July the 9th, 2026 – A fast four-hour ferry now connects Zadar with Ancona across the Adriatic Sea in neighbouring Italy thanks to Jadrolinija.
Travelling between Croatia and Italy by boat is now much quicker, with Jadrolinija having launched a brand new high-speed catamaran service between Zadar and Ancona. The service began running on Monday and is expected to be extremely popular with both locals and visitors to Croatia and Italy alike.
Poslovni reports that this new seasonal route will connect the two Adriatic cities on opposite sides of the sea in around four hours, providing a faster alternative to traditional ferry crossings and further strengthening transport links between Croatia and Italy during the peak summer season.
Up to five sailings a week
The new Zadar-Ancona service will initially operate three times a week before increasing to five weekly departures during the busiest part of the summer. The route is operated by the high-speed catamaran Jelena, with departures from Zadar’s Gaženica Port and arrivals in the Italian port of Ancona. According to Jadrolinija, the crossing has been designed to cater to both tourists and business travellers seeking a quicker connection across the Adriatic.
Boost for tourism and regional connectivity
The new service is expected to strengthen tourism on both sides of the Adriatic by making weekend breaks and short stays more accessible. For Croatian travellers, Ancona provides a gateway to Italy’s stunning Marche region and onward rail and road connections across the country. Meanwhile, visitors arriving from Italy will enjoy easier access to Zadar and the more northern part of Dalmatia, one of Croatia’s fastest-growing tourist regions.
Tickets are now on sale and the service is operational
Tickets for the new international route are of course now available, with the service operating throughout the summer season. Jadrolinija has stated that the catamaran being used to operate this service offers a modern and comfortable onboard experience, with the approximately four-hour journey making it one of the fastest sea connections currently available between Croatia and Italy.
