Is Zadar safe?
Very safe. Crime against visitors is rare; sun, sea currents and summer crowds are the main concerns.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-05-17.
- Homicide rate in Croatia: 0.7 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Croatia: 7.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 192 · Ambulance 194 · Fire 193 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Zadar at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Occasional pickpocketing in summer crowds and bag theft from beaches; drunken fights near the old town bars late at night. |
| At night | Safe and lively in the old town in summer; quiet and well lit elsewhere. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women, day and night. Normal drink care in bars. |
| Other risks | Strong bora winds in winter; Summer heat above 33°C; Wildfires in the hinterland in dry summers |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxis outside the airport quoting high flat fares
- Restaurants adding cover charges or unlisted prices
Take care
- Old Town bars after 2 am in summer: drunk groups
- Rocky swimming spots: slippery steps and sea urchins
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Swimwear or going shirtless in Split, Dubrovnik and other town centres brings on-the-spot fines
- Drinking alcohol in public spaces is fined in several tourist town centres
- Outdoor fires and barbecues are illegal June–October outside designated areas
How Zadar compares in Croatia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Zagreb | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Zadar | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Pula | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Rovinj | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Korčula | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Brač | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Šibenik | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Krk | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Poreč | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Trogir | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Vis | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Opatija | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Split | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dubrovnik | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hvar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Makarska | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Rijeka | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
Quick answers
Is Zadar safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women, day and night. Normal drink care in bars.
Is Zadar safe at night?
Safe and lively in the old town in summer; quiet and well lit elsewhere.
What is the crime rate in Zadar?
Occasional pickpocketing in summer crowds and bag theft from beaches; drunken fights near the old town bars late at night. Nationally, Croatia records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Zadar?
Police 192 · Ambulance 194 · Fire 193 · All emergencies 112.
More about Zadar
Going to Zadar solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Zadar Tourist Board
- Zadar Airport
- Jadrolinija ferries
- Zadar General Hospital
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.