Šibenik region

Šibenik:

Šibenik is a city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. It’s known as a gateway to the Kornati Islands. The 15th-century stone Cathedral of St. James is decorated with 71 sculpted faces. Nearby, the Šibenik City Museum, in the 14th-century Prince’s Palace, has exhibits ranging from prehistory to the present. The white stone St. Michael’s Fortress has an open-air theater, with views of Šibenik Bay and neighboring islands

Sibenik City Guide:

Holding the title of the oldest native Croatian town on the Adriatic coast, Sibenik served as the seat of Croatian kings in the past, including King Petar Kresimir, after whom the city was named. So-called Kresimir’s city, located in the bay where the river Krka meets the Adriatic Sea, counts a population of around 34,000 people, therefore making it the third largest city in Dalmatia. Šibenik is the political, economical and cultural centre of Sibenik-Knin County and the 12th largest city in Croatia. The official language spoken in Sibenik is Croatian and the official currency is the Croatian Kuna (≈€ 0,13). The average annual temperature is 15 °C with the warmest month being July. Thanks to the pleasant Mediterranean climate, the summers are hot and dry, while the winters are mild and humid. With this type of weather, you can effortlessly plan your holiday to Sibenik, one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Croatia.

If you’re planning to pay a visit to Sibenik, our guide below will provide the necessary information for you to efficiently plan your trip. 

Getting to Sibenik:

Due to being located in the central part of the Croatian Adriatic coast, Sibenik has good connections that enable quick and easy entry to the city.

By plane

Unfortunately, Sibenik does not have its own airport, but there are other alternative options. The closest airports are Split Airport with a distance of approximately 60 kilometres, and Zadar Airport, located around 80 kilometres away from the city. 

By bus

Sibenik Bus Station is the main bus station in the city located on the coastline, near the Old Town and Sibenik Ferry Port. The main bus operator is Autotransport Sibenik which offers local and interstate transport. Internationally, Sibenik is connected to cities such as Belgrade, Milan, Solvesborg, Munich and Ljubljana, while locally Sibenik is connected to Dubrovnik, Zadar and Split.

BY Train

Sibenik Railway Station is situated in the heart of the city, right in the vicinity of the main bus station and port passenger terminal. At the train station you can find a public toilet and a café Maron that is open everyday from 06:00-23:00, except Sundays. The tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices or online from the official Croatian Railways HZ site.

By ferry

Sibenik Ferry Port offers routes to Vodice, Brodarica, Biograd na Moru and to local islands Krapanj, Zlarin, Prvic, Kaprije, Zirje, Vrgada, Pasman and Ugljan. Besides being connected to the islands of the Sibenik archipelago, Sibenik is also connected to the nearby cities in Italy, for instance Ancona, Trieste, Bari and Venice. Check available ferries here. 

D-Marin Mandalina is the only premier superyacht destination and the only marina in Croatia to have been rewarded 5 Golden Anchors. The luxurious marina provides technical services, state-of-the-art equipment, 24-hour security service and yacht charters. Because of its close proximity to islands like Vis, Brac, Hvar and Solta, it is ideal for island hopping or snorkeling.

By car

Croatian roads are connected to the nearby countries with good motorways and affordable tolls, making the journey to Croatia by car a simple one!

Locally known as Dalmatina, A1 is the longest and fastest motorway in Croatia. A1 runs through most major Croatian cities, national parks and world heritage sites, from the capital Zagreb to Dubrovnik. It includes Karlovac, Zadar, Sibenik, Split and Ploce. Road cost for a one-way trip is around 180 kn, which is payable in Croatian Kuna, Euro or by credit and debit cards.

Jadranska magistrala, or the Adriatic highway, is the main Croatian coastal road that runs from the Slovenian border, connecting Rijeka, Senj, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Makarska, Ploce and Dubrovnik. The highway, also known as the D8 road, ends in south Montenegro. Stretching along the Croatian coastline, the highway offers mesmerising views of the coastline, making it a favourite among all who visit.

NOTE: In order to enter Croatia with your car, you need an ID card and/or passport, a valid driver’s licence, automobile registration documents and an international insurance card.

Sights:

Sibenik is situated in Croatia, a land of more than 1000 islands, each one more beautiful than the last one. The city was founded by the Croats in the 9th century, and its popularity only grew ever since. Known as The City of Fortresses, Sibenik has four surviving fortresses that still stand proudly to this day. To make the most out of your stay, here are our top places to visit when sightseeing in Sibenik.

Sibenik Old Town

The old Town is filled with numerous attractions. Some are almost a millennium old, while most of them date back to the 15th century, during the Venetian rule of Sibenik. An example of the latter is The Cathedral of Saint James, or Katedrala Svetog Jakova, a UNESCO World Heritage Site made entirely out of stone. It rose to fame when it was featured in an episode of Game of Thrones, an American fantasy drama TV show

St Michael’s Fortress

Also located in the Old Town, the fortress is the oldest and most famous medieval fortress in Sibenik. Locally known as Tvrdava sv. Mihovila, the fortress regularly hosts open-air concerts of renowned Croatian and worldwide artists, such as Róisín Murphy, Nouvelle Vague and Morcheeba. 

The Church of St Barbara

In the heart of the city lies a church-turned-museum which is home to a small, but noteworthy collection of many sculptures, stone statues and art that date back from 14th to 18th century. The Museum of Sacral Arts is one of the oldest sacral buildings in Šibenik, making it a place of great value to locals and tourists alike.

Count’s Palace

In the nearby vicinity from St Michael’s Fortress lies the a late Renaissance style residence built during the time of Venetian rule. Inside the palace is the city’s Civic Museum, or Muzej Grada Sibenika, where many archeological artefacts like weapons, armor and art are displayed. Sculptures, a coin collection and other items that date from Neolithic to Roman times are also exhibited.

The Dalmatian Ethno Village

This a living museum provides a chance to relive the rich history of the region. Taste the authentic food and drinks made the original way with the traditional tools that are the result of longtime passed down traditions. Check out the weaving workshops, craft fairs and the 100-year-old watermill while you sample the old Dalmatian cuisine.

St John’s Fort

Sibenik’s highest fortress is situated on top of a hill, overlooking the city. The fortress was built in the 17th century for the purpose of protecting Sibenik from Turkish attacks. Since the citizens were frightened, they decided to assist in the building of the fort, completing it entirely in only 6 weeks!

Banj beach

This the most famous pebble beach in Sibenik, which offers panoramic views of Sibenik’s Cathedral and all four preserved fortresses. The Blue Flag beach has the perfect landscapes for sports like volleyball, kayak, canoe, swimming, water polo and picigin, a traditional ball game that originates from Split. Nearby restaurant Petrus is ideal if you’re looking to grab a bite while relaxing under the Dalmatian sun. During the summer, parties are regularly hosted on the beach, so keep an eye out!