Ultimate Guide To Visiting The Krka Waterfalls In Croatia
Planning to visit the beautiful Krka waterfalls in Croatia? You’ve come to the right article.
The Krka waterfalls are a series of gorgeous cascading waterfalls tucked in the pine forests of central Croatia. Whether you’re visiting on a day trip from Split/Zadar, or on a road trip across the country, they’re definitely worth visiting.
This article will cover exactly how to get there, which entrance to use, where to park, and things to do nearby.
Here is everything you should know before visiting Krka National Park.
How To Get To The Krka Waterfalls
The waterfalls (Skradinski Buk) are located in Krka National Park, which is only around an hour’s drive from Zadar and Split. The national park is located right outside of this small town Skradin, which is only 20-25 minutes inland from the coast.
You can get to the park from the nearby cities by bus, or by joining a group tour. The park has two main entrances, Skradin and Lozovac.
If you’re driving there, the best place to park is Lozovac. It has a large free parking lot, ticket office, and is just a short hike to see the park’s main waterfall (Skradinski Buk).
If you’re getting there by bus, you will arrive in Skradin. In Skradin, the bus stop is less than a 10 minute walk from the main ticket office. It’s located inside of this unique glass building right by the marina.
From the marina, you can hop on a short, scenic boat ride (April-October) to get to the waterfalls inside of the park. The boat ride is included in your park tickets. If you’re visiting during the off season, it’s a 3.4km (2.1 miles) hike to get to the waterfalls inside of the park.
I took a Flixbus from Split to Skradin in August, which costed €15/each way. From the marina, I hopped on a 15 minute boat ride to get to the park. It was a very short walk to see the park’s waterfalls from the boat dock.
There are ticket offices in both Skradin and Lozovac, but it’s best to purchase your tickets online beforehand so you don’t have to wait in any lines!
Where To Park At Krka National Park
The best place to park is the Lozovac entrance, which has FREE parking and its own ticketing office. Skradin only has paid parking for around €10/day, and requires you to hop on a boat ride to get to the waterfalls.
If you park at Lozovac, however, you’ll be a short hike away from some of the waterfall’s best viewpoints! You can view both parking locations on the map I’ve pinned below.
Visiting the Krka Waterfalls
Krka National Park has easy boardwalk trails that loop around the park, and the waterfalls are easily accessible from both entrances. From the Lozovac entrance, you’ll do a short hike downhill to get to the iconic Skradinski Buk waterfall.
If you’re arriving by ferry from Skradin, it’s a surprisingly short, and flat walk to get to the waterfall. Skradinski Buk is the large, cascading waterfall that people used to be able to swim in (before it was banned in 2021).
Here you’ll find picnic tables, souvenir shops, food stands, and stray cats roaming around. The wooden boardwalk continues past the largest waterfall to even more beautiful waterfall viewpoints, and a water mill.
There’s a restaurant next to the water mill but it’s known for being overpriced, so make sure to pack snacks to bring into the park!
It only takes 1-2 hours to fully explore the park, and after visiting it, I recommend checking out the attractions in Skradin. Skradin has a small river beach, vintage car museum, souvenir shops, and a medieval fortress perched on a hill overlooking town.
There’s more restaurant options in Skradin, and it’s a short drive to some very popular wineries in the village of Plastovo.
Tips for visiting Krka National Park
- Eat in Skradin beforehand to avoid the park’s expensive food prices
- Visit later in the day (after 3pm) to receive a 25% off discount
- Pack snacks and drinks to enjoy a picnic by the waterfalls
- Join a group tour from Split to go wine-tasting in the nearby village of Plastovo
- Pack a swimsuit to swim in Skradin’s City Beach
Best Time To Visit Krka National Park
The best time to visit Krka National Park is later in the day (after 3pm), so you can receive a 25% off discount! The park is open relatively late (6-8pm) in peak season, and you’ll have plenty of time to see the waterfalls within a few hours.
Krka Waterfalls FAQs
Can you swim in the Krka waterfalls?
No, you unfortunately cannot swim in the Krka waterfalls. However, you can swim in the river at Skradin’s City Beach, which is just a 10 minute walk from the ticketing office.
How much time do you need at the park?
You only need 2-3 hours to visit Krka National Park, including the boat ride. The popular waterfalls are easily accessible by a short 10-15 minute walk, and you can continue hiking around the park if you want to explore more viewpoints.
Which entrance should I use?
If you’re arriving by car, park at the Lozovac entrance for free. If you’re arriving by bus, you will use the Skradin entrance. Both entrances have ticket offices, but only the Lozovac entrance has free parking.
Should you visit Krka or Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s largest national park, and arguably the most beautiful place in the country. It’s the most inland, and has these stunning turquoise blue lakes, waterfalls, and stony mountains tucked in the countryside.
If you only have time for one, I recommend choosing Plitvice Lakes. Krka National Park is a bit closer to Split/Zadar, and can be a great alternative if you’re looking for a more relaxing hike.
Check out our complete guide to visiting Plitvice Lakes for more details on what to do, and where to stay near the park.
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