Greetings to the Sun (Pozdrav Suncu), Zadar: best time to visit + tips

Greetings to the Sun is Zadar’s iconic waterfront light installation, set into the Riva promenade beside the Sea Organ. Visit around sunset and stay after dark to watch the 22-metre "Sun" come alive with shifting LED patterns as you look out over the Zadar Channel and islands.

Created by Croatian architect Nikola Bašić (the designer of the Sea Organ), this award-winning public artwork was completed in 2008. The "Sun" is a 22-metre diameter circle made from 300 multi-layered glass plates laid level with the stone paving, with photovoltaic modules beneath that collect solar energy during the day.

Just after sunset, the stored energy powers a colourful light show across the circle. It’s one of the best free evening experiences in Zadar: come early for the sunset views, then linger as the sky gets fully dark for the most vivid colours and patterns.

While you’re here, look for the smaller nearby circles that represent the planets, and the engraved ring around the main circle, which works like a calendar and includes saints’ names and feast days alongside astronomical data. Together with the Sea Organ’s wave-driven music next door, Greetings to the Sun turns Zadar’s waterfront into a simple, unforgettable one-hour sunset ritual.

Greetings to the Sun quick overview

• Location: Zadar waterfront promenade (Istarska obala), right next to the Sea Organ
• Price: Free
• Best time: Sunset, then stay 30–60 minutes after it gets dark for the strongest light show
• What it is: A 22-metre circular “Sun” made from 300 multi-layered glass plates, set level with the stone paving
• How it works: Photovoltaic modules collect solar energy by day; lighting elements turn on at night
• Time needed: Plan 20–45 minutes (longer if you’re timing it with sunset and photos)
• Good to know: Nearby smaller circles represent the planets; the installation can be temporarily fenced off during scheduled maintenance

What is Greetings to the Sun?

Greetings to the Sun (Pozdrav Suncu) is a contemporary public art installation on Zadar’s waterfront, created as a tribute to the Sun and the city’s famous sunsets. Also known as the Monument to the Sun, it looks like a large glass circle built into the stone promenade - easy to miss in daylight, unforgettable at night.

The main circle represents the Sun: a 22-metre-wide disc made of around 300 multi-layered glass plates with solar modules underneath. During the day it collects sunlight; after sunset, lighting elements activate and the surface becomes a vivid LED display that shifts through colours and patterns as people gather to watch, walk across it, and take photos.

What makes this spot special is how it pairs with the Sea Organ just steps away. Both were designed by architect Nikola Bašić as a "light + sound" waterfront experience, listen to the Sea Organ’s wave-powered music, then step onto the glowing circle as the sky turns dark.

Where it is and how to get there

Greetings to the Sun is located on Zadar’s Riva waterfront promenade at the northwestern tip of the Old Town peninsula, right beside the Sea Organ. The address commonly listed is Istarska obala, 23000 Zadar.

• On foot from Zadar Old Town: Walk towards the sea and the Riva promenade, then follow the waterfront northwest. If you can hear the Sea Organ, you are basically there - keep going to the very end of the promenade and you will see the glass circle underfoot.
• From the Old Town center: Head toward the Roman Forum area, then continue to the waterfront and follow the Riva to the Sea Organ and Greetings to the Sun.
• By taxi or ride: Ask for “Pozdrav Suncu” or “Morske orgulje” (Sea Organ). Drivers typically drop you at the closest vehicle access point to the Riva, then it is a short walk.
• Coordinates (useful for maps): 44.117740, 15.219830

Parking tip: Parking close to the Riva can be limited, especially near sunset in peak season. A common strategy is to park in paid parking areas outside the Old Town walls and walk in. Zadar parking is managed in zones by the local operator Obala i Lučice, with rules and payment by zone and time of day.

Best time to visit - sunset strategy

Greetings to the Sun is best experienced in the evening. The installation collects solar energy during the day and creates its light show after sunset, so the real payoff is when the sky starts to darken and the LEDs become vivid.

• Arrive for sunset: Come 20-30 minutes before sunset to find a good spot, enjoy the view, and watch the waterfront atmosphere build.
• Stay after dark: The lights come on just after sunset, but the colours and patterns look strongest once it is properly dark. Plan to stay at least 30-60 minutes after sunset if you want the full effect and better photos.
• Do the classic combo: Time it as a simple loop - sunset viewpoint, then the Sea Organ, then step onto Greetings to the Sun as the lights intensify.
• Seasonal tip: In summer, sunset is later and the area is busier, so arrive earlier. In winter, sunset is earlier which can be easier for families and short stays.

Design details - the Sun, the planets, and the 22-metre circle

The installation is designed as a simplified “solar system” built into the waterfront promenade. The main circle represents the Sun, with smaller circular markers nearby representing the planets.

• The Sun: A 22-metre diameter circle set level with the stone paving, so you can walk directly across it.
• Surface: Around 300 multi-layered glass plates form the visible top layer of the circle.
• Under the glass: Photovoltaic modules and lighting elements sit beneath the plates, storing solar energy by day and powering the LED display at night.
• The planets: Look for smaller circles nearby - these represent the planets and complete the “solar system” concept.

If you are visiting in daylight, it is worth doing a quick “planet hunt” around the main circle so you recognise the full layout before the evening crowds arrive.

Who designed it and when was it built?

Greetings to the Sun was designed by Croatian architect Nikola Bašić, the same creator behind the Sea Organ next door. The installation was completed and opened in 2008 as part of Zadar’s modern waterfront redevelopment, turning this stretch of the Riva into a place where visitors come specifically for sunset and the evening atmosphere.

Bašić’s idea works best as a pair: the Sea Organ transforms the motion of the sea into sound, while Greetings to the Sun uses solar energy collected during the day to create light after dark. Together they form Zadar’s most recognizable contemporary landmark experience.

St. Grisogonus Calendar ring - what the inscriptions mean

A detail many visitors miss is the engraved ring around the edge of the main circle. The names and numbers are not random decoration - they reference the St. Grisogonus Calendar (also associated locally with St. Krsev an or Chrysogonus), a Zadar timekeeping and astronomy tradition.

Tourism sources often date this calendar tradition to 1292 or 1293, and it is linked to a manuscript later identified in the Bodleian Library in Oxford, reportedly found there in 1964. Academic references commonly place the surviving Zadar calendar material in the early 1300s, but the key idea is consistent - it combines a religious calendar with practical solar data.

On the ring, you will typically see two types of information:

• Saints and feast days: names refer to titular saints of churches connected to the Zadar peninsula, with dates of their feast days.
• Sun and daylight data for those dates: astronomical details such as the Sun’s declination, the Sun’s height at noon, and the length of daylight in Zadar.

The calendar is often highlighted as an early example of astronomical data written using Arabic numerals. You do not need to understand the formulas to enjoy it - treat it as a bridge between Zadar’s medieval science-and-faith worldview and the modern solar-powered artwork you are standing on.

How to use it on site: choose a feast day on the ring and compare the listed daylight lengths across the year. It is a small touch, but it makes Greetings to the Sun feel less like a simple light show and more like a piece of design rooted in Zadar’s history.

Combine it with the Sea Organ - the perfect 1-hour waterfront loop

Greetings to the Sun works best as a paired experience with the Sea Organ, located just a few steps away on the same stretch of the Riva. Both installations were designed to be enjoyed outdoors, at slow pace, with the sea and sunset as the backdrop.

• Step 1 - arrive before sunset: Walk to the end of the waterfront promenade and find a comfortable spot for the views over the channel and islands.
• Step 2 - Sea Organ first: Sit on the stone steps and listen for a few minutes. The Sea Organ turns the movement of the sea into music, so the sound changes constantly depending on waves and wind.
• Step 3 - lights after dark: As daylight fades, walk onto the Greetings to the Sun circle. The LED patterns are visible just after sunset, but the colours look strongest once it is properly dark.
• Step 4 - finish with a stroll: Take a slow walk back along the Riva toward the Old Town for dinner or a drink, or loop back for one more listen and one more photo once the crowds thin out.

If you only have one evening in Zadar, this simple loop is the most memorable way to experience the city’s modern waterfront.

Tips for visiting (crowds, safety, photos)

• Expect crowds at sunset: This is one of Zadar’s most popular evening gathering spots, especially in summer. If you want space for photos, arrive before sunset or come later in the evening when the promenade thins out.
• Watch your step: The glass surface sits level with the stone paving. When the promenade is wet (rain, sea spray, or humidity), it can feel slippery - wear shoes with decent grip and keep an eye on kids running across the lights.
• Give it time to get properly dark: The LEDs are visible just after sunset, but they look most vivid once the sky is fully dark. If you want the best effect, stay longer rather than rushing off right after sunset.
• Best photo approach: Take one set of photos at golden hour (sunset glow over the sea), then a second set 20-40 minutes later when the colours pop. Wide shots work well from the edge of the circle, and close-ups look best when you include a footstep or silhouette for scale.
• Phone camera tip: At night, tap to focus on the brightest part of the circle, lower exposure slightly if your phone allows it, and hold still for a moment - it helps the colours stay crisp instead of blurring.
• Make it a combo stop: The Sea Organ is next door, so plan a simple loop - listen for a few minutes on the steps, then walk over to the lights for the full waterfront atmosphere.

What to do nearby

Greetings to the Sun sits at the edge of Zadar’s Old Town, so you can easily turn your sunset visit into a short walking loop that covers the city’s best landmarks.

• Sea Organ - right next door and the perfect pairing before and after dark.
• Roman Forum - the heart of the historic centre, with ruins dating from Roman times.
• Church of St. Donatus and the Cathedral complex - the city’s most famous church landmark area, right by the Forum.
• Kalelarga - Zadar’s main street for an easy stroll, people-watching, cafes, and shops.
• UNESCO Venetian city walls and the Land Gate - walk the fortification areas and see Zadar’s grand Renaissance entrance gate.
• Five Wells Square - a scenic spot near the old walls and bastion, easy to include on a loop back through town.

If you want to plan the rest of your day around this stop, start with our Zadar travel guide for more sightseeing ideas and practical tips.

Guided tours that include Greetings to the Sun

If you want context and local stories (instead of just showing up and taking photos), a guided tour is an easy upgrade. Many Zadar city walks finish on the waterfront so you can end the route at the Sea Organ and Greetings to the Sun, while sunset boat rides often cruise past the same landmarks at golden hour.

• Old Town walking tours: Usually cover the Roman Forum, main churches, city walls, and finish at the Sea Organ and Greetings to the Sun.
• Sunset-focused tours: Timed so you arrive at the waterfront at the best light, then stay as it gets dark for the LED show.
• Private guides: Best if you want a flexible pace, photography stops, or a family-friendly route.
• Sunset boat rides: Great if you want the skyline view from the sea, often passing the Sea Organ and Greetings to the Sun from the water.

Address & contact details

Street: Istarska obala
Postcode: 23000
City: Zadar

FAQ - Greetings to the Sun, Zadar

Is Greetings to the Sun free to visit?

Yes. It is a public installation built into the waterfront promenade, so you can visit anytime without tickets.

What time do the lights turn on?

The lights come on after sunset. For the most impressive colours and patterns, stay until it is properly dark.

How long should I stay?

Plan 20 to 45 minutes for the full experience, or longer if you are timing it with sunset, photos, and the Sea Organ next door.

Is it worth visiting during the day?

Yes, especially if you want to see the full layout in peace and spot the smaller planet circles and the calendar ring. The main “wow” moment, though, is after dark when the LEDs are on.

Is it suitable for wheelchairs and strollers?

Generally, yes. The installation is level with the promenade and the area is flat and walkable, but it can be busy at sunset, so allow extra time.

Is it safe to walk on?

Yes, it is designed to be walked on, but take care when the surface is wet and keep an eye on children running across the lights.

What if it is fenced off or not working?

Occasionally the installation can be temporarily fenced off for scheduled maintenance. If that happens, enjoy the Sea Organ beside it and return later the same evening or the next night.

Do I need to book in advance?

No. You can simply show up. If you prefer a guided experience, book a walking tour that ends on the waterfront so you can stay after the tour finishes and watch the lights at full intensity.