Croatia: Road Trip Leg 5, Å ibenik, and Krka National Park

May 31st, 2015. Croatia, Europe

On the road

Small factory town

After a short 96 kmÂ drive from Paklenica, we stopped in Å ibenik forÂ twoÂ days/three nights to see the falls within Krka National Park and explore the small city. We started our park day pretty early and were one of the first cars to pull into the lot nearÂ Skradinski Buk. It was a warm day, so we were thankful for the shade along the steep path down the hill. Once at the water’s edge, an educational trail of wooden boardwalks criss crossed the falls and gave us the chance to watch fish,Â frogs and lizards in the clear water below. The walk would be great for kids, but Nik and I enjoyed it all the same. At the end of the trail, we had a simple lunch while watching visitors swim in the wide pool at the base of the waterfall. We originally planned to jump in ourselves, but the water was frigid and we decided to drive to a couple other falls within the park instead.

Krka National Park

Fish in crystal clear water

Frog camo

Slap (waterfall)

Natural edges

A beautiful and cold swimming hole

Swimmers and spectators

Skradinski Buk

Swan and swanling

Necklace Falls

Manojlovac Falls

The city of Å ibenik was the first historic coastal town in Croatia where it seemsÂ the old town isÂ appreciated as much by the locals as it is by tourists. Perhaps this is because the old town is flanked on three sides by more modern development making it easy for locals to simply cross through town. Or maybe it is because there is not a huge tourist interest in Å ibenikÂ because Krka National ParkÂ is an easy day trip from Split or Zadar rather than a destination on its own. Regardless, it is well worth staying there for a few nights because the evenings in town are magical, the buildings are graceful, and the water’s edge is beautiful and full of life.