Šibenik riviera [Northern Dalmatia]

General information

• Number of residents: 37 000 u 2006
• Geographical position: North Dalmatia
• Climate: Mediterranean
• Average summer temperature: 27° C
• Average winter temperature: 5° C

Gastronomy

As everywhere else in Dalmatia you can find numerous restaurants in and around Šibenik where you can taste specialties of Mediterranean cuisine. Restaurants in this area offer you fish specialties and we recommend trying a glass of good wine with healthy and easy Mediterranean cuisine.

For all those who may not prefer fish, there are meat specialties, and so that everything would be easy and healthy we recommend a grilled specialty or a specialty under the baker's lid. Baker's lid is a specific, traditional way of preparing food, where food is prepared under a sort of iron bell which is covered by cinder, so that food bakes and cooks at the same time with the final result of irresistible delicacy worthy of every praise.

Vegetable is served as sidedish to meat or fish, either fresh as salad or boiled and spiced in olive oil, or cooked potatoes.

Sport

Besides making trips to the National Park, exploring the countryside and seeing what sport opportunities there are is also recommended. As already mentioned there are many water sports you can join here like sailing, water skiing, windsurfing...

Nautical center is situated in Šibenik where you can get all detailed information.

We must not forget diving around Kornati, since it is a really special event, as is also the rafting on the river Cetina. Rafting on the river Cetina is a special adventure where you can see the karst area by the river and test your adventure spirit.

We also suggest visiting the nearby Skradin, renting a bike in a rent-a-bike center and exploring the countryside.

For the brave and those who search a true adventure there is bungee jumping from the Šibenik Bridge. All who have tried bungee say they would like to try in once more and maybe this is a good opportunity to do this, for the first or some other time.

Fun and night life

Let's start from the beginning: your visit to Šibenik should definitely include International children's festival held on the main square at the end of June and beginning of July. It is the time when not just the main square but the whole town lives for children and the festival, so it is fair to say that all squares, streets, and steps become one big stage.

Second, in the second half of August there are vocal singing groups evenings that keep the tradition of a Capella singing in the whole Šibenik region. Organ lovers also meet in August for an interesting event.

September is the time for Renaissance. There is a Renaissance fair that brings us back to distant past.

Finally, you can have a good time going out to one of many bars, or dance in one of the discotheques. You don't have to stay in town, go to one of the nearby discotheques where you will surely have a good time.

How to get there?

• By car:
  • Zagreb-Šibenik 316 km highway
  • Split-Šibenik 50 km highway
  • Zadar-Šibenik 75 km highway
• By plane: www.croatiaairlines.hr (air port Zadar or Split)
• By train: www.hznet.hr
• By bus: www.akz.hr
• By boat: www.jadrolinija.hr (international and domestic lines)

Beaches

There aren't many beaches in Šibenik. Usually people visit one of the nearby islands where the beaches are rocky or pebbled. There are tourist facilities in and around Šibenik with beaches mostly in the form of concrete terraces so that the guests can be completely comfortable. Near Šibenik in a place called Žaborić, you can find sandy sea grounds. Of course there are many pebbled beaches as well as rocky ones around smaller towns near Šibenik. There are pebbled beaches in Žaborići and in Primošten.

What to see?

As already mentioned, the Renaissance left a significant trace on the face of Šibenik, and St. Jakov cathedral is one of the most significant buildings, which we definitely recommend you to visit. The fact that it was being built for a hundred years tells how much effort and skill is invested in the building of this beautiful cathedral. In the year 2000 the cathedral was reckognized by UNESCO as world heritage site.

Duke's palace is situated very near the cathedral and today it is a home to archeological, ethnographic and cultural-historical museum. The palace itself was once a part of the town's defense system in the 13th and 14th century. Today it is well-preserved, once a home of town's duke who was the highest representative of government in Šibenik. You can the heraldry of St. Mihovil, the town's patron saint. The functioning of museum is made possible by adaptation of over 2500 m2. In museums you can get to know the history of Krešimir's town in more detail.

Šibenik's Town hall is one of the most beautiful town halls in Croatia, and it is a common theme on post cards since this interesting architectural solution of the Renaissance period is one of the highest achievements of urbanism in the region. Unknown architect constructed it in the Renaissance period between 1533 to 1546. Considering the fact that it was finished only ten years after the cathedral, it formed a beautiful Renaissance square that is also worth visiting.

Wells are also built very near the cathedral. Built in the 15th century they were main sources for potable water for citizens. Today the wells have a completely different purpose; they stage a multimedial attraction where you can meet the life and sights of Šibenik.

Falconry center

Falconry center is situated on a wide area since it deals with breeding of various birds of prey and the preservation of nature. If you want to feel the spirit of adventure, you're in the right place.

There is a special program prepared for visitors in order to get a better insight into the activities of the center and it is also worth mentioning that this place nurtures the medieval skill of falconry. If you wish to know more about it you will have the opportunity.

Primošten

Founded on an islet, which is connected to land by a bridge, Primošen developed into a well-known summer resort that offers something to everybody. Long pebbled beach or wild rocks, high cliffs falling vertically into the sea and walking paths around old fortification walls will surely impress you.

Where to go on a trip?

National Park Krka

Šibenik countryside has many small nice places you can visit in one day, but we definitely recommend a trip to the National Park Krka.

You can tour through the Park on the water, road or on foot. Don't miss visiting Skradinski Buk, large and beautiful waterfall that shows the strength of nature, and Roški slap situated in its vicinity as well as the convent on the islet Visovac.

National Park Kornati

According to a legend, after creating the world, God through the rest of the rocks in the sea and concluded that they don't need to be improved. Taking a trip to Kornati will give you an opportunity to see this natural phenomenon which binds the relaxing blueness of the sea and the sharp whitness of karst. If you are a diver, local guides can give you good advice on the best diving localities.

Vransko Lake

Vransko Lake was proclaimed a Nature Park in 1999. It is a natural phenomenon in karst part of Dalmatia and it is also the biggest natural lake in Croatia. It is especially nice that the lake is at certain places only five hundred meters away from the sea, so that this gift of nature gives you an opportunity to see the beautiful combination of blue and green colors of sea and lake.

The lake is an ornithological reserve and a home for herons. Fishermen can enjoy fishing sweet water fish, but since the sea and the lake mix water, it is possible to catch a few mullets.

Split

The Roman emperor Diocletian built a palace for his retirement days in Split, thus leaving in heritage a building that, even today, 1700 years later, leave its visitors breathless. Split will also impress you with the Southern temperament of its residents and an excellent tourist offer. Come and see why it is difficult to resist its charm!

Trogir

Trogir is a town called "small Venice". It is a true museum of medieval heritage; it is a town whose history goes back in the Antique when it was called Tragurion. In the year 1997 UNESCO recognized Trogir as a world heritage site. Today, Trogir is a place that offers a lot to tourists, especially nautical professionals who are welcomed to ACI Marina Čiovo.