Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Zadar and Šibenik

Before you go

What happens when you get there

Beaches

Zadar's tourist board calls the beach at Kažin in Privlaka, by the Vir bridge, the only official dog beach in Zadar County. It is north of the city towards Nin and Vir, not in Zadar itself. Vodice lists a pebble and rock dog beach in the town centre where dogs can swim, and Novalja on Pag sets aside part of Babe, Braničevica and Jadra beaches plus a 50 metre section of Plat. We could not confirm a dog beach in Šibenik or the written rule for ordinary beaches, so ask locally before you settle on the sand.

Paklenica and Plitvice

Both national parks allow dogs as long as they stay on a lead. Paklenica says nothing about dogs in its mountain hut or shelters. Plitvice doesn't say whether dogs can ride the electric boats or the panoramic trains, so ask at the entrance before you plan a route that depends on them.

Krka and Kornati

We could not confirm Krka's dog rule, so check with the park before you go, as Skradinski Buk is the biggest day trip in the area. Kornati's rules of conduct have no line on dogs. It is reached by boat, so the answer that matters is the excursion operator's own rule. Ask before you pay.

Ferries

Jadrolinija carries dogs free on car ferries. Dogs need a lead and a muzzle and stay out of the indoor lounges and restaurants, so a dog over 8 kg rides on the open deck. A small pet can come into the lounge in a carrier of up to 45 x 35 x 25 cm, with a total weight of 8 kg. On catamarans larger dogs go in boxes on the open deck, booked ahead and for a fee, so the Zadar to Preko car ferry is the simple one with a big dog.

Dogs at meals

The Hyatt Regency Zadar is the only hotel that publishes dogs in the restaurant. It doesn't say whether that covers breakfast, so ask. The three Falkensteiner hotels are a clear no in the restaurants and at breakfast and a yes in the bars. In town, Zadar's tourist board names Hedonist Dining & Hangout, Butler Gourmet & Cocktails Garden, Pizzeria Šime and Restaurant Tramonto as pet friendly.

Fees and weight limits

EUR 16 per pet per stay at Boškinac, though the hotel's own site doesn't print the amount, so confirm it. EUR 25 non-refundable at Hotel Preko, EUR 30 a night at the Hyatt and Adriana, EUR 30 per pet per day at D-Resort, EUR 35 a day at Spongiola and EUR 39 a night at Iadera and Diadora. Iadera, Diadora and Hotel Preko cap at 25 kg. The Hyatt has no limit, and Adriana, D-Resort, Spongiola and Boškinac publish none.

Getting there

Croatia Airlines takes cabin pets in a soft bag up to 8 kg in total, for EUR 50 on EU international flights. Larger dogs go in the hold in an IATA container for EUR 100 or EUR 200 depending on size, and short-nosed breeds are barred from the hold. It doesn't carry pets from Croatia to the UK, or in the hold from Ireland to Croatia. Other airlines fly to Zadar, so check your own carrier's pet rule before you book.

Heat and vets

Zadar averages a daily high of 28.2 C in July and August and has reached 39 C, so walk early and late. Paklenica's canyon and the pine shade at Borik and Punta Skala are the cooler options. Reception at the Falkensteiner hotels on Punta Skala keeps local vet contacts, and Zadar's tourist board lists Dog Care StafiLea for day care.

Best walks

In Zadar, the harbour front from the Hyatt to the footbridge and along the Riva to the Sea Organ, with the shaded Queen Jelena Madijevka Park on the bastion by the Land Gate. The city also has a fenced dog park and training ground at Višnjik Sports Centre and the Musapstan forest park at its edge. At Borik the coastal promenade runs west to the Puntamika lighthouse and on to Diklo, and on Punta Skala a shoreline path loops the peninsula under the pines. On Ugljan, the hill path climbs from Preko to St Michael's Fortress. In Šibenik, the St Anthony's Channel promenade runs 4.5 km from Paninkovac Bay to the islet of Školjić in front of St Nicholas Fortress, about two hours one way. Krapanj is small, flat and car-free, so the walk there is a loop of the shore.

When to go

June and September are the comfortable months, with average highs of 25.2 C and 24.3 C in Zadar. July and August average 28.2 C and the record is 39 C, so in high summer keep walks to early morning and evening and use Paklenica's canyon or the pines at Borik and Punta Skala for shade. If the ferry matters to your plans, the car ferries are the easy option with a larger dog whatever the month.