Croatia has definitely been the en vogue vacation destination these recent years. It seems to attract travelers from all over the world (with a noticeable lack of Americans for some odd reason) and there seemed like little I could contribute to better a traveler’s experience in Croatia. That was until I stumbled this lovely little town by the name of Sibenik (pronounced sh-ib-nik).
Sibenik is located smack dab in the middle of the Dalmatian Coast between Zadar and Split. The Dalmatia region of Croatia is one of the highest visited areas of Croatia so it was more than surprising when I stumbled onto this little city hidden in plain sight. Most tourists only stop over here for the day as a base-camp to visit Krka Waterfalls. But that makes this town so special?
In a word (or phrase): Its a laid-back Croatian town with so much to do.
And that’s a true rarity among those little towns. A lot of these little, more traditional towns have very little to do outside of relaxing and walking around town. Sibenik manages to have all sorts of activities with a lot less tourists and keeps its local vibe. So what is there to do when you visit Sibenik?
Stroll through the old town
As with most European old towns, its always worth a casually stroll through the old town. The best apart about Sibenik is that on many days, its not very crowded, even during the high season. A stroll here and the surrounding suburbs let’s you breath in that leisurely, laid-back feel of Sibenik. And for once, the restaurants close to the old town, are pretty affordable and delicious.
Of course there are some unique sights, like the Cathedral of Saint James, an UNESCO heritage site.
They charge an annoying 20 kuna ($3.25) to get in
Day trip to the Krka Waterfalls
Sibenik is a great place to make day trips to Krka Waterfalls as it’s the closest main city to the waterfalls. I won’t go into detail on Krka since you can find more tips in my in-depth post.
Fortresses
Sibenik has three castles protecting the city, one of which is still being renovated. They sit on the overlooks of the city and both castles can be entered with a 50 Kuna pass. While I may be a military history nut, everyone else can enjoy the beautiful view and a lovely walk-through the town. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to attend a concert in St. Michael’s Fortress since it’s also been converted to a concert hall.
There’s even a special bonus fort! So a visit to Sibenik will allow you to visit four forts for the price of one!. However that fortress is only accessible by boat. But that’s not a bad way to spend a few hours if you shelve out for a rental!
I would’ve hated to be the mason who had to lay the foundation there
Explore the nearby beaches and towns
A visit to Croatia wouldn’t be complete without a stop to their famous beaches. Sibenik like many other Croatian towns, has a crowded city beach, but with a cheap ferry (12 kuna or $1.92 for a one-way ticket to Jadrin) you can reach some nearby towns and islands with far fewer people. They’re lovely beaches and islands that can keep you occupied for quite some time. Did I also mention that the ferry ride is beautiful at sunset? The ferry ride is beautiful at sunset.
Most people left the beach by this time
Go for a hike
If you can coordinate some buses slightly out of town, there are some hiking trails to the south that lead right onto a peninsula. It passes through some old military installations, a chapel built inside a cave and overlooks the bay. Its a unique hike and will break up your schedule if you’re looking more variety.
Hike over some old Yugoslavian submarine tunnels!
Most of these attractions are so accessible and are not “must see attractions” like visiting the Louvre or Eiffel Tower while in Paris. But I believe this is a good thing. They’re interesting places to visit if you’re in the mood, which helps create this leisurely sightseeing mindset. You can wake up at 9, wander into town and see the cathedral with no lines. Then meander through the quiet town to find a quiet lunch before picking up some fresh fruits at the local market. And if the day wasn’t slow enough for you, catch a ferry in the afternoon to Jadrin to chill on a quiet stretch of beach.
If you go expecting wild parties or exploring a massive bustling town, you will be disappointed. But if you like the idea of relaxing on a beach while exploring a slow paced town, I’d visit Sibenik if you’re traveling along the Dalmatian coast.
General Tips
- Most of the beaches on the Dalmatian Coast have sea urchins. I’m not sure why so wear watershoes or don’t touch the ground.
- There are also very few sandy beaches in Croatia. Almost all beaches are pebble beaches so be ready for that.
- As a rule of thumb, the further south in Croatia you go, the more expensive it will be.
- Crotian drivers are aggressive. Be careful if you rent a car.
- English fluency is prevalent so it’s extremely easy to get around. Impressively, even the older generation spoke some or a lot of English.
Until next time.