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One of the best-known attractions and most famous sights located in Central Dalmatia is Krka Waterfalls, the seventh national park in Croatia with its magnificent seven travertine waterfalls.
This Croatian national park is named after the river Krka (72.5 km long) that it encloses and was formed to protect. Due to its local terrain, it forms into beautiful waterfalls which are the top attractions of the park.
Located within the region of Sibenik-Knin County with an area of 109 sq kilometers, it is just about 10 kilometers inland from Sibenik and 87 kilometers from Split.
It is highly recommended to visit Krka National Park as a one-day excursion from Split. It is a short distance away and doing the trip is much easier than you think.
There are a few ways that you can make your way down to Krka.
Organized Tour
There are plenty of options from Split to go on an organized trip which will include an experienced tour guide. This will save you from the hassle of public transportation or needing to drive yourself.
You can organize private and flexible Krka waterfalls tours from Split that are very affordable for individuals, families or small groups with well-kept vehicles. These tours have fixed start and finish times, but are customizable, enjoyable, less crowded, convenient and undoubtedly the best way to visit Krka National Park without any hassles.
Public Transportation
First, you can take a bus from Split bus station to Sibenik. Then you would change to a local bus when arriving to Sibenik for the remainder of the trip to Skradin (where the park is located).
During peak season it is also possible to find a direct bus so you can avoid switching buses in Sibenik. Unfortunately using public transportation could take too much of your time and buses tend to be late, so it the least favored option for visitors.
Car
You may also choose to take your own car or rental to Krka National Park. The driving distance from Split to Krka is about 90 km north.
Along the highway to the park, there are clearly marked signs. It is also scenic and quite pleasant, but you will need to pass through tolls. The best roads to take are the A1 and then the D33.
It is important to keep in mind that there are a couple different entrances to the park. Tickets are available upon arrival if you decide to drive yourself but waiting times in line may be long during the busy times of the year.
The park is structured in a way that the self-guided trails are easy to navigate. The trip will take you one hour and 20 minutes.
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The weather at Krka National Park is best during the summer months and many prefer to visit from June to September as you are allowed to swim at the Skardinski Buk falls.
The park may be crowded during that time of the year so it is also great to visit during May and October.
If you want to see more power in the waterfalls, then the winter months is the perfect time to visit and you also pay the lowest ticket price.
Why Visit Krka National Park
The region is untouched and consists of one or more well-preserved ecosystems.
Wildlife
There are several types of different habitats, with eighteen different species of fish, over 800 species of plant life and varied flora and fauna that can be found, so it is no wonder that the wildlife is incredible.
The waters in and around the Krka River is the home to many amphibians and reptile creatures as well as over 200 species of birds, making it one of the most valuable ornithological regions of Europe.
Waterfalls
The seven waterfalls include Skradinski Buk(the most famous spot), Roski slap, Miljacka slap, Rosnjak, Manojlovac slap, Brljan, Bilusica buk. The overall drop of the cascades and waterfalls of the entire park area is 242 meters.
Skradinski Buk has the highest cascade in the Mediterranean at 46 meters. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful calcium carbonate waterfalls in Europe, and has a collection of seventeen waterfalls that range in height.
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Here are our top choices for things to see in the park.
Skradinski Buk: The longest waterfall on the Krka River and the main attraction at the Krka National Park. Great place for a swim in the summer and top spot for photos.
Roški Waterfall: Also known as “vast waterfall,” it is made up of 22.5m high main waterfall and countless backwaters, cascades and travertine islands. It is situated about 36 kilometers downstream of the Krka River spring.
Over the waterfall, there is a road that dates back to Roman times and also has a series of old water mills, with several of them being restored and returned to their original function.
Manojlovac Waterfall: Located just a hundred meters away from the Burnum archaeological locality. This is the third waterfall in the series, and it consists of a series of travertine barriers with a total height of 59.6m and the largest barrier is 32.2m high.
Visovac Island: Represents one of Croatia’s most valuable natural and cultural values. Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy and the Church of Our Lady of Visovac are standing since 1445.
The monastery houses have a valuable archeological collection of church linens and dishes, a rich library with several historical manuscripts, valuable books, and incunabula. It is possible to visit Visovac by organized boat excursion from Skradinski Buk, Stinica, and Remetić.
Krka Monastery: 3.5 kilometers east of Kistanje is a spiritual center of the Orthodox faith with a church built in the Byzantine style standing next to it. The monastery was first mentioned in written records in 1402. You can visit the monastery by organized boat excursion from Roski slap from April to October.
Burnum amphitheater: A gem of ancient history, it used to be a Roman military camp. Burnum was the seat of the XI legion of the Roman army of Claudiae Piae Fidelis and IV legion of Flaviae Felix.
Auxiliary units (cohorts) were stationed here in a small camp constructed in the eastern part of the complex. The archaeological artifacts from this locality (weapons, tools, daily use items) are on display at Puljane Eco Campus, and it’s open for visitors through the whole year.
Krka Bike: Krka National Park has 470 kilometers of bike routes with 14 different routes. The bike routes were formed as circular routes and there are mountain bike routes, road routes, and track routes.
There are three starting and finishing points for all routes: the Krka National Park Office in Skradin, the Visitor Center at Laškovica, and the Krka Eco Campus at Puljane.
Things You Should Know About Krka National Park
Opening Hours
Krka National Park is open throughout the whole year except December 25 and 26.
Some sections of the park are closed from November to March but Skradinski Buk and Roški slap are open during the entire year.
Opening hours may vary throughout the year and the best thing to do when visiting is to check working hours on the official website of the National Park.
Ticket Price
Ticket price varies depending on the time of the year, selected entrance/section, and visitor’s age.
The ticket which grants you access to the whole park can cost from 30 Kuna to 200 Kuna. Tickets can be bought on site or booked online via the official website of the Krka National Park, where you can also see full pricing information.
Adults: 30 Kuna for months JAN/FEB/MAR/NOV/DEC, 100 Kuna for months APRIL/MAY/OCT, 200 Kuna for months JUNE/JULY/AUG/SEPT.
Children (age 7-18): 20 Kuna for months JAN/FEB/MAR/NOV/DEC, 80 Kuna for months APRIL/MAY/OCT, 120 Kuna for months JUNE/JULY/AUG/SEPT.
Children (up to 7): Free.
Park Entrances
There are five official entrances to Krka National Park.
Lozovac entrance is the main road entrance to Krka National Park for tourist buses and individual visitors. Throughout the year, free parking is available for individual visitors and organized groups arriving in tourist buses.
From Lozovac entrance you can reach the most famous spot — Skradinski Buk waterfall. From April till October, the National Park has their own bus available for transportation or you can reach it by taking the 875m walking trail.
Entrance Skradin is the second closest entrance to Skradinski Buk and you can reach it by boat from April till October. The boat price is included in the price of the entrance tickets.
Roški slap entrance can be reached by road from Drniš, Knin, and Skradin, or by the excursion boats of the Krka National Park that set off from Skradinski Buk. Boat excursions from Roški slap to the Krka monastery are organized daily from April to October.
Burnum/Puljane entrance can only be reached by road. The archaeological site of Burnum is located within the Krka National Park, above the canyon, waterfalls, and lakes of the river. They include the remains of the only Roman military amphitheater in Croatia, the arcades of the command building in the military camp, and several walls of the military drilling area.
Kistanje/Krka Monastery entrance can be visited by an organized boat transport between Roški waterfall and Krka Monastery from April to October or by car/excursion bus from Kistanje throughout the year.
Parking
Parking is free at each entrance but parking space is very limited on the most popular Skradinski Buk entrance. Lozovac entrance has the largest number of parking spaces. Since there are so many visitors, it’s not unusual that you might have to pay the unofficial car park.
The best thing to do is visit Krka National Park in organized small groups so you don’t have to worry about transportation and the parking space.
Having a national park and untouched nature within just an hour drive from Split and all other major spots in the Dalmatia makes Krka a must-visit when you are in Croatia.
We hope this guide has provided you with helpful information on how to get to Krka National Park.
It is a truly perfect place for a day trip as it can offer so much variety when it comes to wildlife, nature, gastronomy, history — you can even take boat rides and swim. And at a reasonable price, you can afford yourself a lovely day trip from Split and create great holiday memories.
Don’t miss out on visiting this beautiful national park on your visit to Croatia!
