Excellence Luxury Villas · Zadar
Luxury Villa Rentals in Zadar
Seafront and countryside villas around a Roman city on the Dalmatian coast, with islands on the horizon
As featured in
Roman stones, a singing sea and the finest sunsets on the Adriatic
Zadar is often skipped by people hurrying south to Split and Dubrovnik, and the people who stop are glad of it. The old town fills a small peninsula and has been lived in for three thousand years. It has a Roman forum, the round ninth-century church of St Donatus, Venetian walls and a marble main street, the Kalelarga, polished smooth by centuries of evening strolls. Out at the tip, waves push air through the steps of the Sea Organ, so the sea plays a low, slow chord.
We have 70+ properties around the city. They include seafront villas in Puntamika and Kožino, beach houses up the coast towards Nin, modern apartments with sea views and quiet stone farmhouses inland, where olive groves run up to the edge of the pool.
It is a good base for a family, being calm, easy to reach and close to three national parks. Below we cover the coast, the city, the islands and when to come.
Zadar at a glance
- Villas
- 70+ villas and apartments, with up to 12 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £2,100 to £3,900 a week, from around £1,300
- Best areas
- Puntamika and Borik in town, Kožino and Petrčane to the north, Vrsi and Nin, and the olive country inland
- Best time
- June to September for the sea; May and late September for sightseeing and walking
- Airport
- Zadar airport, around 15 minutes from the old town, with seasonal flights from the UK
Browse all 70+ villas in Zadaror see them on the map
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Ante Villas | 4-Bedroom Resort with Private Pool in Zadar4 bedrooms
Kuca Kornati Zadar: Luxury 7-Bedroom Apartment with Stunning Views – Zadar7 bedrooms
Villa Maraska Tribunj: Spacious 11-Bedroom Luxury Villa with Hot Tub & Seaview – Zadar11 bedrooms
Villa Jugo Vrsi: 5-Bedroom Beachfront Villa with Pool & Sauna – Zadar5 bedroomsWhere to stay in Zadar
Puntamika and Borik for walking into the old town, Kožino and Petrčane for seafront villas, Vrsi and Nin for sandy beaches and lagoons, and the villages inland for privacy among the olives.
A forum, a round church and an organ played by waves
The old town is small enough to cross in ten minutes, but it rewards a slow afternoon. You can see the Roman forum, the bell tower of St Anastasia's Cathedral and the land gate with the winged lion of Venice. The city's fortifications are part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing of Venetian defences, which Zadar shares with sites in Italy and Montenegro.
At the end of the waterfront, the Sea Organ sits beside Greeting to the Sun, a large circle of glass panels that soaks up light all day and glows after dark. Alfred Hitchcock is said to have called the sunset here the most beautiful in the world. Arrive at dusk and you will see why the whole town turns out for it.
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Puntamika to Nin, by way of Kožino
Puntamika and Borik, just north of the old town, have pine shade, a promenade and an easy walk or short taxi ride to dinner. Further up the coast, Kožino and Petrčane are quieter, and several of our beachfront villas look straight across the channel to the island of Ugljan.
Beyond them is Nin, a tiny walled town on an island in a lagoon. It has one of the oldest churches in Croatia, salt pans that are still worked, and long sandy beaches with shallow water that children love. Inland, around Zemunik and Briševo, the villas are set among olive trees and vineyards. You give up a sea view there, and in return you get a great deal of peace.
Ask about seafront villas
Kornati by boat, Paklenica on foot
The Zadar archipelago lies just offshore. Ferries cross to Ugljan in well under an hour, and a day on a private boat will take you to the bare, bleached islands of the Kornati National Park and to Telašćica bay on Dugi Otok, where there is a salt lake for swimming.
On land, the Paklenica canyons in the Velebit mountains are good for walking and climbing. The waterfalls of Krka are around an hour's drive away, and Plitvice is around two hours. Further down the coast are Primošten and Rogoznica, and Split makes an easy day out.
Explore Primošten
Maraschino, Pag cheese and a long, warm September
Zadar has made maraschino, a cherry liqueur distilled from the local marasca cherry, for centuries. A small glass after dinner is the done thing. On the table you will find grilled fish, black risotto, Dalmatian prosciutto and the hard, salty sheep's cheese from the nearby island of Pag.
July and August are hot and busy, and the Zadar Musical Evenings fill St Donatus with concerts. June and September are often the happiest months, with warm sea and quieter beaches. In winter the bura, the cold north wind, can blow hard. Our concierge can charter boats to the Kornati, arrange guided days at Krka and Plitvice, and book tables in town.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Zadar
Kuca Kornat Zadar: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Zadar4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,852 a week
Kuca Suroit Kolovare Zadar: Elegant 4-Bedroom Apartment with Hot Tub & Pool – Zadar4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,810 a week
Kuca Boreas Puntamika Zadar: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Zadar4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,383 a week
Kuca Maestral Zadar: Luxury 6-Bedroom Apartment with Family-Friendly Amenities – Zadar6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £5,257 a week
Rent Villa Ensley Croatia4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,152 a week
Villa Acai | 4-Bedroom Villa in Zadar4 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £5,049 a week
Villa Mistral Ugljan: Luxury 3-Bedroom Villa with Beach Access & Sea Views – Zadar3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £4,578 a week
Villa Zora Borik Zadar: 4-Bedroom Seaview Villa with Private Pool – Zadar Croatia4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £4,247 a weekWhy book your Zadar villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Zadar's properties range from seafront villas a short ride from the old town to farmhouses among the olives inland, and we know which are on a swimmable beach and which are a drive away. With 70+ properties in Zadar, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Boat charters to the Kornati and Telašćica, day trips to Krka and Plitvice, private chefs, restaurant reservations, car hire and transfers from Zadar airport. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to stay near Zadar?
Puntamika and Borik suit those who want to walk or take a short ride into the old town. Kožino and Petrčane have seafront villas with views to the islands, Vrsi and Nin are best for sandy beaches, and the villages inland offer privacy among the olive groves.
How do I get to Zadar from the UK?
Zadar airport has seasonal flights from several UK airports and is around 15 minutes from the old town. Split airport is a longer drive south. Our concierge can arrange transfers and car hire.
What is the Zadar Sea Organ?
It is a set of marble steps on the waterfront, designed by the architect Nikola Bašić, with pipes underneath that play notes as the waves push air through them. Next to it is Greeting to the Sun, a large glass circle that lights up after dark.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Zadar?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Zadar cost?
Across our 70+ villas in Zadar, weekly rates typically range from £2,100 to £3,900, with the most affordable from around £1,300 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
When is the best time to visit Zadar?
June to September is best for swimming, and July and August are the hottest and busiest months. May and late September are ideal for sightseeing, island trips and walking in the national parks.
Are there villas in Zadar for large groups?
Yes. Our Zadar collection includes properties with up to 12 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Zadar
70+ villas and apartments around Zadar, booked direct with our concierge on hand