Šibenik, Croatia

Šibenik sits at the mouth of the Krka River in central Dalmatia, with a population of roughly 46,000. First mentioned in a 1066 document, it ranks as the oldest native Croatian town on the Adriatic coast. The city's Cathedral of Saint James, built between 1431 and 1536, is listed by UNESCO and was constructed entirely of stone with no mortar binding. Four fortresses, including Saint Michael's and Barone, overlook the old town from the surrounding heights. Šibenik also serves as the gateway to both the Krka and Kornati national parks, with more to explore inland and along the archipelago.