Check out my guide to visiting Krka National Park in Croatia. In this guide, you will find out how to visit Krka National Park, where Krka National Park is, how to get to Krka National Park, what to see in Krka National Park, what to do in Krka National Park, Krka National Park tickets, and more.
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Gorgeous Krka National Park is one of the eight national parks in Croatia and one of my favorite places in Croatia.
Krka National Park covers the area around the Krka River next to the Adriatic Sea. The entire area is among the most picturesque areas in Croatia. The scenic area of 109 sq km around the Krka River was declared a national park in 1985.
Today Krka National Park is the second most visited national park in Croatia, following only Plitvice Lakes National Park by the number of visitors. Like Plitvice Lakes NP, Krka NP is famous for its impressive waterfalls. There are 7 beautiful waterfalls in Krka National Park. Bilušića Buk Waterfall, Brljan Waterfall, Majnolovac Waterfall, Rošnjak Waterfall, Miljacka Slap Waterfall, and Skradinski Buk Waterfall namely.
The most famous Krka waterfalls are Skardinski Buk, Roški Slap, and Majnolovac Slap.
In addition, the park is known for its rich fauna and flora, especially the high concentration of lavender. You might get surprised, but Krka National Park in Croatia is the place with the second-highest density of lavender in Europe!
And, that’s not all.
This gorgeous Croatian national park also includes two stunning monasteries, Visovac Monastery, and Krka Monastery. Both of them are must-sees in Krka National Park. While most of the park’s visitors visit only the Skradinski Buk area, it is a huge oversight not to visit the monasteries. Each of them is beautiful and unique in its way. And each of them has a huge cultural and religious significance in Croatia.
Besides the waterfalls and monasteries, Krka National Park has an important archeological site: a former ancient Roman military camp with an amphitheater. So, if you like gorgeous nature along with historical monuments and sites, you need to visit Krka National Park in Croatia!
But, first of all, let me explain where Krka National Park is.
Contents
- 1. Where is Krka National Park
- 2. The most famous Krka waterfalls
- 3. Other must-visit sites in Krka National Park
- 4. Off-the-beaten sites in Krka National Park
- 5. Can you swim in Krka National Park?
- 6. Krka National Park entrance
- 7. How to visit Krka National Park
- 7.3 Visiting Krka National Park by bus
- 8. Tips for visiting Krka National Park
- 9. Krka National Park hotels
- 10. Krka National Park tickets 2024
- 11. What time does Krka national park open
- 12. Krka itinerary
- 12. The best time to visit Krka national park
- 13. Krka National Park map
- F&Q
1. Where is Krka National Park
Krka National Park is in central Dalmatia, a coastal region in Croatia.
Krka NP is about one hour drive from Split, the capital of Dalmatia. Šibenik is the closest town to Krka National Park. Krka NP is about 20 min drive from Šibenik.
So, it is the easiest to visit Krka NP on a day trip from Split or Šibenik. If you are on a Croatia road trip, it is good to know that Krka National Park is halfway between Split and Zadar.
Here are the distances between Krka National Park and some major Croatian towns:
Krka National Park from Split: 53 mi/85 km; 1 hour
Krka National Park from Šibenik: 8 mi/13 km; a 20 min drive
Krka National Park from Zadar: 48 mi /77 km; a 55 min drive
Krka National Park from Dubrovnik: 174 mi/280 km; a 3 h and 30 min drive
Krka National Park from Zagreb: 205 mi/330 km; a 3 h and 30 drive
Split International Airport is the closest airport to Krka National Park, which is 26 mi (42 km) away.
2. The most famous Krka waterfalls
As I said, Krka National Park has 7 waterfalls. However, the most famous Krka waterfalls are Skradinski Buk, Roški Slap, and Majnolovac Slap.
2.1 Skradinski Buk Waterfall
Skradinski Buk is the most popular waterfall in Krka National Park. It is the longest waterfall in the park and the longest tufa barrier in Europe. It is made of 17 smaller continuous waterfalls that go 800 m in length and make a drop of 45 m. Visitors can walk around Skradinski Buk Waterfall. The wooden boardwalk around Skardinski Buk is 1900 m long.
The Skradinski Buk area is the most visited part of the park. It is a must-see in Krka National Park. The area includes a beautiful Ethno village with traditional stone houses, turned into souvenir shops and exhibition areas. There are also two restaurants next to the waterfalls. So, when there, try some traditional Dalmatian food, like Dalmatian prosciutto and cheese, or traditional Dalmatian broth with polenta. The price of the food might be pricier, but dining in such a beautiful ambiance is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Skadrinski Buk Waterfall is reachable from Skradin Entrance and Lozovac Entrance. To reach Skradinski Buk you must take a ferry boat from the Skradin entrance, or take a short free shuttle bus from the Lozovac entrance. The shuttle buses and ferries run from April to October.
However, hiking and walking trails from both entrances to Skradinski Buk are open year-round. Visitors can also cycle the 3400 m long trail from Skradin Bridge to Skardinski Buk.
From Skradinski Buk you can take a boat to visit Visovac monastery only, or Visovac monastery and Roški Slap. Skradinski Buk-Visovac round trip takes two hours. Skradinski Buk-Visovac-Roški Slap round trip takes four hours.
Thus, at the entrance, you can buy only a ticket for Skradinski Buk, or you can buy a boat trip to Visovac, and Roški Slap too. However, it is possible to buy tickets for Visovac and Roški Slap later, after you finish the walk around Skradinski Buk Waterfall. There is a ticket sales point for Visovac and Roški Slap close to the Roški Slap boardwalk.
2.2 Roški Slap Waterfall
Roški Slap Waterfall is the second-most famous waterfall in Krka National Park. This lovely waterfall is located in the middle part of the park and close to Visovac monastery. It is about 30 km from the two main entrances (Skradin and Lozovac).
Roški Slap is a 25 m-tall and 650 m-long waterfall made by the Krka River crossing the travertine barriers. Roški Slap Waterfall is at the end of a stunning 150-m deep river canyon.
The Roški Slap Waterfall area has a wonderful hiking trail that goes around the waterfall. The loop trail is called ‘Necklace Cascades’. The loop walk takes about one hour. From the hiking trail, you can take 517 steps of wooden stairs to climb to Oziđana cave. The stairs are easy to climb. You can enter 60 m deep into this prehistoric cave. In addition, there is a great viewpoint just below the cave! So, don’t miss out to visit Oziđana Cave on your visit to Krka National Park!
The area around Roški Slap has also an Ethno village with a traditional water mill, a restaurant, a coffee bar, a souvenir shop, and old crafts workshops (like a workshop for making traditional sheep’s wool blankets).
Roški Slap is reachable by boat, car, and hiking trails.
You can reach Roški Slap Waterfall by boat from Skradinski Buk Waterfall. Boats from Skradinski Buk to Roški Slap run from April to October and make a 30 min-stop at Visovac.
You can reach Roški Slap by car easily as well. There is a big and free parking lot close to the waterfall. You can also reach it by bus shuttle from Lozovac Entrance.
An 8.5 km-long hiking trail goes from Stinice (the sales ticket point for Visovac with a big parking lot, opposite to Visovac island) to Roški Slap. Besides that, a shuttle bus runs from Stinice to Roški Slap in the peak season (July and August). So, if you are driving, you can drive to Stinice, leave your car at the parking lot, visit Visovac, and take a round-trip by shuttle bus to Roški Slap.
In case you are starting to visit Krka National Park with Roški Slap as your first stop, it’s good to know that you can take a boat trip to Visovac and a boat trip to Krka Monastery from Roški Slap. However, these boats run from April to October. Krka National Park tickets and tickets for the boat trips are available for purchase at Roški Slap Entrance.
2.3 Majnolovac Slap
The 60-m-tall Majnolovac Slap is the highest waterfall in Krka National Park. It is arguably, the most beautiful waterfall in Krka National Park.
However, not many people choose to visit as it is an off-the-beaten-track a bit. It is about 20 km from the source of the Krka River in the northern part of the park. Majnolovac Slap Waterfall is created at the place where the river sharply changes its course. Therefore, you can see teh most spectacular views in the Majnolovac Slap Waterfall area. There is a fantastic viewpoint where Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Sissi stopped to admire Majnolovac Slap on their journey to the region in 1875.
You can reach Majnolovac Waterfall by car. Majnolovac Slap Waterfall is on the main road Kistanje-Knin. It is 45 km north of Skradinski Buk Waterfall and 25 km north of Roški Slap Waterfall. The Waterfall is accessed by the main road and there is a free parking lot. A 5 min walk will take you from the parking lot to the waterfall viewpoint.
3. Other must-visit sites in Krka National Park
Along with Krka Falls, there are two must-see gorgeous monasteries in Krka National Park. One is a Catholic and another is Orthodox Christian.
3.1 Visovac Monastery
Visovac Monastery is a Croatian Catholic monastery on Visovac Island in the middle of Visovac Lake within Krka National Park.
Augustin monks founded it in the 14th century. But they left it and the Franciscan friars took it and have been running it since the 15th century. The church with the monastery is dedicated to Our Lady, the Mother of God. For it and its breathtaking beauty, the island is popularly called the Mother of God Island. Along with the church and the monastery with its impressive gardens, visitors can visit a museum with a collection of rare books and paintings.
Today, only 4 Franciscan friars live on the island, while the idyllic island remains a place of peace, beauty, and prayers. Visovac is a unique place of natural beauty, historical heritage, and religious significance.
You can visit Visovac island by a 5-minute boat ride from Stinice. Stinice is on the mainland and easily reachable by car.
Or you can take a boat trip from Skradinski Buk Waterfall to Visovac, or a boat trip from Roški Slap Waterfall to Visovac. The boat trips run from April to October.
3.2 Krka Monastery
Krka Monastery is a famous Serbian Orthodox monastery on the banks of the Krka River within Krka National Park.
The monastery is dedicated to St Michael the Archangel. Krka Monastery is the main religious center of Orthodox Christians in Dalmatia and is among the most popular pilgrimage sites for Orthodox Christians in Croatia. The monastery dates back to the 16th century. It was built over ancient Roman catacombs, which can be seen within the monastery today. Its unusual Gothic-Romanesque-style church bell shows that at the place of today’s Krka Monastery a Catholic church stood in the Middle Ages. The Gothic-Romanesque church bell is commonly found in Catholic churches across Croatia and it is unseen in Orthodox churches.
Regardless of its peculiar architecture and somewhat complicated history, Krka monastery is one of the most magnificent sacral buildings in Croatia and one of the most important religious Serbian Orthodox places in Croatia today.
The monastery complex includes a church, a chapel, a treasury, two libraries, and a souvenir shop with religious artifacts and products made by priests. The most beautiful part of the Krka Monastery complex is its chapel of Saint Sava. The chapel has stunning frescoes and iconostasis.
Krka Monastery might be a lesser-visited site in Krka National Park compared to the Krka waterfalls. However, it is a must-see for cultural enthusiasts and sacral art admirers!
Krka Monastery is near the town of Kistanje in the northern part of Krka National Park. You can reach the monastery by car or by taking a boat trip from Roški Slap Waterfall.
If you travel by car, you can enter the monastery at Kistanje Entrance. The road to the monastery is well-signposted. A round-trip by boat from Roški Slap Waterfall to Krka Monastery takes 2 h and 30 min with a 30 min stop in the monastery.
4. Off-the-beaten sites in Krka National Park
4.1 Burnum
Burnum is an ancient Roman military camp. It was the seat of a Roman legion. This archeological site holds the only preserved military Roman amphitheater in Croatia.
Burnum is near the town of Kistanje, on the main Kistanje -Knin road. The best way to reach it is by car. There is a big and free parking lot next to the site. Burnum is 42 km north of Skradinski Buk Waterfall and 25 km north of Roški Slap Waterfall. Majnolovački Slap is only 300 m from Burnum Amphitheater.
4.2 Krka Eco Campus in Puljane
The Krka Eco Campus in Puljane is a unique visitor center in Krka National Park. The center has an educative and entertaining character with several interesting exhibits and collections. The main parts are the Archaeological Collection, the Temple of Nature, and the Laboratory of Nature. These collections educate visitors about the history, culture, and nature of the Krka National Park area.
Kids love Krka Eco Campus in Puljane especially! If you are visiting Krka National Park with kids, don’t miss out on this fantastic site in the Krka National Park!
The Krka Eco Campus in Puljane is near Burnum in the northern part of Krka National Park. The campus is reachable from Burnum/Pulajne Entrance. It is a 10 min-drive from Burnum Amphitheater.
5. Can you swim in Krka National Park?
No, you can’t. Swimming in Krka National Park has been forbidden since 2021. Previous to 2021, it was allowed to swim in the Skradinski Buk Waterfall area. But, these days swimming in Krka National Park remains forbidden! So, if you have seen photos of people swimming under Skradinski Buk, note that those photos are taken before 2021.
6. Krka National Park entrance
Krka National Park has five official entrances: Lozovac entrance, Skradin entrance, Roški slap waterfall/ Laškovica entrance, Burnum/Puljane entrance, and Kistanje/Krka monastery entrance.
Skradin entrance and Lozovac entrance are the two main entrances to Krka National Park.
The Lozovac entrance has a free parking lot, which is convenient if you coming to Krka NP by car. The Skradin Entrance is within the town of Skradin, and all parking places need to be paid for.
Parking at other park entrances (Roški Slap, Kistanje-Krka Monastery, and Burnum-Puljane) is free.
7. How to visit Krka National Park
7.1 Visiting Krka National Park by car
From Split to Krka National Park
Skradin entrance and Lozovac entrance are the nearest entrances if you travel from Split to Krka National Park. Skradin entrance is only a 1-hour drive from Split by A1 highway. And, Lozovac entrance is about a 55-min drive from Split by A1 highway.
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From Zagreb to Krka National Park
Skradin entrance is the nearest entrance when you travel from Zagreb to Krka National Park by A1 highway. Skradin entrance is about 3 hours and 10 min from Zagreb by car.
From Šibenik to Krka National Park
Šibenik is the closest city to Krka National Park. It takes only 20 min from Šibenik to Krka NP by car. In addition, to being the nearest city to Krka NP, the Old Town of Šibenik is one of the most beautiful towns in Croatia. And, it is one of the rare towns in teh world that have two UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
So if you are visiting Croatia by car, I suggest visiting Šibenik. Lozovac Entrance is 20 min drive from Šibenik and Skardin Entrance is 25 minutes from Šibenik.
From Zadar to Krka National Park
Probably you have already heard about the beauty of Zadar. Thus, you have put Zadar on your Croatia bucket list. Luckily, Zadar and Krka National Park are close. You can visit both in a short time and on the same Croatian road trip.
Skardin entrance of Krka National Park is only 50 min drive from Zadar by A1 highway. And only 10 min more will take you to the Lozovac entrance.
Zadar Airport serves the city and the area. If you fly to Zadar Airport, check out rental cars at the airport.
7.2 Visiting Krka National Park by tours
Split to Krka National Park tour
But if you are not road-tripping in Croatia, then you need to know that there are many guided day tours from Split to Krka Waterfalls to choose from! Taking a boat tour from Split to Krka Waterfalls is the most scenic way to see this part of the Dalmatian coast, enjoy the Adriatic Sea, and enter the park.
Zadar to Krka National Park tour
Day tours from Zadar to Krka National Park are also available. This fabulous tour from Zadar includes a visit to Krka Waterfalls, Skradin, and a winery with wine, cheese, and olive oil sampling!
7.3 Visiting Krka National Park by bus
If you planning to visit Krka National Park by bus, a bus will take you to either the Lozovac entrance or the Skradin entrance.
Buses from Šibenik go to the Lozovac entrance. However, check the drop-off place with the bus driver while boarding the bus!
If you are traveling to Krka National Park from Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, or Plitvice Lakes, take a bus to Skradin and you can enter the park at the Skradin entrance.
However, visiting Krka National Park by public transport can be challenging if you wish to visit it in one day. Buses don’t run so frequently to the nearby towns and you can have issues catching a bus from the park. Therefore, I suggest taking an overnight stay in Skradin if you are planning to visit Krka National Park for only one day and you are relying on public transport.
8. Tips for visiting Krka National Park
- Krka National Park is best explored independently and by car. Consider staying in Skardin, a wonderful small town. If you are a nature enthusiast who enjoys active vacations, you will love Skradin!
- Take a day tour to Krka National Park only if you are limited with your time in Croatia.
But be aware, that you might visit only the most popular sites within the park, while the hidden gems will stay unknown to you. - Day tours to Krka National Park from Split and Zadar often include a visit to Šibenik, a lovely town with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the Cathedral of St James and St Nicholas Fortress).
- Boat trips within the park (like Skardinski Buk- Visovac-Roški Slap Waterfall) are not included in the admission fee. They need to be paid extra. And they run only from April to October.
- Krka NP is open year-round. Consider not visiting the park during the peak of tourist season in Croatia (July and August) to avoid crowds and heats. May, June, and September are fantastic months for traveling to Croatia and visiting Krka National Park. Air temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing. And honestly, nature is even more impressive than in summer!
- However, if you are visiting Krka National Park in summer, use sunscreen and a wide-brim hat for sun protection. Expect crowds and arm yourself with patience while walking crowded boardwalks!
- Dress comfortably! You will be visiting a national park. So, wear comfortable clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
9. Krka National Park hotels
As you might assume, there are no hotels within Krka National Park. However, the town of Skradin is one of the main entrances to Krka National Park. It is a charming small town with wonderful landscapes. It sits on a river in a small bay next to the Adriatic Sea. Picturesque vineyards and olive groves dot the landscapes. The area is rich with walking, hiking, and biking trails. In addition, visitors also enjoy rowing, canoeing, or kayaking on the Krka River. Skardin is a paradise for nature lovers!
Hotel Bonaca is a 4-star hotel with large rooms, a swimming pool, and a beautiful lounging area. The hotel is within walking distance of the ferry dock to Krka National Park.
Villa Maria is a lovely 3-star family-run guesthouse, close to the entrance to Krka National Park, in Skradin. The guesthouse has spacious rooms and a restaurant that serves delicious food!
10. Krka National Park tickets 2024
You can get your Krka National Park ticket at any of the park’s entrances, and online.
The park is open year-round. Some lesser-visited sites are not available from November to March though.
The admission fee varies whether you want to see the entire park or only some parts of it and the season of the year you are visiting the park. The peak season goes from June to September, as you might assume.
Admission fee for the entire park
January-March: 6,64 € (adults), 3,98 (kids 7+ years old)
April-May: 15 (adults), 11,25 € (kids 7+ years old)
June-September: 40 € (adults), 15 € (kids 7+ years old)
October: 20 € (adults), 7 € (kids 7+ years old)
November- December: 7 € (adults), 4 € (kids 7+ years old)
Admission fee for Roški Slap+Krka Monastery and Burum (the northern part of Krka NP)
January-March: 6,64 € (adults), 3,98 (kids 7+ years old)
April-May: 9 (adults), 6 € (kids 7+ years old)
June-September: 20 € (adults), 12 € (kids 7+ years old)
October: 12 € (adults), 6 € (kids 7+ years old)
November- December: 7 € (adults), 4 € (kids 7+ years old)
Boat trips (optional; not included in parks’s entrance ticket):
Skradinski Buk-Visovac-Skardinski Buk (a 2-hour boat trip): 15 € (adults), 10 € (kids 7+ years old)
Skradinski Buk-Visovac-Roški Slap -Skadinski Buk (a 4-hour boat trip): 20 € (adults), 15 € (kids 7+ years old)
Roški Slap – Krka monastery -Roški Slap (a 2,5-hour boat ride): 15 € (adults), 10 € (kids 7+ years old)
Roški Slap-Visovac monastery -Roški Slap (a 2-hour boat ride): 15 € (adults), 10 € (kids 7+ years old)
11. What time does Krka national park open
Krka National Park opens at 8 am from April to mid-October. It opens at 9 am for the rest of the year.
For updated info, check out Krka National Park’s working hours here.
12. Krka itinerary
This Krka itinerary is for people who would like to visit the entire park in one day and who are visiting Croatia by car. This itinerary follows my Krka National Park itinerary by car.
12.1 Krka itinerary: Morning
Start your day earlier by entering Krka National Park at the Skradin entrance. Buy your ticket to Skradinski Buk Waterfall. A round trip by ferry is included in the entrance ticket. Board the ferry to Skradinski Buk, visit Skradinski Buk waterfall, and get back to Skradin. This section of your trip will take you about 3 hours in total.
12.2 Krka itinerary: Lunch
Drive from Skradin to Stinice Entrance. But your ticket for visiting the northern part of Krka National Park (Visovac, Roški Slap, Burnum, Krka Monastery, and Krka Eco Campus).
Take a 5 min boat ride to Visovac, visit the island with the Visovac monastery, and then get back by boat to Stinice.
Drive to Roški Slap. Visit Roški Slap and walk ‘Necklace Cascade’. From the wooden boardwalk around ‘Necklace Cascade’, climb the stairs up to Oziđana Cave. Visit the cave and enjoy the views from the viewpoint next to the cave. Get down to Roški Slap and enjoy your lunch at a restaurant in front of Roški Slap.
12.3 Krka itinerary: Afternoon
After lunch, drive from Roški Slap to Burnum Amphitheater and Majnolovački Slap. They are within 20 min drive from Roški Slap Waterfall. The amphitheater and the waterfall are within 2 minutes.
After admiring Majnolavac Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Krka National Park, head to Krka Monastery.
Enjoy this beautiful Christian Orthodox site. After visiting the monastery, continue to Krka Eco Campus. Let Krka Eco Campus be the last stop on your Krka National Park itinerary.
12. The best time to visit Krka national park
The peak season, when the park gets most crowded, is from July to August.
The peak of the tourist season in Croatia is July and August. And the time when many wish to see Krka Waterfalls on their holidays.
The best time to visit Krka National Park is from May until mid-June and from September to mid-October. At this time of the year, the park is less crowded, but nature is nothing less spectacular than in the peak season.
13. Krka National Park map
F&Q
Do I need to buy tickets in advance for Krka Nationa Park?
There is no need to buy Krka Nationa Park tickets in advance. You can get your ticket at all entrances (there are five official entrances). However, try to get earlier in the morning to get the opportunity to visit the entire Krka National Park in one day!
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