An equal hour south of Zadar and north of Split on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, the tiny town of Skradin shelters a diverse fleet of vessels in it’s Krka river harbour. Fishermen tend their nets in the town, their catch coming from the rich mix of ocean and river waters, while mega yachts moor directly on the main street. One of the most beautiful of Croatian harbours, Skradin’s boats ferry visitors to Krka National Park – a natural wonderland that rivals the hugely popular Plitvice Lakes system to the north.
It’s true that the town is small, but the easy pace, friendly locals, fresh food and gorgeous riverfront are seductive.
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Skradin on the Krka River and Dalmatian Coast of Croatia.
Boats moor beside Cafe seats on the riverfront while unruffled swans glide by.
The Baroque Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Birth or Mala Gospa, housing a pipe organ from the 18th Century, sits on the foundations of the original Cathedral that the Turks destroyed. While the exterior of the building is simplicity itself, the interior surprisingly holds statues, paintings, frescoed ceilings, candle chandeliers and pink/orange walls.
Twenty metres away the church tower (1872), built on sturdier ground, is crowned by a romantically shaped cupola.
Mates Vino.
Family owned and run, this waterfront establishment sells home produced prosciutto, cheese and olives to compliment their wines. The vine covered terrace is an easy-going place to relax after a visit to Krka National Park or a hike up to the fortress. Eventually everyone passes along the waterfront, making Mates a good place to people watch or catch up with friends.
These friendly guys welcomed us to share the terrace.
The Zimmer Frei sign indicates a room for rent, so if you’re looking why not pop in and ask.
Away from the waterfront, sleepy streets lead to the hill.
Follow the signs to Skradin Fortress. It doesn’t take long to reach the top.
Fortress view downstream.
And upstream toward Krka National Park.
How to get there from Zadar.
Skradin’s brushes with fame.
In 2010, the Forbes Magazine article “What Billionaires do on their Summer Holidays” said;
Microsoft founder Bill Gates stayed with his family in Skradin, a small coastal Croatian town of 3,800. A representative for the town’s travel board said Gates enjoyed walking through the streets, visiting local restaurants and seeing Krka National Park, home to the beautiful Stradinski Buk waterfall.
Rustem Pasha, son-in-law of and Grand Visier to Suleymaniye the Magnificent, whose mosque hidden near Istanbul’s Spice Market (1561), was born here and lived in Skradin until he was six years old. If you go to Istanbul don’t miss this deliciously small and beautiful mosque.
Krka National Park Office on Skradin’s riverfront. You can’t miss it! Our Krka National Park post will be coming soon.
Budget Travel Talk
Buy your KRKA National Park Tickets here.
Mates Vino Bar – 2 drinks and Proscuitto platter to share – 55 kuna ($10.76 AUD).
When driving from Zadar, take the scenic coastal route to avoid Highway Tolls.
Thanks for visiting, I really appreciate it and would love you to add your travel post to the link below for Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday which I co-host with Ruth from Tanama Tales and Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations.
We visited Skradin, Croatia as part of our Ten Weeks in Europe 2015 trip.
Happy Linking.
Nebotičnik Skyscraper and a walk in Park Tivoli Ljubljana
Fabulous pictures! Because of you, I’m dying to make it to Croatia. 😀
Croatia is great Becky!
Oh with each post you have me more determined to get to Croatia in hopefully the not too distant future! Loved this one and Bill Gates lives ‘just down the road’ quite literally from us in the NW (and a ‘million’ or billion miles from us socially and economically) from us so it is always fun to visit such a place, learn he has been there and say, “Oh yes, he lives not far from us in the Pacific Northwest”. . .Great post!
I do remember he lived up that way, not that I’m in his circles lol.
The town is small but if tit works for Bill Gates I guess it works for me too. I was going to ask if you visited Krka but I will have to wait till you publish that post.
I think Krka National Park will be the subject of next week’s post – so many photos – such a beautiful place.
I’ve watched a documentary about that region and I’m so surprised about the beauty of Croatia and all the little ports like Skradin. But also the interior of the country offers beautiful sights with stunning waterfalls.
I could go back for more. 🙂
I could definitely share a vino with you at Mates! How very Australian! I love the stone stairs. I am falling in love with Croatia even more each time you write about it Jan. 🙂
Oh yest Kathy, I can see you and I and a plate of nibbles sitting under the vine. 🙂
wow what amazing photos of Croatian River – love the picture of the stone steps, it looks like it is climbing up to the best view ever 😉
Wow its cheap to share a platter of food/dinks over there compared to Australian Cafe prices 😉
Yes Australian prices are astronomical compared to some places in Croatia and Turkey.
I’m looking forward to your post on Krka National Park . Skradin looks like the perfect destination to enjoy a chilled out holiday.
I know – who would have thought!
Imagine walking through the streets and running into Bill Gates. Now that would be a surprise.
I could have and not even known who it was Pinky. I’ll have to study up on celebrities. 🙂
So Croatia is just as gorgeous as everyone says! What lovely photos! #TPThursday
What an exotic place! I especially like the waterfront view 🙂