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Sibenik - Charming Coastal City

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Although less famous than Dubrovnik and Split, Sibenik has its own charm and offers the tourist some wonderful attractions and enjoyable activities!

About 80 km north of Split, the town sits on the Croatian coast and has a naturally protected harbor in a deep bay – it’s a truly unique city on the Adriatic.

What makes this city stand out from the crowd is the young and exciting atmosphere. The architecture and city streets are beautiful, with narrow roads winding toward pretty squares lined with contemporary shops and boutiques. Modern buildings are interspersed naturally with centuries old facades.

Photo Sibenik Cathedral Sveti Jakov

A popular destination within the city is the Cathedral Sveti Jakov. This church was built in 1434 and represents some of the best architecture from the Renaissance period in Croatia. In fact, the building is so important that it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The cathedral is located beneath the fortress walls of the old part of town. Built out of limestone and marble, transported to the city from the stone mason’s island of Brac, it’s a marvel of engineering and architecture.

Juraj Dalmatinac and Nikola Firentinac, renowned stonemasons from Croatia, supervised the construction of the cathedral. One of the wonders of Dalmatia and the Adriatic coast, Sveti Jakov is not to be missed.

Watch this nice video of the city (4 minutes)

The town hall is also a great spot to visit, as well as the churches of St. Barbara and St. Fran, the multitude of quaint town squares, stately palaces, fortresses, and other religious centers that are dotted across the town.

There are a lot of fun things to do in this city, away from the crowds you may find in the more popular cities of Croatia. The favorite cultural event of the locals and tourists is the International Child’s Festival held in the last week of June and the first week of July. The Summer Organ School is also popular – it’s held in the second half of August. Sibenik Summer and the Day of St. James (the patron saint of the city) on July 25 are two other enjoyable festivals.

Take a trip to a near National Park

Sibenik is in the vicinity of several parks. Some of them include:

Krka National Park (location of the Krka Waterfalls)
Kornati Islands National Park
Paklenica National Park in Velebit
Vransko Jezero Park. This park is the location of a huge lake and the home of a bird sanctuary. There are great fishing opportunities for visitors as well!

Current weather

The city provides a wide range of affordable and comfortable accommodations perfect for tourists wanting to get away from it all and retreat to a quieter and more tranquil part of the country. Enjoy good food and take your time walking the streets, enjoying the subtle appeal of this beautiful town.

Visit the Sveti Lovro monastery to take a look at the medieval gardens that recently opened to the public. A peaceful place that is becoming more popular with tourists seeking the path less traveled, Sibenik is one of Croatia’s finest cities!