The beautiful Zadar region isn’t just for beaches and relaxation. After living here for five years, I have scoped out some of the best places in the Zadar Region where you can have plenty of fun and enjoy the local culture, including the yummiest Zadar food festivals.
You have to do a fair bit of research to find the little and fantastic food festivals in Zadar and its surrounding towns and villages, but it’s worth the effort. The area can be a little slice of heaven for wine connoisseurs and foodie fans.
Throughout the whole year, you’ll find various festivals going on across the region, but there are six in particular which gastro-fans will adore. If you love food and locally produced, homegrown food, in particular, these festivals should be firmly on your visit list.
Zadar Fig Festival – Petar Zoranic Square, Zadar
Since the first fig tree arrived in Dalmatia figs, have been produced in abundance. The annual Zadar Fig Festival takes place every September and involves tasting all manner of delicious fig-related snacks!
Spanning over three days, the Fig Festival involves workshops, tastings, and the opportunity to buy mouth-watering products.
When: 13th – 14th September 2018
Kolan Cheese Feast – Kolan, Pag Island
Cheese fans will love this one! Pag cheese is famous in the region, and this festival celebrates not only that type of cheese but every other produced around this part of the country. The first Cheese Feast was held in 2015, and since then, it has been an annual deal.
At this food festival, you’ll also be able to try wines and olive oils created around the region, but of course, cheese is the primary focus!
When: Last Friday of each August
Nin Festival of Salt – Nin Salt Works Museum & Shop
Nin is famous for its salt pans, so it makes perfect sense that a festival should be made out of it!
The Festival of Salt celebrates the local economy and its main export, dating back to Roman times, helping people to learn about how it is produced and harvested.
You can also learn about the benefits of salt in health and skincare, and makeup. There is plenty of entertainment, workshops, and tastings on offer. Held each August, you can check out the museum while you’re there!
More Info: http://www.solananin.hr/
Garlic Festival – Benkovac
Every September, Benkovac holds the annual Garlic Festival, an event that garlic fans shouldn’t miss! You can enjoy the rural feel of Benkovac while learning all about how garlic is grown, what it is used in, and of course, tasting some delicious garlicky dishes!
You might need to buy some mints to take with you for this one …
When: Each July
Šokolijada – Nin
The Šokol Fest, or Šokolijada to give it its full name, is an event for carnivores.
Šokol is a cured meat packed in salt for around a week and then cooked in red wine and spices. After that, it is wind dried. Sounds delicious right?
This is a famous dish around the Nin region, and this festival focused on showcasing this traditional method of cooking. You can learn about where it all came from, specific recipes from old families in the area, and lots of entertainment and competitions.
When: Third weekend of July
Sali Day of Herbs – Dugi Otok Island
We know that Dugi Otok is a stunningly beautiful island, but every May, it turns into a festival location, celebrating the fragrant and delicious herbs that are produced on the island. Every May, the ‘Day of Herbs’ takes place, and this is a week-long celebration of everything natural and herby!
Learn about medicinal herbs, herbs for cooking, and the culture and heritage of the island. There are lots of events and workshops on offer across the entire festival, and of course, you can purchase some to take home with you.
Which of these Zadar food festivals will you head to first?
