A Local's Guide to the Best Sibenik Things to Do

The UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St. James is the centerpiece of the old town and one of Croatia's most important buildings.

• Built between 1431 and 1536
• UNESCO World Heritage site
• Game of Thrones filming location for Braavos
• Over 70 stone faces on the exterior

The Cathedral of St. James was built entirely of stone. No cement or mortar was used. The Croatian sculptor Juraj Dalmatinac took over the construction in 1444. The exterior is made of gleaming white limestone and marble. There are 71 lifelike head sculptures of men, women, and children on the outside, and nobody knows for sure who they represent. The interior features a simple altar and unadorned marble walls. The original dome was heavily damaged by shelling in 1991. The damage was repaired between 1992 and 1997. A small fee gets you inside the cathedral. The same ticket also grants free entry to the Interpretation Centre of St. James Cathedral, known as Civitas Sacra. This museum has three floors with exhibits on Croatian history, the cathedral's completion, and the destruction and rebuilding of the dome roof during the Balkan War. It makes for a good indoor activity on a rainy day.

Climb 60 meters above the city for the best view in Sibenik.

• Best view over the Krka River mouth
• Open-air summer stage with 1000 seats
• Revitalized in the 2010s
• Part of the fortress defense system

St. Michael's Fortress sits on a steep hill overlooking the historic city center. It is the core around which the town of Sibenik was created. During medieval times, the fortress was the starting point for the entire wall and fortress defense system of the city. The fortress owes its name to the Church of St. Michael, which stood within its walls since the 12th century. The path from the Old Town is steep and filled with stone stairs. It short, but it is a tough climb. The cost to enter the fortress is 10 Euros. The ticket includes free entrance to Barone Fortress and St. John's Fortress. The fortress has a permanent open-air stage that holds summer concerts. From the top, you get commanding views of the Krka River and the Adriatic Sea.

Take a boat to this 16th-century fortress sitting on an islet in the harbor.

• Built by Venetians in the 16th century
• Located on the islet of Ljuljevac
• 30-minute boat trip from the waterfront
• Interactive audiovisual tablet on site

St. Nicholas Fortress was built by the Venetians in the 16th century to protect the city from seaborne invaders. It sits on the small islet of Ljuljevac in the harbor. The fortress did its job well. After it was built, Sibenik was never again invaded from the sea. It is one of the two UNESCO World Heritage sites in the city. To reach the fortress, you join a boat tour from the waterfront. The journey takes about 30 minutes across the Adriatic Sea. Once you arrive, you explore the ruins on foot. An interactive audiovisual tablet on the site helps bring the old walls to life with historic information.

The heart of Sibenik is found in its stairways and along its waterfront walk.

• 2,851 stone steps (most in Croatia)
• Lantern-style lights at night
• Promenade runs from bus station to Banj Beach
• Views of the sea from the marina

The old town of Sibenik is a maze of paved and cobbled streets. It has 2,851 stone steps, more than any other city in Croatia. The streets are made of white marble flagstone. The sightseeing attractions are well signposted, with little alleys leading to churches, caves, and gardens. Sometimes the streets pass under an arch or through a tunnel. The waterfront promenade runs from the main bus station all the way to Banj Beach. It is lined with docked sailboats, laid-back cafes, pubs, and restaurants. At night, the lantern-style lights create a golden glow on the stone. This is a good spot to watch the fishermen bring in their catch or to enjoy the sunset.

The main pebble beach in Sibenik comes with a viewpoint that gives a view like Cinque Terre.

• 10-minute walk from the Old Town
• Pebble beach with clear blue water
• Elevated viewpoint with the best view of the city
• Outdoor exercise ground and facilities

Banj Beach is the main beach in Sibenik. You can reach it easily in about ten minutes by walking along the waterfront from the center. It is a pebble beach with clean, clear water. There are a handful of facilities, including an outdoor exercise ground. In the summer, the beach is filled with locals and tourists trying to cool off. Just a few meters above the beach, there is an elevated viewpoint. This spot offers what the travel guides describe as the best view of Sibenik. The city spills down the hill to the water, and the whole scene gives off major Italian vibes similar to Cinque Terre, but on a smaller scale.

A restored 15th-century garden hidden in the old town provides a quiet escape.

• Restored in 2007 after being forgotten for 100 years
• Medicinal herbs and Mediterranean plants
• Fountain in the center
• Cafe on site

This garden on the grounds of the former St. Lawrence Monastery was neglected for almost a hundred years. It was completely restored and reopened to the public in 2007. The stone-walled garden is laid out in a neat geometric pattern. A fountain sits in the center. The space is surrounded by medicinal herbs and Mediterranean plants. The design is said to be very similar to the way the Franciscan monks would have planted it. The garden is a little bit hidden in the Old Town, but it is worth the effort to find. It sits on the same path that leads up to St. Michael's Fortress. There is a cafe inside the garden, making it a good place to stop for a drink or an ice cream. The site was closed for renovation the last time one visitor came by, so it is best to check ahead.