I didn’t expect Zadar to become my favorite stop, but it stole my heart in just one night.
Tucked along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, Zadar wasn’t high on my travel wishlist. It was supposed to be a stop along the way, a scenic pause before heading elsewhere. But from the moment we arrived, something about the place felt different. Maybe it was the breeze off the Adriatic or the way the city seemed to glow just before sunset. Either way, I knew by the end of the night that I’d remember Zadar long after my study abroad experience ends.
The evening started with a slow walk along the water. Locals and travelers alike were gathered around the Sea Organ, a brilliant installation that turns the waves into music. As the tide rolled in, it played haunting, otherworldly tones, like the ocean was speaking its own language. We sat there, just listening, letting the sound wash over us.
Then came the sunset. I had heard that Alfred Hitchcock once called Zadar’s sunset the most beautiful in the world, and honestly? He might’ve been right. The sky turned from gold to blush to deep purple, reflected in the calm sea. Everyone stopped to watch. It was silent, reverent, and it felt like the world paused just for that moment.
Dinner was just as memorable. I ordered truffle pasta that was creamy, earthy, and full of flavor I didn’t even know I was craving. Then came the oysters, served on the half shell, fresh from the sea. They were salty, briny, and ice cold, like a bite of the Adriatic itself.
That night in Zadar reminded me that sometimes, the best moments are the ones we don’t plan for. The city wasn’t flashy or crowded, but it felt alive in a quiet, meaningful way. I left with a full stomach, a full heart, and a new favorite place I never saw coming.
