Krka National Park: All You Need To Know (By a Local)

Croatia is home to eight unique national parks with abundant natural beauty and great outdoor experiences. One Croatian gem that’s absolutely worth visiting is Krka National Park, located in central Dalmatia.

Before coming to Krka National Park, we had no idea how large it is and that it’s much more than just the Skradinski Buk waterfall, which is always shown everywhere.

Most of the guides mentioned the few main spots but left out important information that could give us the full picture of how to properly explore the park and how much time you actually need to see everything.

In this guide, we’d like to do just that and introduce you to Krka National Park in its full glory.

About Krka National Park in Croatia

Krka National Park was designated a national park in 1985 to protect the Krka River while preserving its unique biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Today, it is a popular destination featuring stunning waterfalls with crystal-clear water flowing from the Krka River, traditional architecture, a peaceful boat ride, and, above all, stunning nature all around.

Spanning 109 square kilometers Krka National Park is home to various plant and rare animal species. You can explore the park’s wonders by hiking along its well-maintained trails, taking a boat ride, checking out the ethnographic village, and swimming in designated areas.

Due to its popularity, Krka National Park visitor numbers are limited to 10.000 per day. This is to protect the park’s natural beauty so future generations will also have the chance to enjoy it.

Where is Krka National Park located?

Krka National Park is located just a 15-minute drive from Šibenik city, along the lower course of the Krka River in central Dalmatia.

It’s about 90 kilometers away from Zadar and Split, from where you can reach it in about 1 hour.

The town closest to Krka National Park and also a base for starting trips is the town of Skradin, just minutes downstream from Skradinski Buk, the park’s most famous waterfall.

If you’re wondering if Plitvice Lakes is close to Krka National Park, the answer is no, as the distance between them is about 170km and a 2-hour drive.

• Learn all about Plitvice Lakes in our travel guide!

Things to do in Krka National Park

Use our Krka National Park Map to get an overview of the locations of the main attractions.

1. Skradinski Buk Waterfall

While Krka National Park boasts many beautiful sights, the first place you should visit is the very popular Skradinski Buk Waterfall.

Skradinski Buk Waterfall is approximately 400 meters long and 100 meters wide and consists of 17 cascades that plunge into a clear pool.

You will need to walk along a 2-kilometer network of boardwalks and trails to reach Skradinski Buk’s main observation bridge, which is the best viewpoint to admire or take pictures of the breathtaking scenery.

Once you see Skradinski Buk in person, you will understand why it is recognized as one of Europe’s most beautiful waterfalls.

Travel tip: The walk on the boardwalks around Skradinski Buk is straightforward, but you can find more trail information on AllTrails.

During our more than four years of constant travel, we’ve seen many stunning waterfalls, and we can confirm that Skradinski Buk is right up there with some other amazing ones. It actually reminds us of the beautiful Ban Gioc Waterfall in Vietnam.

The rest of the Skradinski Buk area

If you take the complete trail, you can get close to the many levels of Skradinski Buk, flora and fauna, and even see a tiny village with watermills!

These 19th-century watermills located in the Ethno Selo (meaning Ethnographic Village) have been restored and turned into walk-in museums. There, you can learn about the rich economic history of the Krka River.

Krka’s Ethno Selo is also a great place to see how things were made in the past. For example, you can see the blacksmith and a woman who sews traditional clothing.

Right next to Skradinski Buk, you will also find Jaruga, which is the second-oldest hydroelectric power plant in the world. The cool thing about Jaruga is that it started operating just two days after Tesla’s hydroelectric power plant in Niagara Falls.

And if you’re looking to refresh yourself with a drink or grab a snack, you can find some vendors at the base of Skradinski Buk, next to picnic tables, perfect for a break.

2. Roški Slap Waterfall

Roški Slap, just as stunning but much smaller than Skradinski Buk, is the second most famous attraction in Krka National Park. The area has a few hiking trails for exploring Roški Slap’s beautiful cascades, the nearby cave, and lookout points.

TIP: Slap means Waterfall in Croatian (and Slovenian!).

Locally, it’s known as “silver necklaces” (also known as Ogrlice in Croatian) because the water glistens and flows on its travertine barriers before cascading down.

The best way to get up close and personal with Roški Slap is to take a boat excursion from Skradinski Buk. The boat is the only way to get really up and close to the waterfall.

The popular boat excursion departs from Skradinski Buk and travels to Roški Slap, with a 30-minute detour to Visovac Island along the way. Fares are 20 EUR for adults and 15 EUR for children. Otherwise, you can drive or bike to the parking lot near Roški Slap.

There, you can only get a view from the nearby dock, located right under the watermills village.

Roški Slap is the perfect spot for exploring both nature and Croatian culture because it is also home to a few historic watermills that provide a glimpse into the region’s traditional way of life. If you want to take a break, you can hop in a cafe, restaurant, and souvenir store near the watermills.

An extremely popular restaurant in Krka’s Roški Slap area is Seosko Domacinstvo Kristijan (meaning Rural Household Kristijan), which has a few tables right by the flowing water. It’s a private house/old mill that also operates as a restaurant during the season (reservations are a must!).

Travel tip: You can walk a nice path that circles the cascades of water flowing down Roški Slap. It’s pretty straightforward. But you can also find more trail information on AllTrails.

3. Oziđana Pećina Cave

The Oziđana Pećina Cave, located on a hill above Roški Slap, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. To reach Oziđana Pećina Cave, you must climb 517 steps starting from Roški Slap’s hiking trail.

While the cave is nothing special, it’s definitely worth climbing up. Just below the cave, there is also a viewpoint offering views of Roški Slap’s glistening “silver necklaces.”

However, one interesting fact about the cave is that archeological discoveries made within it prove human presence dating back to the Neolithic era.

Oziđana Pećina Cave is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.

4. Visovac Monastery

The must-visit Visovac Monastery, located on a small island in Krka National Park, is a remarkable yet secluded monastery originally built by monks in the 14th century.

Inside Visovac Monastery, you’ll find precious relics, paintings, a library containing ancient manuscripts, historical poems, Christian books, and even the famous and rare Aesop’s Fables, printed in 1487. 

Later, Franciscans also adapted and renovated Visovac Monastery, so the structure you see today is the monastery’s 18th-century version.

On the island, you can stroll around the lovely garden surrounding the monastery and take in the peaceful scenery or watch birds and other wildlife. If you get hungry or thirsty, there’s a small shop in the area with refreshments.

Visovac Monastery is accessible by boat excursion for 15 EUR from Skradinski Buk and Roški Slap or 10 EUR from Stinice and Remetić (parking lots on each side, just across the island). The monastery is open daily for visitors and has no entrance fee (although you need the general Krka National Park ticket).

If you’re interested in the boat ride from Skradinski Buk to Roški Slap, the 4-hour 20 EUR trip that also visits Visovac is a good option.

Starting point	Sites visited	Return point	Duration	Adult	Children *
Skradinski Buk	Visovac (30 min)	Skradinski Buk	2 h	15 EUR	10 EUR
Skradinski Buk	Visovac (30 min), Roški Slap (90 min)	Skradinski Buk	4 h	20 EUR	15 EUR
Roški Slap	Visovac (30 min)	Roški Slap	2 h	15 EUR	10 EUR
Stinice	Visovac (30 min)	Stinice	35 min	10 EUR	7 EUR
Remetić	Visovac (30 min)	Remetić	35 min	10 EUR	7 EUR

5. Visovac Monastery Viewpoint

However, if you would like to only observe the Visovac Monastery and Island from afar, the best place to visit is the viewpoint located next to the monument dedicated to Croatian King Petar Svačić.

From this viewpoint, you can still fully appreciate Visovac’s majestic beauty without taking a boat ride to the island. It gives you a fantastic panoramic view of the small island and monastery, with turquoise waters shimmering around it.

The beautiful landscape is the perfect backdrop for photos, and it’s easily one of the best photo spots in Krka National Park.

This viewpoint overlooking Visovac Monastery is easily accessible by car or bike and has plenty of parking space. It’s about 25 minutes away from Lozovac parking or 15 minutes from Roški Slap.

This is also where the Stinice – Roški Slap – Oziđana pećina Cave trail begins.

Alternative viewpoint on the other side (best option for bike rides)

If you plan on exploring Krka National Park by bike, we recommend first entering Skradinski Buk at the Skradin entrance. There, you can park your bike, explore Skradinski Buk, and then take the trail north towards the Visovac Monastery Viewpoint.

This alternative viewpoint is better if you’re on a bike, as it’s easier to access through better biking trails. It’s only about 13km from Skradinski Buk, compared to 24km for the one mentioned above.

While biking, it’s really important to enter at Skradin entrance since if you enter at Lozovac, you’ll have to ride an additional 7km back to Skradin before continuing your ride. And since you will likely rent a bike in Skradin, this also makes the most sense.

6. Manojlovac Waterfalls

If you’re visiting Krka National Park by car or are willing to bike for quite some kilometers, visiting Manojlovac Waterfalls is a very worthwhile adventure. At 59.6 meters, Manojlovac Waterfalls is the tallest waterfall in Krka National Park, with multiple tiers.

This waterfall is about a 45-minute car ride from Skradinski Buk, making it the perfect escape from the main tourist areas of Krka National Park. By bike, it’s about 35km one way.

To get to it, you need to do a somewhat challenging hike, and the signage is not the best, but you will be rewarded with stunning views and relaxing nature sounds.

Manojlovac Waterfalls is open daily, and the entrance fee is included in the Krka National Park Ticket. However, outside the main tourist season, it’s likely to be free, as nobody will be there to collect the entrance fee.

7. Orthodox Monastery – Krka Manastir

The Orthodox Monastery is a must-see attraction in Krka National Park for those interested in interesting architecture and religious history.

You can explore the monastery’s grounds, admire its intricate frescoes, and see the Roman catacombs.

Krka’s Orthodox Monastery is one of its kind. It was built on the grounds of a former Catholic church that was built on a Roman site, which is why its architectural details are different from those of the standard monasteries found in Serbia from the time it was established in 1577.

The Orthodox Monastery in Krka is open from 9 AM to 7:30 PM, and the entrance is included in the full Krka National Park Ticket. Otherwise, it costs about 5 euros to enter.

8. Swimming in the Krka National Park

If the top reason you’re visiting Krka National Park is to swim beneath the beautiful waterfalls, you will be very disappointed.

Since 2021, swimming has been prohibited in Skradinski Buk and Manojlovac Waterfalls.

Swimming next to the falls was an option for visitors looking to cool down after a hike, but thousands of swimmers per day negatively impacted the waterfalls and surroundings.

As the beauty of these waterfalls is now being preserved, you can only appreciate them from bridges and trails.

The only place you’re allowed to swim at Krka National Park is one area near Roški Slap and at Stinice and Remetić – spots from where the boat takes you to Visovac Island. However, these spots are quite far from the main cascades.

9. Biking around the park

Krka National Park has plenty of biking trails for beginners and experienced riders. And since e-bikes are easily accessible for rent, the main routes are not that hard to do.

While cycling through the park, you can stop at various lookout points to admire the breathtaking landscapes and snap some great photos. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, such as birds and butterflies!

The official website has detailed route information and everything you need to know about biking in Krka National Park.

Since biking routes in Krka can be quite lengthy, don’t forget to pack lots of water. The regular routes are anywhere from 2 to 4 hours long, and there are also full-day ones taking you around all of the main attractions.

If you want a more organized experience, one of the best things to do is go on a bike tour to explore the stunning Krka National Park. On the full-day tour, you can visit all the main attractions, like Skradinski Buk, Visovac, and Roški Slap.

10. Hiking, trekking, and walking trails

We already mentioned a few Krka trails, but here is a complete list of the best Krka National Park Hiking Trails:

• Lozovac to Skradinski Buk (4.3km – 1.5 hours)
• Ogrlice and Roški Slap (2.3km – 1 hour)
• Manojlovac Waterfall (2.6km – 1 hour)
• Stinice – Roški Slap – Oziđana pećina Cave (7.6km – 2.5 hours)

Our personal hiking favorite was the steep trail to the viewpoint above Roški Slap. This trail is a hidden gem, as it’s not among the main trails and is less visited (we only saw two or three other people). You can get to it by taking the first steep uphill trail on your right on the way from Roški Slap to Oziđana Pećina Cave. Click here for exact coordinates.

It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the top, from where you have a fabulous view of not only the Roški Slap area but also the landscape of the river Krka down towards the south.

There are many more trails, but the above ones are the most worthwhile. You can find more trails on the national park’s official website, and the main ones, like the one at Skradinski Buk and near Roški Slap, are well-marked with signs.

Krka National Park Entrance Fee

The full entrance ticket to Krka National Park costs 40 EUR in the season and significantly less during the other times of the year.

The best entrance ticket available is the one that includes “all accessible land sites,” so you can avoid the long queues at each destination.

The full Krka National Park entrance ticket costs:

• January to March and November to December: 7 EUR for adults, 4 EUR for children
  
  
• April, May, and October: 20 EUR for adults, 12 EUR for children
  
  
• June to September: 40 EUR for adults, 15 EUR for children

The full entrance ticket also includes the boat ride from Krka National Park’s main entrance at Skradin to Skradinski Buk. Other boat excursions have a separate fee.

Find more entrance fee options and specifics on the official price list.

Krka National Park Entrances

Krka National Park can be accessed through five different entrances: Lozovac, Skradin, Roški slap waterfall/Laškovica, Burnum/Puljane, and Kistanje/Krka monastery.

• Lozovac Entrance: Best for coming by car
  
  
• Skradin Entrance: Best for going on foot and by bike from Skradin (also possible by boat – free with ticket)
  
  
• Roški Slap & Laškovica Entrance: Meant for visiting Roški Slap and nearby attractions (you can also take a boat from there to Skradinski Buk)
  
  
• Burnum & Puljane: Meant for visiting Roman Burnum ruins and Manojlovački Waterfalls
  
  
• Kistanje & Krka Monastery: Meant for visiting Krka Monastery (can also be visited on a boat tour from Roški Slap)

On our last visit to Krka National Park, we came by car and used the Lozovac entrance.

From the parking lot at Lozovac (included in the ticket), you can walk down for about 20 minutes (steep descent) to reach Skradinski Buk or take the free shuttle bus. We took the shuttle bus.

If you’re by car, once you’re done at Skradinski Buk, you can take the eastern road towards Visovac Viewpoint or Visovac Island and then continue up to Roški Slap. So, for travelers coming to Krka by car, Lozovac is definitely the best entrance.

On the other hand, the Skradin entrance is best for those staying in Skradin hotels or those going around Krka by bike. You can also use the free boat ride between Skradin and Skradinski Buk.

Krka National Park Opening Hours

The opening hours of Krka National Park change depending on the month of the year.

From April through mid-October, Krka National Park opens at 8 AM and closes between 6 PM and 8 PM. The rest of the year, from November to March, it’s open from 9 AM and closes between 4 PM and 6 PM.

The closing time in Krka National Park is longer, at 7 PM or 8 PM during the warmer months and much shorter, at 4 PM or 5 PM during winter.

Krka National Park Opening Hours

• 9AM – 4PM (January–February)
• 9AM – 5PM (March)
• 8AM – 6PM (April)
• 8AM – 7PM (May)
• 8AM – 8PM (June–August)
• 8AM – 7PM (September)
• 8AM – 6PM (October 1–15)
• 9AM – 5PM (October 16–31)
• 9AM – 4PM (November–December)

This opening hours schedule includes Skradinski Buk and Roški Slap. Other locations in Krka National Park have different operating hours.

Best time to visit Krka National Park

While Krka National Park can be visited throughout the year, we recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons (March to June and September to October), when the temperature is pleasant and there are fewer crowds.

If you visit Krka National Park in the peak season (summer), we recommend starting your visit as early as possible.

We last visited Krka National Park around midday at the end of August (due to rain in the morning), and we wouldn’t recommend that.

Firstly, the main part of the Skradinski Buk Waterfall was very crowded, and it required lots of patience to take some nice photos. It was also super hot.

Secondly, we didn’t manage to visit all the parts of Krka we wanted that day (the area is huge!). The part of Roški Slap hike was already in the shade in the late afternoon, so we couldn’t witness the magic of it. So, learn from our mistakes! 😊

Where to eat in Krka National Park

When it comes to choosing where to eat during your visit to Krka National Park, you have to look outside the park’s boundary since the few restaurants close to Skradinski Buk and inside the park’s boundaries are expensive and lack good food.

One exception is Seosko Domacinstvo Kristijan, a famous yet simple restaurant at Roški Slap that is worth visiting. This place offers a unique dining experience because the tables are either very near or on the pool of the cascades! They serve delicious cheese boards with cold cuts and local vegetables. But as we mentioned earlier, a reservation is a must!

So near Skradinski Buk, the best option for food is actually in Skradin, where you can find plenty of great top-rated restaurants, like Konoba Mate (Mate Vino) for wine and cheese/meat plates, Restoran Skala for local specialties, and Konoba Dalmatino for excellent food in a great setting.

You can also find seasonal restaurants in some Agro Tourism establishments around the Krka National Park, like Agro Tourism Peace in Brištane, on the way between Skradinski Buk and Roški Slap. And if you’re looking for a cheap but filling meal, Fast Food “Kod Bakera” (pizza, burgers, ćevapčići, sandwich) is a good alternative in Kistanje on the north side.

All of the above hand-picked restaurants also offer vegetarian/vegan options.

Nearby Krka National Park, you can also find some excellent family-run wineries, like Bibich Winery and Sladić Winery.

Where to stay in Krka National Park

Skradin is the best place to find hotels near Krka National Park for all budgets. It is a quaint village dating back to 33 BC and one of the main entrances to Krka National Park.

Hotel Bonaca, Gold Apartments, and Guest House Ankora are great hotel options in Skradin.

On our last visit to Krka National Park, we explored the Dalmatian coast by car and stayed in an apartment in Šibenik.

Šibenik is the second best place to stay when visiting Krka National Park. It’s well connected to the park and offers plenty of accommodation options, restaurants, and great attractions, like the many fortresses. Plus it has a nice selection of great beaches to swim and sunbathe at.

Don’t miss out on the old town of Šibenik when visiting Krka. It’s a real gem that’s unfortunately many times overlooked. We loved it. Oh, and it was another filming spot for Game of Thrones, much like Dubrovnik.

How to visit Krka National Park

Krka National Park is easily accessible whether you plan to visit from Split, Šibenik, or Zadar, either by bus, car, boat, or a guided tour.

By bus

You can get to Krka National Park by bus from nearby cities, with the bus from Split taking 1 hour and 20 minutes, the bus from Zadar 1 hour, and the bus from Šibenik only 30 minutes.

If you’re coming from Plitvice Lakes National Park, the bus from Plitvice takes about 3 hours, the bus from Zagreb takes a bit more than 3 and a half hours, and the bus from Dubrovnik takes between 6 and 8 hours.

Note: The bus will drop you off in Skradin, from where you still need to either walk the last few kilometers or take the boat/ferry (included in the ticket) to the Skradin entrance of Krka National Park.

By car

The drive to Krka National Park takes about one hour from Split and Zadar and just 15-20 minutes from Šibenik’s old town. There’s plenty of safe parking space at Krka National Park’s main entrances, especially at the Lozovac entrance. Parking is included in the ticket price.

Going by car is the best option if you want to visit Manojlovac Waterfalls and Visovac Monastery Viewpoint. Also, it’s a better option if you want to spend more time around Roški Slap since the boat between Skradinski Buk and Roški Slap doesn’t leave you with much time to spend there.

You can find great car rental deals in Zagreb. If you’re using Zadar or Split as a base, they’re also great spots for renting a car for day trips, especially to Krka National Park.

By bike

An alternative to a car is to explore Krka National Park by bike.

We previously mentioned the popular Krka Bike Tour, which allows you to choose different trail options and attractions according to how much time you want to spend on the bike.

Renting a bike in Skradin and going solo is also a great option, as many biking trails are available all over the park area.

By boat

If you prefer to take a scenic ride along the river Krka and Visovac Lake, you can first take the ferry boat from the village of Skradin to the Skradin entrance and then also from Skradinski Buk all the way to Roški Slap, passing by Visovac Franciscan Monastery.

Going around Krka National Park by boat is the best option if you have a lot of time to spare, as the ride is rather slow.

On a guided tour

Consider booking a guided day tour from Zadar or Split for less stress in arranging transportation, picking the correct entrance, figuring out the logistics of going around the park, and everything else.

Knowledgeable guides will take you around the park’s attractions while providing commentary and interesting facts along the way.

A great alternative to standard tours is the Krka Waterfalls & Wine Tasting Tour, which combines a visit to the national park with a wine tasting in one of the famous nearby wineries.

From Split with Wine Tasting	check availability
From Trogir with Wine Tasting	check availability
From Omiš with a visit to Trogir	check availability
From Makarska with a visit to Šibenik	check availability
From Vodice with a boat	check availability
From Skradin on an E-Bike Adventure	check availability
From Zadar with Food & Wine Tasting, Boat Ride & Zadar Old Town	check availability

Šibenik, the closest city to Krka National Park, isn’t used as a base by many people. That’s why you can’t really find guided tours leaving from there. The closest departing place for guided tours is Vodice, about 15 kilometers north of Šibenik.

We highly recommend the Krka Boat Tour from Vodice, which is a nice alternative to the standard tours. It begins by cruising through the St. Anthony Channel towards Šibenik, followed by a visit to Krka National Park.

To get to Vodice from Šibenik, you can get a 20-minute bus ride by FlixBus for about 7 euros or the local bus for about 3 euros.

What’s better: Plitvice Lakes or Krka Falls?

It is difficult to choose between Croatia’s most famous national parks, Plitvice Lakes and Krka Falls, because both provide a wonderful experience in the natural landscape and unforgettable views.

But in the end, it really all depends on your budget and preferences.

For example, entrance fees can be cheaper for Plitvice Lakes, which has more lakes and waterfalls. While Skradinski Buk shines with its might, there are smaller but equally beautiful waterfalls spread throughout Plitvice.

Regarding crowds, both Krka and Plitvice implemented a 10.000 daily visitor limit, but are still quite crowded in summer, the peak of the tourist season.

Other than that, both locations offer great opportunities for photography, hiking, and seeing beautiful nature.

Whichever you choose to visit, you’ll surely be amazed by the beauty of these Croatian treasures. We loved visiting each of them and highly recommend both, as they are each quite unique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is visiting Krka National Park worth it?

We highly recommend adding Krka National Park to your Croatia bucket list. We loved our time there and can highly recommend visiting despite the steep entrance fee in the high season.

If you plan ahead using this extensive guide and opt to do more in a day than just Skradinski Buk, the entrance fee will become more acceptable.

And even though you can no longer swim at Krka’s Skradinski Buk, it’s still a great place to visit.

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Thank you for reading this article on Krka National Park. We hope we convinced you to visit and, above all, helped you plan your trip.

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