Croatia is home to ten nature parks and eight national parks. A famous natural tourist destination in the country, Plitvice lakes, is indeed one of the most beautiful places on earth. However, if you’re planning to visit Croatian seaside this Summer, make sure to visit Krka National Park, situated on the Krka river, halfway between Split and Zadar and north of Šibenik. We already talked about the cool things to do in Split, but if you want to explore Croatia’s nature, head to Krka.
Krka waterfalls attract thousands of people per day in the season. So, the national park management had to limit the number of people to be less than 10,000 during the Summer months. If you happen to be the 10,001st visitor, you’ll have to wait at the entrance.
Krka river and the surrounding porous rocks made gorgeous scenery that consists of numerous lakes and caverns, as well as different types of small ecosystems. Now, let’s see what you can see in this place full of natural beauty and how to get there.
How to Get to Krka National Park in Croatia
There are buses to and from Skradin from Šibenik, Split, Zadar, Zagreb and even from the Plitvice Lakes National Park. There is no bus station in Skradin but only a bus stop 150 meters away from the National Park office and 200 meters from the dock, where the boat goes.
The boat goes from Skradin towards the lower parts of the park. During the Summer the boat schedules are regular. However, during the winter months, they’re much less frequent. If you are visiting the park outside the Summer season, we recommend that you first contact the park and inquire about boat departures.
Krka National Park has five entrances, but the two main ones are Lozovac and Skradin. You can reach them by bus or a car. Once you get there, you will have to pay the entrance fee. Check Krka National Park Croatia price list for more information.
You can take a full-day tour of Krka from Split, or go with your own car.
Krka Waterfalls and Lakes
National park Krka has seven captivating waterfalls surrounded by lakes and lush vegetation. The most visited waterfall is Skradinski Buk, followed by Roški slap. Other waterfalls you can visit are Bilušića buk, Manojlovac, Rošnjak, and Brljanski slap. The Park’s management closed Miljacka for the visitors because hydropower plants are operating there. We’ll go into detail with the first four since those are the most remarkable ones.
Skradinski buk
Skradinski buk is the longest waterfall in the area, near the town of Skradin. It gives visitors a breathtaking scenery. You can access it from different paths and platforms, all equally fascinating. Skradinski buk consists of 17 steps, with a total length of 800 meters, while altitude difference reaches slightly more than 45 meters. At the bottom of the waterfalls, there is a lake in which many people swim throughout the Summer. Near the waterfall, there are a few old mills turned into souvenir shops and a promenade where you can take a two to three-hour long walk.
You can get to Skradinski buk from Skradin or Lozovac by a car or by a bus. It’s opened for the whole year.
Roški slap
Secondly, there’s Roški slap, located about 14 miles downstream of the Miljacka waterfall. People named it after the fort Rog, which once existed near the area. It is particularly interesting because it consists of a series of small cascades, with a curved barrier beginning. The visitors can enjoy its rich vegetation, mills, and pillars. There is also a promenade, a few gazebos and a 60-meter deep cave in Roški slap.
To get there, you can take the car, or take the boat trip from Skradinski buk. The visit lasts about two hours, and the waterfall is open throughout the year.
Bilušića buk
Bilušića buk is the third waterfall that’s hiding in the lush vegetation between the village of Ljubotić under the mountain Promin on the left and the village of Radučić on the right bank of the river Krka. For years Bilušića buk was virtually inaccessible. Today, however, the waterfall has become one of the most interesting day trips in Šibensko-Kninska region for the tourists who prefer less-visited places.
You can get to Bilušića buk by car; it’s about nine kilometers downstream from Knin. It can be reached by road Knin-Kistanje if you turn to the village of Radučić. There’s no entry ticket, so feel free to enjoy the beauty of nature when you want.
Manojlovac
Known as the highest waterfall in Krka National Park, you can find Manojlovac half a mile downstream of Brljan. The waterfall consists of a series of trammel barriers of a total height of 59,6 m with the highest barrier height of 32,2 m. Visitors can see caves and rich submediterranean vegetation, with small fields and pastures and along the stream. You can walk up to 3 different viewpoints on the parking lot where you can see the falls.
You can get there by car from Burnuma. Since there is no entry or ticket you need to buy, you can visit it at any time of year.
Can You Swim in the Krka River?
Swimming is allowed in the lower parts of the waterfalls (Skradinski buk) from the 1st June to the 30th of September, so don’t forget to bring your swimsuit. Next to the swimming area, there is a large meadow where you can sunbathe.
What’s more, you can bring your dog to the Park if you keep him on a leash. When transporting (by bus and by boat), the dog must have a muzzle.
Fun Places to Visit Around Krka
Finding Krka National Park Croatia accommodation is easy if you plan an extended stay in the region. Find Airbnb stay in Skradin, or book your hotel room near Lozovac. As for the other hotels near Krka National Park goes, you can stay in a hotel near Roški slap. What’s more, there’s a camping site 2,5 kilometers from Krka National Park Croatia.
Manastir Krka
The Krka Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located about 3 km from the municipality of Kistanje, in the northern part of Krka National Park. You can reach it by car or by boat from Roški slap.
Visovac island
Visovac is a Catholic monastery between Skradinski buk and Roški slap. It is located on a little Island called Gospin otok on the Krka River.
Burnum/Puljane
Burnum was a town of Romans, and in recent years there have been many archaeological works that reveal several buildings in the area; the archeologists restored the Roman military amphitheater that was previously heavily damaged by wars. The excavations found in this area are exhibited in the archaeological collection at Eco Campus Puljane.
Have You Ever Been to Krka?
Krka National Park, one of eight national parks in Croatia, consists of seven waterfalls and several unmodified ecosystems along the Krka River. Waterfalls, lakes, old mills, wooden bridges, and intertwined hiking trails are an integral part of this unique area, so make sure to plan your visit if you’re nearby.