Today’s post is written by Sarah from that squat bot, if you would like to know more about Sarah please scroll down to the bottom of this post where you can find her details.
Croatia is a beautiful country with stunning landscapes, rolling mountains and excellent food and wine. If you wanted to stay around the coast, I wouldn’t blame you – the glittering ocean, the Dalmatian islands dotted throughout, and the incredible sunsets are certainly a draw.
What if I told you there was a place equally as stunning a little inland, just an hour from Split – and that in going here, you would get the chance to swim in a waterfall? It’s true! Krka National Park is a bus ride from the second largest city in Croatia, and is well worth the trip to walk around the forest and breathe in the magic of the waterfalls.
How do I get to Krka?
We got a bus from the station in Split, which cost around £20 return and took an hour and a quarter to reach the village of Skradin. From there you go into the glass visitor centre to buy your ticket to Krka (around £7), then you hop on the boat which takes you to the park. The boat takes 25 minutes but this is definitely a part of the experience!
You don’t seem to need your ticket for the rest of the time you’re there, but keep hold of it just in case. I’d recommend booking your return bus journey, as the buses back can get busy and ticket holders are prioritised.
What to take to Krka
Before going I read that you had to take your own food and drink as there was nothing there – but this isn’t true! There are quite a few places to buy food and drink, although I would imagine they are fairly expensive. You can’t go wrong with grabbing a sandwich and a pastry from one of the bakeries near Split bus station – just remember to take all of your rubbish away with you when you leave – and take cash along too.
You do not want to miss out on the chance to swim in a waterfall, so the main thing you’ll want to take to Krka is your swim kit, beach towel and swim shoes. Pretty much all swimming in Croatia requires neoprene swim shoes and Krka is no exception. There are just toilets to get changed in which you have to pay for, so if you can arrive in your swimming kit then it’s going to be much easier for you.
Finally, don’t forget your walking shoes and camera to capture the stunning views!
What to do in Krka
The main thing that drew me to Krka was the opportunity to swim in a waterfall, as this is a real bucket-list-ticking moment! However, be aware that unfortunately there are restrictions where you can swim, and you can’t swim under the actual falling water – I heard a staff member say they had to cordon off areas as people were getting silly jumping off. A real shame, but it’s good to know our safety is paramount.
The swimming area gets deep quickly, the current from the waterfall is powerful, and you can easily get swept into some big rocks so you do have to be a strong swimmer to get out there. However, there is a shallower area if you’d just like to relax, get some photos, and tick it off your list!
I must admit, although the main draw was the waterfall, the most beautiful thing about Krka was the forest and the lovely walk you can do around the park. It takes an hour to get fully around, and although there are some hills, it’s fully accessible with step alternatives and wooden gangways that lead you over streams. There are so many waterfalls within the park and there are many viewpoints at which to grab photos of them at.
Should I get a guide or do an organised trip?
It’s up to you and what you’re used to, but I don’t think it warrants it. It’s easy to book your bus online or in the bus station – information is clear and everyone speaks good English – and once you’re in the park it’s simple to navigate around. All you have to do is enjoy the views.
It may be away from Croatia’s glittering coast, but Krka National Park is not to be missed on your trip to Croatia!
Eps and Amy 