Croatia is one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe, home to historic cities like Dubrovnik and Split, gorgeous islands like Hvar and Vis, and amazing national parks.
But Croatia has also exploded in popularity recently, leading to record-breaking crowds of tourists and skyrocketing prices.
However, there’s one town where you can avoid that: Sibenik.
If you want to get off the beaten path in Croatia and discover a stunning underrated destination, here’s why you should visit Sibenik.
Sibenik: Croatia’s Best-Kept Secret
Located along the Adriatic Coast of Croatia, Sibenik flies under the radar for most tourists visiting Croatia, but it’s absolutely worth a visit.
I discovered Sibenik on accident while I was staying in nearby Split, and I immediately fell in love with this underrated town.
If you’re looking for a charming town with beautiful architecture, a charming Old City, historic fortresses, and coastal views, Sibenik is the perfect place to stay.
Although it’s currently one of the best-kept secrets in Croatia, it won’t stay that way forever. Now is the best time to visit Sibenik, and here’s why:
Great Base For Exploring Croatia
One of the best things about Sibenik is its location. It’s the perfect place to base yourself while you explore all the incredible destinations around you.
Sibenik is less than 1.5 hours from Split by car or bus. Split is the largest city nearby, and where you’ll find the closest international airport. It’s also a major tourist hotspot thanks to its historic center, Diocletian’s Palace, and great beaches.
Zadar and Trogir are two more beautiful towns along the coast that are less than one hour from Sibenik by car (and also accessible by bus.)
Krka National Park, which is filled with lush waterfalls and walking trails, is just a 15-minute drive from Sibenik, and it’s a must-visit while you’re in Croatia!
I recommend renting a car so you can easily explore these destinations on your own.
It’s A Beautiful Town
While Sibenik makes a great base for exploring the surrounding areas, it’s also an excellent destination in its own right.
Its historic Old City has ancient stone buildings with red- and orange-tiled roofs, resembling the more popular destination Dubrovnik.
But you won’t find any of Dubrovnik’s crowds here!
Dating back to medieval times, Sibenik’s Old City is the perfect place to explore and feel as if you’ve been transported back in time.
Sibenik also has several impressive fortresses you can visit, including the imposing St. Michael’s Fortress and St. Nicholas’ Fortress.
There are also some great beaches in Sibenik — Banj Beach is the best beach close to town, while Rezalište Beach is a beautiful spot about a 10-minute drive away.
Affordable And Fewer Crowds
Finally, Sibenik is simply cheaper and less crowded than Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, or other popular destinations in Croatia.
Prices in Croatia have increased significantly in major tourist destinations, but there are still tons of affordable towns, and Sibenik is one of them.
Hotels, Airbnbs, restaurants, and activities are all cheaper in Sibenik than elsewhere in Croatia.
It also doesn’t get nearly as crowded as the more popular tourist hotspots in Croatia. Somewhere like Dubrovnik is beautiful, but not so much when you’re having to elbow your way through crowds just to get down the street, or shuffle along as you tour the Old City Walls along with thousands of other people.
Since Sibenik flies under the radar for most tourists in Croatia, it’s the perfect destination if you want to get off the beaten path and enjoy a more local side of the country without the crowds or high prices.
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