Solana Solaris & Šibenik Bay Salt Pans

On the shallow eastern shore of Šibenik Bay lies one of Croatia's most under-visited natural wonders — a large complex of centuries-old sea-salt evaporation basins that today doubles as a strictly-protected bird sanctuary and one of the most important stopover sites for migrating shorebirds on the eastern Adriatic. Salt production here began in the 1st century AD under the Romans and continued essentially uninterrupted until 1982, when commercial production ceased; the geometric basin landscape has been carefully preserved as an ornithological reserve managed jointly with the neighbouring resort of Solaris. Twelve observation stands are set at strategic points along a 4-km birdwatching trail, and the biological diversity is astonishing — 187 bird species have been recorded including regularly-observed flamingos (arriving in small groups from the Camargue every autumn since 2012), avocet, black-winged stilt, spoonbill and pygmy cormorant. The reserve is at its liveliest during spring migration (March–May) and autumn (September–October). A small excellent visitor centre near the Solaris resort loans binoculars and provides English/Croatian species lists; guided ornithology walks run every Saturday morning at 09:00 from March to November. Combines beautifully with a swim at the neighbouring family-friendly Solaris beach and a lunch of local seabass.