THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KRKA NATIONAL PARK, CROATIA

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KRKA NATIONAL PARK, CROATIA

Krka National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Croatia and is known for its beautiful cascading waterfalls. Keep reading for my guide to Krka National Park and scroll to the bottom for my opinion on whether you should visit it or Plitvice National Park if you’re tight on time in Croatia.

Table of Contents:

• Overview
• Getting Around
• How to Get There
• Tickets
• When to Visit
• Activities
• What to Bring
• My Honest Review

Still need some inspiration to book your trip? Check out my other Croatia blogs below:

• Itinerary: Four Days in Croatia
• Guide to Split
• Guide to Hvar Island
• Guide to Plitvice Lakes National Park
• 20 Photos to Inspire You to Travel to Croatia

Pictured: The main waterfall in Krka, taken from above.

When you arrive at the park, you’ll find yourself about a 20-minute boat ride from the waterfalls themselves, which is something you’ll want to factor into your timing. From the entrance, you can either walk for about two hours or take a quick ferry (my preferred option) to the falls. The ferry ticket is included in your general Krka ticket price as well (more info on tickets below).

Note: Regardless of which way you choose to get to the waterfalls, you’ll still have to walk around them.

Pictured: View from the ferry of the town located at the Skadin entrance.

From Split, you can get to the waterfalls one of two ways: via a rented car or a tour bus. Below is a breakdown of each option, as which you choose depends on a variety of factors.

This is the route that I chose, but it might not be the best option depending on what you want to accomplish. I recommend renting a car if you either 1) Have at least two people in your party (that will help to lessen the costs), or 2) Want to see both Krka and Plitvice Lakes in one day (because all tours I’ve seen only do one or the other). Below are the pros and cons of renting a car:

Pros:

• Flexibility on timing and ability to do as you please
• Ability to see both Krka and Plitvice Lakes in one day
• Can be less expensive than bus if you have more people

Cons:

• Driving, directions, etc. takes additional effort
• If squeezing in both Krka and Plitvice you can feel rushed
• Need to pick up and drop off car from Split Airport (additional time)
• More expensive than bus with fewer people

If you choose to rent a car you’ll need to use GPS to get you to the waterfalls, which will also require cell phone data. I would recommend starting early with Plitvice Lakes because it’s further and try to be there no later than 9AM when the crowds start to come in. Walking around Plitvice when it’s crowded is miserable because the walking paths are extremely narrow meaning you’re waiting in lots of lines to see each waterfall. When you’re done with Plitvice, head onto Krka, which is on the way back to Split. I arrived to Krka in the afternoon and found that I had just enough time to tour the park before it closed and there were very few people around.

Interested in learning about Plitvice Lakes National Park, too? Check out this guide!

The other option is to go with a tour group that picks you up in Split. I would recommend this for solo travelers because you can 1) Meet other travelers (which is always a bonus!), and 2) It’s less expensive since there’s only one of you. These buses will meet in the old town of Split, drive you to the waterfalls, allow you to wander as you please, and then meet back at a designated time to drive back. Click here to book your tour from Split!

Note: You don’t need a tour of the waterfalls because there are easy-to-follow paths and signs throughout the park.

Pictured: The main waterfall in Krka National Park from the walking path.

To be honest, I didn’t really know I was going to Krka National Park until I finished my day at Plitvice Lakes and realized I had time to spare! Because of that, I bought my tickets in person when I arrived. There were no lines since I went in the afternoon, so to spare you any waiting, you can purchase tickets in advance here.

Below is an overview of the cost to enter the park in 2023. Please note that the ferry boat doesn’t run from January through March, so you’ll have to hike to the waterfalls during those months.

Note: If you choose to go with a tour bus, your ticket might be included in the price of the tour, so make note of that before purchasing.

Pictured: View of one of the waterfalls from above on the Skadinski Buk trail in Krka.

Luckily, you can visit Krka National Park in any season, so you shouldn’t base your trip to Croatia on this park alone. However, it’s important to note that the ferry service to the waterfalls is closed from January to March meaning you’ll need to hike from the entrance to the falls if you go during that time.

Also, while the park is open year-round, you’ll experience a very different landscape in the different seasons. If you’re not up for the cold, I’d avoid the park in the winter months as you could even see some snowfall during that time.

Especially if you’re visiting during the summer months, try to visit the park early in the morning or late in the evening before closing when there will likely be fewer people.

If you’re combining your trip to Krka with a trip to Plitvice as well, go to Plitvice first and try to be there before 9AM. That way, you won’t be rushed in the first park but will still be able to make it to Krka before the last boat leaves. Check the ferry departure times here to make sure you don’t miss the last sail!

Pictured: View of one of the waterfalls in Krka National Park.

Pictured: The view of the ferry port in Krka National Park from the Skadinski buk trail.

Here’s everything to bring on your day to Krka National Park:

• Athletic Shoes: Wear comfortable shoes as there’s a lot of walking.
• Athletic Apparel: Along with your athletic shoes, wear something comfortable and athletic for walking as you might get misted by a waterfall or two.
• Sunglasses: Beyond just the sunshine, the reflection on the water can be really strong, especially in the summertime. Come equipped with sunglasses to help with the glare.
• Sunscreen: Along with sunglasses, sunscreen is essential to protect you from the strong rays, especially in the summertime.
• Rain Coat: While I didn’t take this with me because the conditions were clear all day, sudden rain showers do appear here frequently so bring a raincoat just in case.
• Water & Snacks: There are places to buy water & food along the route, but they aren’t around every corner. Definitely bring some water and also possibly a snack in case you think you’ll get hungry.

Pictured: The view of one of the waterfalls in Krka National Park.

Obviously, as you can see in the pictures, Krka National Park is beautiful, and spending a day on the water surrounded by cascading falls is never a bad thing. However, there are a few things that I wasn’t expecting that put a damper on my trip:

1. Travel Time: While it’s not too far from Split (only about an hour’s drive) if you don’t time your arrival well with the ferry you could be waiting up to an hour to actually see the falls. Ultimately, you’ll spend at least half a day in the park and likely longer if you choose a tour group rather than driving yourself. Therefore, if you have limited time in Croatia (four days or fewer), I wouldn’t recommend venturing out to Krka or Plitvice Lakes. While they are gorgeous, there are plenty of other beautiful areas of Croatia that are closer to the main cities to see instead.
2. Crowds: Especially in the summertime, it gets very crowded in both Plitvice Lakes and Krka. If you can’t go early in the morning or late to catch the last ferry, you’ll be walking slowly behind a ton of other tourists, which will put a damper on your experience. 

Based on all the above, here’s my honest review: If you have an extra day in the area, definitely check out Krka National Park, but rent a car and also go to the nearby Plitvice Lakes National Park in the same day to check both off your list. On the contrary, if you have limited time in the area, skip both parks altogether and explore some of the islands near Split instead.