Šibenik is a fascinating town, often overlooked due to its lack of an airport. Nevertheless, I believe Šibenik is worth considering for a holiday or a day trip.
In the video below, I showcase Šibenik’s Old Town, the green market, the fortress protecting the city, one of its UNESCO sites, and other intriguing areas.
In the text below, I provide additional details and tips.
About the City
Šibenik has been historically known since the 11th century. Like other Croatian cities, it has been under many different rulers since its founding, which have left footprints from various cultures in the city.
Some Interesting Facts about Šibenik
- Šibenik is also called Krešimir’s Town.
- Šibenik was the de facto capital of Croatia for a 6 month period during WW2.
- Šibenik is the only town in Croatia with two UNESCO listed sites!
- You can sail from Šibenik to Skradin, the entrance to the National Park Krka.
- Šibenik is protected by 4 fortresses (we visit them in the video).
- Šibenik was not a Roman city.
- Šibenik has been the seat of the Croatian King.
- The Old Town of Šibenik has more stairs than Dubrovnik.
- For centuries, the town’s name was Sebenico.
The Old Town
The Old Town in Šibenik is a charming labyrinth of small streets and cozy squares. The main streets in the Old Town are Ul. Kralja Tomislava and Zagrebačka ul., where you will find the most shops. The center of the Old Town, Trg Republike Hrvatske, is where the Cathedral and the City Hall are located.
The small streets offer a mix of shops, most selling “typical” tourist items, but there are also galleries, art shops, and other surprises. On most squares, you will find restaurants and coffee bars.
The highlight of the Old Town is, of course, the Šibenik Cathedral / Cathedral of St. James, which was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.
During the summer season, the cathedral can be visited daily from 08:30 to 20:30, and the entrance fee is 3€.
Outside of the Old Town towards the sea, you have a nice promenade featuring many restaurants and coffee bars.
The Šibenik Fortresses
Few towns worldwide can boast about having four fortresses protecting their city, and Šibenik is one of them! We visited all of them!
St. Michael’s Fortress
St. Michael’s Fortress is the fortress closest to the Old Town. As shown in the video, there are signs in the Old Town pointing you toward the fortress.
As the walk up to the fortress involves going uphill, you might consider taking an Uber or a taxi on a hot summer day.
St. Michael’s Fortress was the first fortress built around Šibenik.
The fortress was completely restored in 2014 and now hosts an open air stage used for concerts and other events. I recommend checking the fortress’s website if you wish to experience a concert while in Šibenik. Note: On days with scheduled concerts, there might be limited access for regular visitors.
During the summer season, the fortress is open from 09:00 to 21:00.
The entrance price to the fortress is 11.50€. A three fortress ticket (St. Michael’s, Barone, and St. John’s) costs 13€ (combi ticket valid for 7 days).
Discounted family tickets are available.
Barone Fortress
The Barone Fortress was the third (or fourth) fortress constructed; it was completed at the same time as St. John’s Fortress in 1646. Both fortresses were completed in just 58 days!
The walk uphill to Barone is challenging in the summer heat. We walked the 1 km from St. Michael’s to Barone and needed to rest for 10 minutes before entering the fortress.
At Barone, you have the option to use a multimedia device, which provides augmented reality videos about the fortress and historical events related to it.
The fortress was restored in 2016. Inside the fortress, there is a coffee bar and toilets.
During the summer season, the fortress is open from 09:00 to 21:00.
For the entrance price, see above!
St. John’s Fortress
From Barone Fortress, you can walk about 200 meters with an elevation of about 20 meters to reach the entrance of St. John’s Fortress. This fortress is the largest of the fortresses around Šibenik.
When the Ottomans attacked the city in 1647, St. John’s Fortress was the decisive stronghold in the defense against the 25,000 man strong army.
You can take a taxi or an Uber to Barone or St. John’s, which I highly recommend on hot summer days. Note: There is no parking at St. John’s, so if you come with your own car, you must park next to Barone.
The fortress has been completely restored, a project that was finished in 2021. The fortress is now also home to a campus.
During the summer season, the fortress is open from 09:00 to 21:00.
For the entrance price, see above!
St. Nicholas Fortress
The last fortress around Šibenik is St. Nicholas Fortress. This fortress is unique as it is located in the sea, protecting Šibenik from naval attacks. You can read about our visit to the fortress here.
Practical Tips for Visiting Šibenik
The best place to park in Šibenik is at the three story garage under Poljana Square, where your car will be in the shade and you are next to the Old Town.
You have a nice green market in the center of town, but if you need to do more traditional shopping, there are shopping malls outside of the center.
Šibenik can be easily reached by bus from larger cities like Split, Zadar, or Zagreb. Local buses connect it to Krka National Park, Vodice, and other nearby villages.
The local tourist board seems a bit disorganized when it comes to their online presence; they appear to have multiple websites, which are not in great condition. This one here is the least problematic.
The city of Šibenik offers a Šibenik Card. This card is only relevant if you plan to visit many of the sights in the area.
The tourist board also developed an app, but I have yet to figure out what benefits it provides!
FAQ
Is Šibenik good for a beach holiday?
Yes, the Amadria Park, just south of Šibenik, offers great beaches, multiple hotels and campsites, as well as an amazing aquapark.
Are there any good restaurants in Šibenik?
Yes, Šibenik has several good restaurants. Pelegrini, near the cathedral, is a 1 star Michelin restaurant.
Is the nightlife good in Šibenik?
No, Šibenik is not a party destination; however, there are several amazing bars. My favorite is the Azimut Bar near the cathedral.
