Among the destinations and attractions of Croatia, it is difficult to choose just a few that are truly impressive and spectacular. Although many people have heard of Plitvice, few know that in Croatia there is also the Krka National Park, similar in morphology and appearance. If you want to enter a magical world, to discover one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Krka is the perfect destination. Krka National Park is located on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, about 90 km north of Split and 80 km south of Zadar. You need almost a whole day to experience everything this destination means, but you will be left with incredible memories.
General Information on Krka Park
To get to your destination, there are two main options. First, if you are on holiday by car in Croatia, the closest cities are Split and Zadar, with a distance of less than 100 km to the town of Skradin, where the adventure begins. The journey takes around an hour, depending on the season and traffic. The other option is to fly to either Split or Zadar, and from there, you can rent a car or look for offers for excursions to the Krka National Park. The adventure in the park starts from the town of Skradin, where you can board the short cruise to the central point of interest. Most attractions operate during the tourist season (May – September) between 8 am and 7 or 8 pm.
Presentation of Krka National Park
An incredibly azure and crystal clear river flows through a karst area, over travertine terraces, forming successions of stormy waterfalls, all in the middle of a raw green vegetation. A network of wooden walkways literally pass over the spreading waters of the river or above the canyon, through lush forests, and take you on a journey to the pure essence of primordial nature. The river waters pass over moss-covered rocks, and fish, ducks and other creatures complete a picture that seems unreal.
The Krka National Park was established in 1985, covering over 100 square kilometers and protecting a unique ecosystem, very little altered by human intervention. Along the river that springs from the Dinaric Alps, there are no less than 7 sections of waterfalls over travertine steps, the most famous and visited being Skradinski buk. A different feature from the Plitvice Lakes is that there is an area here where you can swim in the river waters beyond the last waterfall at Skradinski. Thousands of tourists brave the labyrinth of rocks and tunnels on the bottom of the water just for the pleasure of spending a few fascinating minutes in the iridescent blue-green water.
The main entry point to the national park is the town of Skradin, from where most visitors board boats that set off upstream on the river, arriving a few hundred meters from the last large waterfall. Following a short road, you reach the main visitor area. In high season, the area is filled with thousands of people who stop to swim right under the impressive waterfall. This is the only area dedicated to beach and swimming, and the crowds can sometimes be suffocating. Thousands of other tourists set off to explore the park.
This last section of the park’s waterfalls is known as Skradinski buk, but the entire national park area abounds in natural attractions and monuments worth visiting. Among them, the most interesting sights include the waterfalls at Roski slap upstream, the island of Visovac and the Franciscan monastery on it, the Krka Monastery, medieval and Roman ruins, and others. Adding to the unreal beauty of the landscapes is the extreme diversity of vegetation and fauna, with over 1,000 plant species discovered, as well as numerous birds, fish, and amphibians.
Skradinski buk
The longest and most famous waterfall area on the Krka River is a splendor of the natural world. The waterfalls were created by travertine barriers, lakes and islands, in an incredibly wild and fascinating succession. This area can be visited at any time, as there is an excellent infrastructure of paths and bridges that cross the waterfalls and provide an overview of the area. The main route surrounds the waterfalls and offers numerous panoramic viewpoints over the area, as well as other attractions.
The route starts from the beach area, crossing the large wooden bridge, then follows several climbing areas along the marked path. This educational route, which can be completed in a maximum of 2 hours, passes through the most interesting areas of the waterfalls. You can also admire the ethnographic exhibition created along it. It includes several monuments of rural architecture, mainly old water mills that used the power of the river for various activities.
Roski slap
Upstream of the Skradinski buk waterfalls and after Visovac Island, another area impresses with its spectacular beauty. The Roski slap waterfalls can be visited either by cruise ships departing from the northern part of Skradinski buk, or by car from Skradin (17 km). Less visited, this area of the park is just as fascinating, with small waterfalls that unfold like a string of pearls among the islets. The river canyon widens considerably before the final 15-meter drop into Lake Visovac that forms downstream. An educational trail of over 8 km surrounds the waterfall area, highlighting their unique beauty. It also offers the opportunity to discover the watermills, but also to visit the nearby Ozidana cave.
Visovac Island
Between Skradinski buk and Roski slap there is a lake, and Visovac Island rises majestically in its middle. You can visit it on a cruise that starts from the north of Skradinski buk or with local boats that leave from the towns on the shore. The boat stops for 30 minutes, enough to admire the magnificent church and Franciscan monastery located on the lake. These magnificent historical and religious monuments date back to 1445, representing one of the emblematic images of Croatia. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the church and monastery house numerous collections of precious objects and a library with rare manuscripts. Alternatively, you can admire the splendid panorama of the small island on the shores of the lake, which can be reached by car.
Krka Monastery
It is located on the banks of the Krka River, upstream of Roski slap and a few kilometers from the town of Kistanje. First attested in 1402, the Krka Monastery is an excellent example of Byzantine architecture. The highlights include the church, the catacombs, and the collection of artifacts, icons, and documents, all set in a beautiful landscape.
Manojlovac Waterfall
It is considered the most beautiful waterfall on the Krka River, being located at the northern end of the park, just a few hundred meters from the Burnum archaeological site. The total height of the waterfall is almost 60 meters, with the largest waterfall being over 30 meters. During dry periods, the waterfall is barely visible, as the water is pumped into a hydroelectric power plant.
Other Tourist Sights
In or near the Krka National Park, there are other special sights and attractions, in addition to the extraordinary beauty of the landscape. Among them, we can mention the Roman military camp of Burnum, the ruins of the medieval fortresses of Trosenj, Necven, Bogocin, Kamicak and especially Kljucika, the ruins of the aqueduct of Scardona, as well as many others.
Recommended Accommodation in Krka Park
rating 9.3 from 211 reviews!
Located in Skradin, very close to the main attractions in the national park area, this luxury unit offers accommodation in superb rooms and a swimming pool!
rating 8.0 from 1.549 reviews!
Located in Lozovac, near the Skradiski But waterfalls, this hotel offers standard rooms, as well as services such as a restaurant, swimming pool and much more!
rating 9.4 from 120 reviews!
Located in a small village near Skradin, this excellent apartment offers all the necessary amenities, including an equipped kitchen, garden and an outdoor pool!