Best of Mediterranean #3 Skradin, Croatia

I’m pretty confident Bill Gates and I don’t share that much in common, but we seem to be agreed that Skradin, in Croatia is a great place to visit.  Apparently Bill has named Skradin his favourite holiday destination, which is a big call, but I understand why he would have liked it so much.

It’s a small Mediterranean town, with charming narrow streets and passages, rich history and stunning scenery. You feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of the of the Dalmatian coast a little further south. Accessed easily by road or by boat, It’s the gateway to the Krka National Park, which is one Croatia’s natural jewels, famous for the Slapovi Krke,  a series of waterfalls, the biggest of which, Skradinski buk, was named after Skradin. You can also check out Visovac monastery and its ancient series of mills via a nice series of trails.

There are also a number of great walking paths in this area from which you can explore the surrounding national park.

If you are not feeling that energetic, you can just hang out around the water in one of the many bars and restaurants that line the shore or sprawl back up the narrow streets. The town is famed for its high quality cuisine and the local speciality is Risotto.  Anyone who has been to Croatia know that Croatians love their Risotto,  and when in Skradin you need to try the  Skradinski rižot or Skradin Risotto. It’s not your usual risotto! With this delicious dish, the veal, usually a shoulder, is cooked for twelve hours, or even longer, in a rich stock before the rice is added. A dusting of Paski Sir…cheese from the island of Pag, finishes the dish and its yummy! Each family has their own recipe so the dishes may vary a bit but the secret of the dish is the long, slow cooking of the meat.

I love the super chilled vibe of this town.  Couple this with the great quality cuisine and wine, and the accessibility of the kaka national park and this becomes a must visit destination on any Croatian itinerary.

I think it may have even been my favourite Croatian destination.