Independent travel around Sibenik. What to see in Šibenik. Private apartments Sibenik

If you are worried that when you arrive in Sibenik, the sights will end before they begin. Or the answer to the question: “What to see in Sibenik?” you say “Nothing”, then this is not so.

Sibenik is a city in central Dalmatia, with a population of 36,000 people!!! And I understand your concerns about attractions.

In our cities of this size there is only one attraction - Lenin on the main square, he greets you and he sees you off.

In Croatia everything is different, even in small towns there is something to see.

View of Sibenik and landmarks

People come to Sibenik mainly either with children, everything here is created for an excellent children's holiday, or for a quiet, secluded and relaxing holiday, without fuss and haste. The sea is the main goal of travelers here, but in the evening you won’t get bored and there are places to go and things to do.

Also, a large proportion of tourists come here so that the next morning they can go for the whole day to the Krka National Park, which is 12 km from the city. But more on that below.

Sibenik attractions on the map:

What to see in Sibenik?

If you are passing through, then one day will be enough for you to explore the city attractions of Sibenik. If you are here for a few days or a week, then there will be something to do for so many days.

Krka National Park

  • The main natural attraction not only of Sibenik, but of the whole of Croatia. This is a wonder of the world with cascading waterfalls and amazingly beautiful nature. The article at the link provides details (opening hours, ticket prices, how to get there, life hacks and much more).
  • Getting from Sibenik is as easy as shelling pears; a regular bus leaves from the bus station every 20 minutes. Ticket price is 20 Kuna.
  • Official website: https://www.parkovihrvatske.hr/nacionalni-park-krka
  • Opening hours: in high season 8:00 - 20:00, in winter 9:00 - 16:00
  • Ticket price: summer, spring/autumn, winter - 200 kuna, 110 kuna, 30 kuna respectively
  • Life hack: there are huge queues during high season, I recommend buying tickets online
  • Time spent visiting: whole day
  • Recommendation for visiting: 5 out of 5.

Main waterfall of Krka National Park

Cathedral of St. James (Cathedral)

  • A magnificent cathedral in the heart of the old city. You definitely need to walk around it outside. The main feature of the cathedral is the roof, which is made entirely of stone, and not brick and wood, as was built in those days. There is not much space inside and there is an entrance fee. I didn’t see anything special inside, but my wife was delighted.
  • Opening hours: from 10:00 to 20:00, in the winter months until 18:00
  • Entrance fee: 50 kn
  • Tip: if you value nature more than architecture, you can enjoy the views of the cathedral from the outside - it's free. If you are a connoisseur of such structures, then you will like it inside.
  • Recommendations for visiting: 5 out of 5 (You should definitely look at it from the outside)

Cathedral of St. James

Inner hall of the Cathedral

Waterpark Solaris

  • It is located 5 kilometers from the center of Sibenik, we walked there in an hour. Children will enjoy the water park more than adults. There are all the entertainments for families with children. The water park itself is not large, it has three zones. There are only 6 slides in the water park, the highest is 13 meters high. A must visit for families with children.
  • Official website: http://www.aquapark-dalmatia.com/
  • Opening hours: open only during the relatively high season, each year opening and closing on different dates depending on the weather. To give you an idea, in 2018 it opened on May 10 and closed on October 3
  • Entrance fee: 110 kuna for adults, 80 kuna for children
  • Recommendations for visiting: if you are with children then 5 out of 5, if without then 2 out of 5

Waterpark Solaris

Fort St. Michael (2 pieces) and Fort Baron

  • These three fortifications, which were built like all others for defense. Today these fortresses (or what remains of them) are museums. An interesting fact is that none of the three forts have access to the sea. If you look at the map above: Fort St. Michael is located below, the other two are on the mountain, offering excellent views of the city and the sea. There aren't many people inside.
  • Fort St. Michael 2 (according to the map) is no longer a fort, but ruins. Entrance here is free. I recommend visiting it just for the views of the city. This is the highest point of the city.
  • Fort Baron and Fort St. Michael are a museum and entertainment complex, inside there is a children's playground, several simple exhibitions with the history of the city, a cafe, and of course recreation areas with beautiful views of the city.
  • Official website: Fort Baron and Fort St. Michael
  • Opening hours: both work according to the same schedule: in summer 9:00 - 22:00, in winter 9:00 - 16:00, detailed schedule by month on the official websites
  • Entrance fee: adults 50 kuna, children 30 kuna. Important: one ticket gives you the right to visit both Forts.
  • Recommendations for visiting: 3 out of 5. To see a beautiful view of the city and take a photo, you don’t need to go inside, and Fort St. Michael 2 is completely free. There is nothing magical inside for 50 kuna.

All three Sibenik Forts in the photo

Oceanarium, Terrarium Sibenik

  • Located in the center of the old city. This is never an aquarium, this is the case when the headline is worth a million, but the content is worth three kopecks. Quite a small area, only about 300 sq.m. and 20 small aquariums and terrariums. All of them are not very well maintained. We didn’t see any stingrays or sharks, as in the advertisement. Children will love it, but adults don't have much to do there.
  • The inhabitants of the aquarium: ordinary sea coral fish, three snakes, two lizards, a couple of spiders and one chinchilla.
  • Official website: http://www.aquariumsibenik.com/
  • Opening hours: Reopens from May 1, 2019. Preliminary opening hours: 10:30 – 20:00
  • Time spent visiting: 30 minutes
  • Ticket price: in 2018 it was 40 kunas, in 2019 check on the official website.
  • Recommendations for visiting: 3 out of 5 if with children, and 1 out of 5 if without children. If there is absolutely nothing to do and the weather has turned bad, only then can you go.

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.


2.
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.

3.
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.

4.
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.

5.
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.

6.
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.

7.
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.

8.
Another arch - by the way, looks completely residential.

9.
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.

10.
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).

11.
Urban details - as small touches in a city portrait.

12.
One more picture. Also very characteristic.

13.
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.

14.
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.

15.
Actually, the Cathedral of St. James, for which we came here.

16.
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.

17.
The heads surround the cathedral in a circle - a very unusual sight.

18.
And a bit more.

19.
They are the same, but in closer view. The characteristic types are actually a portrait of their era.

20.
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.

21.
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.

22.
Arch over the entrance to the Cathedral.

23.
Cathedral from the inside. An impressive sight.

24.
Bottom view of the dome.

25.
View of the altar. As always, we ended up undergoing restoration, but this did not spoil the impression for us.

26.
Staircase leading to the baptistery. Baptismal department, in other words.

27.
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).

28.
The decoration of the Cathedral is very pretentious - with many interesting details.

29.

30.

31.

32.
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.

33.
And for a snack - another view of the Cathedral from one of the adjacent streets.

34.
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.

35.
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.

36.
Of course, we had to wander around different courtyards.

37.
We came across a small Botanical Garden. Under the canopy there is a rather cozy cafe.

38.
A street leading up the hill (theoretically - towards the fortress). Somewhere down there, in the labyrinth, is the Cathedral.

39.
But for some reason she led us to the cemetery. Also, by the way, dedicated to Saint Anne.

40.
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.

41.
Secondly, it is completely made of stone. In my opinion, everything that is here is carved out of stones.

42.
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 is one of the most colorful cities in Central Dalmatia. Founded in 1066, it has several very famous historical and cultural monuments - the 31-meter-high Cathedral of St. James, the Fortress of St. Anne, and the “Rector's Palace.” The narrow winding streets of the Old Town, ancient buildings, pavements made of stone polished over centuries have turned this amazing city into an open-air museum.

In general, Šibenik will primarily please those who enjoy “excursion” trips: this is not a resort town. Here you can also hunt small game, go rowing or sail on a yacht; diving enthusiasts will not be disappointed either. Every summer the International Children's Festival is held here and the Organ Summer School is opened.

Phone numbers

8-10-385-22-phone number

How to get there

The ancient Croatian town of Sibenik is currently one of the most popular resorts in this country. It is located at the mouth of the Krka River, on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. The nearest international airport in Split from Sibenik is only 60 km away by an excellent highway, so transfer is not problematic.

Search for air tickets to Split (the nearest airport to Sibenik)

A little history

The city was founded in 1066 by the Croatian king Petar Krešimir IV, and, in addition to being a resort, the city is well known to specialists in European architecture: the Cathedral of this city was built using a method unique for those years, it is assembled from huge stone slabs. The magnificent building combines features characteristic of both the Romanesque style and Gothic motifs. To this day, this cathedral is a unique testimony to the ingenuity of past generations, their creativity and the highest artistic taste. The Cathedral is the semantic center of the city and one of its symbols.

Weather in Sibenik

As a resort, Šibenik is famous for its small pebble, rather wide beaches, mild climate and rich varied vegetation. It is attractive, first of all, for Russian tourists and tourists from European countries. This is understandable: Sibenik has an average of 300 sunny days a year.

The warmest month here is August, and then the water warms up to its highest point - 27 degrees. And the bravest ones open the swimming season in May, when the water temperature reaches 18 degrees. It is interesting to note that even in the coldest months of the year - January and February - the water temperature does not drop below 15 degrees.

Maps of Sibenik

Beaches of Sibenik

All beach hotels are located approximately 6 km from the center of Sibenik. The local beach is sandy.

Spa and treatment

In 2002, in one of the Sibenik hotels Ivan 3* (formerly Millenium Club) a thalassotherapy center was opened, consisting of 6 pools with heated water (from +28 °C to +30 °C). Four pools are with sea water, and two are with fresh water. The center widely uses therapeutic mud.

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Hotels and restaurants

There are enough hotels in Sibenik to accommodate everyone on vacation, but it makes sense to book a room, as in any resort in the world, in advance, then the price may be much lower and the variety of offers much wider.

The resort's restaurants and cafes offer first-class cuisine: international, European, Asian and local dishes harmoniously complement each other. Shopping in Sibenik can also be interesting: numerous shops offer not only items from well-known brands, but also products produced in local workshops in small, sometimes just a few pieces, batches.

Entertainment and attractions of Sibenik

St. James Cathedral is a unique white stone cathedral of the 15th century, built from solid stone blocks. Fortress of St. Nicholas, built in the 16th century on a small island to protect the city from the sea. Fortress of St. Anna on the top of the hill above the city. The City Hall building with beautiful arcades, the Franciscan Monastery with the Museum of Medieval Printings, the Church of St. Barbara with a permanent exhibition of medieval ecclesiastical art, the Archbishop's Palace and the Prince's Palace (now the City Museum). Built in the 16th century, the New Church is famous for its unique frescoes, which many tourists from all over the world come to admire.

In the ancient buildings of the city and its straight lines, a specialist will immediately see the influence of Venetian traditions and views on urban planning. Like most cities in Dalmatia, Šibenik looks bright and elegant, the reason for this is the active use of the famous Brac stone for cladding its buildings and streets. This stone is mined in the quarries of the Croatian island of Brac and is famous for its unique shade of white, which seems to be illuminated from within. As you know, the White House in Washington is faced with this stone.

Holidays in Sibenik

Leisure

Resort life in Sibenik is rich and varied. First of all, it is filled with sports and activity. The city's remarkable position - at the same time on the sea, river and lake - allows it to offer a full range of water sports, from diving to rafting. Active beach activities are possible on all beaches in the area: water slides, parasailing, and skiing are available for children and adults. Numerous volleyball courts and well-equipped tennis courts will not leave fans of these sports indifferent. Those interested are also offered such rather exotic entertainment as archery ranges and various aviation programs, which, for example, allow you to view the region from a helicopter.

Story

The city was founded in 1066 by the Croatian king Petar Krešimir IV, and, in addition to being a resort, the city is well known to specialists in European architecture: the Cathedral of this city was built using a method unique for those years, it is assembled from huge stone slabs. The magnificent building combines features characteristic of both the Romanesque style and Gothic motifs. To this day, this cathedral is a unique testimony to the ingenuity of past generations, their creativity and the highest artistic taste. The Cathedral is the semantic center of the city and one of its symbols.

Climate

The warmest month here is August, and then the water warms up to its highest point - 27 degrees. And the bravest ones open the swimming season in May, when the water temperature reaches 18 degrees. It is interesting to note that even in the coldest months of the year - January and February - the water temperature does not drop below 15 degrees. On average, Šibenik experiences approximately 300 sunny days annually.

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 the most diverse vegetation. On the beaches you can meet a lot of tourists from European countries, including Russians.

Attractions

St. James Cathedral is a unique white stone cathedral of the 15th century, built from solid stone blocks. Fortress of St. Nicholas, built in the 16th century on a small island to protect the city from the sea. Fortress of St. Anna on the top of the hill above the city. The City Hall building with beautiful arcades, the Franciscan Monastery with the Museum of Medieval Printings, the Church of St. Barbara with a permanent exhibition of medieval ecclesiastical art, the Archbishop's Palace and the Prince's Palace (now the City Museum). Built in the 16th century, the New Church is famous for its unique frescoes, which many tourists from all over the world come to admire.

In the ancient buildings of the city and its straight lines, a specialist will immediately see the influence of Venetian traditions and views on urban planning. Like most cities in Dalmatia, Šibenik looks bright and elegant, the reason for this is the active use of the famous Brac stone for cladding its buildings and streets. This stone is mined in the quarries of the Croatian island of Brac and is famous for its unique shade of white, which seems to be illuminated from within. As you know, the White House in Washington is faced with this stone.

Hotels and restaurants

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.

Leisure

Resort life in Sibenik is rich and varied. First of all, it is filled with sports and activity. The city's remarkable position - at the same time on the sea, river and lake - allows it to offer a full range of water sports, from diving to rafting. Active beach activities are possible on all beaches in the area: water slides, parasailing, and skiing are available for children and adults. Numerous volleyball courts and well-equipped tennis courts will not leave fans of these sports indifferent. Those interested are also offered such rather exotic entertainment as archery ranges and various aviation programs, which, for example, allow you to view the region from a helicopter.

How to get there

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).

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 globe. 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 who want 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.