Zadar Bell Tower Guide: Best Sunset Views in Croatia

Zadar, the City of Romance: Zadar Bell Tower

Zadar, Croatia

The Perfect Viewpoint Overlooking the Entire City

Our Visit to St. Anastasia's Cathedral & Bell Tower

Plus, a Guide to Zadar's Must-See Attractions!

​

​

Zadar is located right between Split

and Plitvice Lakes,

making it a highly popular stopover town.

​

Because of Croatia's unique geography,

there aren't many coastal spots where you can catch a direct sunset—

which is why Zadar is world-famous for its breathtaking sunset views!

Location

📍Campanile di Sant'Anastasia

Arheološki muzej, Trg opatice Čike 1, 23000, Zadar, Croatia

📍 Cathedral of St. Anastasia
Trg Svete Stošije 2, 23000, Zadar, Croatia

It's located right in the heart of Zadar's Old Town.

Since the Church of St. Donatus, St. Anastasia's Cathedral, and the Zadar Bell Tower

are all clustered right next to each other,

you're guaranteed to run into them at least once as you explore!

​

​

We stayed at an amazing, highly accessible hotel in Zadar.

I've linked it below if you're looking for a great place with parking!

🔗 Highly accessible Zadar accommodation with parking

Opening Hours

Please note that the cathedral and the bell tower have different hours,

so keep this in mind when planning your visit!

​

When we visited, the cathedral had already closed for the day,

so we only went up the bell tower.

​

✅ Cathedral:

(Mon–Fri) 09:00 - 20:00

(Sat) 10:00 - 18:00

(Sun) Closed for sightseeing (Sunday services)

​

✅ Bell Tower:

(Daily) 10:00 - 19:00

Tickets

If you navigate to the bell tower on your map,

you can purchase tickets at the entrance. (Cash only!)

​

✅ Ticket Prices

Cathedral + Bell Tower Combo Ticket: €5

Bell Tower Ticket: €4

​

⚠️ Good to Know

For the cathedral, sleeveless tops

and shorts or skirts above the knee may result in restricted entry,

so keep this in mind before purchasing your tickets!

Climbing the Bell Tower

When we visited Zadar,

it was an incredibly hot day, and we were feeling a bit tired.

But inside the bell tower, there was a wonderful, breezy draft

that kept us super cool on the way up!

​

Unlike most narrow European bell towers,

there were plenty of spacious landing areas where you could take a breather,

allowing for a very relaxed climb.

​

As you make your way up,

large arched windows open up

to offer stunning views of Zadar's cityscape.

​

It's so fun to see how the scenery shifts the higher you go,

so definitely take a moment on each floor to compare the views!

On your way up,

you'll get a bird's-eye view of major landmarks like the Roman Forum,

St. Donatus Church, and Kalelarga Street.

The very last stretch of stairs is quite steep,

so please watch your step!

If you're afraid of heights, it might feel a little daunting.

​

But since the stairs wind right past the giant bells,

you get to admire them up close as you make your final ascent!

Once you reach the top of the bell tower,

you'll be greeted by an open, panoramic view of Zadar's city center and coastline.

Since the view is completely unobstructed without any wire mesh or bars,

every single angle makes for a picture-perfect shot!

When we visited,

the sun was just beginning to set,

so we got to see the beautiful sun glinting on the water like this!

The angel statue guarding the bell tower

Nearby Sightseeing Route

Along with the Zadar Bell Tower,

here is a great walking route

to check out all of Zadar's key attractions in one go!

​

<Zadar's Main Attractions>

Land Gate

A grand Renaissance gateway at the entrance of Zadar's Old Town

Five Wells Square

A historic square featuring five lined-up wells

Kalelarga Street

A vibrant pedestrian street running through the heart of Zadar

Church of St. Donatus

An iconic 9th-century circular Byzantine church

Zadar Bell Tower

A gothic bell tower offering panoramic views of the city

Cathedral of St. Anastasia

The largest Romanesque cathedral in Zadar

The Monument to the Sun (Greeting to the Sun)

A modern solar-powered light installation—the ultimate sunset spot!

Sea Organ

An amazing waterfront installation that turns waves into music

City Walls of Zadar

The UNESCO World Heritage defensive walls surrounding the city

​

<Estimated Time>

About 3 hours

​

<Recommended Start Time>

Start 2 hours before sunset

(This gets you to the Sea Organ right in time for the golden hour!)

​

<Walking Route>

I've mapped out the route step-by-step below,

so feel free to screenshot it for your trip!

​

If you have any other questions about traveling to Zadar,

leave a comment below!

If you enjoyed today's post, follow along

for more travel tips! :) ​

​

🔽Must-Visit in Zadar: The Sea Organ🔽

Croatia in July / Romantic Zadar, the Sea Organ. Best places to visit in Eastern Europeblog.naver.com

🔽Ultimate Croatia Itinerary Recommendation🔽

Croatia Travel / This Summer's Vacation Spot, 10-Night 12-Day Croatia Itinerary, Trip Details, Recommended Summer European Destinationsblog.naver.com

​