We started the morning with coffee and the leftover pizza.

Hugo had a work meeting, and once that was finished we packed up and got back on the road.

Caro and Hugo driving south along the Croatian coast
Back on the road and heading south.

Along the way we decided to stop at a viewpoint. We could only drive so far and had to walk the final 400 metres. It was brutally hot, but the view across the coast and islands was worth it.

The rental car parked below a hot coastal viewpoint
We parked below the viewpoint and walked the last 400 metres.
Wide view across the blue Adriatic and its islands from a coastal viewpoint
The hot walk was worth it for the view.

We drove past Biograd and continued south towards Šibenik.

After finding paid parking near the water, we went for a swim. The heat was intense, and we did not last long in the sun before retreating into the sea.

Caro swimming with Šibenik old town and the waterfront behind her
Cooling down before walking into Šibenik.

Once we had cooled down, we headed into Šibenik. It is a beautiful city, with pale stone houses crowded right down to the edge of the water and the old town climbing steeply towards St Michael’s Fortress.

Šibenik was first mentioned in 1066 and grew from a settlement below the fortress. Its old centre is a maze of stone lanes, steps, churches and buildings shaped over centuries of Croatian and Venetian history.

Caro climbing a narrow flight of stone steps in Šibenik old town
Šibenik’s old centre is a maze of stone lanes and steps.

The most impressive of them is the Cathedral of St James. Built between 1431 and 1535, it is made entirely from stone and combines Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Around the outside runs a remarkable frieze of 71 sculpted faces—men, women and children watching the world pass by. The cathedral became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

The carved stone front of the Cathedral of St James in Šibenik
The Cathedral of St James, built entirely from stone.
Caro standing beside an ornate carved doorway at the Cathedral of St James
Caro beside one of the cathedral’s richly carved doors.
Stone apses and part of the frieze of sculpted faces on the Cathedral of St James
Some of the 71 sculpted faces watching from the cathedral walls.

On the way to our accommodation, we stopped at a shop to buy food.

View over Primošten and the surrounding blue water from the coast road
Another view from the road south towards Rogoznica.

When we checked in at Rogoznica, our host welcomed us with a schnapps. We barely paused to unpack before heading straight back to the beach, where we stayed in the water for more than an hour.

Evening view across the rooftops from the accommodation in Rogoznica
The evening view from our accommodation in Rogoznica.
Calm water and a pebble beach in Rogoznica at sunset
More than an hour in the water as the day cooled down.

For dinner we made pasta with chickpeas, baby marrow, mushrooms, tomatoes and feta. It was delicious.

Pasta with chickpeas, baby marrow, mushrooms, tomatoes and feta
Pasta with chickpeas, vegetables and feta for dinner.

Afterwards, Caro painted while Hugo caught up on some admin.