Where to find us — Zadar Downtown
Address
Ul. Vrata Svetog Krševana bb, 23000 Zadar
Zadar, Croatia
Office Photos
How It Works
Book Online
Choose your dates and vehicle. Secure your booking online and pay at pickup.
Pick Up at Zadar Downtown
Collect your car quickly and easily. Our staff will walk you through everything.
Enjoy Croatia
Explore with unlimited kilometers and 24/7 support assistance included.
Quick Price Estimator
- Toyota Aygo XBest dealManual · 4 seats~€120~€40 / day
- Opel CorsaManual · 5 seats~€126~€42 / day
- Suzuki VitaraManual · 5 seats~€165~€55 / day
- Kia Ceed SWManual · 5 seats~€165~€55 / day
- Toyota Yaris A/TAutomatic · 5 seats~€180~€60 / day
- Toyota Yaris Cross A/TAutomatic · 5 seats~€195~€65 / day
| Vehicle | / day | Total | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
Toyota Aygo XBest deal Manual · 4 seats | ~€40 | ~€120 | |
Opel Corsa Manual · 5 seats | ~€42 | ~€126 | |
Suzuki Vitara Manual · 5 seats | ~€55 | ~€165 | |
Kia Ceed SW Manual · 5 seats | ~€55 | ~€165 | |
Toyota Yaris A/T Automatic · 5 seats | ~€60 | ~€180 | |
Toyota Yaris Cross A/T Automatic · 5 seats | ~€65 | ~€195 |
Estimates based on current rates. Final price shown at checkout.
Best Time to Book
Car rental prices in Croatia vary by season. Plan ahead for the best rates.
Cars Available at Zadar Downtown
Includes automatic & manual transmission options.
Your Guide to Renting a Car in Zadar City Centre
Written by Aaron, Avax Rent a Car
Our Zadar Center office is located at Ul. Vrata Svetog Krševana, at the southeastern edge of the Zadar peninsula — a 5-minute walk from the Sea Organ, the Sun Salutation, and the Church of St. Donatus, and just 1 km from the Gaženica ferry terminal where car ferries depart daily for Ugljan, Pašman, and Dugi Otok. The office is ideal for travellers arriving by ferry from the Zadar archipelago, guests staying at old-town hotels and apartments, and anyone who wants to skip the airport transfer.
Zadar is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe — a 3,000-year-old Liburnian, Roman, Venetian and Habsburg port packed into a tight limestone peninsula. The Roman Forum, the circular 9th-century Church of St. Donatus, and Nikola Bašić's two modern public art installations (Sea Organ and Sun Salutation) make the old town a must-walk by day and a must-return by sunset. Alfred Hitchcock reportedly called Zadar's sunset the most beautiful in the world.
A rental car from our Zadar Downtown office unlocks five national parks inside two hours: Paklenica (48 km / 45 min), Krka Waterfalls (90 km / 1 h 10 min), Plitvice Lakes (130 km / 1 h 30 min — closer from Zadar than from Zagreb), Kornati archipelago (via Murter, 55 km / 50 min + boat), and Northern Velebit (1 h 45 min). Add Pag Island (85 km to Novalja / Zrće Beach via the Pag Bridge — no ferry), Nin and its salt flats (17 km), and Biograd na Moru (30 km), and Zadar becomes the single most time-efficient base in Dalmatia for nature, beaches, and Roman history.
Best Alternative to Taxi & Uber in Zadar
Uber does not operate inside Zadar's old-town zone, and a one-way taxi to Pag, Paklenica, or Plitvice runs 80–180 EUR each direction. Picking up a rental car at our downtown office turns what would be a single transfer fare into days of freedom. A 3-day Avax rental from Zadar Downtown includes unlimited kilometres, full insurance, free cross-border travel to Bosnia, Italy, Slovenia and Montenegro, and in winter (Nov 15 – Apr 15) compliant winter tyres at no extra cost — essential if you plan to drive to Plitvice or Zagreb inland.
Nearby Attractions
Zadar Old Town (Sea Organ + Sun Salutation)
A 3,000-year-old peninsula packed with Roman forum ruins, the 9th-century round Church of St. Donatus, the world's only Sea Organ — a wave-powered instrument under the promenade — and the solar-powered Sun Salutation light installation. Alfred Hitchcock called the Zadar sunset the most beautiful in the world.
Gaženica Ferry Port (Dugi Otok & islands)
Jadrolinija operates daily car ferries from Gaženica to Ugljan (Preko, 25 min), Pašman, and Dugi Otok (Brbinj) — the gateway to Saharun Beach and Telašćica Nature Park. Your Avax rental car can board every Jadrolinija route — no extra rental fee for island travel within Croatia.
Nin — Queen's Beach & salt flats
The oldest royal Croatian town, 17 km / 25 min from Zadar. Queen's Beach (Kraljičina Plaža) is sandy, shallow and warm — one of the rare sand beaches on the Croatian coast and ideal for families. Don't miss the tiny Church of the Holy Cross and the artisan Nin salt (Solana Nin).
Paklenica National Park
Velebit's signature gorge, 48 km north of Zadar. A Europe-class big-wall climbing destination (Anića Kuk), with well-marked hiking trails through the Velika Paklenica canyon. Paved access road, paid parking ~€5/day in summer. A compact car handles it.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
UNESCO network of 16 terraced turquoise lakes and 92 waterfalls. Closer from Zadar (125–130 km / 1 h 30 min via A1 motorway) than from Zagreb. Depart by 07:30 to beat the coach-tour wave; Entrance 2 (via exit Otočac) is most common from Zadar.
Novalja / Zrće Beach (Pag Island)
Pag Bridge connects Zadar to Pag Island by road — no ferry needed. Novalja (85 km / 1 h 15 min) is home to Zrće Beach, Croatia's summer nightlife capital (Hideout, Sonus, Fresh Island festivals). Also famous for artisan Pag cheese.
Krka National Park
Travertine waterfalls centred on the Skradinski Buk complex, plus Visovac Island monastery. A 90 km / 1 h 10 min drive south of Zadar via the A1. Common half-day stop on the Zadar → Split route.
Kornati Islands (via Murter)
The 89-island Kornati archipelago is Croatia's most photographed sea national park. You cannot drive to the islands, but you can drive to Murter (55 km / 50 min from Zadar) or Biograd (30 km / 35 min) where full-day boat excursions depart daily in season.
Driving Tips
Gaženica ferry port is 1 km from our downtown office — you can pick up and board a Dugi Otok or Ugljan ferry within 30 minutes. Street parking in Zadar Old Town is Zone 1 (~€1.50/h, paid via mParking SMS or ticket machines); for longer stays use the Jazine or Voštar garages on the peninsula edge (2-min walk to Sea Organ). Heading inland to Plitvice or Zagreb, the A1 motorway is 10 minutes east — take a ticket at entry, pay at exit by credit/debit card or cash. From Nov 15 to Apr 15, winter tyres are required on inland mountain routes including the A1 when signs are posted; all Avax Zadar rentals include them at no extra charge.
Our Zadar office is well-connected to local neighbourhoods including Bili Brig, Borik, Diklo, Stanovi, Arbanasi, making it easy to reach your accommodation or explore the city and its surroundings.
Distances from Zadar Downtown
| Destination | Distance | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zadar Ferry Port (Gaženica) | 1 km | 3 min |
| Zadar Old Town (Sea Organ) | 0.5 km | 5 min walk |
| Zadar Airport (ZAD) | 12 km | 15 min |
| Nin (Queen's Beach & salt flats) | 17 km | 25 min |
| Biograd na Moru | 30 km | 35 min |
| Paklenica National Park | 48 km | 45 min |
| Murter (Kornati gateway) | 55 km | 50 min |
| Šibenik | 73 km | 55 min |
| Novalja / Zrće Beach (Pag) | 85 km | 1h 15 min |
| Krka National Park | 90 km | 1h 10 min |
| Plitvice Lakes | 130 km | 1h 30 min |
| Split | 165 km | 1h 45 min |
| Zagreb | 285 km | 2h 55 min |
| Dubrovnik | 390 km | 4h 25 min |
Travel times are approximate and may vary with traffic conditions.
Useful Travel Guides
Can I Drive a Rental Car Across Croatian Borders to Montenegro and Bosnia?
Yes — and it's easier than you think. Cross-border permits, border crossings, driving tips, and what to see in Montenegro and Bosnia from Croatia.
Best Car Rental in Split, Croatia (2026) — 7 Companies Compared
Independent comparison of 7 car rental companies in Split, Croatia. Local expert picks based on pricing, deposit policy, location, and real Google reviews.
Croatia Island Hopping & Cross-Border Drives: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about taking your rental car on Adriatic ferries and across Croatia's borders — updated April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental in Zadar Downtown
Popular One-Way Route
Zadar Downtown → Split
Drive south along the Dalmatian coast to Split. Enjoy views of the Kornati islands and stop at Šibenik along the way. Free cross-border included for 3+ day rentals.
Popular One-Way Route
Zadar Downtown → Zagreb
Drive north from Zadar to the Croatian capital. Stop at Plitvice Lakes National Park — just 90 minutes from Zadar. Free cross-border included for 3+ day rentals.
Popular One-Way Route
Zadar Downtown → Dubrovnik
Drive the length of the Dalmatian coast from Zadar to Dubrovnik. Pass through Split and across the Pelješac Bridge. Free cross-border included for 3+ day rentals.
Free Download
Free Island Hopping Map — Croatia
High-res PDF of all Croatian islands + ferry routes. Drop your email and download instantly.
One-Way Rentals from Zadar Downtown
Pick up here, return at a different Avax location
Other Avax Locations in Croatia
Explore our car rental network across Croatia
