Last year, like many other Australians, I sought escape our winter planning a five-week trip to Europe during his summer.

For months, I became obsessed with researching destinations, reading articles online, and searching TikTok for the perfect places to visit. Of course, there were some places I knew I had to see: the Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Alps in Switzerland.

However, no place surprised me more than Zadar.

Zadar, a Croatian city located on the Dalmatian coast, provided me with both adventure and a much-needed dose of relaxation. I found myself wishing I had spent more time there.

Most would prefer to head to more well-known cities like Dubrovnik or Split, but after exploring Zadar, I would recommend everyone add it to their itinerary.

I instantly realized how friendly the locals were.

As a tourist, I’m usually desperate not to attract too much attention. If I need directions or recommendations, I default to searching for them on Google Maps or even social media before asking anyone.

In Zadar, however, I was surprised to find that locals were willing to offer me advice without me asking.

At the end of one tour, an operator offered to help any of us with food or activity recommendations, specifically mentioning that she was local and happy to suggest some of her favorite restaurants.

Then, as my partner and I were walking along the water, someone noticed us trying to take a selfie and offered to take one, even pointing out the best angles for a photo.

Sure, these are small moments, but when you’re away from home, they can add a little warmth to your trip.

If you love water, it’s the perfect European stop.

When I was planning my itinerary, I wanted to go somewhere warm with a body of water ready to dive into. Zadar absolutely complied.

If you crave adventure, you can take a boat tour to the neighboring islands. Some tours will stop off the coast of a beach so water lovers can jump in, cool off, or snorkel.

I took a boat tour to a small nearby town called Kali, off the coast of Zadar, to enjoy fresh fish and other local dishes. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

If you want an activity a little closer, Kolovare Beach is about a 15-minute walk from the old town and is a quiet getaway with public baths and water features.

I visited the beach just after the peak summer season, which meant fewer crowds and, more importantly, unrestricted access to a diving board in the ocean.

It was the first European city where I felt I could brake

In European cities like Rome, London and even Dubrovnik, I have noticed a feeling of go, go, go. I felt pressured to book our activities and reservations weeks, if not months, in advance.

However, in Zadar I could (and would) wake up without any plans for the day, which was extremely refreshing. Some mornings I would wake up, have breakfast, and go for a walk around the old town, either visiting the Roman ruins or going to the farmers market.

One day I walked to a park in the old town and then took a boat ride from Port San Chrysogono through the waters surrounding Zadar. From there, I watched the sunset while listening to the city’s famous Sea Organ, a waterfront architectural instrument that transforms the waves of the Adriatic into natural music through a series of tubes.

If you want to see some sights while relaxing, Zadar is the perfect destination. Every corner and street offers something new, from historic ruins and beautiful architecture to fresh seafood and water activities.

Best of all, it’s easy to do everything at your own pace.