Sky Hostel
The 9.3-rated quiet pick: small, modern, eight minutes from Kolovare Beach and a bridge crossing from the Old Town.
Sky Hostel is the highest-rated hostel in Zadar (9.3 from 1,643 reviews) and the city's go-to for travellers who want clean, quiet and walkable rather than rooftop bars and bar crawls. Tucked on a residential street eight minutes from Kolovare Beach and twelve from the Old Town peninsula, it's the contrast pick to the social hostels inside the walls.
Sky sits on Ulica Ljudevita Posavskog, a quiet residential street south of the peninsula and three blocks back from Kolovare Beach. The walk to the Old Town is twelve minutes via the small footbridge that cuts across the harbour, fifteen if you take the longer waterfront via the Riva. Kolovare Beach itself is the closest swimming spot to the city centre and gets used by locals on weeknights when the Old Town tourist crush starts.
The hostel is small (under 30 beds total) and runs more like a guesthouse than a backpacker hub. Rooms have AC, balconies, city views and are split into mixed dorms, a female-only dorm, and a handful of private doubles. Bathrooms are shared between two or three rooms — not ensuite — but the cleanliness scores (9.6 on Booking) reflect that the daily housekeeping holds up.
The shared kitchen is fully equipped (microwave, kettle, kitchenware, coffee machine) which matters in Zadar where Old Town restaurants run €18–28 for a basic plate in season. Reception is 24 hours, which is rarer than you'd think at this price tier in Croatia, and the express check-in/out works for early ferries to Pag and Ugljan.
This is not the place for the Zrće-bound party crowd or anyone wanting a hostel bar — there isn't one. It's the pick for solo travellers, couples, and the quieter end of the backpacker scene who want to walk into the Old Town for the Sea Organ sunset and then come back to actually sleep.
- 01Highest cleanliness score in Zadar's hostels (9.6) — and you can feel it from the moment you check in
- 02AC and balconies in every room — rare at this price tier in Dalmatia
- 03Real 24-hour front desk that handles early ferry departures and late arrivals without drama
- 04Female-only dorm option for solo female travellers who want the small-property feel
- 05The host is hands-on and the team genuinely knows transfers, ferries and Plitvice logistics
- 9.3 rating across 1,643 reviews — the top-rated hostel in Zadar
- Three-block walk to Kolovare Beach, the locals' weeknight swimming spot
- Fully shared kitchen with microwave, kettle, coffee machine and kitchenware
- Female-only dorm and private doubles available alongside mixed dorms
“Host was very welcoming and everything was very very clean. The bed was very comfortable and the temperature in the room was perfect. I really enjoyed my stay.”
“The check-in process was made smooth by the most wonderful sweet lady. She was eager to give me extra help and information about the transport and city itself. Rooms are spacious and clean, AC everywhere, tall personal lockers with keys.”
“Sky Hostel in Zadar is hands down the best hostel I've ever stayed in. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful throughout my two-night stay, making the experience feel welcoming and easy. Highly recommend.”
- Kolovare Beach3 min walk
- Sea Organ & Greeting to the Sun12 min walk
- Roman Forum & St Donatus13 min walk
- Old Port of Foša8 min walk
- Bus Station (Plitvice, Pag, Krka)10 min walk
- Liburnija Airport Shuttle stop5 min walk
