If you are planning to visit Croatia, make it a point to visit Šibenik, a must-see for Game of Thrones fans! This guide will show you the best things to do in Sibenik Croatia in one day, as well as some tips on where to eat in Šibenik, how to get to Sibenik and other useful tips. Sibenik in Croatia is filled with plenty of exciting things to do similar to other popular travel destinations lining the Adriatic Coast such as Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik. I’m sure you” ll find your visit to Šibenik quite an adventure.
Why Sibenik is worth visiting?
Quick few facts,
- Sibenik is the only city in the region to have been discovered by native Croats, unlike other cities in Dalmatia which were found by other cultures.
- Sibenik was the first city in the world to supply electricity to its population over 100 years ago, through an electric system at Krka River which was devised by the Croatian, Nikola Tesla.
- Fans of UNESCO World Heritage Sites will be glad to know that Sibenik is one of the few cities in the world to host two monuments. The Gothic and Renaissance-styled St James Cathedral and the oldest monument in town, St Nicholas Fortress, are both on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Game of Thrones fans will be glad to know that Sibenik features as a background to 3 episodes in Season 5. The Cathedral of St James is the setting for the Iron Bank in the City of Bravos.
Let’s dive right in! Here is a list of our suggestions for what to do in Sibenik in one day.
Top Rated Things to Do in Sibenik
1. Admire The Cathedral of St James
Price: €6.50
The Cathedral of St James, also Sibenik Cathedral, should be at the top of your list of things to do in Sibenik and a good starting point when exploring the city. You will be able to spot the Cathedral’s dome from a distance as it dominates Sibenik’s Old Town skyline.
Built over 105 years (1431-1536) in Gothic and Renaissance styles, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the best examples of medieval architecture.
Although the Cathedral is not as big as the ones you will find in other European cities, the square it’s built on is really pretty.
There are a few unique things to note about the Cathedral such as its walls which were built entirely of stone with no mortar or other binding material.
On the outside of the walls are 71 sculpted human heads of Sibenik’s residents during the period of the Cathedral’s construction. This was quite remarkable at the time as ordinary people were given recognition for an important development in the city.
Furnishing the Cathedral’s interior are various striking baroque decorations and paintings as well as an intricately decorated baptistery which you shouldn’t miss.
The statute of Juraj Dalmatinac, located on the Cathedral’s square, is another noteworthy feature of St James Cathedral. Juraj was a Venetian sculptor and architect whose contributions to the construction of the Cathedral are said to be the most significant of all.
The Cathedral ticket also gives access to the new Interpretation Centre of St James-Galbiani Palace: an interactive museum that tells the city’s history including the construction of the Cathedral of St James.
The Cathedral ticket also gives access to the new Interpretation Centre of St James-Galbiani Palace: an interactive museum which tells the city’s history including the construction of the Cathedral of St James.
2. Stop by Sibenik Town Hall
Sibenik Town Hall is located directly across from the Cathedral of St James, on the city’s main square, the Square of the Republic of Croatia. It’s a two-storey Venetian-styled building adorned with lovely details all over it and adds a unique element to the medieval square.
Although the Town Hall was rebuilt after it was damaged during World War II, it still resembles the original one which was built while the city was under Venetian rule in the middle of the 16th century.
The Town Hall’s cafe-style restaurant is a perfect place for a coffee break whilst also enjoying the wonderful view of the beautiful square.
Don’t miss checking the square at night if your stay in Sibenik is long because it’s always buzzing with various live performances by local artists.
Popular Sibenik Private Walking Tour
3. Wander Sibenik Old Town
One of the most exciting things to do in Sibenik is to take a simple stroll in the Old Town’s medieval streets. The Old Town is small, but has plenty of interesting things to do that will keep you happy for quite some time.
Sibenik Old Town’s streets are filled with charming old stone buildings and pretty squares which are filled with small boutiques, souvenir shops, modern cafes, restaurants, laid-back bars, museums, old churches and monasteries. The atmosphere in the Old Town is that of a young and laid-back vibe.
It’s impossible to get lost in the Old Town as the streets are well-marked with pointers that will lead you to all the main sights.
4. Attend the International Children’s Festival
Sibenik hosts a two-week-long, International Children’s Festival, every summer offering family and young people-orientated entertainment in the form of cinema, theatre and street performances, art workshops and many other creative activities.
Be sure to time your visit to Sibenik with some of the performances if you’re visiting with kids. The next International Children’s Festival takes place from June 22nd to July 6th 2024. See the schedule here.
5. Tour St Michael’s Fortress
Price: Tickets Start from €9.95
Sibenik has four fortresses namely St Nicholas’ Fortress, St Michael’s Fortress, St John’s Fortress and Barone Fortress. Four of them offer a variety of unique experiences, however, I believe St Michael’s Fortress to be impressive and conveniently located.
On show at St Michael’s Fortress is an exhibition of tools and equipment used in the past as well as the history and other fascinating facts about the fortress and the city.
St Michael’s Fortress is huge and offers modern amenities which include a cafe and well-maintained walkways which makes exploration easy and enjoyable. Numerous viewing points around the fortress offer incredible views of Sibenik and the surrounding Adriatic Sea. The atmosphere around St Michael’s Fortress is calm and peaceful.
It’s claimed by many that if St Michael’s Fortress didn’t exist, Sibenik would not be there. The fortress’ position on the hill, overlooking the city centre and bay, offered Sibenik a strong defence across the centuries and allowed it to grow.
In recent times, the top of St Michael’s Fortress has been redesigned to host concerts. It’s quite an exotic venue for a concert.
The easiest way to reach St Michael’s Fortress is through the marked path in the Old Town, but the path is quite steep and might not suit everyone.
6. Relax at the Medieval Mediterranean Garden
The Medieval Mediterranean Garden of St Lawrence Monastery is a little bit hidden in the Old Town, but worth the effort to find. The garden is on the same path that leads to St Michael’s Fortress, so it might be convenient to make a detour either on your way up or coming down from the fortress.
Medieval gardens are rare and Sibenik is the only one of its kind in Croatia. The garden was abandoned for over 100 years and was revived in 2007 maintaining its original medieval theme.
Furnishing the garden are manicured Mediterranean shrubs, flowers, medicinal herbs and a small water fountain. Some of the herbs found in this garden would have been used by the monks as medicine for various ailments during medieval times.
The garden cafe is a perfect spot to relax and retreat from Sibenik’s summer heat.
7. Indulge at Aroma Gelato
If you appreciate a good quality gelato, then, don’t miss a visit to the Aroma Gelato Experience Boutique in the Old Town. Aroma Gelato Boutiques are found throughout Croatia, however, their Italian-style ice cream and sorbet are marketed as high quality, handmade using fresh, natural ingredients without additives and served with freshly baked cones.
Aroma’s gelato is presented neatly, it’s rich, creamy and tastes authentic. You can enjoy classic flavours such as pistachio bronte and hazelnut Piemonte or exciting combinations like mascarpone with dates and walnuts or mascarpone with figs and pistachios. Try the vegan extra dark chocolate for a delicate chocolate fix or the mango sorbet to stay cool from the sweltering heat.
8. Stroll Sibenik’s promenade
Sibenik’s promenade is very attractive and was one of the main reasons I fell in love with the city, so be sure to check it out. You will be pleased to know that the promenade is not as busy as in other cities along the Dalmatian Coast.
Sibenik’s promenade is a perfect place for a stroll while taking in the beautiful views of the striking Adriatic sea along with those of the gorgeous Old Town. The nice cafes, restaurants, bars and the Cathedral of St James, all add an elegant vibe to Sibenik’s promenade.
Sibenik is a walking-friendly city because it’s mostly pedestrianised. The promenade and the Old Town are a stone’s throw from one another, so it’s quite enjoyable being able to walk from the Old Town to the promenade on a whim for a cool breeze.
Check Sibenik Museums
The list of museums in Sibenik that are worth checking to explore Sibenik’s rich history and cultural heritage includes the Šibenik City Museum, the Museum of St Francis, the new Interpretation of St James-The Civitas Sacra Integrated Program and the Museum of Sacral Arts – St. Barbara.
However, if your time in Sibenik is limited, I highly recommend you visit these two: the Museum of St Francis or the Church of St Barbara-Museum of Sacral Arts. Both museums are small but very engaging.
9. Explore the Museum of St Francis
Price: Accepts a small donation
We stumbled upon the Museum of St Francis by chance and it turned out to be quite a pleasant experience. The museum is located in a beautifully landscaped courtyard in the monastery of St Francis, at the entrance to the Old Town and close to Gradski Park.
The museum’s library houses a huge collection of valuable rare religious manuscripts and books from far back as the 13th century together with religious artefacts and paintings belonging to the Franciscan monks.
The shrine of the first Croatian Saint, St Nikola Tavelic, a Franciscan missionary who was martyred in Jerusalem in 1391 is also located at the museum.
10. Stop by the Church of St Barbara-Museum of Sacral Arts
Price: €1
The small Gothic Church of St Barbara–Museum of Sacral Arts, known locally as the younger sister of the Cathedral of St James, is also worth a quick look when exploring Sibenik.
It’s hard to believe that this church was built around the 15th century because it looks good as new. Furnishing the church’s exterior beautifully is a belfry, a big 24-hour clock and a statue of St Nicholas.
The Museum of Sacral Arts in the church displays a collection of religious art, manuscripts and other various artefacts.
11. Sample Dalmatian cuisine at the Dalmatian Ethno Village
Sampling Dalmatian food at the Dalmatian Ethno Village is a lovely way to wrap up your visit to Sibenik. Dalmatian Ethno Village is 7km away from the Old Town in Amadria Park Resort, so it’s not conveniently located, but worth checking out, especially if you are a fan of farm-to-table.
Dalmatian Ethno Village produces most of the food served in its restaurant and all the dishes on the menu are prepared using traditional Croatian methods of cooking. You can gorge on Dalmatian delicacies such as Pasticada, Peka, barbecued meats and homemade prosciutto, all served in a typical Croatian village setting.
There are plenty more places to dine in Sibenik suited to all pockets and tastes. Pelegrini, located adjacent to the Cathedral of St James, is a highly rated Michelin Star restaurant that’s famous for excellent modern Croatia cooking using locally sourced produce. It’s a very popular restaurant in Sibenik, so if you plan to visit, make your reservation well ahead.
Pa’ Kai, located in the Old Town, is another excellent spot perfect for grabbing fresh and flavoursome Asian-style dishes (vegan-friendly). They do amazing steamed bao buns, a variety of poke bowls and a good selection of craft beers.
Tip::Here is a guide with all the Best Places to Visit in Croatia including the most useful tips.
I hope you enjoy Sibenik as much as we did! Let me know if you need help, will be glad to help.
Sibenik Croatia FAQ
Is Sibenik a good holiday destination?
Sibenik is a lovely holiday destination on beautiful Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Its Old Town is a friendly and laid-back place, with an incredible history. Sibenik is a getaway to some of Croatia’s most gorgeous islands which are perfect destinations to get away from it all.
How to get to Sibenik Croatia?
Sibenik is located about 60km north of Split Airport and 85km south of Zadar Airport, so these are the two closest airports to fly into to get to Sibenik and other destinations within Knin County. You can also easily visit Sibenik as a day trip from Zadar, Split or Trogir.
We visited Sibenik during our amazing road trip around the Dalmatian Coast. We highly recommend you hire a car as it will allow you to explore more of Sibenik’s beauty. We’ve rented cars from XLRent a Car and highly recommend them.
Related: Zadar Travel Tips for First Time Visit
How to get to Krka National Park from Sibenik?
The best way to get to the waterfalls at Krka National Park is to drive (13km) or go by bus from Sibenik bus station to the park’s entrance in the town of Skradin. Krka National Park runs a boat service that takes visitors from Skradin to Skradinski Buk Waterfall, the largest of Krka waterfalls.
Popular Krka National Park Tours
Which islands to visit from Sibenik?
The most popular nearby islands that are perfect for day trips especially if you enjoy outdoor adventures are Murter’s Island-starting point for most tours to the famous Kornati National Park. Zlarin, Krapanj, Žirje, Kaprije, Obnjan and Zmajan are all popular day trip destinations near Sibenik which you can reach using the ferries from Sibenik Ferry Port.
Popular Kornati Islands Day Tour
What are the best Sibenik Croatia beaches?
The Blue Flag, Banj Beach, located to the south of Sibenik Old Town, close to St Anthony Channel, is one of the best public and easily accessible beautiful beaches in Sibenik Croatia.
What are the fun things to do with children in Sibenik?
The water theme park known as AquaPark Sibenik at Amadria Park Šibenik is one of the most popular attractions in Sibenik for families. However, this waterpark is more suited to younger children since the pools are quite shallow. Families with older children will find the waterfalls at Krka National Park much more enjoyable though swimming is no longer permitted in the park.
Boat tour operators can be found on Sibenik’s waterfront if you’re interested in a private tour of the islands or a day trip to some of the incredible Croatian national parks and true natural wonders such as Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Where to stay in Sibenik?
See Sibenik hotels, private accommodations, campsites and hostels recommendations by the tourist board here.
Related: How to Spend 7 Days in Split , Dubrovnik
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Sibenik Croatia Map
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