Driving from Šibenik to Primošten: A 30-min route
This short drive connects Šibenik and Primošten, but is one of the more scenic sections of road in Central Dalmatia.
26 km
Distance
30 min
Drive time
Excellent
Surface
Heavy
Traffic
Road Metrics
Twist factor 🌀
Medium, with many sweeping corners and a handful of tight ones
Season🚦
Lots of traffic during peak season, but manageable most of the time
Vibes 🛣️
Sweeping corners, great views of the open sea
Safety ⚠️
Very safe, but dangerous due to other drivers and overtaking
This particular small stretch of road starts out in the parking lot of Dalmare shopping centre in Šibenik, one of my annual road trip stops. The tiny bit of road connects regional capital Šibenik with one of the most beautiful towns in Croatia, Primošten.
The route is actually very short in duration, with just around 30 minutes of time required, which is great if you are vacationing in either of these great locations. The road starts in Šibenik, and quickly dips all the way to the sea before climbing up all the way back up. The corners are fast and interesting, including ones that turn left and open up a (very rare in Croatia) unobstructed view of the sea. The road sees quite a bit of traffic during peak season because it is one of the vital sections connecting Šibenik, which has direct access to the Croatian highway system, and the series of seaside towns frequented by tourists.
This is why it is not really a perfect location for a spirited Dalmatian coast drive, but rather a relaxing coastal cruise.
During my regular drives on this route, I often stop and swim in the bay before continuing, due to the relatively high number of parking spaces on the road that have easy access to the beach. There’re a lot of spots near Magistrala where you can just park and take a swim, but this one is by far my favourite.
Fun facts
Primošten is known for having its old town on a man-made peninsula, and is similar to Rovinj, but in a much smaller form.
Grebaštica bay is one of my favourite swim spots near the Magistrala, with some of the most crystal clear waters you can find without having to venture towards the islands.
Recommended stops
Grebaštica Bay – wonderful swim spot
Primošten: one of the prettiest towns in the entire country
Route Overview
Road conditions
Weather and wind
More Croatia road trips
Planning more Croatia road trips? Try Plomin to Opatija or Glina to Rastoke.
