Have you decided to visit Split? Take the opportunity to visit the surrounding area! Don’t miss Krka National Park!
Krka National Park (pronounced Keurka) lies along the Krka River in southern Croatia. The site is reminiscent of the Plitvice Lakes, also in Croatia. Krka National Park is famous for its waterfalls and traditional watermills, which seem to have been frozen in time. What’s more, the north of the park includes a fabulous trail leading to the splendid Roški Slap waterfall and the Krka Monastery, built entirely on Roman catacombs. A visit to Krka National Park is an essential part of Croatia’s natural heritage.
If you’ve decided to visit Krka National Park from Split, a pretty Dalmatian town known for its beaches and fortress, no problem. Here are a few tips from Generation Voyage to help you make the trip smoothly, avoid pitfalls and mistakes, and enjoy your visit to the full. We’re off!
History of Krka National Park
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Andrew Mayovskyy
The region around the Krka River is an exceptional natural area, rich in prehistoric traces and centuries-old historical monuments. Man’s presence here can be traced back to the Paleolithic era: flints, flakes and bone fragments have been found in the area.
The Romans built the Skradin aqueduct and the ruins of the Burnum camp. Later, with the spread of Christianity, it was decided to build a sumptuous place of worship. This was the Franciscan church of Visovac, built on an island in the middle of the river.
Krka National Park is also home to ruined Turkish fortresses, testimony to the Ottoman occupation. The Croatians soon realized the beauty and potential of the area: created in 1985, the Krka National Park is a protected natural area that allows tourism activities to be managed while preserving the jewels of Krka.
Our tips for visiting Krka National Park
The best times of year
- Croatia has a Mediterranean climate in a sunny natural zone. So it’s mild in winter and hot in summer!Summer is also the busiest tourist season. Many people want to visit Krka National Park during the summer season: you won’t be alone, you can be sure of that.
- The best time to explore this sublime wilderness is undoubtedly between seasons. In other words, we recommend a stay in May or autumn, when temperatures remain mild and the number of visitors drops sharply.
- Authentic Croatia can only be discovered outside the summer season. What’s more, you’ll save a lot of money on your budget for transport, accommodation or catering, for example. And plane tickets to get there are much cheaper!
The best way to discover Krka National Park
Given the small size of Krka National Park (just fourteen hectares), a single day is enough to explore most of its natural wonders.
- We recommend that you visit it on foot, to enjoy a most soothing country stroll. All you have to do is follow the paths and wooden pontoons along the pretty emerald river. In summer, you can take a dip in the southern part of the park, right in the middle of the waterfalls!
- You can also make the most of cycling: cycle paths are at your disposal, and you can also reach the pretty village of Skradin by bike. There are also bike rental agencies where you can hire a bike for an average of 15 euros a day.
- Looking for a more original way to immerse yourself in the sumptuous beauty of the area? Take a boat from Skradin! Shuttle buses will take you to the Skradinski Buk waterfalls, the park’s main attraction.
Instructions to follow
- Garbage cans are a regular feature along the way. It may seem obvious, but many visitors seem to forget the rules inherent in preserving this fantastic natural area. If need be, park rangers are on hand to remind you, with stiff fines and even exclusion from the park.
- Pets are welcome, and entry doesn’t cost a cent. But they must be kept on a leash!
- Stay on the marked trails and do not venture into prohibited areas. Apart from the potential dangers, you risk damaging the fragile ecosystem of Krka National Park.
- Croatians are a charming people, but they don’t take kindly to the lack of respect shown by some foreign tourists. It has to be said that since the opening of this developing country to tourism, many incidents have involved Western tourists, especially young ones. So be sure to show respect and courtesy!
What to see and do in Krka National Park?
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Julia Lav
Once in Krka National Park, get ready to be amazed! Start your visit with a lovely stroll along the signposted path that takes you past the ancient Skradin aqueduct. Skradin, whose name corresponds to the Roman province of Scardona!
You’ll have the chance to catch a glimpse of the Visovac monastery, sitting quietly in the middle of the Krka River, between the Roŝki slap and Skradinski buk waterfalls. You can also admire it from the belvedere on the small road from Drinovci to Siritovci. This unusual place of worship, in Byzantine style with a hint of Baroque, is an important spiritual center of the Dalmatian Orthodox diocese based in Šibenik.
The park also boasts a number of ruined fortresses, built by the Turks or as protection against them. The main ones are
- Nečven
- Čučevo
- Bogočin
But the Krka National Park is best known for the spectacular waterfalls scattered along its route. There are seven of them! The clear waters of the pools are home to some twenty species of fish, frogs and reptiles. In the southern part of the park, from March to October, you can take a dip in the basins and enjoy a unique and magical moment. Let yourself be enveloped by the cool water falling from the cascades, swimming in the middle of perfectly pure, clear water while listening to the birdsong: what could be more pleasant?
Once out of the water, you can take a boat to the park entrance or the village of Skradin. In fact, we recommend combining these two ways of visiting Krka National Park!
How much does a ticket to Krka National Park cost from Split?
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / xbrchx
Krka National Park is open from 8 or 9 am, depending on the season. It closes between 4pm and 8pm.
Access to the site is subject to a fee, depending on the time of year you plan to visit Krka National Park.
- July and August: 200 kr (€27)
- April, May, September, October: 110 kr (15€)
- Rest of the year: 30 kr (€4)
Excursions to Krka from Split or Zadar are already included in the ticket price. For an average of €50, they include transport in an air-conditioned bus. Ideal for a headache-free visit to Krka National Park from Split!
How do I book a ticket for Krka National Park online?
If you plan to visit Krka between mid-July and the end of August, booking your ticket online in advance is highly recommended. That way, you’ll automatically be directed to the transport queue, rather than having to wait in line at the ticket office. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to come as soon as it opens, from 7.30 a.m. onwards!
The official Krka website does not offer online ticket sales, but the website of Croatia’s national and nature parks does. Tickets can only be booked for the summer period, between June 1 and September 30. While it may be advisable to book before you leave, remember to print out the ticket, which will be sent to you within 48 hours of confirmation of your order.
It is also possible to book a private excursion or guided tour through an agency or third-party website.
How do I get to Krka National Park from Split?
We recommend that you find a plane ticket to Zadar. Fares are not normally high, and it’s easy to reach the pretty city of Split. You can easily compare flights on Ulysses.
Once in Split, it’s easy: Krka National Park is around 80km away.
- You can rent a car and take the E65 road to Lozovac, the closest entrance to the waterfalls. There’s a large free parking lot right next to the park. From here, you can enter the park or take a bus to the waterfalls.
- You can also take a bus from Split central station to Skradin, but the journey takes almost 6 hours! The advantage is that once in Skradin, a second entrance allows you to take a boat that leaves every half-hour or so and stops at the foot of the waterfalls.
Where to stay near Krka National Park?
The largest town near Krka National Park is Šibenik , just 13km from your destination. Šibenik offers a wide range of accommodation, including charming hotels in the old town center. However, these are very popular in summer, so book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Some campsites are located close to the Skradin Falls, and we’d like to make the same point: make sure you rent your pitch or mobile home (not air-conditioned!) well in advance of your stay.
If you wish to sleep in Split, three districts are recommended:
- Gripe
- Lovret
- Spinut
Here you can rent an Airbnb and feel right at home!
Now you’re ready to set off for Krka National Park – bon voyage!