When you think of Central Dalmatia, the cities of Zadar, Split and their region come from immediately to mind. The backbone of this success is the tourist experience known on these ultra-busy destinations during the summer. None of this in the area of Šibenik where there are many possibilities for lovers of heritage, wild nature and seaside pleasures. To be discovered, this territory is still preserved, where national parks, between land and sea, are astonishing, where cities have nothing to envy their neighbors on the Adriatic coast, where authentic Croatia has not yet fallen.
Cathedral, a jewel of Gothic art and renaissance
For nearly 100 km, the coastline, which leaves from Vransko Lake to the north of Rogoznica, looks at the Kornati archipelago. The interior of the land, the foothills of Velebit during the Krka River, over 75 km, account for national and natural parks, where nature has not touched on its spectacular effects.
The origins of the city of Šibenik date back to the eleventh century, the time of the first Croatian kings. The medieval city has developed into a dense network of streets and stairs descending to the bay. During the Gothic and Renaissance period, between 1431 and 1535, radiant Šibenik launched the work of St. James Cathedral. Let us talk about construction in the modern sense of the word, as architects, sculptors and craftsmen from Italy and Dalmatian craftsmen plan collective work plans. In the year 2000, the harmony of this cathedral will prove to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The large pedestrian area highlights the historic center around churches and palaces. The numerous terraces of cafes and restaurants have not yet hunted the premises, the sea promenade looks quietly at the ferries in the canal. Šibenik is a good base for lovers of old stones fleeing crowds.
For accommodation, like all of Croatia, the offer is abundant. Between Šibenik, Vodice and Primošten, hotel chains and campsites near the sea will accommodate families and groups looking for an inclusive stay, while independent hotels, youth hostels, private rentals attract the self-employed in downtown.
On the south shore of Šibenik, the seaside resort of Vodice, once a village of fishermen and winemakers, combines its numerous bars and restaurants. In summer it is the region's festive spot, well located at the gates of the National Park of Kornati, not far from the Krka River; from the Vranjsko Lake natural park; of Prvić Island. A diversified tourist center, Vodice, which also has a marina and beaches, offers sports and water activities and even a visit to a falconry center!
At 27 km from Šibenik, quite another thing, the small town of Primošten seems to hang on its rock. She is entitled to his title as «pearl of the Adriatic». An ancient part of the site on an island was connected to the mainland by a bridge and replaced by a monticle. Thus Primošten ceased to be insular. Its calm and luminous atmosphere retains the characteristics of the typical southern fishing village with narrow streets, beautiful churches, compacted houses in an old center, nestled free from ramparts. Nearby, everything is more recent, holiday centers, tourist facilities, beaches and the famous Aurora club, the most popular discotheque on the coast.
At 20 km from Šibenik, the Krka National Park, less known than Plitvice, is equally phenomenal. In a space of 46 km 2, karst formations around the Krka River excavated canyons, accelerated by extraordinary waterfalls (Skradinski buk) and waterfalls (Roski slap and Manojlovac). Of the two official entries, that of Skradin, where the river enters the sea, is the most picturesque.
The other north, in Lozovac, leads directly to ethno-village in the heart of the park, it is also closest to the Franciscan monastery on the island of Visovac. If the park is visited all year round, summer and autumn offer the pleasure of bathing in delimited areas. In spring, grass-growing naturalists will have more opportunities to observe different species of moss and aquatic plants. There are hundreds of birds, raptors and bats in this ornithological area. Perhaps you will see snakes and, certainly, trout spawning on the surface of crystalline water.
From Šibenik harbor, boat trips leave for the day. After crossing the Saint Joseph Canal and Prukljan Skradin Lake, the entrance to the falls marks the beginning of hiking trails.
Krka River, Kornati archipelago, Croatian nature wonders
On the Šibenik Riviera, the peaceful harbor of Tisno is connected by a bridge to Murter, one of the largest islands of the Kornati (150 in all, of which 89 protected). You will find accommodation opportunities to be near the entrance to the park. With your own boat or the services of a local brewery, you will discover what Adriatic Croatia has of most precious value: an archipelago of island land, inhabited or not, often within twenty miles of each other, where cabotage can be easily made.
The two reception centers, one on the island of Ravni Zakan (Zakan) in the southeastern area of the park and the other on the island of Kornat (Bay of Vruje) in the northwest, await visitors. You will need to pay an entry ticket and, for athletes, a fishing or diving license. Once these formalities are settled, navigation in the labyrinth of islands, bathing in the deserted bays, the deep sea descent.
For those who don't have a boat, there are plenty of hikers leaving Murter, Šibenik, Zadar or Split.
On the islands, marked trails often lead to their dominant point, where the stunning view on the archipelago is 360 °. On the island of Kornat, for example, which grows at 237 m, on Tribunj or Krapanj, only 2 m above sea level, the summer heat can become difficult. However, the lovers of an isolated nature will be filled, those who seek serenity island, just as much.
Smart News
When is it? Mediterranean climate from April to November. Very hot on the islands, but it's the best time to swim. Early September and until the end of September, very good season for swimming and hiking, the summer tourist mass less.
Go there. By plane, from Zadar Airport or Split. By car or bus, 316 km by motorway in Zagreb, 75 km from Zadar, 50 km from Split.
CROATIA AIRLINES - More information on the site
EASYJET - More information on the site
Useful. To best prepare his trip.
REGIONAL TOURISM OFFICE ŠIBENIK-KNIN - More information on the site
TOURIST OFFICE OF THE CITY OF ŠIBENIK - More information on the site
