Being surrounded by a maze of long ribbon-like islands running north-south, the old town of Zadar in Croatia is all about the ocean. Evening strolls along the Riva are mandatory to see the colours change with the setting sun, but two of Nikola Bašić’s creations – the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation add even more magic.
The sea organ emits mournful whistles and sighs that evoke images of mermaids. The notes are caused as waves force air through pipes beneath the stone stairs where crowds gather to view the sunset. Passing boats cause waves resulting in higher pitched and louder sounding notes with an occasional rogue wave sending spectators scattering. In the middle of the night the random sound of the sea organ would float through our bedroom windows.
As light fades it is the 22m round sun salutation’s turn to shine. The 300 multilayered glass pieces collect and store energy from the sun to put on a light show meant to mimic the solar system. The show can be enjoyed from outside the circle or within while walking, laying or dancing on the surface. Little kids are fascinated by it… and older ones too!
Having been land-bound in both Ljubljana and Zagreb the previous week, it was wonderful to arrive at Zadar. Our Airbnb apartment, situated one street back from the Riva, was the perfect place from which to enjoy the sights and sounds. It wasn’t until we walked the short 100m to the water that I realised just how much I had missed having it close.
Click the video for mermaid music from Zadar.
Budget Travel Talk
Both of the above Attractions are free.
We rented a car in Zagreb and drove via Plitvice Lakes to Zadar. Economy Car Rentals is an On-line Broker site with Budget Prices and good service. We have used them in Turkey, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia without complaint.
Budget Airline Ryan Air flies to Zadar from several European Destinations.
We stayed at and recommend Ana and Nik’s Airbnb Apartment in the old town of Zadar.
This post forms part of the Ten Weeks in Europe 2015 series.
Sunday in Trapani Sicily
Wow the sunsets are indeed lovely and you’ve made me think about our time in Croatia last year. You are right. There is something magical about being close to water. Being close to the Riva in Zagreb sounded lovely.
This is such a wonderful experience watching the amazing sunsets that Zadar offers and listening to the music of the sea organ. How wonderful to have the music drift in your window of a night. Once again it took me back to our time there!
I’m so glad that you included a video of the sea organ. It’s much more melodic than I had expected. I would really love to see the Sun Salutation in person. It seems like a disco floor, but I like that it’s run off of solar energy. I don’t think I would be able to get my kids off it.
Amazing sunsets, beautiful pictures. I really want to visit Croatia <3
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Great photos…
oh wow Jan – those Sunsets….STUNNING. Incredible to be in the old town of Zadar in Croatia, and how its all about the ocean. I love being near the Ocean, so soothing xx
That light is sheer magic, and you captured it exquisitely!!! 🙂
Thank you Krista. I love your photography so I love that you think the Sun Salutation was captured well. 🙂
Jan, I love this article. It makes me want to go right back to Zadar. We flew in and out of there and were able to make it down to the sea organ, but didn’t stick around for the sunset. Darn it! Your photos are stunning!
What gorgeous sunsets, Jan. The sea organ is magnificent!
Zadar is a lovely happy holiday destination. Very relaxed and the water is just gorgeous.
I get excited whenever I read/hear of someone visiting a Croatian city other than Dubrovnik! We were in Croatia in June and Zadar was my favourite city- for the reasons you listed above, and also the people were friendly and there was so much going on while we were there (in terms of festivals and events).