Zadar ferry port
Zadar is a historical town in central Dalmatia which is very popular among tourists. That is why it is perfectly connected to several islands in the Zadar archipelago and there is a connection with Ancona in Italy.
All Zadar car ferries are now operated from the ferry terminal in Gaženica, located 4 km southeast of the old town of Zadar.
The old port of Zadar remains the port for passenger-only ferries, to destinations like e.g. Pula, Rijeka, Mali Losinj, and Silba, just to mention a few.
Zadar Gazenica Ferry Port
The Zadar Gazenica port is located at Gaženička cesta, on the southeastern outskirts of Zadar. The ferry port is connected to the main bus terminal with city bus line Nr. 9.
The ferry port has a great signing system, it is easy for travelers to navigate to the right boarding lanes.
The port has a brand-new terminal building, which boosts facilities like a waiting room, WIFI, restrooms, Jadrolinija ticket office, and several coffee bars.
Departures from Gazenica Ferry Port
Zadar Old Town Ferry Port
The port in Zadar Center is not a real port, it is simply mooring berths along the northern shore of the old town. The address is Liburnska Obala nr. 4, and this is the GPS coordinates 44°07’00.8″N 15°13’38.0″E.
The old town ferry port has no facilities, but as it is located on the old town peninsula you have plenty of facilities nearby such as bars, restaurants, shops, a post office, a ticket office, ATM-s, etc.
Few tips from my site
- I have seen 10 passenger ferries lined up at the port, some from the same company, so make sure to check which one is the right one (If necessary ask the ferry staff)
- There is no shade, so watch out for the sun.
Departures from The old town Port
Video Guide for the ferry ports in Zadar
Getting to and from the ports in Zadar
If you’re staying in Zadar and if you want to reach the islands of Ugljan, Dugi Otok, Iž, Molat, and so on, here is how you get to the main ferry terminal and the old town port near the city centre from different parts of the town:
If you’re staying in the centre of Zadar, the old port is minutes away from most of the historical sights, so you can easily walk there. However, if you want to reach the ferry terminal Gaženica, you have to first take bus number 2 or 4 to the main bus station in Zadar and from there take bus number 9 to the Gaženica ferry terminal.
If you’re staying in Diklo or Borik, you have to take bus number 8 to the main bus station and from there take numbers 2 or 4 to reach the catamaran port in the center or bus number 9 to reach the ferry terminal in Gaženica.
The bus ticket is around 2 Euro, buses run from early morning to late evening.
From all the three parts of the city mentioned above you can also take a taxi, bolt or Uber which won’t cost you a lot since it’s quite a short distance.
If you’re staying outside of Zadar, for example in Petrčane (12 km from Zadar), there are regular bus lines between the main bus station in Zadar and Petrčane. The ticket is only a few euros.
Getting from Zadar airport to the ports
The airport of Zadar – Zemunik is around 10 km from Gaženica ferry terminal and 12 km from the catamaran port. Once you land, you can take a pre-booked transfer (which will cost you around 25 euros) or take a taxi.
There are also shuttle buses running from the airport towards Zadar – the main bus station. From there take numbers 2 or 4 to reach the catamaran port in the centre or the bus number 9 to reach the ferry terminal in Gaženica. The ticket for the shuttle bus is 5 euros and the trip to the main bus station in Zadar takes 15 – 20 minutes.
If you want to read more about transportation from the airport to the ferry terminal, you can click on this link:
Getting from other destinations in Croatia and Europe to Zadar ferry terminal/catamaran port:
Zadar is very well connected by regular or seasonal bus lines to many Croatian and even some European destinations. As mentioned above, the main bus station is located between the catamaran port (2 km) and the Gaženica ferry terminal (3.5 km). Click on this link to see the exact location
You might also want to choose to travel by car and you can choose both the highway or the coastal road. When you enter the city of Zadar, depending on where you want to go – Gaženica ferry terminal or the catamaran port (located right in the centre), you simply follow the signs and you’ll find it without a problem.
Map Showing the location of the ferry terminals in Zadar
List of ferry and catamaran routes from Zadar
Car ferry routes from Gazenica Port
- 401 Zadar (Gaženica) – Ist – Olib – Silba – Premuda – Mali Lošinj
- 431 Zadar (Gaženica) – Osijak – Preko (Ugljan)
- 433 Zadar (Gaženica) – Rivanj – Sestrunj – Zverinac – Molat
- 434 Zadar (Gaženica) – Brbinj (Dugi otok)
- 425 Zadar (Gaženica) – Bršanj (Iž) – Rava – Mala Rava
- Zadar – Ancona
Catamarans and ships from Zadar old town port
- Zadar– Preko (Ugljan)
- 9403 Zadar – Molat – Brgulje – Zapuntel – Ist
- 9404 Zadar – Rivanj – Sestrunj – Zverinac – Božava – Brbinj
- 405 Zadar – Mali Iž – Veli Iž – Mala Rava – Rava
- 9406 Zadar – Sali (Dugi Otok) – Zaglav (Dugi Otok) – Bršanj (Iž)
- 9405 Zadar – Iž – Rava
- 9141 Zadar – Silba – Ilovik – Mali Lošinj – Susak – Unije – Pula
- 9401 Zadar – Premuda – Silba – Olib
- 406 Zadar – Sali – Zaglav
FAQ Ferry Zadar
In Zadar there are two ferry ports, one is Zadar Gazenica which is the car ferry terminal and the other is the foot passenger port which is located on the north side of the old town in Zadar
The old town port, where fast ferry depart is on the north side of the old town, the car ferry port Gazenica is 3.5 km from the old town.
No, there used to be a ferry, but currently no ferry company serves this route, alternative option is to take the bus from Zadar bus terminal.
Text, photos and travel tips by Morten Smalby – Croatia Expert