Dubrovnik and Dalmacija travel guide

The Sea Gate, Zadar Old Town
Zadar Old Town
Having hauled itself back from
economic meltdown in the 1990s,
Zadar is once again a buzzing
Adriatic city, complete with an
attractive old core which juts out
confidently on its own peninsula.
This compact and largely pedestrianized
area holds the city’s main
attractions, including a Roman
forum and the remarkable Church
of St Donat’s (see pp30–31).
Šibenik Old Town
Given Šibenik’s unique
position as a city that was
founded and developed by the
early Croats rather than the
Romans or Venetians, it comes
as no surprise that its old core
is markedly different from the
standard Adriatic template. The
buildings are smaller, and the
streets far narrower and tighterknit
– a real warren, in
which it is easy to slip
back, in your imagination,
through the centuries. In
the streets below the
castle, forget your map
and just wander – but
don’t miss the Cathedral
of St James (see pp28–9,
37). Map C4 • Tourist info:
Fausta Vrania 18. 022 212 075
Krka National Park
This natural playground of
pools, waterfalls and emerald
lakes makes for a perfect daytrip.
On a hot day, bring your
swimwear, as the boat that
brings you into the park from
Skradin drops you off near
Skradinski Buk, the best place in
the park to cool off in the clear
waters of the Krka River. The park
is well prepared for tourism, with
further boats heading off in search
of Visovac Monastery, Krka
Monastery and the waterfalls at
Roški Slap – not to mention
restaurants, cafés, ice cream stalls
and souvenir shops (see pp20–21).
Paklenica National Park
Designated a national park
in 1949, Paklenica has become
the destination of choice for savvy
Slovene and Italian climbers and
walkers. This protected wilderness
of vaulting limestone peaks rises
from the coast through two
sweeping gorges, which just beg
to be explored. Velika Paklenica
is perfect for day-trippers and
walkers, while the more rustic
and challenging charms of Mala
Paklenica attract serious outdoor
types. A network of lodges and
mountain huts allows exploration
of the higher peaks, though all
the usual precautions, as well as
local advice, should be taken (see
p52). Map B2 • Park Office: Franje
Tumana 14a, Starigrad-Paklenica. 230
369 202. www.paklenica.hr • Adm charge
Lilies in the Botanical Gardens, Paklenica National Park
Around Northern Dalmatia
For the stunnning Kornati National Park See pp26–7, 77
73