Krka Waterfalls National Park is a must-see on the map of Croatian tourist attractions. Right next to the Plitvice Lakes National Park it is another natural landmark of this country, which cannot be missed, especially if you are in the vicinity of Šibenik, in central Dalmatia.
Krka Waterfalls National Park was founded in 1985 in an area covering 109 square kilometers, including the middle and lower reaches of the Krka River.
What distinguishes this protected area are not only canyons and limestone barriers that have created a unique land with turquoise water and waterfalls, but also a wealth of nature and monuments and the opportunity to bathe in the waters of the Krka River.
See the official video advertising the great tourist attraction of the KRK Waterfalls:
How to get to the Krka Waterfalls National Park?
The Krka Waterfalls National Park is located less than 20 kilometers from the town of Šibenik. There are two entrances to the park located in Lozovac or Skradin – so you have to go to one of these two places depending on your starting point.
Skradin is located closer to the Croatian highway, which makes getting here easier. Coming from the north on the A1 motorway, you can take the Skradin exit.
In turn from the south you have to take the A1 motorway and exit to Šibenik, continue on Skradin.
On the way there are signs informing about the park.
At the entrance in Lozovac there is a large, free car park, where you can go by free bus to Skadinski Buk waterfall. On the other hand, at the entrance in Skradin, there is also a parking lot for tourists, however, further travel will take place by a cruise ship from the local marina.
Map of KRKa Waterfalls
Find out the best route to the KRK Waterfalls using the current KRK National Park map below:
Price list and opening hours of the KRKa Waterfalls park
The Krka Waterfalls National Park is open all year round. In the summer months from 8 – 20 (June-August), in May and September from 8-19, so you have to remember that they close an hour earlier.
Other months and exact opening hours are posted on their official website.
Ticket prices for KRKa Waterfalls
A ticket for an adult in the summer season (June-August) costs 200 kuna. After 4 pm, the entrance will be cheaper – 145 kuna. Children from 7 to 18 years will pay 120 and 90 kuna respectively.
Children under seven can enter for free.
In turn, triple entry (for use for a week, from the date of the first visit) costs 320 kuna for an adult and 200 kuna for children (7-18).
In addition, a trip to the Roski slap waterfall or a visit to one of the attractions, Kistanje, Burnum or Puljane, are paid. For the price of a normal ticket, you can explore the entire park area freely, including all presentations, as well as bus and cruise transport.
Sightseeing and attractions of the Krka Waterfalls Park
The Krka Waterfalls National Park is unique on the European scale. You can not only admire limestone creations on the river with amazing waterfalls and lush flora and fauna, but also historical and cultural monuments. Close contact with nature and great views, together with the possibility of swimming in the river, impresses the tourists who visit this park.
Visiting the park is worth planning on a sunny day because it is in the sun that you can see all the beauty of this park. See where and how to check the long-term weather forecast for Croatia.
Another video depicting the beauty of this place:
Sightseeing
As we have already written, there are two entries to the park: in Skradin and in Lozovac. Most people recommend the latter option.
From this place is only a 10-minute ride by free bus to the waterfall Skadinski Buk. You can walk this route on foot, but the views are not overwhelming, so why waste time.
From here you can also embark on one of three cruises:
- to the Franciscan monastery on the island of Visovac (duration of the cruise about 2 hours),
- or to Roski slap with a visit to the island of Visovac (3h) or
- to the Krka monastery and the remains of the Tosenj and Necven fortress (2.5 hours).
This pleasure is additionally payable. Instead of a cruise you can of course walk around the waterfall itself (concrete road or path on wooden footbridges – better!) And take a bath in its vicinity. There is also a designated educational path, which in addition to showcasing the rich flora and fauna of the Krka river, features ethnographic displays, where you can get to know what life was like there.
Attractions and places of interest
Waterfall Skadinski Buk – is the largest waterfall on the Krka river, its length is 800 meters, where there are seventeen cascades. Its admiration is enabled by a number of wooden footbridges and paths. It is in this place that you can take a bath. However, a rope with buoys separates tourists from the waterfall itself. It is worth taking footwear with you, because the bottom is rocky and slippery. Nearby there are also dining options, where you can buy food and drink and use the toilet.
In June 2018 a bathing ban in the river below the bridge was introduced …
Water mills from the 19th century – these are not only monuments of rural construction, but also evidence of the economic past. In the renovated buildings, you can see how the process of grain milling, washing, weaving, plowing and sowing, or even cooking looked like in the past.
Hydroelectric plant – remains of a hydroelectric plant, which was commissioned in 1895 and is considered the second (just after the Niagara) such construction on a global scale. Its creator was Nikola Tesla. Thanks to the power plant, nearby towns (including Šibenik) were supplied with electricity as ones of the first in Europe. You can, for example, admire giant water turbines from close up.
Visovac Island – on which among the trees there is a Franciscan monastery from 1445 dedicated to Our Lady of Grace and the Church of Our Lady Visovacka. In addition to the interesting story of the religious brothers themselves, you can hear here from the guide many interesting facts about the creation of the island itself. You can see here archaeological collections, a collection of historical liturgical vestments and dishes, and a richly equipped library with a large number of manuscripts and valuable books.
Roski slap – the name of this waterfall originated from the former fortress of Róg, which was situated on the right bank of the Krka River. It is about 650 meters long and consists of smaller cascades (called necklaces) and the main one from which water drops from 15 meters. It is best to visit the waterfall from the deck of the ship, because from the top it is practically all overgrown and you cannot see anything. At the Roski slap waterfall there are various forms of speleothems – mainly rapids, barriers and cones as well as caves. The cones at the foot of the main cascade are the most unique formation of this waterfall.
Krka Monastery – is located in the middle of the canyon of the Krka river, in a small bay. The monastery replaced an earlier hermitage monastery. Nearby there is also an Orthodox church built in a very Byzantine style and the then building of a seminary. Tourists here have access to the underground of the monastery, where tombs are located. In addition, there is a rich collection of valuable books and rare historical manuscripts.
Burnum – remains of a Roman military camp. It was erected on the right bank of the Krka river, in order to strategically control the crossing over the river. Roman legions were once stationed here, as evidenced by the recently discovered amphitheater and the remains of arcades, from the building of the commander of the camp. The area is undergoing conservation and sightseeing is possible only with a guide.