Zadar County, nestled in the heart of the Dalmatian coast, stands out for its dynamic Mediterranean agriculture, particularly fruit growing, horticulture, and mariculture, with 72% of Croatia’s aquaculture production, including bluefin tuna, sea bream, and sea bass.

This County represents a masterclass in Mediterranean agricultural diversity, characterised by the dramatic contrast between its rugged islands and the hyper-fertile Ravni Kotari plains. This “green-blue” corridor is a national leader in stone fruit and mariculture, and renowned maraschino liqueur. Made of an indigenous, tart cherry variety that thrives in the specific microclimate of the Zadar hinterland and forms the basis of a five-century-old distilling tradition. 

This county tells a great story of blending industrial heritage into global brands while keeping strong family farms that produce top vegetables and olive oils, winning international awards.

The county is the heart of Croatia’s tuna-farming industry, where high-tech offshore cages in the Adriatic export premium bluefin tuna almost exclusively to the Japanese market. On land, the focus shifts to the arid, salt-dusted pastures of Pag Island, where a unique “circular” ecosystem produces the world-renowned Paški sir (Pag cheese). You will have an opportunity to observe how the harsh mountain wind (Bura) scatters sea salt over herbal plants, creating a naturally seasoned diet for the local sheep – a perfect example of how environmental adversity is leveraged to create a high-value, geographically protected luxury product.