Krka National Park

Most Krka National Park visitors are day-trippers. Tours run from Split, Sibenik, Trogir, and Dubrovnik, and typically include a walking tour of Skradinski Buk (the park’s largest and the river’s longest waterfall), a boat ride along the Krka River, and hiking or biking along the park’s network of trails. For the best value, combine a small-group or private tour with a visit to Sibenik town or wine tasting in Skradin.

• You can see the park highlights in a few hours, but plan at least half a day for a more complete experience.

• Lines for park tickets and Skradinski Buk entry can take more than an hour in peak season. Arrive early or book a skip-the-line tour to save time.

• Bring comfortable shoes, summer sun protection, and a swimsuit. Water fountains can be found throughout the park.

• Most areas of the park are wheelchair accessible, but some waterfalls and attractions are not due to uneven terrain.

Krka National Park is approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) inland from Sibenik in northern Dalmatia; it is a 40-minute drive from there and about one hour from Split. There are five entrance points to the park: Lozovac, Skradin, Roški Slap/Laskovica, Burnum/Puljane, and Kistanje/Krka Monastery. The most popular entry point for tour buses is Lozovac at the south of the park, while boat cruises start out from Skradin.

Krka National Park is open year-round. Summer is the most popular time to visit, but each season brings its own highlights. Winter is calm and quiet. Spring brings rushing waterfalls and vibrant wildflowers. Summer heat makes swimming refreshing. And autumn colors along the not-as-busy trails are a treat. Off-season (Nov.–Mar.) is the cheapest, quietest time, but boat tours do not operate. In the busy summer, arrive early or stay until sunset.

Krka National Park’s star attraction is the spectacular Skradinski Buk waterfall, a sequence of 17 cascades that tumble 151 feet (46 meters) into a swimming lake. But Skradinski Buk is only one of seven waterfalls at the park, including Brljan Buk, Bilusšic Buk, Roski Slap, and Manojlovac Slap. Additional highlights include the old water mills along the Krka River, the Krnici Gornji viewpoint, Ozidana pećina cave, and Lake Visovac’s island and monastery.

Set aside at least half a day to explore Krka National Park. If you're coming from Split or Zadar, the trip is roughly one hour by car, and while you'd need a full day to see all seven of its waterfalls, you can visit a couple in half a day.

Yes, Krka National Park is absolutely worth visiting. One of Croatia's most popular and celebrated national parks, its series of waterfalls, swimming holes, and hiking trails offer extraordinary scenery. Don't miss the chance to visit Skradinski Buk—the park's most popular network of waterfalls—during your excursion.

That depends—if you want an overview of all seven of Krka National Park's waterfalls, then you do need at least one full day to explore (and more if you plan to do in-depth hiking). But if you're happy visiting a couple highlights, then just half a day is doable.

Yes, you can go to Krka National Park on your own. If you can, renting a car ensures you can reach parts of the park that can only be accessed by road. Alternatively, joining a guided tour makes exploring even easier, and it minimizes any logistical hassle.

That depends—for a general half- or full-day trip, sturdy sneakers with good grip should be satisfactory for exploring Krka National Park, and water shoes are advised if you plan to swim. But if you're embarking on a longer hiking trip, then it's worth investing in a good pair of hiking boots.

Yes, there are numerous toilets in Krka National Park. Those managed by the park itself are always free to use. Note that there are also some privately managed toilets in the park—including one near the popular Skradinski Buk waterfalls—which are not necessarily free to use.