Arbanasi
Arbanasi lies just to the north of Kolovare. It's an old district where remnants of Neolithic settlements can still be found, as well as parts of the Roman aqueduct built to bring water to the city from Vransko lake 40km away, and a Roman necropolis in the grounds of the tobacco factory (still working). Arbanasi was once a settlement in its own right. It gained its name and its importance in the 18th century when migrants from Albania settled there after fleeing from the Turks. Today's Arbanasi has a gentle, village feel. The atmosphere is quite different from the rest of the city. It's worth a wander round to see how people live day by day away from the tourist hubbub.

Borik and Diklo
A large complex of hotels and a campsite have evolved at Borik, which have managed not to overwhelm the forces of nature, so it's still one of the most popular places for tourists and locals alike to spend time at the beach. An ever-growing number of cafes, bars and restaurants is springing up to cater for the rising number of visitors, and quite a bit of renovation is taking place at the moment, so facilities are ever improving. Heading west from Borik is a beach-lined coastal path studded with places to eat and drink, surrounded by ever more peaceful residential areas and the beach area of Diklo. It's a quieter place to stay, to relax and bathe.

Kolovare
Directly east of the Old Town peninsula is Kolovare, a genteel district of beachside villas. Kolovare's seafront is the old town beach as well, and a popular place to spend free time. You can walk all the way along the beatifically-named coast path (Karma) to the promontory at Punta Bajlo and the adjoining islet Sveti Klement, a former leper colony that is now a bathing spot (eeew!) The way is tree-lined, so shady by day, and punctuated by cafes. Near the beginning of the walk is the Fontana, an attractive 16th century well with a cupola, built by the Venetians for use by their naval fleets.

Old Town peninsula
It goes without saying, it's the heart and soul of the city. Crowded onto the peninsula, fortified in its entireity but eternally under attack by foes through the ages, parts of the city have been destroyed and rebuilt so many times over three millennia that few places on Earth can rival it for its eclectic mix of architecture.
As well as the dizzying number of churches, monasteries and historical monuments, it's also the commercial centre, with an ever-increasing choice of boutiques and galleries, and, of course, it's the centre of social life and cafe society. The main shopping street Široka (known locally as Kalelarga) is a busy thoroughfare for people with things to do, even if that's only strolling in good company. In summer it's crowded with pavement cafes. It's surrounded by shady parks on top of the ancient fortifications. The outer promenade beyond the ferry port, known as the Riva, is a relaxed place to stroll and swim.

Puntamika
An area with quite some history dating back to Neolithic settlements. It was an important defensive point because geographically it guards the shipping entrance to the old town - that's why the city lighthouse is here. The coastal road is bustling in summer, with cafes, restaurants and a marina.

Relja
Relja is just north-east of the peninsula. Notice, as you walk northwards, some older builings. They are called Talijanke (“the Italian girls”) because they were built during the times the Italians ruled Zadar. Though somewhat unremarkable from the outside, they are architecturally important with twisting stairwells and pleasant courtyards. Relja now has a shiny new indoor shopping centre full of boutiques and cafes.

 

Voštarnica, Brodarica
Just over the footbridge and heading west, these districts still constitute the commercial and residential heart of the city. Continue a little further north and you'll come to a neighbourhood known as SAS after a former factory, and you'll find the Gotham entertainment complex with its club, cafe and cinema next to the Nova Banka tower.