Zadar in The Guardian’s selection: British newspaper highlights Dalmatian city among European discoveries as a “crowd-free” holiday
British The Guardian published the travel selection
Our 25 favourite European travel discoveries of 2025 in December 2025, in which authors highlight places and experiences that marked their year. Among the 25 recommendations was Zadar, described as “Croatia without crowds” and as a destination that fits particularly well into family trips and the trend of seeking quieter, content-rich cities in the Mediterranean. The Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB) highlighted this recommendation on December 29, 2025, and emphasized that it is an additional international confirmation of Zadar’s profile: a historic city by the sea where amenities can be experienced on foot, cultural and natural programs combined in one day, while avoiding the impression that you are constantly “in a queue”. In a year when limitations, carrying capacities, and sustainability of travel are increasingly discussed across Europe, The Guardian’s emphasis on a more relaxed rhythm carries the weight of a message, not just a travelogue impression. For the tourism year 2026, this is both a marketing signal and a social indicator: a part of the audience is increasingly clearly looking for cities where a summer holiday can be lived as a holiday, without the feeling that every moment is a “competition” with the crowd.
How The Guardian described the four-day stay in Zadar
In the Zadar part of The Guardian’s text, author Phoebe Smith describes a four-day escape to the Adriatic with a four-year-old child, stating that she was initially cautious about destinations discussed in the context of overcrowding. Instead of the classic “from ticket to ticket”, she focuses on what the city offers in itself: a walk through the old core, staying by the sea, and activities that are interesting to children, while not requiring adults to constantly check schedules and costs. The text emphasizes that one can spend the whole day without large expenses, because the experience of the city is largely tied to public space and atmosphere. It is particularly highlighted that walks, views, and spontaneous lingering on the waterfront are part of the city rhythm, not an isolated tourist “program”. Such a description is important because trips with children often depend on details that are not measured in kilometers, but in energy: how much space there is for a break, how many amenities are “at hand”, and how much can be experienced without nervousness. The Guardian does not describe Zadar in that sense as an attraction to be “done”, but as a place where the day comes together naturally, without forcing. And precisely that simplicity often decides whether a family will return or recommend the destination further.
A special place in The Guardian’s description is occupied by the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation, contemporary installations on the Zadar waterfront that have become a recognizable sign of the city. The author describes them as experiences that need no introduction: you sit on the stone steps by the sea, listen to the waves creating music, and then, at twilight, watch families, walkers, and curious people gather along with the light play. Precisely that transition from day to evening, with the sunset, is recognized in the text as the key moment of the Zadar atmosphere, because the city “opens up” without the need for a ticket or reservation. In some destinations, the most valuable moments are tied to a precise schedule and crowd, while here the opposite experience is described: it is best precisely when you linger without haste. The Guardian emphasizes the “family dimension” of the waterfront, because the installations are simultaneously art and play, and such a combination in tourism with children is often worth more than just another formal tour. In that sense, Zadar is presented as a city where modern symbols are not experienced as an isolated monument, but as part of everyday life, and not as an isolated attraction.
The Guardian does not stop only at the city core but also highlights excursions in the surroundings. The text states that “for just a few euros” one can take a ferry to the island of Ugljan, swim in the place called Preko, and climb to the fortress with a view towards Italy, with the author noting that parts of the fort date back to the 6th century. As a final “family trump card”, the Nature Park Vransko Lake is also mentioned, where the authors, according to The Guardian’s description, tried kayaking among about 260 bird species. The message read from such an itinerary is that Zadar is not just a “beautiful city by the sea”, but also a base from which several completely different landscapes and stories can be experienced in a short time. In one weekend you have a historic peninsula, an island atmosphere, and a bird reserve in the hinterland, without the need to move luggage every day. For travelers looking for content in 2026, but who do not want to turn their holiday into a logistical project, this format of “more experiences, and less stress” sounds like a concrete advantage. Precisely because of this, The Guardian’s description is not merely a sentimental postcard, but also a practical recommendation.
- City without constant haste – The Old Town and the waterfront offer content that is experienced while walking, without constant planning.
- Installations that “work” every day – the sound of waves and light at twilight become an experience in themselves, without additional cost.
- Quick excursions – the ferry to Ugljan and the trip to Vransko Lake give the feeling that you have seen more faces of Dalmatia in a short time.
- Family focus – The Guardian emphasizes activities that are interesting to children, and simple and feasible for adults.
Why travelers are increasingly turning to “off-peak” destinations
The inclusion of Zadar in such a selection happens at a moment when part of Europe is dealing more openly with the consequences of overtourism. On the Croatian Adriatic, this conversation is most often linked to Dubrovnik, which implements the destination management program
Respect the City with the aim of balance between the life of the local population and tourist flows. In publicly available descriptions of the program, it is emphasized that it is a multidisciplinary strategic destination management project, with an action plan and a set of short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures aimed at more sustainable and responsible tourism. The very fact that such models are spoken of as a necessity, and not as a “bonus” policy, also influences the change in traveler behavior. Part of the audience is increasingly consciously choosing cities where the experience is not tied to the peak terms and most crowded points. In that sense, “without crowds” is not just a marketing phrase, but a reaction to a real European problem. And that is why it is important how The Guardian formulates its recommendation: not as an escape from Croatia, but as a search for a Croatia that can be experienced more calmly.
The Guardian’s text directly reflects that context. The author states that she was cautious not to additionally “feed” destinations associated with overcrowding, but that the desire for a Mediterranean holiday, with a limited budget, nevertheless prevailed. Zadar appears in that narrative as an alternative that offers sea and history, but without the impression that the city has been turned into a stage set or that every step is a pre-assigned “protocol”. Such a perception does not mean that Zadar has no visitors, but that the experience often seems more relaxed and “passable” than in the most exposed hotspots. The text does not idealize the city as a place without people, but as a place where the crowd does not impose itself as the dominant feeling. For family trips, this is particularly important, because children sense the rhythm faster than adults: when there is too much waiting, little shade, and a lot of nervousness, even the most beautiful sightseeing becomes an effort. Zadar is the opposite of such a scenario in The Guardian’s description, and that is why in the selection of “discoveries” it does not stand side by side only with exotic locations, but also as an example of changing criteria: from “what I must see” to “how I want to feel while I am there”. This is a shift towards the quality of stay, and not just towards a “list of locations”.
Historic core, city walls and UNESCO framework
Zadar has the advantage of a city where history is seen at a short distance: from Roman traces and medieval layers to Venetian defensive architecture that defined the appearance of the peninsula. According to tourist information on UNESCO heritage, Zadar’s walls, which are often called Muraj in local speech, were inscribed in 2017 on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the serial nomination
Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar. In the same context, it is stated that the walls received an official name related to historical Zadar uprisings, and the Land Gate is also highlighted as one of the most recognizable points of the defense system, with the construction year 1543. This UNESCO framework is important because it places Zadar in a broader European story about Mediterranean fortress-cities, but also because it gives visitors an additional layer of understanding: what you experience today as a promenade and viewpoint was once a matter of defense, logistics, and strategic position. Zadar, according to these descriptions, developed as a strongly fortified city on a peninsula, and that urban framework is felt even today.
For visitors, this means that city walks do not come down only to “points on a map”, but to the feeling of a fortress-city. You pass along the ramparts, your gaze escapes towards the port, and then in a few minutes you find yourself on the waterfront and in the alleys where the rhythm of the day changes with local habits. The Guardian’s text prefers exactly such Zadar: a city where historical layers and contemporary life touch, but without excessive “programming” of the visit. In practice, this is also one of the reasons why Zadar functions well for families: children can have a goal (sea, waterfront, light), and adults get content (heritage, walls, atmosphere) without the feeling that they are constantly “on tour”. Another advantage of such a city is compactness: many key points are located within walking distance, so the day does not fall apart into transport and waiting. Precisely that walking rhythm can be a decisive detail.
If you plan to stay longer than a weekend, it is useful to look at
accommodation offers in Zadar in advance, because the old core is most pleasant when you are close enough to return to it both during the day and in the evening, without relying on a car. Proximity to the center often means more freedom: it is easier to go for a morning coffee, return for a short rest, and then go out again at twilight, just at the time when The Guardian describes that the waterfront is taken over by sound and light. For travelers who want to experience “Croatia without crowds” literally, pedestrian accessibility reduces stress and opens space for what often decides in a travelogue: the possibility to linger where you feel good, without worrying about logistics. In such cities, accommodation also becomes part of the experience, and not just a necessary item.
Sea Organ and Sun Salutation: art, technology and sustainable energy
The installations on the waterfront in The Guardian’s text are not an incidental detail, but the central reason for the recommendation. According to official tourist descriptions of the Zadar region, the Sea Organ is a sound art object and an experimental instrument that, thanks to a system of resonant chambers and tubes hidden under stone steps, creates tones exclusively by the power of waves. In the same descriptions, it is stated that the system was designed by architect Nikola Bašić, and the experience is described as variable and unrepeatable because it depends on the rhythm of the sea, the tide and ebb, and weather conditions. In translation, the music is not a recording or a programmed show, but an event that happens “live”, and that is why it attracts people even when they have already seen everything. The Guardian emphasizes this dimension through simplicity: it is enough to sit, listen, and let the city tell its own story. In a time full of “attractions” that require time, money, and reservations, such public art becomes rarely available and convincing. And when the experience is also interesting to children, it gains additional value.
The Sun Salutation is located in the immediate vicinity and, according to official descriptions, consists of 300 multi-layered glass plates that collect solar energy during the day, and after sunset turn the waterfront into a light mosaic. The Guardian describes this installation through a family perspective: children run and dance on the luminous circle, adults take photos, and the whole scene takes place outdoors, by the sea and the promenade. In a time when sustainable energy is most often experienced through policies and numbers, here it appears as a public experience, and an experience that happens without a ticket, without a queue, and without the need for someone to “explain” what should be felt. In that sense, both the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation become a story about public space: art that is available to everyone and that makes the city recognizable without aggressive tourism. Such installations simultaneously change the way visitors remember the destination: instead of just a photo of a church or square, sound and light remain in memory. And these are impressions that are shared spontaneously, so they often become the best recommendation.
For those coming to Zadar for the first time, these two places function as the compass of the city. You arrive in the evening, feel the pulse of the promenade, and then easily decide whether to continue the evening through the old core or stay by the sea. For travelers who want to organize a trip without too much driving and “transfers”, it is often decisive to have
accommodation close to the event site, because then the experience of the waterfront and the old town turns into a natural continuation of the day, and not into just another item in the logistical plan. In The Guardian’s description, Zadar is exactly like that: a city that works best when you surrender to it, and that is easier when you are close to it. In practice, this often means more time for walking, more spontaneous breaks, and less “running” after the program. And for a family, that is often the most important luxury.
Ferry excursion to Ugljan: Preko as a quick escape from city bustle
One of the reasons why Zadar functions well as a base is the availability of nearby islands. According to Jadrolinija information, the boat line Zadar – Preko departs from the city port, has numerous daily departures, and the sailing lasts about 25 minutes, which allows for a trip and return on the same day. Such transport simplicity turns the island into an “extension” of the city trip, and not into a separate expedition. The Guardian emphasizes exactly this when speaking about a short budget holiday: the island is within reach, and the change of rhythm comes almost effortlessly. For families, this is an important combination, because children get the “boat adventure”, and adults do not lose half a day on the journey. In an age when many travelogues turn into marathons, here the key is in the speed of access, not in the speed of touring.
Preko is mentioned in The Guardian’s text as a place for swimming, and then as a starting point for the climb to the fortress on the hill of Saint Michael. According to tourist information of the Preko municipality, the remains of the medieval fortress played an important role throughout history, especially during the Venetian siege of Zadar in 1345 and 1346. The Guardian’s description adds another dimension, stating that parts of the fort date back to the 6th century and highlighting the view towards Italy, whereby the excursion also gets a “story” that goes beyond just swimming and the beach. On one hand, you have a very practical family day, and on the other a historical layer that easily turns into a story: fortress, siege, view, and sea. Such stories are often what is remembered and passed on, because the journey gets a narrative, and not just a series of places. In The Guardian’s “discovery” format, exactly such combinations become an argument that the destination deserves space on the map.
In practice, such an excursion “fits” well into the travel schedule: morning departure, a few hours by the sea, walk to the viewpoint, and return to Zadar to the evening waterfront. For those who want to maximize their time, it is useful to plan
accommodation for visitors in the zone from which one can easily reach the port, because that significantly reduces “empty” minutes, and makes the family day more leisurely and predictable. The Guardian’s recipe, as can be read between the lines, is actually simple: a bit of city, a bit of island, and return at twilight. Such a travel schedule does not require large investments, but it requires a good base and the feeling that everything is close. Zadar presents itself in that sense as a city that enables the holiday to remain a holiday, but not so quiet that it becomes boring. That is the balance many travelers are looking for.
Vransko Lake: ornithological reserve, kayaking and a different image of Dalmatia
The second excursion that The Guardian highlights leads towards Vransko Lake and brings a different image of Dalmatia: instead of the coast and islands, the wetland ecosystem and bird watching come to the fore. Nature Park Vransko Lake in its official information highlights the ornithological reserve as the fundamental phenomenon of protection of the entire area; it is an area declared in 1983, with an area of 8.83 km², which counts among the most ornithologically valuable areas in Croatia. It is also emphasized that this is a remnant of a once significantly larger wetland area, which places this location in the story of landscape changes and nature conservation. For visitors, this means that they do not come here just to “see the lake”, but to enter a space where nature is the main content. In a time when travels are often linked to crowds and concrete, such a reserve offers a completely different rhythm. The Guardian presents it that way too: as a quiet, active excursion that fits into a family holiday. It is particularly important that the description highlights an activity that is quiet and unobtrusive, yet exciting.
How important the area is for birds is also shown by publicly available data on biodiversity. Parks of Croatia state that 256 bird species have been recorded in the area of Nature Park Vransko Lake, while The Guardian’s travelogue description mentions a figure of about 260. The difference in numbers may stem from different methodologies and the moment of updating the list, but the common conclusion is the same: it is one of the richest locations for bird watching on the Croatian coast. Precisely because of this, Vransko Lake is increasingly entering the itineraries of guests who want to expand their holiday to the “green” component. For families, this is particularly interesting because children, besides water, also get a “search” for animals, and adults get a break from the summer routine. In The Guardian’s interpretation, Vransko Lake is not an addition, but a key argument: it shows that from Zadar one can also experience nature that has nothing to do with the classic beach scenario. Such diversity is an advantage in the season, but also in the pre- and post-season, when the natural experience is often even more pronounced.
The Guardian describes kayaking as a way to approach nature quietly and directly, without a large impact on the environment, which fits into the theme of more sustainable travel. Tourist information of the Zadar region additionally states that there are information centers in several locations and educational trails in the zone of the special ornithological reserve in the Park, which facilitates the visit even for those who are not experienced excursionists. In combination with the islands, Vransko Lake shows how diverse the Zadar area is within a short radius: in one day you can be at sea, and in another in a bird reserve. For travelers who want “more content, less driving”, that is a logical plus. In The Guardian’s story, this is also additional confirmation that a family holiday does not have to be monotonous, nor does it have to come down only to the beach. It can also include education and nature, and in a way that is interesting to children, and feasible for adults.
What The Guardian’s recommendation means for the tourism year 2026
The CNTB interpreted the inclusion of Zadar in The Guardian’s selection in its announcement on December 29, 2025, as a confirmation that destinations not at the top of global “bucket list” rankings can attract an audience looking for an authentic experience. The message is simple: in a world where sustainability and carrying capacities are increasingly discussed, advantage is given to cities offering content within walking distance, public space that can be used without tickets, and excursions that do not require large costs or complicated logistics. In The Guardian’s text, Zadar receives exactly such a role, and the recommendation comes from the perspective of a traveler, not from a promotional text, which gives it additional credibility. At the same time, it is also a signal of how guest expectations are changing: they are less impressed by the “size” of the attraction, and more by the quality of the stay. Zadar fits here into the European trend of “smaller big places”: cities that are not metropolises, but have a concentration of content and experiences. In such cities, tourism success increasingly depends on how compatible life and tourism are. The Guardian’s description of Zadar suggests that this balance in the traveler’s experience is currently favorable.
For the city and the region, such a recommendation potentially means a different type of interest: not only arrivals at the peak of the season, but also stronger travel in the pre- and post-season, when walks through the old core and staying by the Sea Organ are often even more impressive, because the city is experienced in a calmer rhythm. At the same time, contents that are not “just another landmark” come to the center of the story, but experiences of space: the sound of waves, light at twilight, a fortress on a hill, and a bird reserve in the hinterland. If trends from 2025 continue, Zadar could in 2026 additionally strengthen the position of a city that combines heritage and modernity without the feeling that it has become a stage set. The Guardian’s tone in the Zadar paragraph suggests not only a recommendation but also a type of travel: slower, simpler, more accessible, and, in an ideal case, more sustainable. And in a time when more and more people want to travel without a guilty conscience and without stress, such a combination becomes a value in itself.
Sources:- The Guardian – travel selection “Our 25 favourite European travel discoveries of 2025” (published 13.12.2025) link- Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB) – announcement “Zadar in The Guardian as a discovery for 2026” (29.12.2025) link- Zadar region tourist board (zadar.hr) – official description of the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation, including technical characteristics and authorship link- Jadrolinija – information on the boat line Zadar – Preko and duration of sailing link- Visit Preko – historical context of the fortress of St. Michael and the siege of Zadar 1345–1346 link- Nature Park Vransko Lake – information on the ornithological reserve (declared 1983, area 8.83 km²) link- Parks of Croatia – data on recorded bird species in Nature Park Vransko Lake (256 species) link- Dubrovnik Tourist Board – destination management program “Respect the City” link- Visit Zadar (croatia.hr) – information on UNESCO status of Zadar walls and Land Gate (2017, 1543) link
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Creation time: 05 January, 2026