A Complete Guide to Visiting Krka National Park, Croatia

If you are traveling to Croatia , visiting Krka National Park is a must . It boasts magnificent beaches, settlements, and a national park which encompasses picturesque nature.Krka is unique in its cascade of natural waterfalls, lakes and beautiful islands in the center of the river. What is especially appealing to visitors is the opportunity to swim in waterfalls, which is usually prohibited in Balkan national parks. Photos of the island of Krk can often be seen on advertisements and Croatian travel guides. This is the case not only because it is so brilliant but because it is considered an important tourism center in Croatia. The island of Krka is at the very heart of Croatia.

A Guide for Visiting Krka National Park

The Krk Nature Reserve in Croatia is located on the Krk River Valley, near the green oasis of Sibenik and the town of Knin. The park occupies a quarter of the island, roughly 109 square kilometres. Within the protected area of ​​the park there are more than 860 species of animals and 18 species of fish. The Krk National Park in Croatia is also famous for its birds: every autumn and spring you can see amazing bird migrations here.

Sibenik stands at the mouth of the Krka River. The channel begins near Knin, passes through a series of gorges, lakes and rapids and, finally, comes to the sea. The entire valley, from the city of Knin to the city of Skradina, is declared a national park. Most tourists go to that area 12 kilometers from Sibenik,  which is located east of Skradin.

Here the river forms a series of mini-waterfalls known as Skradinski Buk, and then passes through a small but picturesque canyon to the city of Skradin itself. There are far fewer tourists along the upper section of the river. That is not to say there isn’t anything to see here! There are interesting Croatian landmarks: two old monasteries and another series of waterfalls. You can reach these by tour boats.

Best things to see in Krka National park

The most important of all the major sights has to be the seven incredible waterfalls. The largest of them is the Skradinsky, reaching a height of 46 meters. As mentioned before, there are a few architectural wonders here too. Namely the Franciscan monastery, Visovac, and the Serbian Orthodox monastery, Krka. These holy temples in Croatia were built back in the 14th century and were repeatedly destroyed, but thankfully have since been restored. You can get to this history part of the trip after visiting Krka National Park waterfalls and other natural wonders .

Entrances to Krka National Park

There are two main entrances to the national park. From the first entrance, located in the city of Skradin, four kilometers from Skradinski Buk, there are sightseeing boats which will tour around the national park. The second entrance is located in Lozovac, on a hill above the waterfalls. From this entrance, visitors can tour around by bus. Several buses run daily from Sibenik to Skradin (there are only two of them on weekends). On the way, they pass through Lozovac. Thankfully, this means that you can make a trip to the national park and back in one day! It is important to note that at the bus stop in the park the schedule of return buses is not posted, so be sure to find out the schedule in advance at the bus station in Sibenik. If you want to explore not only the nearest waterfalls, but also other places, then hit the road as early as possible. It takes a full day to visit the headwaters.

The main attraction of the whole park is of course the Skradinski Buk waterfall. Unlike Plitvice Lakes, you can swim here, so I definitely recommend taking a towel and bathing suit with you.

The natural combination of water, forests, the proximity of the sea and mountains created a special climate here, ideal for a vast array of flora and fauna. The reserve’s territory is inhabited by 860 species of various animals, more than 220 species of birds and 18 species of fish, most of which are found only in this region. Furthermore, there are a number of natural routes of seasonal migration of animals and birds. 

There are just so many places worthy of attention in this tiny area, not just nature, waterfalls, and monasteries. The remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct have been preserved in the park. History enthusiasts can also explore the ruins of the medieval fortresses of Nechven, Troshenya, Bogochin and others (dating from about the 14th century). 

Croatian power station

There is also the very first Croatian power station, created according to the designs by the great Tesla. The most popular among those who come to Krka is the Skradinski Buk Waterfall. Its height is 46 meters and water falls from 17 steps, which looks equally bewitching at any time of the year. Around the waterfall there are several restored water mills and valves, using the power of water for various needs. From time to time, mills are used as exhibition sites for ethnographic exhibitions.

Roski Slap Waterfall creates a variety of water “sleeves”, cascades (here they are called “necklaces”) and cute islands. The height of the waterfall is 22.5 meters. From it, steps will lead you to the cave of Ozidzhan. Archaeologists proved that in the cave residents of a number of prehistoric eras left their mark. The cave housed various occupants for a few millennia BC. Now in the cave you can see the preserved objects and possessions of the ancient inhabitants of these places.

I hope this guide inspired you to visiting Krka National Park .

If you are looking for the best things to do around Krka National Park, check out this Sibenik Travel Guide