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Croatia, Europe

Exploring Krka Waterfalls in the Pouring Rain

September 29, 2016
krka waterfalls national park croatia europe Skradinski buk atwjustin.com

Around the World with Justin
Weather – it’s one of traveling’s biggest X factors. Something that can make or break an experience or trip. As someone who loves exploring national parks, I keep my fingers crossed that the birds will be chirping and sun shining, but that’s not always the case. Take the morning of my day trip to Krka waterfalls – 100% chance of rain. Faced with the question of delaying my trip or going, I chose to go! Sure, I wouldn’t get my pristine, turquoise colored photos like Plitvice Lakes, but I shifted my perspective to make the most of experiencing the park in a completely different way. Sidenote: I actually love being outside during a downpour… so I didn’t let “bad” weather stop me from visiting Krka waterfalls.

Krka waterfalls national park croatia europe skradinski buk atwjustin.comKrka waterfalls national park croatia europe skradinski buk atwjustin.com

Around the World with Justin
Krka National Park can easily be reached from Zadar and Split as half- or full-day trips via bus or car. Unlike Plitvice Lakes, a half-day trip is plenty of time to explore Krka waterfalls. If you’re looking to stay by the park, the closest and most popular home base is a town called Sibenik. Traveling from Zadar myself, I booked my transportation through Bus Croatia. Ticket prices and operating hours for the park vary depending on the time of year so check here for the most up-to-date info.

Krka waterfalls national park croatia europe skradinski buk atwjustin.comKrka waterfalls national park croatia europe skradinski buk atwjustin.com

Travel TipKrka is the perfect pitstop between Zadar and Split. There are plenty of hostels and hotels you drop your bags off for the afternoon.

There are actually five entrances to Krka waterfalls. The two most popular starting points are Skradin and Lozovac on the southern end. I took a direct bus to the Skradin entrance from Zadar. At Skradin I purchased my ticket, boarded a boat and made my way to the main portion of the park called Skradinski Buk.

Krka waterfalls national park croatia europe skradinski buk atwjustin.com

Around the World with Justin
Krka National Park is made up of dozens of waterfalls and when people talk about the Krka waterfalls they most likely are referring to Skradinski Buk. A trip to Krka would be incomplete without stopping here! Skradinski Buk offers a series of beautiful waterfalls cascading down the Krka River and actually has a swimming area. This entire section of Krka waterfalls also has a 60-minute walkable boardwalk loop. With my poncho and umbrella, I spent nearly two hours slowly making my way around the park while taking in the waterfalls and embracing the rain.

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After the loop, it was time to get (fully) wet! Unlike Plitvice Lakes, I absolutely loved that I was able to swim in the water near a 46m waterfall. Traveling solo, I stripped off my clothes, fired up my GoPro and dove right in. The water was warmer than the cold air and the pouring rain was rejuvenating. Standing in there alone, being poured on by the rain was a truly unique Krka waterfalls experience. How many people can say they had the water all to themselves during a downpour? Not many!

krka waterfalls national park croatia europe Skradinski buk atwjustin.comkrka waterfalls national park croatia europe Skradinski buk atwjustin.comkrka waterfalls national park croatia europe Skradinski buk atwjustin.comkrka waterfalls national park croatia europe Skradinski buk atwjustin.com

When I exited the water to change at the nearby restaurant I ran into two girls, Emily and Hannah, who I had befriended the day before at Plitvice Lakes. They laughed at me as I shivered in my bathing suit. When I asked them if they had gone in yet I should have known the answer was no as they huddled in their warm clothes – challenge accepted! Just like me, they had traveled thousands of miles to experience Krka waterfalls and I wasn’t going to let a little rain stop them. After some convincing, a few minutes later the three of us were splashing around the water under the pouring rain. No regrets… ladies, you’re welcome!

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Around the World with Justin
I used Krka National Park as a pitstop on my way from Zadar to Split. While in Zadar I  stayed at the trendy, clean and hip Boutique Hostel Forum which I recommend. While in Split, I stayed in a few blocks outside the city center at Hostel Hotspot run by Croatian-born siblings. Hotspot felt more like staying at a friend’s apartment, which is exactly what it is, a family apartment turned hostel. The siblings offered great tips, were fun and made Hotspot feel like a home.

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13 Comments

  • Reply Gabe C October 18, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    I’m really enjoying your blog Justin. I hope I’m lucky enough to visit just a couple of these places in my lifetime.

    • Avatar photo
      Reply Justin Walter October 20, 2016 at 7:45 pm

      Thanks so much Gabe! Means a lot to me and let me know how I can help get you to some of these spots.

  • Reply Ammi February 1, 2017 at 3:40 am

    I like this blog about travel.

  • Reply Ammi February 1, 2017 at 3:41 am

    I would love to explore this waterfalls You have shared such a cool destination and also info about your journey.

  • Reply Aaila February 1, 2017 at 11:55 pm

    I really like to have fun on this sort of any place with buddies always.

  • Reply Alisha Herry February 2, 2017 at 3:26 am

    Krka Waterfall is looking a nice and cool place to me after reading the article.

  • Reply Garner February 2, 2017 at 10:23 pm

    I am very happy to know it and I will say it is the best and great helpful for me. I love it and I am sure I will go there as soon as possible. Thanks for it dude.

  • Reply Liza April 24, 2017 at 2:30 am

    Krka National Park is the most famous and attractive destination in the visitors for exploring and enjoying a good time there.

    • Reply Kat May 18, 2019 at 9:57 pm

      I’m headed to Krka tomorrow and it looks like rain, so this gives me hope! Thanks!

      • Avatar photo
        Reply Justin Walter June 12, 2019 at 7:17 pm

        Hope you had a great visit and this helped you out… and no rain!!

  • Reply A Traveler's Game of Thrones Walk of Atonement in Dubrovnik CroatiaAround the World with Justin August 10, 2017 at 11:56 pm

    […] my adventures in Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik. Until then, soak up Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes and Kryka Waterfalls. If you don’t – it’s a SHAME! SHAME! […]

  • Reply John September 14, 2017 at 9:44 am

    Amazing dude amazing!!

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