Zadar VR Walking Tour: Old Town, Sea Organ & Roman Forum

Summary

Virtual Reality City Tour in Zadar’s Old Town

If you want to see Zadar beyond what meets the eye—and actually feel its history—this VR walking tour is for you. You’ll explore hidden churches, stand in ancient forums, witness wartime stories firsthand, and finish by the Sea Organ with a whole new perspective on this city by the sea.

What’s the experience like?

We met our guide just outside the old city walls, where the air had that salty tang you only get near the Adriatic. Right away, I could tell this wasn’t your average walking tour—everyone got a pair of OculusGo VR glasses, and our assistant made sure even my tech-shy aunt felt comfortable using them. The first stop was St. Krševan’s church. It’s usually locked up and honestly, most folks walk right past it. But with the VR headset on, I found myself standing inside its ancient courtyard, hearing distant bells and seeing details I’d never spot from outside.

Next, we ducked into St. Simeon’s church—well, virtually at least. The silver chest holding the saint’s relics looked so real through the glasses that I almost reached out to touch it. Our audio guide (I picked English, but my friend switched to Italian) explained why locals still leave flowers there every October. You could almost smell the wax from old candles.

We wandered over to what used to be Zadar’s Roman gates. The VR view took us back centuries—one moment I was looking at weathered stones, and the next I watched workers hauling blocks for the Venetian walls. It’s wild seeing how layers of history stack up in one spot.

The Roman Forum was a highlight for me. In real life, it’s mostly scattered ruins and pigeons pecking around. But with VR on, I floated above it in a hot-air balloon (the wind in my ears felt almost real), watching temples and statues rise up from nothing. Our guide pointed out which stones under our feet were original—some have been there since before Christ.

Standing “atop” St. Anastasia’s bell tower during a WWII bombing was intense—the sound of sirens and distant explosions gave me goosebumps. When I took off the headset, our assistant quietly showed us a map of what was lost in those raids; you could see how much of Zadar had to be rebuilt.

Inside St. Anastasia’s cathedral (again, virtually), we peeked into rooms closed to regular visitors—the baptistery and sacristy—while learning about the city’s patron saint. The marble felt cool under my hands even though I knew it was all digital.

We paused at what used to be Zadar’s main market square—a spot now just open space and a few benches. Through VR, I saw busy stalls selling fish and figs before WWII bombs wiped them out. The contrast hit home when you take off the glasses and see how much has changed.

The last stop was along the sea promenade by the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun installation—modern wonders built in 2005 that play music with every wave. But with VR on, we were whisked back to the 13th century as Crusaders attacked from the water below us. Our guide told stories of battles fought right where locals now stroll at sunset eating gelato from Donatova Ulica.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Zadar VR Historical Tour

• Visit St. Krševan Church with VR
• Explore St. Simeon Church interior
• Learn about Roman and Venetian city gates
• See Roman Forum ruins and temple
• View WWII bombing from St. Anastasia's bell tower
• Tour St. Anastasia's Cathedral with VR
• Visit former city market site
• Experience Greeting to the Sun and Sea Organ

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older adults?

Absolutely! The route is flat and wheelchair accessible; our assistant helps everyone use the VR glasses easily.

Do I need any experience with virtual reality?

Nope! The interface is simple and someone is always nearby if you need help adjusting settings or switching languages.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

The audio guide comes in seven languages including English, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Croatian, and Russian.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience takes about two hours but can vary depending on group pace and questions along the way.

What’s included

You’ll get an OculusGo VR headset for immersive views at each stop; guided visits to key sites like St. Krševan’s church and Roman Forum; local insights from your assistant; plus a taste of Maraschino liqueur—a true Zadar tradition!