Šibenik, Croatia

An imposing Venetian fortress guards the maritime entrance to Šibenik, heralding the historic importance of this town in the heart of the Dalmatian coast. The 500-year-old Cathedral of St. James still dominates the waterfront but today this celebrated Gothic-Renaissance UNESCO site anchors an inviting promenade lined with cafes and restaurants that fuel Šibenik’s reputation for culinary excellence. Behind the cathedral is the Old Town, a labyrinth of cobblestone lanes and stone stairs that wind uphill to medieval defenses that look out over red-tiled roofs, the bay and beyond. Situated between the Krka River and the Adriatic, Šibenik offers access to some of Croatia’s greatest natural attractions by land and sea: the waterfalls and lakes of Krka National Park and the islets and reefs of the Kornati archipelago.