Šibenik: the old town your swim camp calls home

Šibenik is an old medieval town, and the first on the Adriatic to be founded by Croats. It was first mentioned by King Petar Krešimir IV on Christmas Day in 1066.

The old town

The oldest parts of town, Gorica and Dolac, sit on the slopes below St Michael’s fortress. Medieval public life happened on the square between St James’ Cathedral and the City Hall. It’s a lovely place to relax and unwind after a day’s swimming, full of history, craft shops, restaurants and cafés.

Two UNESCO World Heritage sites

Architecturally, Šibenik is one of the best planned towns on the Mediterranean, and one of only five towns in the world with two UNESCO World Heritage buildings: St James’ Cathedral, listed in 2006, and St Nicholas’ fortress at the entrance to St Anthony’s channel, which protected the town from attack by sea.

Islands and national parks

Šibenik has an archipelago of 249 islands connected by ferry. The nearest is Zlarin, where you can see coral being worked and buy coral jewellery, and where camp lunches are served on boat days. On Prvić, next to Zlarin, the Faust Vrančić museum shows his best known works, including the Machinae Novae and the first parachute. The area is also known for two national parks, the Kornati islands and the Krka waterfalls.

Tours

If you’d like to see more of the area while you’re here, we’d be delighted to help organise a tour. Just ask.