10 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Sibenik (Croatia) 2023
This list of the best places to see in Sibenik will help you get to know another of the jewels of the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, making the most of your time.
Bathed by the intense blue of the Adriatic Sea, this city falls in love at first sight due to the medieval architecture of its old town, surrounded by ancient walls and full of imposing stone houses.
Although there are travelers who pass through it on tiptoe, it is worth devoting half a day to walking the cobbled and steep alleys of Sibenik that will take you to the fortress of San Miguel and, above all, not to miss any detail of the Cathedral of Santiago, declared a World Heritage Site. World by UNESCO.
If you have a full day, we dedicate the morning to enjoying the waterfalls of the Krka National Park, located just 15 minutes away by road, and then spend the rest of the day in the town.
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Based on our experience in this municipality during our trip to Croatia and Bosnia, we have made a guide with what we think are the ten essential places to visit in Sibenik. Let’s start!
1. Sibenik Promenad
After leaving the car in the port parking lot (marked on the map below), one of the best things to do in Sibenik is to walk along the promenade enjoying the sea breeze and the views of the remains of the surrounding wall. The city.
On this walk, you will find several terraces where you can have a drink and some of the best restaurants in Sibenik, such as Pjat (our favorite) or Sibenik More, perfect for trying typical dishes as octopus salad.
An excellent option to have a unique perspective of the city is to book this boat trip that surrounds the city and passes through the San Antonio channel, which is two kilometers long and full of natural beauty.
2. Cathedral of Santiago, one of the places to see in Sibenik
The Cathedral of Santiago, built from 1431 to 1536 and declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2000, is the most important monument in Sibenik.
Built entirely of limestone and marble from the island of Brac, this religious temple, in which different styles such as Gothic and Renaissance are harmoniously combined, stands out for its side façade that presents a frieze with 74 heads representing the citizens. Who contributed money for its construction and a cover known as the Portal del León, escorted by the figures of Adam and Eve.
After observing all the details of the façade, it is worth going inside to see its huge dome that protects various treasures, such as the Sarcophagus of Bishop Sizgoric and the altar of the Holy Cross.
How curious the facade of the Cathedral appeared in a scene from the popular Game of Thrones series in which Arya Stark arrives in Braavos.
We were visiting hours: every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
3. The Republic of Croatia Square
Leaving the Cathedral, you will find yourself in the Republic of Croatia square, surrounded by baroque palaces from the Venetian era and considered another of the places to visit in Sibenik.
In addition to the Episcopal Palace and the statue of Juraj Dalmatinac (Giorgio da Sebenico), a Venetian sculptor and architect from Dalmatia who built the Cathedral, the Old Town Hall is also located in this square, destroyed during the bombings of World War II and rebuilt in a new way. Faithful highlights the beauty of its facade with portals and two stairs that lead to a second floor full of windows.
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In this square, there is also the Pelegrini restaurant, one of the most expensive and best in Sibenik, and a corner shop where you can buy baklavas., some delicious sweets that accompanied us throughout the tour. Very good!
4. Sibenik Old Town
Another thing to do in Sibenik is a walking route through the historic center full of alleyways with marble floors, stone houses and arches, and old churches. We recommend that you walk the entire kralja Tomislava street, passing in front of the Church of Santa Barbara, and go into the narrow and steep streets that connect this street with Zagrebačka until you reach the small Orthodox Church of the Assumption.
5. All Saints Church
At the end of Zagrebačka street, you will find one of the city’s most charming corners with several arches leading to the Church of All Saints, which has fantastic views of the Cathedral and is another of the places to see in Sibenik.
To learn more about the city’s history and make sure to catch everything necessary, we advise you to book this guided tour.
6. Gardens of the Monastery of San Lorenzo
Going up the stairs in the direction of the San Miguel fortress, you can enjoy a pause in the small oasis formed by the Gardens of the Monastery of San Lorenzo, which has a lovely terrace to have a drink.
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After taking a short walk through these gardens and listening to the water flow in its fountain, you can visit the Monastery of San Lorenzo and the route of Our Lady. This natural cave has been converted into a charming chapel.
7. Go up to the San Miguel Fortress, one of the things to do in Sibenik.
Although after the demanding climb on foot, you will arrive tired at the Fortress of San Miguel, located on top of a hill, this is another of the essential places to visit in Sibenik.
Its strategically dominant position made it a central part of Sibenik’s defensive system since medieval times. However, today it functions as an open-air concert hall and from its walls you have one of the best views of the city and the Adriatic Sea.
We were visiting hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
8. Other fortresses to visit in Sibenik
In addition to San Miguel, three other fortresses in strategic positions helped protect the city of Sibenik from possible enemy attacks, such as El Barón, San Juan, and San Nicolás.
The San Juan Fortress was built on top of a hill of more than 120 meters, 1 kilometer from the city, to face the Turkish incursions and offers the most distant views of the city and its surroundings.
The Fortress of San Nicolás, located at the end of the Canal de San Antonio, was built in the 16th century by the Venetians and is protected by UNESCO.
Finally, the Baron’s Fortress, built on an 80-meter hill, was the protagonist in defense of Sibenik against the Ottomans and houses a multimedia museum.
9. Primosten, a possible excursion from Sibenik
Another of the best things to do in Sibenik is to drive to the neighboring town of Primosten, which is half an hour away.
This small town, which can be explored in one or two hours, is located on an ancient island linked to the coast by a narrow strip of land, leaving room for some of the most beautiful beaches with turquoise waters in Croatia, such as Velika Raduca.
After taking a bath, you can walk through its old town to the Church of San Jorge and its cemetery and skirt its coastline, having a drink in one of its bars while you wait for the sunset or see a dolphin. Yes, yes, it is widespread to see them near the coast in this area.
If you have more time, you can go to the tourist town of Trogir and, on the way, stop at one of its incredible viewpoints near the Statue of Our Lady of Loreto to observe the extraordinary location of Primosten. We assure you that you will not regret it!
10. Krka National Park
To finish this list of places to see in Sibenik, we suggest you take a boat or car excursion to Krka National Park, one of the natural wonders of Croatia.
Located 15 minutes by road from Sibenik, this park allows you to make a circular route of about two hours through wooden walkways and paths, enjoying an incredible landscape of streams, viewpoints, waterfalls, a lake with turquoise waters, and spectacular waterfalls.
You can quickly get to this park by booking this boat tour from Sibenik or taking this one by boat, including a visit to the beautiful town of Skradin.
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If you want to get to the park on your own, you can take a boat in the town of Skradin or your car, leaving it in a parking lot 15 minutes by bus from the entrance.
For more information, you can consult this guide on how to visit the Krka National Park.
Is Sibenik Croatia worth visiting?
Both Trogir and Šibenik are UNESCO World Heritage Sites (in Šibenik it is the cathedral that is listed) and in my opinion are both well worth visiting if you have the time in your Croatian itinerary.
What is Sibenik known for?
Sibenik is a city of music and is well known for its long tradition of “Klape” choir which UNESCO has placed on the list of cultural heritage. From the beginning of June month until the second half of September you can enjoy in traditional Klape choirs evenings.
Where in Croatia is Sibenik?
northern Dalmatia
Šibenik is a city (pop. ~37,000) in Šibenik-Knin County, in northern Dalmatia, Croatia.
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Šibenik?
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Medieval Šibenik, with its labyrinth alleyways and azure waters, was the obvious choice for the fictional city of Braavos. St. James’ Cathedral was transformed into the imposing Iron Bank and St. John’s Fortress became the fearless fighting pit in Meereen.