The Croatian coast is one of the most beautiful coasts in the world, because of its intactness and beautiful untouched nature. The coast is full of different exploring opportunities, wonderful nature, and historical heritage and offers its beauty to the whole world.
There are many picturesque islands to explore and they are often great attractions for people who want to fulfil their holiday. There are plenty of options to choose from, over 1.200 islands that are great for a day trip or a short break away. To make your island-hopping adventure even easier, take your taxi boat from one island to another and let the adventure begin! This is definitely the best way to explore Croatian islands.
If you fancy a holiday full of Croatian’s cultural history, fascinating nature, fun and pure relaxation on beautiful beaches, you should let yourself be inspired for a holiday in Šibenik.
The Croatian coastal town Šibenik, which is known for its nearby national parks, its fortresses and islands, is a real jewel of the Croatian Adriatic Coast. Its central location between the well-known tourist cities of Zadar and Split makes it attractive for a stopover during your holiday journey along the Adriatic.
Šibenik is definitely an ideal starting point for one-day excursions and tours to the nearby islands, which make the coast off Šibenik look like a landscape of lakes. Here are some of the most beautiful islands of the Šibenik archipelago:
Prvić
Just one nautical mile from Vodice on the coast of Dalmatia is the picturesque little island of Prvić. With an area of just under 2.4 km2, the island of Prvić is one of the smallest inhabited islands in Croatia.
There are two settlements on this beautiful island: Prvić Luka and Prvić Šepurine. During the 15th century, when Turkish invaders threatened the settlements, the island of Prvić served as a retreat. The island is nowadays a wonderful retreat from the stress and noise of everyday life. This car-free island is best explored on foot or by bicycle.
There are wonderful churches known for their baroque altars that are true examples of wonderful traditional Dalmatian architecture. The remains of the great Croatian scientist Faust Vrančić, who is associated with the invention of the parachute, lie in one of those churches, the church of Our Lady.
There are several beautiful bathing opportunities in the crystal-clear turquoise sea on this picturesque island. Its beautiful, quiet, old and noble stone houses attract attention with their uniqueness. You can reach this paradisiacal island during one of many island-hopping adventures and excursions in Šibenik’s archipelago.
Zlarin
The idyllic island of Zlarin is located in the Šibenik archipelago, near two of the most popular national parks in Dalmatia – Krka National Park and Kornati National Park. To get from Šibenik to Zlarin it doesn’t take long, especially with a taxi boat.
There is a strict ban on driving cars of any kind on the island of Zlarin, which makes the small island very interesting, especially for cyclists and hikers. The island is characterised by deep green pine and spruce forests, the numerous vines and the scent of various herbs that grow around the island. Visitors will appreciate the picturesque landscape and the crystal clear waters of the sea, as well as the secluded beaches and numerous hidden bays.
The island is famous for its scenic beauty and tranquillity that everyone can enjoy. Many monuments from historical times are worth visiting. However, the most important sight here is the Coral Museum. The island used to be famous for its coral population and the production of items from coral. Visitors of the museum are shown how jewellery and other objects were made from coral and how corals were fished in the first place.
Žirje
The island of Žirje is the most distant and largest island in the Šibenik archipelago. The island is a rich fishing area known as a fishing village. It is also known for its natural beauty, the clear and blue sea, and the natural, wild, rocky beaches, such as those in the bays Velika, Mala, Stupica and Koromačna, which are the destinations of true nautical enthusiasts.
Due to its distance from the mainland, this island is an ideal place for people who want to spend a quiet holiday. Žirje also has its fishermen’s festivals, and there is also the sports programme ‘Bodulska pripetavanja’ formed by spontaneous competitions of the neighbouring Dalmatian islands of the Šibenik archipelago in various sports, such as bowling, cards, football, waterpolo, swimming etc.
There are many more islands worth visiting in the Šibenik archipelago. This is also an excellent place for sport enthusiasts and sailing! The charming green spots of the country are ideal for romance, contemplation, swimming and enjoying the crystal clear, sunny beaches.
