Where to find us — Zadar Downtown
Office Photos
No Deposit & No Credit Card Required
You can rent a car without a credit card at this location — no card blocking, no stress.
- • One-time fee: €60
- • Premium Insurance required (zero deposit)
- • Available for: Mini, Economy & Intermediate categories
What's Included — No Hidden Fees
| Unlimited Mileage | Included |
| Liability Insurance | Included |
| Local Tax & License Fee | Included |
| Free cancellation up to departure | Included |
| Extra Driver | €0 |
| Cross-Border (Montenegro/Bosnia, 3+ days) | €0 |
Renting a Car for Ugljan or Dugi Otok?
Our office is a 5-minute drive from Gazenica ferry port — the departure point for car ferries to Ugljan, Pašman, and Dugi Otok. Load your rental car on the Jadrolinija ferry and explore the islands at your own pace.
- • Island ferry travel included at no extra charge
- • Ferries depart daily to Ugljan (Preko) and Dugi Otok (Brbinj)
- • Zadar Ferry Port (Obala kralja Tomislava) is a 2-minute walk for passenger ferries
Zadar Downtown vs Zadar Airport — Which is Right for You?
| Feature | Downtown | Airport (ZEM) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Old Town gate, walkable | 8 km from city |
| Ferry Port Access | 2-min walk | 15-min drive |
| Island Ferries (Gazenica) | 5-min drive | 10-min drive |
| Old Town Parking | Immediate access | Drive in required |
| Airport Pickup | Taxi/bus to office | Direct at terminal |
Pro Tip: Choose a Compact for Old Town
Parking near Zadar's Old Town walls is tight — narrow streets and limited bays. We recommend our Compact or Economy class to navigate the centre easily and save on fuel for island day trips.
Browse Compact CarsHow 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.
Cars Available at Zadar Downtown
Includes automatic & manual transmission options.
Your Guide to Renting a Car in Zadar City Centre
Zadar's city centre office puts you right at the heart of one of Croatia's most fascinating and atmospheric old towns. Zadar is a 3,000-year-old city built on a long narrow peninsula jutting into the Zadar channel, with the Roman Forum, medieval churches, Venetian fortifications, and a vivid modern city all layered on top of one another in a remarkably compact space.
The city gained international fame for two extraordinary contemporary installations on its seafront promenade: the Sea Organ (Morske orgulje), a staircase of stone steps beneath which 35 organ pipes produce music from the movement of the sea waves, and the Sun Salutation (Pozdrav suncu), a 22-metre circle of solar panels that collects energy by day and produces a mesmerising light show after sunset. Alfred Hitchcock famously described the Zadar sunset as the most beautiful in the world.
From our Zadar Centre office, the entire northern Dalmatian coast is at your fingertips. Plitvice Lakes National Park is 130 km northeast (1.5 hours on the A1 motorway), Krka National Park is 90 km south (1 hour), and the Kornati Islands are reachable by boat from the harbour. The A1 motorway is just 10 km from the city centre, providing quick access to Zagreb (3 hours) or Split (1.5 hours).
Nearby Attractions
Sea Organ and Sun Salutation
Two world-famous installations on Zadar's seafront promenade. The Sea Organ produces haunting musical tones from sea wave energy; the Sun Salutation creates a breathtaking light show after dark powered by solar energy collected during the day. Most magical around sunset.
Church of St. Donatus
A magnificent pre-Romanesque rotunda built in the 9th century on the stones of the Roman Forum. One of the best-preserved examples of early medieval architecture in Europe. The Forum columns still stand beside it.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Croatia's most famous national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 16 terraced lakes and countless waterfalls. From Zadar, it's easily reachable as a day trip via the A1 motorway (1.5 hours).
Paklenica National Park
A dramatic canyon park carved into the Velebit mountain range, just 50 km from Zadar. Croatia's premier rock climbing destination, with over 400 established routes. The Velika Paklenica gorge trail is spectacular even for non-climbers.
Driving Tips
Zadar Old Town is on a peninsula and largely car-free inside the walls. Use the Fosa garage (near the Land Gate, closest to the old town) or the large open-air car park on the Jazine peninsula immediately east of the old town. The A1 motorway is accessed via the Zadar East or Zadar West exits — both about 10 km from the centre. The D8 coastal road south towards Biograd and Šibenik is scenic but slower than the motorway. Fuel stations are plentiful on the outskirts of the city.
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 | 1 km | 3 min |
| Zadar Old Town | 0.5 km | 5 min walk |
| Šibenik | 73 km | 55 min |
| Krka National Park | 90 km | 1h 10 min |
| Plitvice Lakes | 130 km | 1h 30 min |
| Split | 165 km | 2h |
Travel times are approximate and may vary with traffic conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental in Zadar Downtown
What is the difference between Zadar Center and Zadar Airport offices?
What time does the Sea Organ sound best?
Is Zadar a good starting point for Kornati Islands?
How long does it take to drive from Zadar to Split?
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.
One-Way Rentals from Zadar Downtown
Pick up here, return at a different Avax location
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