Zadar & Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Initial Thoughts: Our ferry sailed into Zadar just as the sun started to slowly creep up over the island-dotted waters. The sky was filled with every conceivable shade of red, orange, purple and blue. The quiet harbour was slowly coming to life as locals left their homes to walk to school and work. From the very first moment in Zadar, I knew I would love its peaceful, authentic atmosphere.
Best Moment: While all of the days I spent in Zadar were enjoyable, none were as memorable as the one where we took a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Located just over an hour and half northeast of Zadar, the park is easily accessible by rental car. The journey itself is beautiful as the landscape slowly shifts from coastal to low mountains. Stepping foot inside the park is like being transported to a lush multicoloured wonderland. Plitvice is known for it’s stunningly blue lakes and lush green forest which you can explore by walking along boardwalks that snake throughout the park. I’d recommend hiking to the lookout so you can appreciate the beauty and colours from above as well.
Take Away: For me the best part of travel is seeing a place as it truly is, the way a resident might see it on an average Monday morning. I’m simply not that interested in experiencing what a tourism board has decided are the key sights. I know that it is hypocritical for a foreigner to complain about tourists, but I can never enjoy a place when there are more visitors than locals. My favourite memories of Zadar include strolling along the bright, white marble streets in search of a grocery store, meeting people in our rented apartment as they went about their daily routines and of course, eating fresh seafood at hole-in-the-wall, local restaurants. These simple moments soon made Zadar feel like home.
You can see more photos of my time in Zadar & Plitvice Lakes on the Global Locavore Facebook page!
Now It’s Your Turn: If you are an independent traveller with a desire to visit Croatia, I’d highly recommend visiting Zadar and the surrounding area. With not much more than our trusty Croatia Lonely Planet, my family and I was able to find independent restaurants, a rental car agency and all the key sights. My favourite feature was the Understand Croatia section that gives an overview of the complex history of the region and how that history impacts the country’s culture today. I never travel without a Lonely Planet and wholeheartedly recommend buying one before visiting a country for the first time.
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I couldn’t agree more, I love that way of travelling too and always seek to find the more local spots!
Zadar looks stunning, I didn’t visit during my time in Croatia, but I can see straight away that I should next time 🙂 I love the look of the national park and sunsets like that are enough to make your heart sing!
Marcella ~ WhatAWonderfulWorld recently posted…Home
Thanks Marcella! Isn’t Zadar a little gem? I simply loved it and felt like it would be a nice place to base yourself for a few weeks of quiet routine and catching up on work. I didn’t have any good pictures of the swimming spots but they are so fun! There are some rocky beaches but I loved jumping off the pier straight into the clean, clear water!
I have never been there, but your photos are so beautiful!
I did the same as you Zadar and Pltivice Lakes and completely fell in love with the Lakes. It’s unfortunate they are already a lot of people that know about it 🙁
I suggest you to visit Zagreb too, it’s small but really nice 🙂
Emilie recently posted…5 must-go places in Sicily
I agree Emilie. Plitvice is certainly no hidden, secret spot. With such easy access from Zadar, a lot of people do make the trip. I’d suggest it is still worth a visit especially if someone was in Zadar, but there are plenty of lesser known Croatian spots that are also amazing to visit. I happen to be there in shoulder season so it wasn’t nearly as busy as in the height of summer. I definitely would love to visit Zagreb on my next trip. Thanks for the suggestion!
Wow, the photos look amazing. Plitvice lakes is somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. This post makes me want to go their sooner!
I’m so glad it inspired you to visit asap! It is certainly a lovely place but best visited during the shoulder season if possible as it can get busy.
Wow.. these photographs though..Such beautiful landscapes that I understand why one would fell in love with this place. I could not agree more when it comes to tourists and touristic tours. It is captivating trying to see the place from the locals perspective and trying to find their local favorite restaurants, which usually are more authentic. Beautiful post, thanks for sharing!
Victoria
http://www.thenewelegant.com/travel/weekend-in-the-land-of-waterfalls/
Thanks so much Victoria! Absolutely, local restaurants are the best aren’t they? Cheaper, less busy and more delicious – what’s not to like! 🙂
Wow Plitvice looks amazing! I love Croatia and have to go back to see more. I only made it to Split and a few of the islands when I was there! Thanks for fueling my wanderlust 🙂
I agree! I got to visit Split & Hvar & Dubrovnik but Zadar was as far north as I got, so I loved to go back! Thanks for commenting Kassie.
Oh wow! You pictures are gorgeous! Croatia has been on my list of places to visit fora long time (like other countries in Europe). I am one of those who enjoy seeing the city as it is. I do not have to take a look at all the “main” sights to enjoy my stay. I like to walk around making my own discoveries and hopefully, meeting people.
Ruth recently posted…Julian Dressed in Red, White and Blue
Thanks so much Ruth! If I was you I’d add Croatia to the top of the list as it is becoming busier and more touristy all the time. That being said there are always lovely ways to explore a place independently and meet local people so I’m sure whenever you go you will have a great time!
The Plitvice Lakes National Park looks amazing. Hope to visit it some day!
Ahila recently posted…A sense of connection with my birthplace
I’d highly recommend it, Ahila. There are several lovely parks in Croatia but Plitvice is easy to access and can be visited in a day so it’s a great one to include in your itinerary.
It looks beautiful.
Thanks Jim!
Lovely and informative post with some of the most beautiful images I have ever seen – they definitely make me want to visit! Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
Claire Henderson recently posted…Skinny LaMinx: BRISE SOLIEL
Hi Claire. I’m so glad you liked it. If you do ever get a chance to visit, I think the real thing beats the photos! 🙂
We hit up lots of places in Croatia last year, but of all the places we went to, we found Zadar to be the least exciting. It was definitely lovely and we ran into a professional dance company doing traditional Croatian dancing which was cool. I would have rather gone to Pula. Next time! #MondayEscapes
Hey Lolo. Isn’t that funny of all the places I went to in Croatia, I liked Zadar the best! I love that the world is such a big, diverse place so there can be magical spots for each one of us. I’ve recently heard of how interesting and historic Pula is, so it’s on my next time list too!
Simply incredible, I never would have pictured this when thinking of Croatia. I love how the water laps the foot bridge and the color of the water is spectacular. It must have been difficult to leave.
Isn’t it so beautiful? It was indeed hard to leave, although by the afternoon the tour bus crowds had arrived making it harder to see & photograph the views, so that helped! The colours were some of the brightest I’ve seen. Thanks for stopping by Jeanna.
great photos!:) Plitvice are gorgeous in every season:) #wanderful wednesday
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…Beach snaps
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! It looks so beautiful and I love your writing, it feels like we are there with you experiencing it all. Hopefully I will get to Croatia while living in Europe.
#wanderfulwednesdays
Your photos are absolutely stunning! It looks like my dream destination, quite honestly. I’d much rather wander down the less touristy path as well. Great post. #MondayEscapes and #WanderfulWednesday
Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles) recently posted…The Ten Ways to Make your Flight More Glamorous
Croatia has been on my bucket list for so long now and if flights wouldn’t be so expensive, I’d have visited the country this summer! Zadar seems like the perfect vacation spot!
Van @ Snow in Tromso recently posted…A Summer in Northern Norway in Pictures
Wow, your photos are just gorgeous. I would love to visit this part of Croatia sometime soon!
Jessi (Two Feet, One World) recently posted…Little Feast: London’s Cutest Street Food Market?
I’m heading to Croatia in November, I cant wait! It has been on my bucket list for so long now! Great post and your photos are beautiful!
UGH cannot wait to get to Croatia!!! Such a beautiful country with so much to see. I totally get when you say you prefer to be with locals over touristy places. That’s why I love living in Europe so much more than just visiting at random times! Love your blog!
Hey! Thanks for linking up, loved your post! Can you send me your Pinterest handle? I will like to add you to the link up Pinterest board!
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I sent you a direct message on Twitter. Hope it reaches you!
Goodness, your photography is stunning. That is one beautiful place, and you captured it perfectly. I really love coming here, thanks for linking with Life Thru the Lens.
Lisa @ Life Thru the Lens
Thanks Lisa! I found so much photography inspiration in Croatia. I can’t wait to share my last batch of photos from there soon. 🙂
Your images are breathtaking. When I travel, I also prefer to visit places where the locals outnumber the tourists.
Thank you Claudya. I truly appreciate the compliment!