Is Zadar expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Zadar is mid-priced by Croatian standards: cheaper than Dubrovnik or Hvar for rooms and meals, but no longer a bargain in summer, and national park tickets are expensive in July and August. A budget day is about €80 per person, mid-range about €170 and comfort about €320. Fish by the kilo and park days are where costs climb.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €35 | €70 | €140 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €80 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €35 | €60 |
| Local transport | €5 | €20 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €80 | €170 | €320 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Zadar day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Pizza or pasta | about €12–16 |
| Black risotto | about €14–20 |
| Grilled squid | about €14–20 |
| Whole fresh fish | often €50–80 per kilo |
| Plate of Pag cheese | about €9–14 |
| Glass of Maraschino | about €3–5 |
| Cathedral bell tower | about €3–5 |
| Museum of Ancient Glass | around €8 |
| Plitvice Lakes ticket, July–August | around €40, much less in winter |
| Kornati and Telašćica boat trip with lunch | roughly €60–90 |
| Airport taxi | roughly €20–30 |
| Apartment inside the old town walls | roughly €100–180 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the main cost: about €35 per person sharing in Borik or Puntamika, €70 in an old-town apartment and €140 in a seafront hotel with a pool, plus a tourist tax of about €1.50–2.50 per person per night. Food is about €25 a day with bakery breakfasts, market picnics and pizza, or €45 with two sit-down meals. Sights average €15–35 a day, but a Plitvice or Krka day costs about €40 in high season for the ticket alone, plus transport. A rental car (about €40–70 a day in summer) raises the transport figure.
When it is cheaper
April, May and October are noticeably cheaper than July and August, with lower park tickets and room prices. In winter, prices drop further, but many restaurants close.
How to spend less
- Visit Plitvice or Krka in May, June, September or October, when tickets are much cheaper than in July and August.
- Book Plitvice tickets online for an early time slot, before the tour buses arrive.
- Ask to see fish weighed and agree the total price before it is cooked.
- Make a picnic from the green market with Pag cheese, pršut, bread and fruit.
- Eat in Varoš or out in Borik and Puntamika rather than on Kalelarga.
- Cross the harbour with the barkajoli rowing boats for a small fee, or walk over the footbridge for free.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Zadar?
About €80 per person on a budget, about €170 mid-range and about €320 for comfort, including a share of a double room, food, sights and transport.
Is Zadar cheaper than Split or Dubrovnik?
Generally cheaper than Dubrovnik, and similar to or slightly cheaper than Split, especially for rooms outside the old town.
How much is the Plitvice ticket?
Around €40 in July and August, and much less in spring, autumn and winter. Book online for a timed entry.