sun that shows its lights and colours – note the “planets” stretching out above it
Opening Hours and Prices
Two bits of good news here! As it’s in a public space, the Greeting to the Sun installation can be visited any time of day or night. (Although do see above what we would recommend is the best time of day to see it.)
It is also completely free to visit – again, because it is in a public space!
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/greeting-to-the-sun-aerial.jpg533800annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2024-01-18 15:10:302025-11-18 14:34:02Spotlight on: Greeting to the Sun, Zadar
Excellent news for all fans of shopping and lovers of vintage and second-hand fashion! The BeThrifty Vintage Kilo Sale is making its way to the Croatian cities of Zagreb and Zadar in June.
What is BeThrifty? The Austrian online store specialises in unique vintage pieces for both men and women, selling a wide variety of clothing items and accessories with a good range of brands – including Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and many more. This summer they will be hosting their Vintage Kilo Sales in cities all across Central Europe – from Pilsen to Bratislava, Maribor to Stuttgart…and in the two fine Croatian cities of Zagreb and Zadar as well!
The BeThrifty Vintage Kilo Sales allow shoppers to purchase BeThrifty’s vintage stock at a special price per kilo – in the case of the sales in Croatia, this will be €39/kg. The sales themselves will also offer clothing from across 60 different categories – everything from windbreakers to leather jackets, sweaters and hoodies, crazy print shirts and much more – in sizes ranging from XS to XX. Changing rooms will be on hand so you can be sure you look good in whatever you plan to buy!
The clothing found at the Vintage Kilo Sales has been taken from assorted old clothes collections from across Europe. All clothing items are sorted and chosen at renowned recycling centres. Only the highest quality vintage items make their way to BeThrifty. Clothes and accessories are also checked thoroughly and repaired if necessary by BeThrifty staff before being offered for sale.
These sales are a wonderful eco-friendly way of adding to your wardrobe; they’re also a stark contrast to the usual practices of the fashion industry. BeThrifty’s Vintage Kilo Sales embody environmental consciousness, thriftiness, individuality and a wide selection of the trendiest and most unique clothes and accessories.
There is a limited number of 200 free tickets per event; after these are sold out, tickets cost €3. For both locations, the price of purchasing items is €39/kg.
Cash and card are accepted as payment.
BeThrifty Vintage Kilo Sale in Croatia Dom Sportova, Zagreb, 10th & 11th June 2023 Sportzentrum Visnjik, Zadar, 23rd & 24th June 2023 bethrifty.store
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A very useful coastal service that’s new for 2019 is the Rijeka to Zadar catamaran from G&V Line Iadera.
This line started sailing on 15th June this year, and will continue to run for the summer season until 15th September, operating daily. G&V Line Iadera’s boat ‘Melita’ operates on this route, which has a capacity for 180 passengers.
The “Melita” ship, sailing on this line
The full line sails Rijeka – Krk Town (Krk) – Lopar (Rab) – Novalja (Pag) – Zadar; it not only connects the large northern port city of Rijeka to Dalmatia, but it also calls in at some of the more popular island towns in the Kvarner region.
The catamaran also calls in at the party town of Novalja on the island of Pag. That makes it a useful connection for anyone travelling to Croatia to one of the many festivals held there. You can choose to fly to Rijeka or Zadar and then travel down (or up) by boat instead of bus.
The full timetable can be seen below:
The line is maintained by G&V Line. The timetable may be subject to change.
Tickets for the Rijeka to Zadar Catamaran
It costs 190 Kunas to sail from Rijeka to Zadar; 130 Kunas for Rijeka to Novalja; 100 Kunas for Rijeka to Lopar; and 80 Kunas for Rijeka to Krk Town. (Obviously, all prices are the same for the opposite direction too.) Children under 12 years of age pay 50% of these prices.
Full price details can be seen below:
Tickets can be bought online at www.gv-zadar.com or locally at sales points in all the ports the boat calls at. (For more details, check online.)
Hand luggage may be taken aboard, as well as one suitcase up to 20kg, to be stored in the luggage compartment.
G&V Line Iadera
The Zadar-based company operate several other routes in Croatia besides the Rijeka to Zadar catamaran. They also run a service from Zadar to Sali and Zaglav on Dugi Otok, and from Zadar to the small islands of Rava and Iz.
They operate foot-passenger only catamaran services, although this does of course mean a faster service than ferries. Bicycles may be taken on board some of their boats – please contact the company ahead of travel if you’d like to take a bike on board.
Timetables, prices and more details about all their routes can be found at www.gv-zadar.com.
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With more and more visitors to Croatia interested in including a bit of activity in their holidays – and more sports events being held – here’s an exciting event taking place near Zadar in May that many of the athletes amongst you may be interested in.
The sixth Falkensteiner Punta Skala Triathlon will take place on 11th May 2019 in a stunning seaside location, with many benefits for the athletes taking part. Whether you’re someone that’s keen on triathlon tourism – as a solo entrant or perhaps even travelling a family – or are looking to take part in a triathlon abroad for the first time, this one is for you. The race is sure to draw in a large number of Croatian and foreign triathletes.
The best thing about this triathlon, however, is that it is based around a beautiful holiday resort. That means that athletes – who will benefit from lower accommodation prices than in full season – can sleep right next to the start line. Your room and breakfast is but a five-minute walk away from the race start. You won’t have to worry about driving to the race location, struggling to find parking or forgetting essential bits of kit – because you only have a short walk from where you are staying. And that’s not to mention that all of this is right next to the gorgeous, crystal clear sea.
The Falkensteiner Punta Skala Resort
The Falkensteiner Punta Skala Resort offers up outstanding design, first-class facilities and Mediterranean flair combined with excellent service and a fantastic location. All athletes will be able to enjoy an exclusive wellness holiday at this luxury resort which not only features two first class hotels but also fine restaurants, comfortable apartments, modern sports facilities and crystal clear waters – not forgetting the wonderful Mediterranean climate.
And you’re only a short distance away from the amazing town of Zadar. With Roman ruins, medieval churches, cosmopolitan cafes, trendy restaurants and interesting museums, Zadar is a must-see and certainly a great place to visit either pre- or post-race. Zadar also has two wonderful modern sights – the Sun Salutation and the Sea Organ, both of which need to be experienced first hand in order to get their full magic. And lets’s not forget Zadar’s epic sunsets! It’s not for nothing that Alfred Hitchcock proclaimed Zadar’s sunsets as being the most beautiful in the world!
Falkensteiner Punta Skala Triathlon kicks off triathlon season in Croatia
As mentioned, this Zadar half triathlon is to be held on Saturday 11 May 2019, which is during the early part of the holiday season. Around this time of year, air temperatures average around 23° C whilst the average sea temperature of 18° C is high enough for swimming with wetsuits.
The race will start with 1.9 km of swimming in front of the Falkensteiner Family Hotel Diadora. Swimming is then followed by the bike course of 90k (9 + 4×18 + 9), towards the small Dalmatian fishing village of Petrčane, and then towards Nin, the oldest Croatian royal city and winner of the European destination of excellence, European Best Romantic Destination in 2016.
The bike route then continues through the picturesque villages of the colourful Zadar hinterland and then back to the Punta Skala Resort. The bike portion takes place on a gently rolling terrain without significant hills, but being a seaside race wind can be a factor. The cycling course is 2m above sea level at its lowest point, and 52m above sea level at its highest; there is a total climb of 430m and descent through 90km. All roads on the course are in excellent condition and traffic will be regulated during the first part of the route (9km), while the section (4 x 18km) will be closed for traffic.
Last, but not least, comes the run of 21k through the enchanting Falkensteiner Punta Skala Resort. The run covers 4 laps with a course that is new for 2019 race – it is exactly 5.27km long with 14m altitude difference per lap.
Check out this teaser video to get a feel for the event:
Georg Unterkircher, General Manager of the Falkensteiner Punta Skala Resort said:
“As great supporters of the Falkensteiner Punta Skala Triathlon, we are excited to welcome athletes from all over the Europe on the respective race weekend. Our goal is to ensure that participants enjoy the best possible experience in advance of their race, from our carefully devised menus and ease of access to the start line on the morning of the race. With an exciting atmosphere and scenic course, it makes a memorable all-round experience for visiting athletes with their families.”
Race Director Zlatko Parac, Croatian triathlete himself said:
“Based on the experiences of the previous years and the athletes’ opinions, there will also be improvements on the organisational side, to establish this event both nationally and internationally. Falkensteiner Punta Skala Resort is a popular venue for athletes with its fantastic location surrounded by the turquoise blue Adriatic sea, and as hosts they are keen to get involved in triathlon event and join in the spirit of Falkensteiner Triathlon weekend. We already know that there will be a lot of competitors from Croatia joining the competition for the first time and we believe our triathlon will fulfil their expectations. At the same time, we organise this race with the needs of the most demanding professionals in mind and we would prepare an abundance of prizes and other rewards!”
The triathlon will feature the ‘biggest independent prize purses in the Croatian Triathlon Calendar’, with general sponsor prizes in the form of accommodation vouchers for the Falkensteiner Punta Skala Resort. A total value of €4500 will be allocated to the top five finishers in the male and female categories.
The race has grown steadily but is limited to 400 competitors (single and relay competitors combined). This makes it far from overcrowded, retaining the charm of a small well-organised race that takes place in a fabulous setting.
The main race will also be joined by an aquathlon (time-trial event) with the swim portion in the 25m pool of the Falkensteiner Family Hotel Diadora and a 5k run event. For anyone that needs a warm up a weekend earlier, you could take part in the official Zadar Half Triathlon Training Camp 2019 (4 – 10 May 2019) by Adriatic Coaching (Croatian Pro triathlete & coach Dejan Patrcevic). Just a few kilometers away, there is also the unique Wings for life World Run Zadar race.
Benefits for triathletes
The Falkensteiner Punta Skala Resort is able to offer participants top-of-the-line accommodation at extremely affordable rates (special rates on accommodation for competitors with BB service). Middle distance competitors who have booked accommodation at the Falkensteiner Punta Skala Resort are entitled to the following discounts on the registration fee: 50% discount on entry fee for individuals and the same amount in € for relays, when staying a minimum of one night in Hotel & Spa Iadera 5*, Family Hotel Diadora 4* and Premium Apartments Senia.
More information
Full information about the triathlon can be found on the official website zadarhalf.com.
We were recently contacted by one of our readers, Anju from New Delhi, who visited Croatia in May 2017 with her family and who wanted to share her experiences of the country. Anju covered a good amount of ground in Croatia, visiting Zagreb, the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik.
Check out her fantastically detailed trip report – which she has excellently titled ‘Croatia – The Thousand Island Wonderland’ – below!
Why choose Croatia?
A narrow strip of land tucked away in one corner of the European mainland and a cluster of small islands littered along the Adriatic Sea is hardly likely to catch your attention on the World map but a trip to the beautiful country is sure to make you reminisce your trip with fondness forever. If you love the Sun and beach combo, then a trip to Croatia can be the vacation of your dreams. There are thousands of islands all over, each one more enchanting than the other.
We went to Croatia all the way from New Delhi, India, changing flights from Frankfurt on a Croatian Airlines Boeing to Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia.
Your vacation starts the moment you board this plane. One can get a beautiful birds eye view of the Dinaric Alps with their snow laden peaks.
Arriving in Zagreb
The moment the plane lands in Zagreb, one can’t help but notice that the airport barely looks like an airport from any other mainstream metropolis. I mean not in terms of infrastructure but the human activity around reiterating the fact that this is a sparsely populated country with a total population of 4.2 million.
Zagreb reminds me of Berlin, it’s a city that has to be experienced and not just seen. So, if you have time on hand, spend a couple of days in this vibrant city. The entire city is well connected with trams. The Upper Town can easily be accessed by a funicular with the journey lasting barely 5 mins. The Upper Town houses St. Marks Church, a Gothic-style structure which stands out with its impressive colourful coat of Arms of Croatia on its rooftop.
One can do a conducted walking tour to get a better understanding of the history of this place. Coming down from the upper town, one can see a variety of cafes and eateries lining on both sides of the street, the name of which I find hard to remember. It is a pedestrian-friendly area with no dearth of places to sit and munch and watch the crowds go by.
While at the marketplace, an interesting observation I make is that most prominent American/European brands for food chains, clothes, shoes and bags are conspicuous by their absence. Croatia is a small country totally self-reliant on indigenous industry. So, we stop looking for known places to eat and decide to grub on the local cuisine which is heavenly in terms of taste and cheaper in terms of price!
If you’re planning to travel to other parts of Croatia as well, then roadways are your best bet. The journey is comfortable, buses are cheap and ply on time and icing on the cake is the scenic views that you start to get throughout the countryside especially as you approach the sea.
That’s exactly we intend to do. Our next destination is Plitvice. After a comfortable bus journey of around 2 hours, we reach Plitvice.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site spread over 295 sq kms. In the vicinity of the park are many beautiful small villages with accommodation facility for tourists. We stayed in a spacious apartment in Mukinje.
Slight uphill to our beautiful apartment….
The quaint village of Mukinje!
The weather man had predicted heavy rain the following day, so we decide to set off for the parks the same day. Around 12 noon, we set out for the lakes. The park has many trails that will take you to different parts of the park, so pick one trail and stick to it. The best way to start your journey is from the upper lakes. After some inquiry from the Information office, we opt for Trail H and head straight for the train. After getting off at the next train station, we look around for Trail H and set forth. The trail is 8.9 kms long and is moderately tough. There are other trails also each one laid out on a different route and with varying degrees of difficult terrain.
First look of the winding wooden paths….lots more to come!
We are greeted with small waterfalls emerging from everywhere, from behind the bushes and rocks. A sturdy wooden path takes us over a wide lake which is home to a large variety of fish. The path winds further into the park and over a very fast gushing waterfall. We keep on walking on the designated trail and keep soaking in the beauty of this wonder of nature. Every possible variety of waterfall is visible here, small, medium, large, noisy and silent ones, high and low, flowing into the lake and from the lake.
A waterfall at every nook and corner!
The walking trail leads us to the ferry point. The ferry takes us to the other side of the park in continuation of the journey. Ferry and train tickets are included in the entrance ticket to the park. The ferry drops us off at the lower lakes. The scenery is still bewitching but the waterfalls look different. Towards the end of the trail is the signage for the ‘Big waterfall’.
The bewitching ‘Big Waterfall’
If you have the energy to walk an extra couple of kilometres then don’t miss this one, if you do miss it then the only consolation is that the huge cascading waters of the fall are visible in all their glory from the main trail too. So, our trek to the park ends with a welcome ride back to the main station. This long arduous day in the park doesn’t tire one out, so wonder nature is therapeutic!
Waterfalls galore!
We bought a 2-day ticket to the park, so we decide to venture out into the park again. I notice for the first time that the waterfalls are visible from the main road leading to the park. This time we take a different trail. It starts from the main entrance leading up to the water front. Equally beautiful with a different view of the waterfalls.
Plitvice National Park is picture perfect, its magnificent beauty comparable perhaps to the Garden of Eden itself.
On to the coast and Zadar
We pack our bags for the third destination in our itinerary. Zadar. Early morning next day we take the bus from Plitvice to Zadar. The journey is only 1 hour 30 minutes and the scenery en route is breathtakingly beautiful.
From Plitvice to Zadar by bus
Zadar is a seaside town with most of all tourist activities happening along the sea coast with the most popular among them being the Sea organ. We approach the sea coast from the old town square. Lined with loads of eateries and small shops, the paved narrow streets have something to catch your attention at every step. Trinkets, souvenirs, clothes et al on both sides beckon tourists. These narrow streets lead to an open courtyard with a tower, some historical monuments and a picturesque view of the sea. There are cathedrals and churches aplenty if you have an eye and ear for history.
The highlight of this outing is the Sea Organ. Huge metallic pipes have been installed under the sea along the sea shore. As water strikes against these wind pipes, a sound of mouth organ emanates out of nowhere. One can sit here for hours on end and listen to this melodious syncing motion of water. ‘Greeting to the Sun’ next to the sea organ right on the sea front is equally intriguing.
This is the most popular hub for tourists at Zadar and rightly so. As dusk approaches, the waves become higher and the sound from the sea organ increases. The day closes with a spectacular sun set.
If you have time just hang around a bit late till the crowds dissipate. You will be able to hear the sea organ more clearly. An overnight stay is enough in Zadar unless you want to come back to the Sea organ next day too. We’re tempted to do the same but we have our bookings in place for our next halt in Split.
Awe inspiring sunset!
Down the coast to Split
The most talked about attraction in Split is the 4th century Diocletian Palace. The massive structure of the bishop Gregory of Nin right at the entrance to the palace sets the tone for your outing. It’s huge and very impressive. Touching the toe of Nin is believed to bring good luck, so tourists visiting the palace line up in front of the statue to rub its toe.
The palace is in ruins yet impressive. There are loads of eateries and shops in every nook and corner, the palace has also been converted into a hotel in some parts. Its lively and buzzing with activity. Inside is also the Cathedral of St Domnius housing the crypt and the Temple of Jupiter. My word of advice, just peep into the temple, don’t buy the ticket, the temple is small, only as far as the eye can see from outside. The Diocletian Palace can easily be a full day outing with the last leg of the day at the sea front. We had dinner at Café Fife just along the sea shore, the taste of their fish delicacy is still making me salivate. Total value for money!
We are fast approaching the end of our journey with our last destination being Dubrovnik. We’ve allocated four days to this city called the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. The scenic route on the entire stretch from Split to Dubrovnik can actually make one envious of the people who reside here. Adriatic Sea has been almost ‘customized’ to suit their requirements, there are play areas for children, lounge chairs for elderly, all kinds of boats, personal swimming areas. Every nook and corner of the sea is being put to good use but the water is really clean.
Ending the trip in Dubrovnik
The moment we set foot in Dubrovnik, the touristy air of the place hits us. The air is moist and warm, there are people swarming everywhere and the town is buzzing with activity. We move into a beautiful apartment just facing the sea. Anything less than that would be a shame. The city is enlisted in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites and is every bit so.
The old city is a walled city overlooking the sea surrounded by a thick wall and an old harbour. A walk on this wall is a Must-do attraction. It has refreshing views of the sea. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, then you will be able to identify some familiar sites along the wall too.
View from the top of the city wall
Can you make out where does this feature in Game of Thrones?
One can easily spend at least 2 days just wandering and idling around in the old city soaking in the history or just doing some monument gazing. ‘Stradun’ or the main street can be fun both during the day and at night. It’s always crowded with tourists and connects the entire old city with lanes and by-lanes. Scores of shops and restaurants are lined up all along that serve local Croatian fish delicacies apart from conventional cuisines. Absolutely not-to-miss!
Dubrovnik has a lot of islands all around that are a favourite spot for snorkelers and water enthusiasts. We took a one day cruise to Elaphiti Islands. This island-hopping cruise offers beautiful views of the sea and a lot of opportunity for water sport since the sea is so calm. A word of advice for my fellow Indian tourists though, take this cruise only if you really want to splash around in the water otherwise your day trip can be dull because the scenery is pretty much the same.
The highlight of the cruise is the sea gull feeding done by the crew as they hold our little leftover grubs of food for the sea gulls to devour. Out of nowhere the sea gulls flock to grab-a-bite. There is suddenly so much activity with all cameras going into a frenzy to catch that moment. Amazing!
Panoramic view of the sea from the edge of the cliff in Lokrum Island
Posing for the perfect picture
Yet another beautiful island that can be explored is ‘Lokrum’. The main attraction is the free-moving peacocks and bunnies all over the island. The birds are so used to having humans around that they actually stay perched on the rocks while everyone is clicking their pictures.
The island also has a monastery and a small salt-lake aptly called ‘Dead Sea’. Both locals and tourists throng to this lake to soak in the sun and splash around in this lake that is absolutely calm hence the name. The iconic ‘Iron Throne’ from ‘Game of Thrones’ is housed here in the museum, you can take pictures with yourself on the throne.
If you walk all the way to the end of the island to a rocky cliff then you can get some mesmerising views of the sea.
Our Croatian vacation is all set to wrap up as we prepare to take a flight from Dubrovnik to Munich and back home. But this Croatia trip will be etched in my mind forever. The few things that stand out for me is the pristine beauty of this small country, the absolutely delicious local cuisine comprising of local fish variety and the warmth that people show towards tourists in general. After all it’s the people of the land that make all the difference!
Anju Chandna New Delhi, India
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/croatia-12.png533710annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2018-03-05 11:58:202018-03-05 12:13:56Reader’s Trip Report: Croatia – The Thousand Island Wonderland
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/zadar-photos-161.jpg532800annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2018-01-24 20:43:472024-03-04 13:46:172018 Pula to Zadar Catamaran Timetable
We were recently contacted by Craig from the Edinburgh Scouts, who is part of a group currently undertaking the Explorer Belt Challenge in Croatia.
The Explorer Belt is a Scouts challenge that involves travelling through a country for ten days while also completing different tasks along the way to get the know the country better. Craig and his group chose Croatia for their adventure, which means they’ve been walking from Zadar to Split. (Wow!)
So far, the challenges they’ve completed in Croatia have been to do with learning more about Croatian culture and the country’s landscape. They’ve walked a mind-boggling 190km so far, including visiting the Biranj and Birnjac hills in Kastela, and Krka National Park. They’ve also had to carry all their kit – weighing 20kg – on their backs and are only allowed to spend 80 Kunas each a day.
Craig’s group have also been eating and learning about local produce so have spent some time at a local vineyard, as well as at an olive oil producer. Other challenges they’ve undertaken have included a beach clean (no doubt a great help to Croatia!), as well as meeting with local fireman to discuss their jobs, and learn more about the problems they face with forest fires. They’ve also conversed with as many Croats as possible to help with their research on how tourism has affected the coastal area of Croatia.
You can see photos of some of their adventures in this post.
We’re sending a big hello to Craig and his group companion Alice, and wish them all the very best on their challenge!
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/scouts3.jpg9001200annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2017-07-27 14:52:432018-04-27 16:23:35Say hello to the Edinburgh Scouts completing the Explorer Belt Challenge in Croatia!
Details of the popular Pula – Zadar catamaran route – which ceased to operate a few years ago – have finally been announced for summer 2017, just a few weeks ahead of the route actually starting!
Now run by Croatia’s main ferry operator Jadrolinija, this catamaran will start running on 3rd June 2017, and will in fact be run as a year-round service. (With a greater frequency of sailings during the peak summer months, and far less – in fact, just once a week – in off season.)
The full route also takes in the islands of Unije, Susak, Mali Losinj, Ilovik and Silba en route.
In June and September, the catamaran will sail twice-weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The catamaran will depart Pula at 7am, and arrive in Zadar at 1.15pm. For the return journey, the catamaran departs Zadar at 4pm, reaching Pula at 10.15pm.
During the peak months of July and August, the catamaran will operate five times a week (every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays). Again, the catamaran will depart Pula at 7am, reaching Zadar at 1.15pm, or 1.05pm on the days it does not make a stop on Ilovik. For the return journey, the catamaran sets sail from Zadar at 5pm (4pm on Fridays), arriving in Pula at 11.05pm/11.15pm (10.05pm on Fridays).
In off-season (early October onwards), the catamaran will only operate on Fridays.
The full timetable – including the times at which the catamaran calls at the islands – can be found on Jadrolinija’s website.
Tickets for the Pula – Zadar catamaran
Tickets can be booked online on Jadrolinija‘s website. A one-way ticket from Pula to Zadar (or reverse) costs 200 Kunas in high season (June to September inclusive). In low season, a one-way ticket costs 160 Kunas.
Prices for any of the other legs of the journey e.g. Pula – Mali Losinj, Zadar – Ilovik and so on, can be found on the above website.
Istria and Dalmatia are connected by sea!
This catamaran is certainly one that has been missing for many travellers in recent years, judging by the feedback we’ve had. We are sure many will welcome its return.
There are hardly any (actually, none!) ferry or catamaran routes from Istria to other parts of Croatia. That means this catamaran will be very handy for those in this part of the country.
In fact, there are currently hardly any sailings from the north Croatian coast to areas further south/Dalmatia. This Pula – Zadar catamaran is therefore a great way of connecting the north and south parts of the Croatian coastline.
Alternatives to the Pula – Zadar catamaran
One route that does exist connecting the north and south (ish!) parts of the coastline is the Rijeka – Rab – Novalja (on the island of Pag) catamaran. Also run by Jadrolinija, this sails daily year-round. Full timetable can be found on the Jadrolinija website.
There are frequent bus connections from Novalja/Pag to Zadar, so you can still reach this town by utilising this route.
There are also daily, year-round flights connecting Pula and Zadar. Operated by Croatia Airlines, this is the most suitable option if you need to travel quickly – flight time is only 40 minutes! (Although you obviously do need to factor in getting to and from each airport.)
Other useful travel information
The following sections may also be helpful to you:
The moment the plane lands in Zagreb, one can’t help but notice that the airport barely looks like an airport from any other mainstream metropolis. I mean not in terms of infrastructure but the human activity around reiterating the fact that this is a sparsely populated country with a total population of 4.2 million.
One can do a conducted walking tour to get a better understanding of the history of this place. Coming down from the upper town, one can see a variety of cafes and eateries lining on both sides of the street, the name of which I find hard to remember. It is a pedestrian-friendly area with no dearth of places to sit and munch and watch the crowds go by.
Zadar is a seaside town with most of all tourist activities happening along the sea coast with the most popular among them being the Sea organ. We approach the sea coast from the old town square. Lined with loads of eateries and small shops, the paved narrow streets have something to catch your attention at every step. Trinkets, souvenirs, clothes et al on both sides beckon tourists. These narrow streets lead to an open courtyard with a tower, some historical monuments and a picturesque view of the sea. There are cathedrals and churches aplenty if you have an eye and ear for history.
This is the most popular hub for tourists at Zadar and rightly so. As dusk approaches, the waves become higher and the sound from the sea organ increases. The day closes with a spectacular sun set.
One can easily spend at least 2 days just wandering and idling around in the old city soaking in the history or just doing some monument gazing. ‘Stradun’ or the main street can be fun both during the day and at night. It’s always crowded with tourists and connects the entire old city with lanes and by-lanes. Scores of shops and restaurants are lined up all along that serve local Croatian fish delicacies apart from conventional cuisines. Absolutely not-to-miss!
The island also has a monastery and a small salt-lake aptly called ‘Dead Sea’. Both locals and tourists throng to this lake to soak in the sun and splash around in this lake that is absolutely calm hence the name. The iconic ‘Iron Throne’ from ‘Game of Thrones’ is housed here in the museum, you can take pictures with yourself on the throne.
