Šibenik

This beautiful ancient city is situated on the mouth of the river Krka, sheltered from the sea by the passage of Saint Anthony. It was founded by the Croats and was the seat of King Petar Krešimir I. Over the course of its history, it has been through the hands of Venice, Byzantium, and Hungary and threatened by the Ottoman Empire.

The old town is a delightful maze of winding polished limestone streets that work their way up to Saint Michael’s fortress, on a steep hill 60 meters above the sea. It is well worth a walk up to take in the panoramic view through the passage of Saint Anthony and beyond to the Šibenik archipelago. Time it to coincide with the sun dipping over the horizon to get some amazing photographs. There are plenty of other forts to explore, not least the UNSECO world heritage site of St. Nicholas Fortress which protects the entrance to the sea passage.

Šibenik’s Saint James cathedral is also a UNSECO world heritage site. It exhibits a fusion of Gothic and Renaissance architecture from the 15th and 16th centuries and was built entirely from stone using unique construction techniques. The vaulting and dome are spectacular, and there is a remarkable frieze decorated with 71 sculptured faces of men, women, and children.

There are plenty of child-friendly activities in the area; everyone will enjoy a visit to the waterfalls in the Krka National Park. In Šibenik there is an aquarium, while on the outskirts there is an Aquapark and a falconry center.

Quick Facts

General

Location: Croatia, Europe
Language: Croatian
Population: 34.300 (2011)
Time zone:
Winter – UTC+1
Summer – UTC+2
Currency: Croatian Kuna (HRK)
1 EUR = 7,5 HRK
1 USD = 5,9 HRK
Phone n. in case of Emergency: 112

Sites

Cathedral of St. James (Gothic-Renaissance, UNESCO world heritage site)
St. Nicholas Fortress (16th century UNESCO world heritage site)
St. Michael’s Fortress (medieval fort on a steep hill in the middle of the old town)
Barone Fortress (17th century)
St. John’s Fortress (early modern – 1600s)
Samostan sv. Lovre (1655)

Attractions

Krka National Park
Aquarium Terrarium Šibenik
Šibenik City Museum
Dalmatia Aquapark (80kn pp)
Falconry center (50kn pp)

Travel info

Sailing yacht/Catamaran (moor your boat in Marina Mandalina or directly on Šibenik riva)
Ferry/boat (ferry port Šibenik to islands)
Bus (direct buses from Zadar and Split)
Car (3hr from Zagreb, 1hr from Split/Zadar)

Start your Sailing Holidays in Šibenik

Marina D-Marin Mandalina

Marina Mandalina is perfectly located for exploring routes around the Šibenik archipelago, as well as the Kornati National Park and even south to the islands of Šolta, Hvar, and Vis. Whichever of our recommended routes you choose, Šibenik is one of the places you need to visit and in fact it is well worth tagging on a few days before or after your sailing holiday to fully explore and appreciate this magnificent old town and the nearby Krka National Park. The marina itself is located 3km away from the old town of Šibenik

If you travel by plane, Šibenik is approximately one hour drive from both Split and Zadar. Bus transfers from Split Airport require a change in Trogir, while from Zadar airport you must first head to Zadar main bus terminal. It may be easier to book an airport transfer for around €60-80 per car from either location.

For those who travel by car, there is a car park in the marina.

Šibenik riva

If you are stopping at Šibenik for a night during your sailing holiday, you can moor directly onto the Šibenik riva by the old town. While you are here, make sure to carry on up the Šibenik Channel, along the Krka river and Prokljan Strait to Skradin and visit the Krka National Park!