This fortified coastal city, home to medieval landmarks, is a gateway to a breathtaking national park and the largely uninhabited Kornati Islands.
The ancient city of Šibenik is the principal tourist center of the alluring Šibenik Riviera. Admire the architectural treasures of a labyrinthine Old Town, which sits above the glistening Adriatic Sea. Bask in the sun at lively beaches, hike to waterfalls and sail around an archipelago of rugged islands.
Šibenik is one of the oldest Croat-established towns on the country’s coastline. Discover historic monuments while walking through the zigzagging alleys of the medieval center. Count the 71 carved faces decorating the rear walls of the Cathedral of St. James. Examine Venetian frescoes at the enormous St. Francis Church. Learn about the city’s long history at the Šibenik City Museum, housed in the 14th-century Prince’s Palace.
Spot aromatic flowers, herbs and medicinal plants at the Medieval Mediterranean Garden, inside St. Lawrence Monastery. Enjoy panoramic city and sea views from the ramparts of St. Michael’s Fortress. The Aquarium Terrarium Šibenik features multicolored ocean life.
Experience the centuries-old folk traditions of the Dalmatia region at Dalmatian Ethno Village. Watch bird of prey flight demonstrations at the Sokolarski Raptor Center. Hike or join a ferry cruise around Krka National ParkOpens in a new window, home to the magnificent Krka Waterfalls such as Roški Slap Waterfall.
Relax on the beaches of the Šibenik Riviera. Jadrija Beach, Plava Beach and Solaris Beach Resort are all less than a 20-minute drive from the city center. Catch a boat to Prvic Island or rent a kayak and paddle to the car-free Zlarin Island. Sail around the Kornati Islands, a mystically serene archipelago of about 140 mostly uninhabited islands famous for dramatic rock formations.
Located in Croatia’s southern Dalmatia region, Šibenik is about a 1-hour drive north of Split’s Resnik Airport. The town has a lively summer festival season, which triggers its nickname as the City of Festivals. Among the many events are the Fair in the Medieval Šibenik, Off Jazz and Blues Festival, Salsa Beach Splash Festival and Sweet Sound of Summer electronic music festival.
