Šibenik & Krka: the back story

About Šibenik & Krka: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Zagreb Editorial Team

Šibenik is the oldest native Croatian town on the coast, a tumble of stone lanes above a sheltered channel, with not one but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Just upstream, the River Krka pours over travertine falls in one of Croatia’s best-loved national parks.

The Cathedral of St James

Built over a century from 1431, mostly by Juraj Dalmatinac and Nikola Firentinac, the Cathedral of St James is built entirely of stone, its vaults and dome fitted together from stone slabs. A frieze of 71 carved heads runs around the outside, portraits of ordinary townspeople. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

St Nicholas Fortress

At the mouth of the channel, the Venetian fortress of St Nicholas guards the approach to the town. It is part of the Venetian Works of Defence listed by UNESCO in 2017, giving Šibenik its second World Heritage Site. In town, the fortresses of St Michael and Barone offer the best views.

Šibenik’s cathedral was built without a single brick or piece of wood in its structure.

Krka National Park

Upstream, the River Krka flows through a canyon and over a series of travertine falls. The most famous, Skradinski buk, is a wide staircase of cascades crossed by boardwalks. Further up, the island monastery of Visovac and the falls of Roški slap can be reached by boat or road.

No swimming

Swimming at Skradinski buk was banned from 2021 to protect the falls, so come to walk the boardwalks rather than to bathe.

Our advice: Šibenik is about three and a half hours from Zagreb; stay overnight and combine the old town with Krka. Arrive at Krka early, especially in summer, and consider the boat from Skradin to the falls.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Šibenik & Krka: the back story before you go.