Travel notes: Sibenik, Croatia. Sibenik, two-hour walk Sibenik Croatia

October 30th, 2013 , 01:41 pm


Sibenik, to my taste, is one of the most interesting cities in the central part of the Adriatic coast. It doesn’t seem to be very different from the same Split, but it’s much more catchy. The town was included in the individual list of must-see places according to the traditional scheme - Sibenik is home to one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites registered in Croatia - the Cathedral of St. James.


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City embankment. By the way, at that two-story pink house behind the parked cars, we got into trouble with parking. How I felt that there was no need to drive under the barrier - and in fact, when we were about to go further, it turned out that the payment terminals were not working. All the coins that we threw inside immediately came back. And with an invalid parking ticket, there was no way to remove the car from the parking lot. In the end, the owner of a store of all sorts of fur coats, sheepskin coats and sheepskin coats located there, who looked like a pimp, helped us get out - he called a “colleague” with a key card. Considering how much effort he made so that we could look for something in his establishment while we were waiting for release, I still can’t shake the feeling that the terminal there was clearly broken for a reason.

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Sibenik has a very cool old town. It is built on a slope - hence the many stairs. There are very narrow streets where you can easily get lost. And you can hardly see the sky - there are a lot of arches and vaults, and where there are none, garlands of linen hang overhead. And, of course, the thick smell of traditional Croatian lavender - it followed us everywhere.

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There is a feeling that space itself is bent here, stairs are literally everywhere - they lead to the entrances to houses, along them you can go down to small courtyards or up to neighboring streets. A real labyrinth.

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What's especially nice is the deserted labrinth. Unlike Dubrovnik, where on the same narrow streets you had to maneuver through a crowd of tourists from cruise ships - it is very quiet and calm here, you hardly encounter passers-by.

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It seems to me that in order to navigate here calmly, you either need to be born here or live here for some time. Streets intersect in completely unexpected places and at the most unimaginable angles. The assumption that initially parallel streets lead in one direction in Sibenik is completely unjustified - out of habit, you can make circles for a long time.

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A completely typical picture for the old part of the city - no sooner have you climbed one staircase than you immediately stumble upon another, leading in a completely different direction.

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Another arch - by the way, looks completely residential.

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If anyone has had the impression that there is nothing in Sibenik except stairs and narrow streets, this is not at all true. What I liked about this old city is that it is harmonious. Everything is there, and in moderation. Small squares with street cafes, for example.

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But this card (although it’s completely unsuccessful and I don’t like it at all) sums up my impressions especially well. There is an arch. There are stairs. Linen is hanging. The paving stones are characteristic. Cats (of which there are almost more in Croatia than people) are present. And one more nuance - various kinds of Christian symbols. In Sibenik they are literally on every corner, and here the icon appeared in the frame. The only thing missing is green shutters (they are also a kind of calling card of the city), but you can see the door (you’ll have to take my word for it that it’s also green).

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Urban details - as small touches in a city portrait.

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One more picture. Also very characteristic.

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The square next to the cathedral. Very interesting architecture. By the way, another characteristic feature of Croatia is that the people at the tables are not tourists, but workers of nearby shops. When they see that you are going to buy something, they come up, serve you, and return back to the table.

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The same area. In general, the idea of ​​​​painting all homogeneous elements the same color is very interesting - I have never seen this before. The impression of a single urban space is immediately created.

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Actually, the Cathedral of St. James, for which we came here.

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The main feature of the cathedral is the 74 heads of contemporaries of Juraj Dalmatinac, one of the architects of the cathedral. By the way, the monument that appeared in the two previous frames is dedicated to him.

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The heads surround the cathedral in a circle - a very unusual sight.

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And a bit more.

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They are the same, but in closer view. The characteristic types are actually a portrait of their era.

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In general, these same heads, in fact, are one of the main symbols of the city - their images are used wherever appropriate.
Here, for example, is a sign for a souvenir shop next to the Cathedral.

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And this is a stand with magnets - right there. Almost the entire assortment (more than impressive) of the shop is in one way or another connected with the same heads.

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Arch over the entrance to the Cathedral.

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Cathedral from the inside. An impressive sight.

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Bottom view of the dome.

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View of the altar. As always, we ended up undergoing restoration, but this did not spoil the impression for us.

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Staircase leading to the baptistery. Baptismal department, in other words.

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Decoration of the baptistery. Looks really cool - amazing job. At the bottom left is a statue of one of the Old Testament prophets (the rest are left behind the scenes. On the ceiling are images of God the Father, angels and cherubs (although it is not immediately clear which of them is which).

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The decoration of the Cathedral is very pretentious - with many interesting details.

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Side view of the Cathedral. There is a lonely granny on the steps with souvenirs. In general, October is a completely low season in Croatia - there are practically no tourists.

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And for a snack - another view of the Cathedral from one of the adjacent streets.

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By the way, another interesting point is that in Croatia there is an absolutely unimaginable number of buyers of precious metals. We constantly came across signs like “Zlata’s ransom” in every city where we found ourselves - and more than once. I don’t know what this is connected with.

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At some point we came across a sign marking the direction to the fortress of St. Anne. This point was not initially included in the program, but we still tried to get there.

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Of course, we had to wander around different courtyards.

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We came across a small Botanical Garden. Under the canopy there is a rather cozy cafe.

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A street leading up the hill (theoretically - towards the fortress). Somewhere down there, in the labyrinth, is the Cathedral.

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But for some reason she led us to the cemetery. Also, by the way, dedicated to Saint Anne.

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We still didn’t understand how to get from the cemetery to the fortress; maybe we should have climbed further. But the cemetery itself is very busy. Firstly, at a commanding height overlooking the city.

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Secondly, it is completely made of stone. In my opinion, everything that is here is carved out of stones.

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Apparently a chapel. In general, a very interesting approach is to make a cemetery not in a deep forest on the outskirts, but on a hill right in the middle of the city.

Sibenik (Croatia) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Sibenik with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Sibenik (Croatia)

Sibenik is a city in southwestern Croatia in the north of the historical region of Dalmatia. Located in the center of the Croatian Adriatic at the mouth of the Krka River. Sibenik is an ancient city with a thousand-year history and one of the largest and best preserved authentic medieval historical centers with charming narrow streets and ancient architecture. Its main attraction is the magnificent Cathedral of St. James in the Renaissance style, which was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000. Also in the old town of Sibenik there are many beautiful old churches, palaces and several fortresses. In addition, the inventor of the parachute, Faust Vrancic, was born and lived here.

Geography and climate

Šibenik is located in the north of Dolmatia on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, into which the Krka River flows. The coastline is heavily indented. The climate is Mediterranean subtropical. Summers are hot and dry, winters are mild and wet.

Practical information

  1. Population - more than 46 thousand people.
  2. Currency - kuna.
  3. Visa - Schengen.
  4. Language - Croatian.
  5. Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
  6. City beaches - Banj and Jadriya.

Best time to visit

The beach season lasts from late May to October. The water in the Adriatic Sea warms up to 24-26 degrees. The peak tourist season is in July and August.

Story

A fortified settlement on the site of the modern city was built by the Croats in the 9th century. Šibenik was first mentioned in the 11th century under King Peter Krešimir IV. In 1298 it received city status. In 1412, like all of Dalmatia, the city came under the rule of Venice. In the 15th and 16th centuries it was constantly besieged by the Turks, but was never captured.

Sibenik was part of the Venetian Republic for three centuries, being its western stronghold on the path of the Ottomans. The current old town mainly dates from the 15th to 17th centuries, when Šibenik began to flourish in the salt and wine trade and shipping.


At the end of the 18th century the city became part of the Habsburg Empire. Šibenik was under Austrian rule until the First World War. After it, it was occupied by Italy several times until it finally became part of Croatia and Yugoslavia. This happened after the Second World War.

How to get there

Šibenik is located between the cities of Trogir and Zadar. The nearest airport is located in Zadar. A good alternative would be Split Airport. Šibenik is connected by bus to major cities in Croatia, Slovenia, and Germany. You can also get here by train from Zagreb and Split.

Shopping and purchases

Popular purchases include: olive oil, figs, wine, traditional orange and black cap, coral products and sponges. At the end of September there is a medieval festival where you can buy various souvenirs related to this historical period. In the southern part of the city on the road to Split there is the Dalmare shopping center.


Food and drink

Dalmatian cuisine is a mixture of Croatian cuisine with strong influences from Mediterranean (Italian) cuisine. One of the most famous dishes is soparnik (vegetable pie). A very large number of dishes are based on fish and seafood. Popular foods include risotto, Dalmatian pašticada s njokama (gnocchi), prosciutto (ham), cevapi (fried meat sausages).

Attractions

The main attractions of Sibenik are located in the old town. The historical center dates back to the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. The old town was formed in the 15th-17th centuries and is one of the best preserved in Croatia.

Sacred architecture

Sibenik is famous for its sacred architecture. There are more than a dozen ancient churches in the old town.


Church of St. James's Cathedral, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is one of the most impressive masterpieces of Christian architecture on the Dalmatian coast. Construction of the cathedral began in 1431 and was completely completed in 1536. It consists entirely of solid stone blocks and has a strict but beautiful façade.

Cathedral of St. Jacob was built by the most famous architects in Croatia. The building combines Gothic and Renaissance styles. One of the most interesting features is the elaborate frieze on the outside of the apse with over 70 unique faces representing ordinary 15th century townspeople.

Church of St. The Barbarians is a small Gothic church from the 15th century. Above the main portal in a niche is a statue of St. Nicholas by a sculptor from Milan. There is a Gothic window on the north wall. Within the walls of the church there is now a small remarkable collection of sculptures and paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries. The interior boasts two unique altars.

Church of St. Francis is a medieval church founded in the 13th century. In the 18th century the building was rebuilt in Baroque style. The interior is decorated with paintings and a magnificent 17th-century organ.


Church of St. Joanna is one of the most beautiful churches in Sibenik. It was built in the 15th century and is a masterpiece of medieval architecture. The church is decorated with interesting bas-reliefs; at the bottom of the bell tower there is a Renaissance window. In the 18th century, a Turkish clock was built on the bell tower after the Ottomans abandoned the city completely in the 18th century. The dome of the bell tower was dismantled in the 19th century after an earthquake.


Church of St. Krševana is a small old church from the 12th century in Romanesque style, which is one of the oldest in Šibenik.


The Church of Our Lady was built on the site where in medieval times there was a cemetery and a small church of St. Cosmas and Damian. The existing building dates from the 18th century.


Church and monastery of St. Francis built in the second half of the 14th century. These religious buildings are located in the southeastern part of the historical center. The church is a spacious one-story building in the Gothic style without architectural decorative elements. In the 15th century, on the north side, the chapel of St. Cross.

Fortresses and forts


Fortress of St. Michael's is Šibenik's oldest defensive structure, located on a high rocky hill with stunning views of the medieval old town. The fort was founded more than 9 centuries ago. The oldest surviving parts date from the 13th century, but most of the surviving walls and structures date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Fortress of St. Michael's was the main defensive structure of the medieval city.


Fortress of St. Nicholas is located at the entrance to the St. Antonia and was built in the mid-16th century as a defense against Turkish attacks from the sea. This Venetian military-style fort is one of the strongest strongholds on the Adriatic.


Fortress of St. Joanna is located on a hill 115 meters high in the northern part of the old city. It was built in the mid-17th century according to the design of the Venetian military engineer Leni.


The Barone Fortress was built by the citizens of Šibenik in 1646, two months before the Turkish attack.


The central square is the heart of the old town, the center of social and public life in Šibenik since the Middle Ages and the battlefield in 1378 during the siege by the Venetians. The square contains the city hall, several interesting historical buildings and the Cathedral of St. Jacob.


The Town Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Central Square (besides the Cathedral of St. James). It is a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture with beautiful large columns, arches and balustrades, built in the mid-16th century by the famous architect Michele Sanmicheli.

Another interesting place is the Four Wells Square. Wells were built in the mid-15th century to provide water for the population during numerous sieges.

Among the ancient palaces of Šibenik, the most impressive are the Duke's Palace (a medieval Gothic building that was the residence of a Venetian ruler) and the Bishops' Palace (a Gothic-Renaissance building from the 15th century).


Ethno-village is an ethnographic complex of traditional stone houses, which “tells” about the life and everyday life of medieval Dalmatia.

One of the first cities to appear in Croatia was Šibenik. It is located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, near the confluence of the Krka River and the international highway. Originating on the shores of a sea bay, it began to grow, like an amphitheater, over many centuries. The population of the city with a thousand-year history is currently less than 40 thousand people.

Tourists from all over the world come to holiday in Croatia. Sibenik is no exception. The city attracts travelers with its unique geographical location. And no wonder! After all, it is simultaneously located on three bodies of water: the sea, the river and the lake. Thanks to the unique combination of water elements, the city has become famous for its health, relaxation and relaxation procedures.

Story

The first mention of Sibenik dates back to 1066. Historical information about its development is full of drama. According to available data, Sibenik acquired the status of a city in 1298, but 114 years later it came under the rule of Venice. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Turks attacked the city with the aim of capturing it, however, all their actions did not produce any results.

In 1797, Sibenik passed to Austria, the reason for this was the fall of the city. For a short time the city was under French rule, but in 1813 it again became Austrian.

During the First World War, the city was captured by Italy, but after the end of the armed struggle it became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. In 1991, after the independence of Croatia was declared, Sibenik became part of it.

Despite the fact that the city can easily be considered an “old-timer”, the surrounding atmosphere is full of newness and youth.

Sights of Sibenik (Croatia)

The central symbol of the city is the Cathedral of St. James. Solid stone blocks were used for its construction. Not far from the Cathedral of St. James, the main attraction of Sibenik, is the city Lodge (1542). The Church of St. Barbara, also located nearby, houses a huge collection of medieval art.

Tourists who come to Šibenik for the first time should definitely visit the Prince's Palace, which is currently a city museum. The number of exhibits presented in it falls slightly short of 200 thousand. Fans of ancient frescoes will be delighted by the New Church, built in the 16th century.

According to professional architects, the construction of local attractions was carried out under the influence of Venetian fashion of past times. The bright shades of stones used in the construction of buildings, which were mined in the quarries of the island of Brac, make the city incredibly beautiful and bright.

Natural wealth of Sibenik

When walking around the outskirts of the city, tourists are delighted with the amazingly colorful landscapes of nature untouched by human hands, which include the Krka National Park and the Kornati National Park.

The first is named after the river that flows in this area. Since 1985, Krka Park has been considered national. From Sibenik it can be reached in half an hour (by transport). Krka National Park is a series of amazing lakes and waterfalls formed over thousands of years. Most visitors strive to visit 7 waterfall cascades ranging in height from 8 to 46 meters. Swimming in the lake is not prohibited in these places.

Kornati National Park is located 15 kilometers from Sibenik. It consists of 140 small islands. The archipelago can only be reached by water. Since there is no ferry service, the only option for a tourist to get to Kornati Park is to rent a boat or buy an excursion ticket.

Legend has it that the archipelago was formed from a handful of stones that were left with God after he created the world. The rich marine flora and fauna, as well as the unique geomorphology, served as the reason for uniting part of the islands into a national park.

Holidays in Sibenik (Croatia)

Wide small-pebble beaches, lush vegetation and a mild climate - all this attracts tourists from different parts of the world. On average, Sibenik has about 300 sunny days a year. The best time to come here on vacation is in August. At this time, the water temperature in the sea is 27 degrees.

While vacationing in Sibenik, tourists can not only soak up the sun, but also strengthen their body. The best sandy beaches are located 6 kilometers from the city center. In Sibenik, visitors will always find activities to their liking, from scuba diving with special equipment (diving) to sports rafting on mountain rivers on rafts (inflatable vessels designed for 2, 4 or 6 people). In addition, here you can hunt small game, go sailing on a yacht, or admire the stunning views of the city's surroundings from the windows of a helicopter. The presence of numerous water slides will not leave indifferent not only children, but also adults.

Tourists leave positive reviews about Sibenik (Croatia), noting the extraordinary beauty of nature and the mesmerizingly clear water. The only drawback of the resort, according to visitors, is that in September it is already cool to relax, and in the summer not everyone has the opportunity to take a vacation. For travel lovers and those wishing to visit, the best place to start is Sibenik.

Where to stay in Sibenik?

The city has a fairly large selection of hotels, but there is not always enough space for everyone, so it is advisable to book rooms in advance. In addition, in this case, accommodation is a little cheaper.

Tourists can stay in one of three hotels that are leading in sales among travel agencies. This is the choice of vacationers. True, they are located 6 kilometers from Sibenik (Croatia):

  • Solaris Beach Hotel Niko. The resort hotel, surrounded by a park, offers guests comfortable rooms with access to a balcony. It is located in close proximity to the beach. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool.
  • Solaris Beach Hotel Jakov, located within the Solaris Beach Resort complex, offers cozy rooms with air conditioning and a refrigerator. The main advantage of the hotel is its close proximity to the water park and the beach.
  • Solaris Beach Hotel Andrija. The hotel, also located on the territory of the Solaris Beach Resort complex, is chosen by families with children, because it is decorated in a Disney style. For young visitors there are many entertainment programs, a special menu and water slides in the water park.

How to get to Sibenik?

The city is connected to the main centers of Croatia and Europe by bus, and to the main coastal Italian cities by ferry. The distance from the Adriatic city of Trogir is 58 kilometers, from Zadar - 64 km.

A holiday in this beautiful city will undoubtedly bring great satisfaction, and the beauty of the local landscapes will leave an imprint on your memory for a long time. The presented photos of Sibenik in Croatia confirm this.


The nearest airport to the resort is located 60 km from Sibenik, in Split, from which you can get to the accommodation by bus, taxi, located right at the exit from the main building of the airport, or by renting a car directly at the airport. Some hotels provide an additional transfer service.
The Split air terminal has a history, it is already more than 60 years old, but during the Yugoslav military events the airport was closed. But since 1992, it has “bloomed” with renewed vigor and reached second place in the country in popularity. In this regard, you can fly to Split from different parts of the planet; by the way, there are flights from the well-known Aeroflot. The enchanting nature of the local region can be felt already at the airport itself, since it is framed by a wonderful olive grove. Do you agree, this is very unusual?!
Details about the airport, flights and services are available here www.split-airport.hr.

Attractions Sibenik




If we talk about fortifications, which more than once saved the lives of local settlers, you can rejoice - to this day, several of these buildings have been preserved in excellent condition. These include the legendary fortress of St. John, located outside the city, if you move north from the resort, as well as the fortress of St. Michael and the ancient fort of St. Nicholas. In ancient times, the listed historical monuments were only links of an integral fortification complex surrounding the city and united by high walls, which, unfortunately, did not “survive” to our time.





But in the historical “heart” of Šibenik, buildings from different eras have survived. Thus, in the central square of the resort you can find the local municipality building, erected in the 16th century in the Renaissance style, as well as the famous Princely Palace, born during the period of the Venetian “tutorship”, which now houses the city museum.
What can you see in the museum? The exhibition is divided into several blocks: modern history, ethnographic, cultural-historical, and architectural. Here you can admire collections of weapons, rare antique furniture and household items from ancient times, as well as photographs of past years, musical instruments and jewelry. Each tourist is able to find something interesting for themselves here, because the number of exhibits exceeds 150 thousand. In addition, the museum often hosts interesting exhibitions.





The oldest monument of church heritage is considered to be the Cathedral, named after St. James, erected in the 15th century. in a style that is a combination of Renaissance and Gothic. By the way, the miracle cathedral is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, so some tourists want to see it during their first tour of Sibenik.
The fortress of St. Anne, located on a hill outside the city, is worthy of attention, as is the Franciscan monastery, where the wonderful Museum of Medieval Publications is located.
The Church of St. Barbara has an exhibition of ecclesiastical art from the Middle Ages.
The ancient buildings of Sibenik captivate with their grandeur and beauty. In general, the city seems bright and royally elegant, all this thanks to the use of light-colored Brac stone, which local Croats use to build streets and cladding buildings. This type of stone has become famous throughout the planet, even the Americans ordered a batch of such wonderful material for cladding the White House in Washington.




Of course, the nearby Krk Park is also a natural attraction. It would be unforgivable if you relax in Šibenek without visiting the famous park.
What other interesting things exist in Šibenik? In the summer, the well-known Chanson Festival is held here, and at the beginning of autumn there is a huge fair, colorful, eventful, with folk music concerts and costume shows. At the beginning of summer, local authorities organize a holiday for the little ones, holding an international children's festival. In addition, various kinds of concerts and exhibitions are often organized in Sibenik. In general, no one is bored here. Check it out for yourself!

Where to stay?




Traveling with the whole family, with little ones? Do you want your little ones to have something to do and not have to travel far to the sea? At the same time, is service important to you, to have a good restaurant with a children's menu and an abundance of national dishes? Then you should pay attention to the family-format hotel “Family Hotel Andrija”, located at the following address: Hotelsko naselje bb. It has all of the above, including a room with a nanny, a children's playground and a huge entertainment center nearby. This is a four star hotel with the price for a room for two with the option of 2 cots around $250.
Popular in Sibenik Solaris Beach Resort, consisting of 5 hotels with beaches, a water park, sports centers, a spa complex with 6 swimming pools with different temperatures and hydromassage installations, a lot of cozy restaurants and souvenir shops. Among the high-level hotels, they praise “Jure” with a double room with separate beds costing about $200, as well as “Niko”, surrounded by pine trees, where it is easy to breathe and you can bask in the sun in the shade.
Among the three-star hotels, a place like “Ivan” has proven itself well, with a famous thalassotherapy center and swimming pools with sea water, as well as a complex of procedures with therapeutic mud.





Do you have a modest budget and/or don't like hotels? Then choose the apartment option you like, since there is a great abundance of them here. Here, for example, is “Ankica”, a complex located on Katarine Zrinske 2, providing apartments with free parking and a kitchen. One and a half kilometers to the sea, one kilometer to the shopping center. There is a bus stop nearby, and gazebos and barbecues are located in the courtyard for guests' use. The price for an apartment for two is only 60 dollars.





Would you like to live in the historical part of Sibenik? Tourists have chosen the local residential complex “Nove Crkve”, located on Nove Crkve 18. The price for two people in an apartment will be about $80. Market, shops, attractions - all this will be available to you 300 meters outside the gates of the complex.

Gastronomic establishments of the resort

Pavements and narrow short streets, constantly winding between houses - all this gives the city an unforgettable medieval flavor.

The city of Sibenik was founded back in 1066. Many tourists who have visited this city call it an “open-air museum.” The city received this status thanks to the many ancient attractions located right on the city streets.

Sibenik can hardly be classified as a resort town. Rather, this city is ideal for vacationers who love many excursions. People also come here to go diving, sail on yachts, and also hunt.

Sibenik - narrow streets, constantly winding between houses - all this gives the city an unforgettable medieval flavor



To enlarge, click on the photo

Location of the city of Šibenik

The city of Sibenik is located on the Adriatic coast of the Republic of Croatia, at the mouth of the Krka River. You can get to the city by car or plane, although the nearest airport is located in Split (about 60 kilometers from Sibenik).

Beaches of Sibenik

The beaches of Sibenik are approximately 6 kilometers away from the city center. The beaches here are quite wide and small-pebble. The advantage of these beaches over others is the abundance of a wide variety of vegetation. On the beaches you can meet a lot of tourists from European countries, including Russians. On average, Šibenik experiences approximately 300 sunny days annually.

Restaurants and hotels in Sibenik

Although there are quite a lot of hotels in the city, there is still not always enough space for those interested, so it makes sense to book apartments in advance. In addition, with this approach, the cost of living can be significantly reduced.

Šibenik's restaurants have a very developed high-quality cuisine, which is offered in local restaurants. Here you can try, in addition to Croatian cuisine, European, Asian and other international cuisine.

There are also many shops in Sibenik, from expensive boutiques to shops selling products from local producers.

Attractions

In Sibenik, tourists almost always come to see the unique Cathedral of St. James, built back in the 15th century. It was built from large stone blocks. The fortress of St. Anne and St. Nicholas and the Church of St. Barbara are also popular. Professional architects note that local attractions were built under the influence of Venetian fashion of those years. The city is very beautiful and bright thanks to the bright shades of stone mined from the quarries located on