Five magical Šibenik islands where everyone can find their peace

The islands, considered to be a part of Šibenik, and of which there are 220, stretch from Cape Ploče to the islet of Grujica near Prosika. Thanks to the islands, Šibenik has several thousand hidden, picturesque bays and beaches where everyone can find their peace and tranquility. They are disturbed only by the sound of the sea and the song of crickets. There are many reasons why Šibenik is called the most beautiful nautical area of ​​the Adriatic and the Mediterranean, and in this paradise there are five magical islands that are close to the mainland and attract many visitors with their charms, especially those with a nautical flair.

The island of Žirje

Žirje is the most remote inhabited island of the Šibenik archipelago. It is known as an extremely rich fishing location, and faithfully depicts the traditional image of a small Dalmatian fishing village. The island of Žirje has remained largely intact and unique. This beautiful island is an ideal destination for anyone who wants to get away from the city tourist bustle.

The island of Kaprije

Another pearl of the Mediterranean and the Šibenik archipelago, named after the caper plant, whose buds enrich many dishes with their strongly spicy taste. The only settlement on the island is Kaprije, surrounded by hills, the highest of which is Velika Glavica (129 m). There are no cars on the island, and it is possible to visit it by regular ferry and a fast shipping line from Šibenik. The beauty of Kaprij is that it has an exceptional gastronomic offering in the form of local specialties, offered by nearby taverns and restaurants. As well as enjoying local food, the island also offers a beautiful walking trail, exceptional beaches, a relaxing atmosphere, and a quiet and quality vacation.

The island of Zlarin

Zlarin is the closest island to Šibenik, only 2 km away from the city of Šibenik.   It is an island of culture, coral and the famous Croatian poet Vesna Parun. It is one of the few islands where access to cars is allowed, but everything is accessible on foot. The main means of transport on the island are bicycles, tractors with trailers and carriages.  Zlarin abounds in beautiful sandy beaches, but it is also peaceful and quiet, which makes it the perfect choice for a family vacation. Another interesting thing that attracts those who are proud of their environmental awareness is the fact that Zlarin is the first Croatian island without plastic, so Zlarin has become our greenest island in terms of ecology.

The island of Prvić

Another pearl of the Šibenik archipelago, the small island of Prvić, which delights with the peaceful atmosphere of its two fishing villages - Šepurine and Prvić Luka, which have been declared a national cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture. It was first mentioned in the 11th century, and in the 16th century it became an elite location where the nobles of Šibenik built their villas and summer houses. Faust Vrančić himself, one of the most famous Croatian inventors, spent his childhood on the island, which is why Prvić is often called Faust's Island. In honor of his character and work, the Faust Vrančić Memorial Centre was opened, where you can get to know his life and rich creative work. The area of the island is 2.41 km2, so visitors can explore the whole island on foot and enjoy its small, quiet and untouched bays.

The island of Krapanj

The island of Krapanj is the lowest and smallest inhabited island in the Adriatic. It is part of the Šibenik archipelago and is located opposite Brodarica, which is about 300 meters away. Its highest altitude does not exceed 1.25 meters. The island is known for sponge making, all of which goes back to a Franciscan from Crete, who three centuries ago taught the locals how to recognize, hunt and process sponges. In addition, Krapanj is an island with a centuries-old tradition of diving and fishing. The centre of the island is a settlement of mostly stone houses that form a network of narrow stone streets, characteristic of the Dalmatian region. The century-old pine forest and the Monastery of the Holy Cross stand out from this network, whose museum houses numerous exhibits that testify to the life of the people of Krapanj in the past.

 PHOTO: Igor Tomljenović-TZG Šibenika; Ivo Pervan; Zlatko Sunko; Ivo Biočina; Damir Zurub