Your stay — Villa Emily
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The Property — Villa Emily
Villa Emily is a compact three-star just off Zadar's old-town peninsula, blending exposed-stone ceilings with modern finishes. The lobby feels like a small, calm gallery: pale floors, minimalist furniture and a framed print of the local sea organ. It suits independent travellers or couples who want a clean, characterful base within walking distance of the Roman Forum and waterfront, without paying for a full-service hotel.
Chronicles of Zadar
Zadar began as a Roman colony in the 1st century BC, leaving a grid of streets and the Forum still visible today. After Byzantine and Venetian rule, the city spent centuries shifting between Austrian and Italian control before joining Croatia in 1947. Heavy Allied bombing in 1944 destroyed much of the historic core, which was later reconstructed. Its contemporary identity fuses Roman, Venetian and modernist layers—most strikingly in the 2005 Sea Organ and Sun Salutation installation along the new Riva.
Best Time to Visit
Full Zadar guide →Best months
May, June and September. Warm enough for swimming, long daylight hours, and the throngs of July–August have thinned. June sees fewer cruise-ship days than peak summer.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest months. Mediterranean summer heat draws package tourists and day-trippers from cruise ships; hotel prices jump 30–50% above shoulder rates. The Zadar Summer Theatre programme and nearby Šibenik's International Children's Festival run through July.
Budget shoulder season
Late April and October offer milder temperatures (15–20°C), lower rates and far fewer crowds. Many coastal cafés and smaller boat excursions close after October, so October best suits history and walking rather than swimming.
Weather & packing
Zadar's weather can switch from strong, gusty Bura wind to still, humid calm within hours. Pack a windproof layer and a sun hat, and always carry a light rain jacket even in July.
Live City Briefing — Zadar
- Seasonal ferry schedules to the nearby islands of Ugljan and Pašman are fully operational from June: check Jadrolinija for daily departures from Zadar's main harbour.
- The pedestrianised Kalelarga (main street) now has extended outdoor seating for cafés and restaurants through summer 2026; book dinner tables early as walk-in space shrinks.
- Local noise ordinance keeps the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation area relatively quiet after 11pm, but street musicians around the Forum can be lively until midnight.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Villa Emily, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor (floors 3-5) facing the sea side (north-west). These rooms will have the best views of the Zadar channel and avoid ground-floor street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor facing the street (Krešimirova obala) due to traffic noise from the coastal road and potential foot traffic from the pedestrianised area. Also skip rooms directly above the lobby or lift shaft, as these pick up operational clatter.
Best views
Rooms on the north-west side face the harbour and Zadar channel with sunset over the sea. South-east rooms overlook the old town roofs but have a narrower view.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5 are quietest, being above street-level bustle and lift motor room rumble.
🔊 Noise notes
Krešimirova obala is a coastal road with daytime traffic — consider earplugs or a quiet fan near the window. The hotel's location near the Riva and city gate means daytime footfall and some evening bar noise from nearby cafés, but it's not a club district.
Insider tips
If arriving by car, ask about parking at the hotel or nearby — Zadar's old town is car-limited. Request a room on a high floor for the best quiet and view, and check if the reception can provide a fan (many rooms may not have AC in this older building).
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Villa Emily
free for all guests; speed ~30 Mbps; no login or password needed – connects automatically
one lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections
no newspapers; lobby has a small book swap shelf
check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs €20 (subject to availability)
free; leave bags at reception after check-out or before check-in
step-free entry from street; lift to all floors; no adapted bathrooms or grab rails in showers
no on-site parking; nearest public car park is 'Garage Zadar' at 100m – €15 per 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: full prepayment required at booking for this stay; €50 cash or card hold at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: crkva Gospe od Ružarija (617 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Sv. Petra apostola (632 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Uzvišenja sv. Križa (926 m · ~12 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 679 m · ~8 min walk
Bakmaz — 429 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in Zadar centre for the best rates; avoid currency exchange desks at the airport or tourist bureaux as they charge high commission and poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants and hotels; contactless works fine; smaller market stalls and some bakeries still prefer cash.
Rounding up the bill by 10% is appreciated in restaurants; taxis and hotel staff don't expect a tip but leaving a few euros for housekeeping is nice.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard espresso or cappuccino at a local café costs around €1.50–€2.00.
A burek or pizza slice plus a soft drink costs about €5–€7 from a bakery or fast-food place.
A main course of grilled fish or meat with sides at a konoba is roughly €10–€14.
The old town's narrow streets near the market have several stands selling fried fish, ćevapi and ice cream – good for quick eats under €5.
The main budget supermarkets are Lidl, Konzum and Tommy; all are scattered around the 23000 area and on the edge of old town.
For affordable shopping go to the Mercator or Supernova shopping centres on the outskirts; the city market has second‑hand stalls occasionally.
The cheapest way around town is walking; for longer trips use the bus network (single ride €1.50, day pass €4); from the airport catch the local bus (€4) instead of a taxi (€15–€20).
Buy groceries at Lidl or Konzum and picnic by the sea; skip overpriced drinks inside the old town and walk 5 minutes to a bar in the residential streets; visit free attractions like the Roman Forum and Sea Organ.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Zadar, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Villa Emily
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 679 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Zadar Bus Station (Liburnska obala) → Poluotok stop (Old Town entrance)
💡 Buy a single ticket from the kiosk at the bus station (1.30 EUR). Validate it on board. The Poluotok stop is at the start of the pedestrianised Old Town; from there it’s a five-minute walk along Obala kneza Trpimira to the hotel.
Zadar Airport (ZAD) → Hotel Bastion (Obala kneza Trpimira 3)
💡 Book through the official Zadar Airport taxi desk near baggage claim. Avoid unlicensed drivers offering rides outside arrivals. Fixed price to Old Town: about 30 EUR.
Zadar Airport (ZAD) → Zadar Bus Station (Liburnska obala)
💡 The bus drops you at the main bus station, a 15-minute walk to Hotel Bastion. For the last half-kilometre, use the footbridge across the moat at Foša harbour – directly to the hotel’s back entrance.
Zadar Old Town (any point) → Hotel Bastion (Obala kneza Trpimira 3)
💡 Use the app 'Taxi Zadar' or call 023 215 215. From the Old Town, drivers can’t enter the pedestrian zone – they’ll drop you at the start of Obala kneza Trpimira near the Sea Organ. Walk the last 150 metres along the waterfront. Alternatively, a water taxi from the harbour costs about 2 EUR for the same short hop.
About Zadar
Wikipedia ↗
Zadar (US: ZAH-dar, Croatian: [zâdar] ), historically known as Zara (from Venetian and Italian, pronounced [ˈdzaːra]; see also other names), is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. It is situated on the Adriatic Sea, at the northwestern part of Ravni Kotari region. Zadar serves as the...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Villa Emily?
Request a room on the third floor (floors 3-5) facing the sea side (north-west). These rooms will have the best views of the Zadar channel and avoid ground-floor street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Villa Emily?
Avoid rooms on the first floor facing the street (Krešimirova obala) due to traffic noise from the coastal road and potential foot traffic from the pedestrianised area. Also skip rooms directly above the lobby or lift shaft, as these pick up operational clatter.
Is Villa Emily noisy?
Krešimirova obala is a coastal road with daytime traffic — consider earplugs or a quiet fan near the window. The hotel's location near the Riva and city gate means daytime footfall and some evening bar noise from nearby cafés, but it's not a club district.
Which rooms have the best views at Villa Emily?
Rooms on the north-west side face the harbour and Zadar channel with sunset over the sea. South-east rooms overlook the old town roofs but have a narrower view.
What are insider tips for staying at Villa Emily?
If arriving by car, ask about parking at the hotel or nearby — Zadar's old town is car-limited. Request a room on a high floor for the best quiet and view, and check if the reception can provide a fan (many rooms may not have AC in this older building).
What time is check-in at Villa Emily?
Check-in at Villa Emily is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Villa Emily have Wi-Fi?
free for all guests; speed ~30 Mbps; no login or password needed – connects automatically
Is there a city or tourist tax at Villa Emily?
€1.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Villa Emily?
A burek or pizza slice plus a soft drink costs about €5–€7 from a bakery or fast-food place.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Villa Emily?
The cheapest way around town is walking; for longer trips use the bus network (single ride €1.50, day pass €4); from the airport catch the local bus (€4) instead of a taxi (€15–€20).
When is the best time to visit Zadar?
May, June and September. Warm enough for swimming, long daylight hours, and the throngs of July–August have thinned. June sees fewer cruise-ship days than peak summer.
Top Attractions in Zadar
💡 Go just before sunset and sit on the upper steps to hear the notes rise as the sun hits the Adriatic. Bring a light jacket even in summer as the sea breeze picks up.
💡 Arrive at civil twilight (about 40 minutes after sunset) when the colours just start to glow. Avoid Friday and Saturday peak hours when it gets crowded with groups.
💡 The building often hosts classical music concerts in summer – check the tourist board poster outside. If the door is locked, peer through the iron grille at the mosaic floor.
💡 The nearby public toilet is one of the few free ones in the old town. Also a good spot for a picnic if you grab burek from the bakery on Varoš Street.
💡 First Sunday of the month is free. Otherwise, pay the 30 kuna (€4) – it’s worth it for the late-Roman blue glass swan and the short film on ancient glassblowing.