Things to do in Skradin Croatia: Complete Information About Park Boats, Yacht Marina, Historic Sites and Restaurant Options in Gateway Town to Krka Waterfalls
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Skradin is officially considered a city, although I would boldly call it a village, especially since according to a census conducted back in 2001, the population of the city itself is only 619 people. From my observations, the population has changed little since then.
Skradin is located on the right bank of the Krka River, near a beautiful mulberry tree alley. Thanks to the abundant mulberry trees growing here, in the first half of the 19th century, the largest silkworm farm in Dalmatia was located in the city of Skradin. And even earlier, during the Roman Empire, the ancient port of Scardona existed at this location.
The population of the city in 2001 was 619 people. From my observations, little has changed since then
Skradin is located 17 km from Šibenik on the Krka River near one of the five entrances to Krka National Park. The popularity of this town among tourists is explained by the fact that the park’s tourist office is located here, and excursion boats regularly run from the city pier to the park entrance.
Despite the huge number of tourists coming to the park, the town itself is peaceful and tranquil. Walking through its streets during the day, you’ll only meet occasional passersby, bored café waiters, and souvenir shop vendors. Nothing reminds you that during the Roman Empire, Skradin (formerly Scardona) held the position of administrative and military center of an entire Roman region.
Attractions near Skradin
The main attraction near Skradin is Krka National Park, which attracts a huge number of tourists, both independent and organized.
All the attractions listed below near Skradin are located on the territory of Krka National Park. From Skradin, it’s easier to get to all of them than from Šibenik (another popular city for tourists planning to visit Krka National Park).
Skradinski Buk waterfall
Skradin unofficially holds the status of the entrance gate to Krka National Park. From here, boats depart that take you along the river to the waterfalls located in the lower part of the river’s course.
You can buy a park ticket at the office in Skradin, which is located near the pier, and take a boat (the ride is already included in the entrance ticket price) to the lower entrance to the park, located near the Skradinski Buk waterfall. This is the largest waterfall in the park and the most popular among tourists of all the Krka waterfalls cascade.
The city pier from which boats go to Skradinski Buk waterfall
Boats to the park depart every hour on the hour from Skradin – and every :30 minutes back from Krka. From this alone, it’s clear that the boat journey lasts exactly half an hour.
The entrance near Skradinski Buk waterfall is the most popular part of Krka Park among tourists. Here is the only place in the park where you can swim, as well as the most popular walking route in Krka, laid out around the waterfall.
Roški Slap waterfall
Roški Slap waterfall is also called the “spacious waterfall” because, with a height of 22.5 m, it consists of the main waterfall, countless branches, cascades, and limestone islands. The main waterfall is located where the Krka River, from a height of 15 m, flows into Lake Visovac. It is preceded by a series of parallel waterfalls known as the Necklaces.
At Roški Slap waterfall, you can take a tour to Krka Monastery and the medieval fortresses of Nečven and Trošenj. The excursion lasts two and a half hours, including 30 minutes to view the monastery itself.
Krka Monastery
It’s noteworthy that Krka Monastery belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Church. This spiritual center of Orthodox believers is a true gem of world architecture. It is located next to the Krka River and built on the foundation of a more ancient hermitage monastery.
This monastery was first mentioned in historical documents dating back to 1402. Considering that it was built on the canyon rocks, it’s most convenient to view it from the side while sailing along the river.
Burnum ruins
Tourists rarely get here. Despite the fact that, unlike Krka Monastery, Burnum is easiest to reach by land, renting a car or ordering an excursion in Skradin.
Burnum is a Roman military camp rich in ancient history artifacts. In the 1st century, Burnum was one of the most important military centers of the Roman province of this area (Illyria).
Located on the right bank of the Krka River in the upper part of the Krka Park of the same name. It was built in a place from where it was most convenient to control the flow of the Krka River.
At first glance, you wouldn’t say these are ruins. The entire viewing circle of the amphitheater tribune and the entrance gates to the arena are excellently preserved (during the empire’s heyday, about 10,000 people watched this scene). Next to the amphitheater, you can see the foundations of military buildings, which are currently being restored.
There is a good large parking lot here, next to which is the ticket office. By the way, if you drive about 300 meters from here towards Knin, you can admire the Manojlovac waterfalls.
The cost of visiting the Burnum ruins is 2.6 euros.
Attractions in Skradin
Everything in Skradin is very charming. As in many cities in Croatia, everything resembles Italy, but only a very dilapidated one
What’s here: castle ruins, churches, colorful streets – and a pier from which boats and motorboats depart to Krka National Park. There’s also a city museum, which I regret learning about only before leaving the city.
Skradin marina
Despite the fact that Skradin is located inland, many yachts of various levels come here, bypassing Šibenik, for which excellent berths are equipped here (ACI marina Skradin).
By yacht along the Krka River from Šibenik to Skradin is 9 miles. By the way, here you can stay on a yacht not only in the marina but also at anchor. And a 2-minute walk from the marina, on the river, there’s an artificial landscaped beach.
In the Skradin marina, you can often see swans swimming right up to the shore and taking food from tourists’ hands. (Be careful, they bite!
On weekdays, the marina is much calmer. If you’re planning to come here by yacht, take this fact into account.
This is a fully equipped pier with 180 berths for yachts arriving through Prokljan Lake and Šibenik. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the geographical location of Skradin and Krka National Park allows tourists arriving by yacht from the sea to visit a continental national park.
Skradin can also be a starting point for those who want to embark on a sea voyage from the city by yacht
For those who sail to Krka by yacht, Skradin is the final maritime point. Therefore, yachtsmen can leave their vessels at the pier or at anchor along the pier. Further upstream, only ships departing from the nearest pier can move, which transport visitors to Krka National Park to Skradinski Buk waterfall.
Conversely, the Skradin pier can also be a starting point for those who want to embark on a sea voyage from the city by yacht. At the pier, you can rent vessels for weekly charters. So if you came to Krka by land, after visiting the park you can continue further by sea on a rented yacht.
Skradin Bridge (Krka Bridge)
While in Skradin, you’ll definitely see this large arched bridge over the Krka River (don’t confuse it with the bridge in the Krk Island area). Highway No. 1 passes over it from the side of the road junction located in the Šibenik area.
The bridge has two traffic lanes in each direction and the speed limit for vehicles on the bridge is 100 km/h. Among all the bridges on the A1 motorway, the bridge over the Krka has the longest main span, and throughout Croatia, this bridge’s span ranks fourth after the two arches of the Krk Bridge (390 and 244 m) and the Šibenik Bridge (246 m).
If you’re driving and crossing the Krka Bridge, stop at the large viewing platform next to the bridge – magnificent views of the bridge itself, the river, and its rocky banks open up from here.
In Skradin, you’ll definitely see this large arched bridge over the Krka River
Turina fortress
Signs directing to the fortress are placed throughout Skradin. The fortress is located on a hill. The slope of the hill is quite steep, and if you’re with small children, it may not be worth it.
If you’re light on your feet, to pass the time before dinner, for example, it’s worth climbing the hill rising above the city. Climbing about 100 meters up one of the old narrow streets, you’ll see the ruins of the ancient Turina fortress.
Narrow street leading up the hill to Turina fortress
The fortress itself is not very interesting, but the views of the bay and city from here are quite nice. Be careful: very nasty cacti grow along the edges of the path, the needles are thin and break.
The climb to the fortress is a great way to spend more than an hour and work up an appetite before a delicious dinner with cold beer.
The views of the bay and city from here are quite nice
Hotels and accommodation in Skradin: how to find cheap options?
Despite the very modest size of the city and small population, for those wishing to stay here for some time and dedicate several days to exploring Krka National Park, Skradin has a fairly large selection of hotels and apartments.
Despite its very modest size, the city has a lot of hotel and apartment offers
Also, there’s everything necessary for a comfortable tourist stay: ATMs, currency exchanges, restaurants, cafes, shops, souvenir shops.
In the town, you can rent bicycles and take a ride along the river to the entrance to the national park. And for those who prefer comfort or independent water travel, there are offers for car and yacht rentals.
If you’re going to Skradin by car, keep in mind that parking for cars here is paid (0.5 euros per hour). Therefore, when booking accommodation, find out in advance if the property owner has their own parking spaces where you can leave your car.
The housing stock in the city is often dilapidated, so if you want to save money, be prepared for apartments in houses like these
How to get to Skradin
Buses run to Skradin from Šibenik 4 times a day (another city popular with tourists wanting to get to Krka Park). The journey takes half an hour. Ticket price – from 1.3 euros. The bus from Šibenik passes through Lozovac, where there’s a remote entrance to Krka Park (from which buses run to Skradinski Buk waterfall).
From Split by bus takes 1 hour 10 minutes. Runs 5 times a day. Ticket prices from 3.2 euros.
Views on the way from Split to Skradin
Getting to Skradin is easy. But getting out will be more difficult. Until 17:00, when the last bus to Šibenik leaves, considering the time for visiting Krka Park, it’s difficult to make it. And there are two exits to Šibenik – to the paid highway and to the old road. We tried hitchhiking towards the highway – nothing good came of it. There are no taxis in the city.
Immediate advice – study the bus schedule from Skradin in advance, they don’t run very often. A hint for real tourists: if you get to the bridge, you’ll not only see a fantastically beautiful panorama of Skradin but also get to the highway very quickly, and there are many times more buses and rides there.
Where to eat: cafes and restaurants in Skradin
Restaurants and cafes in Skradin open at 12:00 – 13:00
Skala restaurant
Address: Rokovača 7, Skradin, Croatia
This family restaurant is a true paradise for seafood lovers. It seems that everything that can be caught in the Adriatic Sea (and not only in it) can be tasted in this restaurant. They also serve excellent homemade wine, which is definitely worth trying. Many people praise the chocolate frappé that can be tried in this restaurant.
The definite additional advantages of this restaurant include its location. Skala restaurant is slightly hidden between houses, but this is more than compensated by the views from its summer terrace – of Skradin’s yacht marina.
The prices at Skala restaurant are not the most democratic, which is explained by its proximity to Krka Park. Nevertheless, the food here is very tasty, and the service is professional. They watch how you eat, and the next dish always appears at the right moment.
Prices on the menu for some dishes at Skala restaurant (as of April 2025)
Fish platter for 2 people – 26 euros;
Grilled shrimp (1 kg) – 26 euros;
Lobster with spaghetti for 2 people – 39 euros;
Portion of fried calamari rings – 7 euros;
Cabbage or tomato salad – 1.5 euros;
Bean salad in pumpkin oil – 2 euros;
Portion of grilled pork or beef – 6 euros;
Portion of grilled chicken – 5 euros;
Turkey fillet in sauce with parmesan – 6.5 euros;
Pancakes with walnuts and chocolate – 2 euros;
Beef soup – 1.2 euros.
Konoba Dalmatino restaurant
Address: Ulica Fra Luje Maruna 1, Skradin 22222, Croatia
It’s not cheap here. At the same time, tables very often have reservation signs. There’s a suspicion that the restaurant staff often evaluate visitors by external signs of solvency.
Location – on a pedestrian street, in the square area, near the church (Crkva Male Gospe). A quiet and cozy place, you can choose the patio or balcony (if you want to enjoy the views during lunch). Keep in mind that it can be a bit windy on the balcony, especially in spring and autumn.
Prices on the menu for some dishes at Konoba Dalmatino restaurant (as of April 2025)
Beef soup – 1.6 euros;
Fish soup – 2 euros;
Sheep cheese (200 grams) – 6 euros;
Dalmatian prosciutto (200 grams) – 7.5 euros;
Portion of tuna pâté – 2 euros;
Portion of grilled vegetables – 1.6 euros;
Pork medallions in mushroom sauce with gnocchi – 5 euros;
Veal steak in champignon sauce – 6.2 euros;
Grilled fish (1 kg) – 30 euros;
Portion of fried calamari rings – 5 euros;
Fish platter for 2 people – 23 euros;
Cheesecake – 2 euros.