Zadar Airport serves the historic city on the northern Dalmatian coast, known for the famous Sea Organ and sunsets that Alfred Hitchcock called among the most beautiful in the world, about 10 km from the historic center.
It is an important seasonal tourist airport and gateway to Plitvice Lakes and Kornati national parks.
How to get to Zemunik Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to ZAD
Parking near Zemunik Airport
In front of the terminal is the airport's official parking.
It is not staffed by dedicated personnel but is monitored by video; approximately €1.50-2 per hour, with higher rates during peak summer periods.
How to get to Zadar from ZAD
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Zemunik Airport
Major car rental companies operate desks in the arrivals area, useful for reaching Plitvice Lakes or the Kornati Islands parks.
Driver's license, passport, credit card, and nearly always the International Driving Permit: these are the documents required.
Hotels near Zemunik Airport
Old Town peninsula
9-12 km from the airport, about 20 minutes by car or with the dedicated Zadar-airport shuttle (ticket 5€, also valid on city transport for 90 minutes from issue).
Best for: Travellers who want the Roman Forum, the Sea Organ and the restaurants of the Old Town on foot, with no need for a car.
- All the main sights — the Roman Forum, St Anastasia's Cathedral, the Sea Organ — are within 10 minutes on foot
- A fully pedestrian area: in the evening you dine and stroll without thinking about traffic
- Narrow, cobbled alleys: very few hotels have direct car access right up to the door
- No sandy beach in the area, only rocks and sea-access points around the edge of the peninsula
Recommended hotels
- Zadar Peninsula Accommodation Simple rooms right in the heart of the historic centre, a few steps from the Roman Forum and about 400 metres from the Sea Organ; shared kitchen for those who want to save on meals. View availability
- Peninsula Apartment Apartment with a kitchenette in the old part of town, designed for those staying more than one night who want to at least prepare breakfast in the room. View availability
Puntamika and the northern seafront
About 2 km from the Old Town: 20 minutes on foot along the seafront, or a rowing boat from the lighthouse near the hotel goes straight to the walls of the Old Town (2€ per ride). From the airport the journey is the same 20 minutes by car as for the peninsula, with a short continuation along the coast.
Best for: Travellers who want a beach and a heated pool without moving too far from the centre, even outside the high season.
- Recently opened hotel with heated indoor and outdoor pools, useful outside the season too
- 200 metres from Maestral beach and on the promenade that leads to the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun
- Few independent restaurants nearby: for dinner guests often head back towards the centre
- The rowing boat to the Old Town runs limited hours; at night only the walk or a taxi remain
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal handles strong summer traffic. From check-in to gate, the walk typically takes 10 minutes.
Security screening can lengthen during summer peaks: for international flights, allow 2–3 hours of advance time, more during peak season.
Map of Zemunik Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How far is Plitvice park from Zadar airport?
About 1.5 hours by car: a rental car or an organized tour are the most practical options for visiting it.
Q. Why is Zadar famous for its sunsets?
For the famous Sea Organ, an architectural instrument that produces sounds through the movement of the waves, and for sunsets that Alfred Hitchcock called among the most beautiful in the world.
Q. What is Zadar's Sea Organ?
It's an installation on the waterfront that turns the motion of the waves into sound through pipes hidden beneath the stone steps: a one-of-a-kind work, built in 2005, that has become one of the city's symbols alongside the nearby 'Greeting to the Sun'.
Q. Is Zadar well connected in high season?
Yes, connections increase considerably in summer: always check updated schedules if you're travelling in low season.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
