Whereas Croatia is likely to be extra well-known for its seashores and cities, there’s some actually lovely countryside to find right here – and after a style on a earlier journey to Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park, I knew a day trip at Krka Nationwide Park with youngsters can be unmissable.
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Primarily based in Cut up for our vacation in Croatia, it’s a straightforward day journey whether or not you’ve bought your personal transport or – like us – are on the lookout for a day tour to Krka Nationwide Park with youngsters to keep away from having to rent a automobile (by no means a lot use in Cut up itself).
The park is known for its waterfalls, and also you received’t be disillusioned: it’s ridiculously fairly strolling alongside the boardwalk beneath the bushes, with falls and cascades throughout, turning the turquoise water into white foam.
How one can get to Krka Nationwide Park with youngsters
In the event you’re driving to Krka Nationwide Park, there are 5 official entrances, though in the event you’re coming from Cut up, the doorway at Lozovac is probably the most helpful – there’s additionally free parking right here, and also you’ll be strolling down the steps to the waterfalls, relatively than mountain climbing up them.
In any other case, you can too go to Skradin and go to the park from there, though you’ll must pay for parking and ensure you time your go to to coincide with the boat. For both entrance, comply with the A1 motorway straight from Cut up and look out for the indicators.
The others embrace Roški Slap – though you can too attain this by boat from the Skradinski Buk waterfalls, in addition to utilizing this as a place to begin to go to Krka Monastery and Visovac Island from April to October.
You’ll find loads of automobile rent corporations near the outdated city in Cut up – I like to recommend Zest Automobile Rental or you can too examine charges at Uncover Vehicles
Or in the event you select to take a bus tour from Cut up, there’s an enormous alternative, often with one other cease included as this is without doubt one of the best day journeys from the town.
Today journey from Grey Line excursions departs from each Cut up (close to the Riva) and Trogir, visiting the nationwide park and Skradin, whereas this day tour additionally features a extra uncommon cease at a hydroelectric energy station (and meets at Booker Journey company within the centre of city)
Our tour with Go Journey left from the Sukoišan bus terminal on Lička ulica (not the bus terminal by the port), a brief stroll from the historic centre with the choice of wine tasting or to go to Skradin exterior peak season, and Primošten in the course of the summer time months.
You may as well staff Krka Nationwide Park with one other seaside cease in Sibenik on this tour from Pelican Excursions – it’s a longer tour than among the others, so higher with older youngsters. Or this tour from Cut up (from South Excursions within the outdated city) and Trogir visits Primošten, Sibenik and Krka Nationwide Park, though inevitably that does imply extra of a rushed day
A day at Krka Nationwide Park with youngsters
Setting off for Krka Nationwide Park on our household day trip, my daughter had regarded barely doubtful to be dragged away from Cut up – though the pictures I’d proven her of the park’s waterfalls had already made her jaw drop.
And from the second we drew up on the automobile park, to superb views of the tree-lined hills and the water stretching away to the horizon, she was a convert.
The truth that we nearly immediately noticed a few marmalade cats snoozing within the sunshine on the nice and cozy stone partitions was an added bonus for a 10-year-old.
Though our day journey got here with a information, it’s very simple to discover alone – one path leads by way of the Nationwide Park from the automobile park to the restaurant and picnic spots, close to to the place you will get the boat to Skradin.
Ultimately, most of our group ended up staying collectively as we walked by way of however in April, you possibly can simply go at your personal tempo because it wasn’t crowded, stopping to take numerous pictures, and studying among the info boards concerning the park and its wildlife alongside the way in which.
There are a number of explicit locations to look out for although, together with among the buildings within the little village.
The primary cease is the outdated blacksmith’s, with instruments nonetheless hanging on stone wall, as if he had simply popped out for a number of moments.
Across the nook, there’s the mill the place enormous stone grindstones would as soon as have been powered by the park’s water to show grain into flour – relying if you go to, one of many grindstones remains to be operational and you’ll typically see it turning, though out facet peak season, you’ll simply have to make use of your creativeness.
Close by, there’s a laundry and fulling mill, which each profit from the racing water – on the fulling mill, uncooked material would get pounded by the drive of the water as a part of the cloth-making course of, whereas within the cave which served as a laundry, water races right into a pool, swirling spherical nearly like a pure washer.
However whereas it’s at all times attention-grabbing to get slightly style of what day by day life was like, it’s the surroundings that’s the large attraction right here, and rightly so.
Skradinski Buk is likely to be probably the most well-known of the waterfalls right here, however wherever you flip in Krka Nationwide Park with youngsters you’ll discover cascades connecting the swimming pools.
Typically small, simply an enthusiastic trickle, others crashing down the rocks in a splash of white foam, whereas some have been longer, becoming a member of two bigger swimming pools.
The water appears extremely clear and nearly all a greeny-turquoise color. Glowing within the daylight, enlivened by the waterfalls and glimpsed by way of the bushes, it’s simply endlessly beautiful.
There are some stops to look out for alongside the way in which too, together with the imperial viewpoint.
In any other case, the trail leads you on for slightly over a mile, with a wood boardwalk and little bridges taking you over among the small rivers and streams.
Alongside the way in which, hold a watch out for the wildlife which makes its dwelling in Krka Nationwide Park – we noticed a small military of frogs, in addition to fish and birds galore as we strolled.
There was no signal of the (innocent) water snakes sadly, however we did see proof of the place wild boar had gouged up the banks. The boar themselves, together with many of the different animals dwelling right here, have a tendency to cover away from people although in quieter components of the park.
And on the finish, you come to Skradinski Buk, probably the most well-known of the waterfalls to look out for if you’re visiting Krka Nationwide Park with youngsters – the one you’ll see in a thousand Instagram pictures.
With purpose, the curve of waterfalls and the color of the water is attractive, plus there are some nice spots to take pictures from the bridge – even in April, there was one thing of a bottleneck as everybody stopped to take their snaps, so be ready for giant crowds in peak season.
When you used to have the ability to swim within the waters right here, it’s been strictly forbidden for the previous few years because the variety of vacationers splashing about on this lovely spot was starting the hurt it.
I can’t deny it should have been a terrific reminiscence to have taken a dip right here, however with out anybody swimming by the waterfall, it’s much more lovely so I couldn’t remorse the modified guidelines.
In case you are exploring independently, there’s loads extra park to discover with an entire string of strolling trails – you’ll be able to verify maps of Krka Nationwide Park right here – in addition to taking the boat to Visovac island and visiting Krka monastery in the course of the summer time months
Visiting Skradin
If Krka Nationwide Park was the one cease throughout your loved ones day trip, it might nonetheless be nicely value it, however as a bonus, your ticket features a 20-minute boat journey alongside the river to Skradin.
The surroundings right here is spectacular too, cruising alongside the water and passing by way of the sheer cliffs of the gorge.
Do verify the boat occasions prematurely – these often run each hour, though keep in mind that the final boat of the day is usually very busy, so it’s value arriving early
We had round an hour on this fairly little city within the shadow of a ruined fort, simply the correct quantity of time to discover with out feeling rushed – and even for a cease within the playground (or you possibly can relaxation your legs and watch the world go by from a restaurant).
As you wander the streets, you’ll be able to spot Venetian and Austro-Hungarian influences within the vibrant homes, remnants of two of the empires which as soon as dominated Croatia.
However save a while to stroll as much as the fortress to soak within the views.
There’s not a substantial amount of the fortifications left, and there are some sheer drops in the event you’re visiting with youthful youngsters, however the stroll up the hill isn’t difficult and the point of view is beautiful.
In summer time, you’ll be able to even anticipate to see a number of movie star yachts within the marina, though in April, it was all sleepily relaxed. There’s additionally a metropolis seashore right here the place you’ll be able to swim in the course of the hotter months.
Not all excursions embrace a cease at Skradin – in summer time, so much will go to the seashore at Primošten or go to one other mixture of web sites however many embrace this within the journey and it’s simple to do in the event you’re travelling independently.
Journey suggestions for visiting Krka Nationwide Park with youngsters
When to go to Krka Nationwide Park?
Unsurprisingly, the nationwide park is a well-liked spot to go to, so it pays to time your go to properly.
We visited in April, in the course of the Easter holidays, which meant there have been far fewer guests to the world than if we’d come in the course of the peak summer time months.
It will probably get very popular throughout July and August, and whereas there’s some shade beneath the bushes, the paths can flip right into a line of individuals relatively than having the prospect to amble by way of, plus you may end up ready longer for boats.
From November to March, it’s cheaper to go to however among the boat excursions don’t run. April/Could and October are cheaper entry than the summer time months however with most points of interest open (and good climate to benefit from the surroundings).
12 months-round, in the event you can arrive early, you’ve bought a greater likelihood of beating among the crowds – particularly in the event you’re coming from Skradin and need to keep away from ready for the boat. Our tour went straight to Krka Nationwide Park, arriving at round 10.30am relatively than detouring to Sibenik or Primošten, or in the event you’re driving, it’s value setting off early.
The park opens at 8am from April to mid-October, and 9am at different occasions of 12 months in the event you’re visiting independently.
How one can get entry tickets
You possibly can prebook tickets on-line, which is nicely value doing to skip the queues in the summertime – numbers are restricted so this ensures you will get in. You simply must know which entrance you’ll be arriving at, as there are completely different ticket choices. The principle ticket for the entire park is for the principle entrance.
Our tour had an choice to pay our entry to the nationwide park after we booked, however you’ll discover that numerous excursions ask you to pay on the day (although usually at a diminished price for teams). It’s possible you’ll must convey euros for this, so it’s value ensuring you may have the proper change.
The costs change relying on the time of 12 months, so you’ll be able to verify on the Nationwide Park web site (though in the event you’re taking a tour, the corporate ought to let you recognize what it’ll price prematurely).
Is there anyplace to eat at Krka Nationwide Park
There are some locations to get meals near the boat cease, however they’re the one choices. In the event you arrive mid-morning, you’ll attain them at round lunchtime, however any later and also you may end up strolling by way of Krka Nationwide Park with youngsters who’re ravenously hungry.
It’s largely quick meals, with candy choices like crepes, whereas there’s additionally a small restaurant/bar to get drinks. You may as well convey your personal meals to picnic, with tables scattered round
Are there bogs at Krka Nationwide Park?
Sure, there are a number of units of bogs, together with close to the village, by the imperial viewpoint and close to Skradinski Buk waterfall.
Sightsee on the journey
In the event you’re travelling from Cut up, as we did, you’ll be able to spot a number of extra sights on the journey from the town (though you received’t be stopping there).
In addition to an historical Roman aqueduct, which as soon as led to the Roman settlements at Cut up and close by, hold a watch out for the Fortress of Klis up within the rocky cliffs.
A filming location for Recreation of Thrones, it’s nicely value visiting for followers, however even youngsters who’ve by no means seen the present will love a glimpse of its fortifications and distant setting – it completely seems like someplace which might have dragons…
Work out your return route
In the event you purchase a full day ticket, it contains entry to the park in addition to the boat journey to or from Skradin – however solely one-way.
So in the event you’ve parked at Lozovac and are taking the boat to Skradin afterwards, you’ll must work out your return route again to your automobile, or vice versa in the event you’ve began on the Skradin entrance. For guided excursions, you’ll be informed the place you’ll be collected in Skradin.
For extra issues to do in Cut up with youngsters, together with day journeys and concepts for methods to spend a day on Hvar with youngsters
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