Sibenik Travel Guide
Cheaper, cleaner, and more exotic… These are the words which can describe holidays in Sibenik. Although Sibenik, a seaside resort in the northern Dalmatia, attracts not so many tourists as such cities of Croatia as Dubrovnik and Split, this place is really worth visiting because it amazingly combines rich history and natural beauties.
Any Sibenik travel guide will tell you that as a rule, it will take you around an hour (80 km) to get from Split's airport to Sibenik.
The settlement of Sibenik was founded in 1066 by the Petar Kresimir the IV Veliki, a king of Croatia. Four hundred years after that the Venetian Empire seized control over the city, and ruled over it till the end of the 18th century. During the political changes of the 20th century, the town was a part of Yugoslavia. After Croatia got its independence, Sibenik became one of the most important cultural centers of Dalmatia.
Tourist attractions. When you arrive in Sibenik, you will immediately be greeted by the the city walls, the reminders of tumultuous past of this place. The most famous historical building in the town is St Jakob's Cathedral, included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. This cathedral church of the Catholic Church in Croatia, constructed in the15th century, represents an unusual blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles.
Sibenik prides itself on having many art galleries, the most popular of them being Galerija Sv. Krsevana in the former Sveti Krsevan church. History enthusiasts have a chance to get a feel for Sibenik's past and present history through items displayed in the Underground Museum located in the Principal Palace. Your Sibenik travel will ever be complete without visiting St Ana's fortress, Sibenik's oldest defense structure, situated above the medieval section of Gradina and St Nichola's fortress, constructed for defending the city against the Turks.
Festivals and cultural events. If you spend holidays in Sibenik in June and July, plunge into fantastic atmosphere of the international Children`s Festival. If you adore music, travel Sibenik in August to enjoy the Chansons festival held in the town. During your Sibenik holidays in September, you should definitely visit the Medieval Fair to feel the magic of the past.
Restaurants. Among the most popular places to eat can be singled out Konoba Kanela, Bobis, Maestro, Pizzeria Toni, Gradska Vjecnica and Zlatna Ribica restaurants. The local restaurants boast a delicious range of menus. The offered food is mainly from the Italian kitchen, although there are restaurants where traditional Dalmatian cuisine is served. Your Sibenik travel will gain from tasting one of the favourite local dishes the fish stew called Brudet. Local specialties also include mussels. As incredible as it may seem, about 130 different mussel dishes can be prepared by restaurants and caterers of Sibenik.
Beaches. Crowds of tourists are attracted to Sibenik by 4,5 km of marvellous beaches that approach amazingly clean Adriatic sea. Most of these beaches are pebble, which is why wearing bathing shoes is a must. The beach that attracts most tourists who spend their holidays in Sibenik is Bijela beach, situated on the Solaris headland. This shallow beach is suitable for small children and people who can’t swim well.
Active vacations. Sports enthusiasts won’t get bored during their Sibenik holidays and will find this place to be ideal for the active rest. The sports offer of the town includes twelve tennis courts, basketball and volleyball fields, mini-golf, squash, horse riding, pheasant and black grouse hunting, as well as water-related activities such as sailing, scooter riding, rowing, yachting and diving. You can variegate your Sibenik travel by playing paintball in Lozovac. Those who like underwater photo-safari and windsurfing are strongly recommended to visit Jadrija, a small settlement not far from Sibenik