I realize it's like comparing apples and oranges, but where would you go (we are spending a few days in dubrovnik and I'm trying to decide between an island and going to zadar) and why?
Thanks!
Brac.
It has the famous zlatni rat in Bol.
Zadar is worth to stay due to its good traffic. If your next stop is plitvice, Zadar is nearer to plitvice than Zagreb.
If you want to go to Sibernik and Krka, it
takes only one hour.
If you want to go to split. It takes 2 hours only.
If you want to go to Istria. It takes 35min to go to pula by internal flight.
If you want to go to Zagreb, it takes 1 hour internal flight.
Only going to dubrovnik has some problems.
Besides the sea organ and the sunset, Zadar itself is not as attractive as Brac. Its signiture feature is not worthy for you to go there just for a visit.
Hey there, if you are going to have a car, I would go to Brac Island, it's my current favourite place after Dubrovnik because it's so unspoilt and beautiful and has really retained its authenticity. The beaches are just amazing with crystal clear turquoise water and there are lots of nice places to visit as well as a good variety of good quality restaurants. It's just the real deal of Croatian experiences in my opinion. Where I would go depends in when you are going and for how long. Zadar would also be interesting but if you do Zadar I would also incorporate the islands and Sibenik.
As long as you are there in the warm months, Brac is the easy choice. Stay in Bol. You will love it.