Krka National Park – guide to Krka in Croatia

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Krka National Park in Croatia is a lush world of waterfalls, rivers and hiking trails through a beautiful karst landscape. We have hiked at Skradinski Buk, taken a boat trip on the Krka River, visited the monastery on the island of Visovac and continued on to Roški Slap. Here we collect our experiences and best tips for those who want to visit Krka National Park.

Krka National Park

During our one-year trip around Europe by camper van, we spent two months in Croatia. We had just experienced the World Heritage city of Trogir and now Krka National Park was on our bucket list. A wonderful October day with 25 degrees – it could hardly have started better.

The national park offered a fantastic nature experience, so join us in a world of greenery, waterfalls, the Krka River and rich wildlife!

What is Krka National Park?

Krka National Park is located in Dalmatia in southern Croatia, just northeast of the city of Šibenik. The national park follows large parts of the Krka River and is primarily known for its waterfalls, lush nature and historical environments along the river.

This is not a national park where everything is gathered in one place. The attractions are scattered along the Krka River, so the experience can be very different depending on which entrance you choose and how much time you have. Skradinski Buk is the park's most famous waterfall, but further north you can find Visovac Island and Roški Slap, among others.

That's also what makes Krka so exciting to explore. You can make a shorter visit focusing on Skradinski Buk or set aside a whole day and combine hiking, waterfalls and boat trips to other parts of the national park.

Skradinski Buk – Krka's most famous waterfall

Skradinski Buk is Krka's most famous waterfall and for many the highlight of the national park. The water cascades down in a long series of cascades and falls, surrounded by dense greenery, before continuing into the Krka River.

A big part of the experience is the path through the area itself. The hiking trail follows paths and wooden bridges through the lush nature, and along the way smaller waterfalls appear and cascade up between the trees. We took our time and stopped often – there are always new angles to photograph and small details to discover.

When you finally reach the view of Skradinski Buk, the landscape opens up and you can see the entire waterfall in front of you. It's easy to see why this has become the classic image of Krka National Park.

Boat trip on the Krka River – to Visovac and Roški Slap

One of our top tips in Krka is to combine the hike at Skradinski Buk with a boat trip further up the Krka River. We chose the trip that goes via the island of Visovac and on to Roški Slap, which allowed us to experience a completely different side of the national park.

The boat trip is an experience in itself. As you leave the well-visited areas around Skradinski Buk, the landscape becomes calmer and the Krka River winds its way between green slopes and high cliffs. It is a nice break from the hike and at the same time a way to reach places that are much further into the national park.

The tour with stops at Visovac and Roški Slap takes several hours, so expect to spend most of the day if you also want to experience Skradinski Buk in peace and quiet. For us, the combination of hiking, waterfalls and boat trip was a perfect way to see more of Krka than just the most famous part.

Visovac – the monastery island in the middle of the Krka River

In the middle of the Krka River lies the small green island of Visovac with its Franciscan monastery. The island has been a place of prayer and silence for hundreds of years and is today one of the most special sights in the Krka National Park.

We came here by boat and went ashore to visit the monastery and the small island. Visovac is not big, but the contrast with the waterfalls and hiking trails makes the stop a completely different experience. It is quiet, green and almost surreally idyllic with the monastery surrounded by water.

What we still remember are also all the strange little details. Large tame birds walked around the island and pumpkins hung from the trees. Why? We never really understood that – but perhaps it is precisely such details that make you remember a place more than ten years later.

Roški Slap – Krka's quieter waterfall

Roški Slap is located further up the Krka River and is one of the national park's most famous waterfalls after Skradinski Buk. The area consists of a long series of smaller cascades before the water ends in a larger fall.

We arrived here by boat after the stop at Visovac and our first impression was that Roški Slap was not as powerful as Skradinski Buk. But that doesn't mean the area isn't worth a visit. On the contrary, it was much quieter and here we got a completely different experience of Krka.

We walked around the area, following the water and enjoying the greenery and the smaller falls. If you only have a few hours in Krka we would prioritize Skradinski Buk, but if you have a full day and combine Roški Slap with the boat trip and Visovac we definitely think it is worth following along all the way here.

Skradin or Lozovac – which entrance to choose?

Krka National Park has several entrances, but for a first visit focusing on Skradinski Buk, it is above all Skradin and Lozovac which are interesting. Which one you choose depends on how you want to start the experience.

Skradin is a good choice if you want to start with a boat trip. During the season, the national park's boats run from Skradin along the Krka River to Skradinski Buk. The boat trip becomes part of the visit itself and is a nice way to get closer to the waterfalls.

Lozovac is good if you come by car or camper and want to go directly to Skradinski Buk. During the season, the park's bus transport runs from the entrance down to the waterfalls. If you prefer to start with a walk, there is also a hiking trail approximately 875 meters long.

Our tip: If you want to make the journey into the national park part of the experience, we would choose Skradin and the boat. If you want to arrive easily by car or camper and start exploring Skradinski Buk right away, Lozovac is a good option.

How much time do you need in Krka National Park?

How much time you need in Krka depends primarily on how much of the national park you want to experience. For a first visit we would expect at least half a day, but if you want to combine Skradinski Buk with Visovac and Roški Slap, a full day is a much better choice.

• 2–3 hours: Focus on Skradinski Buk and the hiking trail around the waterfalls. It is suitable if Krka is a stop on the way between other places in Croatia.
• Half a day: Give yourself plenty of time at Skradinski Buk and combine the hike with the boat from Skradin if you choose that entrance. This will make the visit less stressful.
• A full day: Experience Skradinski Buk and continue with the boat trip to Visovac and Roški Slap. This is the option we would choose if you are visiting Krka for the first time and have the time.

Our tip: Don't try to cover the entire Krka National Park in one day. The area is large and the sights are spread out. Instead, choose a few experiences and give yourself time to actually enjoy them.

Best time to visit Krka National Park

Krka National Park can be visited all year round, but the experience varies greatly between the seasons. If you have the choice, we think that spring and autumn are the best periods, when the temperature is more comfortable for hiking and it is usually calmer than in the middle of summer.

Spring offers green nature and lots of water in the river and waterfalls. The temperature is also good for hiking around Skradinski Buk and discovering more parts of the national park.

Summer is the most intense period. July and August can be very hot and this is when many holidaymakers visit Krka. If you want to come during the high season, we recommend starting the day early, both to avoid the worst of the heat and to have a calmer experience at Skradinski Buk.

Autumn is our personal favorite. We visited Krka in October and had a fantastic day with sunshine and around 25 degrees. It was still green and warm, but much more pleasant to hike than on a really hot summer day.

Winter gives a completely different and calmer experience. The national park is open, but the boats from Skradin and the regular boat trips do not run during the winter period. If you want to experience the combination of hiking and boating, we would therefore choose spring, summer or autumn.

Tickets, prices and opening hours in Krka

The price of visiting Krka National Park varies greatly depending on the season. During the high season from June to September 2026, an adult ticket costs 40 euros, while during April, May and October the price is 20 euros. Children under 7 years old have free admission.

The regular entrance ticket is valid for Skradinski Buk and the park's other land-based attractions on the same day. During the period April–October, the park's boat between Skradin and Skradinski Buk is also included in the entrance ticket.

However, the longer boat trips to Visovac and Roški Slap, for example, cost extra. If you want to do the same boat trip as we did, you should therefore count both the entrance fee and the cost of the boat trip.

Opening times vary throughout the year and also between different parts of the national park, so always check the latest prices, opening times and boat trips on the official Krka National Park website before your visit.

How to get to Krka National Park

Krka National Park is located in Dalmatia in southern Croatia, near Šibenik and roughly midway between Zadar and Split, making it an easy day trip from much of the Dalmatian coast and a natural stop on a road trip through Croatia.

By car: A car or campervan is the easiest option, especially if you want to experience several parts of Krka. The national park is located close to the A1 motorway and for Skradinski Buk most people choose the entrance at Skradin or Lozovac.

From Sibenik: It is only about 15 kilometers to Lozovac and about 20 kilometers to Skradin.

From Zadar: Expect approximately 75–80 kilometers depending on which entrance you choose.

From Split: It is about 90 kilometers to Lozovac and just over 90 kilometers to Skradin, so Krka works well as a day trip from Split.

By bus: There are bus connections from Split and Zadar to Šibenik and Skradin, among others. Timetables vary with the season, so check current departures before your trip.

Krka by motorhome – parking and overnight stay

We found Krka National Park easy to visit with a camper van and for us Lozovac was a convenient choice. There is a large parking lot at the entrance and when we visited Krka we were there together with another camper van.

We remember the end of the day above all. It was October, the sun was shining and the temperature was around 25 degrees. After a full day of hiking, waterfalls, boat trips, Visovac and Roški Slap, we sat outside the camper in the parking lot and opened a large cold Croatian beer.

After a day like that, it tasted a little more than good.

For those traveling by motorhome, there are several campsites and other overnight accommodations in the area around Skradin and Lozovac. Check current parking regulations and overnight accommodations before your visit, as parking at the national park does not automatically mean that overnight stays are permitted.

Can you swim in Krka National Park?

Old photos of Krka often show people swimming in front of Skradinski Buk, but since 2021, swimming at the famous waterfall is no longer allowed. The ban was introduced to protect the sensitive nature of the national park and its unique tufa barriers.

However, this does not mean that swimming is prohibited everywhere in Krka. During the period from June 1 to September 30, swimming is permitted at your own risk in a specially designated area at Roški Slap, provided that the water level and temperature allow it.

If you've seen older pictures of Skradinski Buk and dream of swimming in front of the waterfalls, it's good to know that the rules have changed. Today, you can instead enjoy Skradinski Buk from the hiking trails, wooden bridges and viewpoints.

Food, toilets and service in Krka

There are restaurants, cafes and simple eateries at the most visited parts of Krka National Park, especially around Skradinski Buk. There are also toilets, souvenir shops and other services for visitors.

Toilets are available at the entrances and at several of the larger visitor sites, but not everywhere in the national park. Therefore, please take advantage of them when you are at an entrance or service point.

We recommend bringing water, especially during the summer when it can get really hot. If you're planning a full day of hiking and boating, it's also nice to have something small to eat in your backpack.

Our best tips for visiting Krka

• Decide what you want to experience before choosing admission. Krka is a large and sprawling national park. For a first visit, Skradinski Buk is the obvious highlight, but if you have a full day, we think Visovac and Roški Slap are great to combine with the waterfalls.
• Please set aside a whole day. It is possible to experience Skradinski Buk in a few hours, but Krka becomes much more than a waterfall if you also have time for a boat trip along the Krka River.
• Wear good shoes. A big part of the experience is walking along paths and wooden bridges through nature. Comfortable shoes make a big difference during a long day.
• Bring water. Especially during the summer it can get really hot and you can spend many hours outside in the national park.
• Allow extra time for the boat trips. Visovac and Roški Slap are not around the corner from Skradinski Buk. If you want to go on a longer boat trip, it should be a planned part of the day and not something you try to squeeze in at the end.
• Keep in mind that old Krka photos can be misleading. Swimming in front of Skradinski Buk is no longer allowed, although you can still find plenty of older photos of people doing just that.
• Don't try to see all of Krka in one day. Instead, choose a few parts of the national park and give yourself time to hike, take photos, and stop along the way. Krka is better when you have time to experience nature instead of just trying to get to the next attraction.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about Krka National Park

Which is the most beautiful waterfall in Krka?

Skradinski Buk is Krka's most famous waterfall and the one we would prioritize on a first visit. The experience is also about more than the waterfall itself – the hike through the greenery, wooden bridges and smaller rapids along the way is a big part of the visit.

Can you visit Krka with children?

Yes, Krka is a good place to visit with children, especially the area around Skradinski Buk. Keep in mind that it can get very hot during the summer and a full day of hiking and boat trips can be long for smaller children.

Can you bring dogs to Krka National Park?

Yes, dogs are allowed in Krka but must be kept on a leash. However, there are exceptions in some places – for example, dogs are not allowed in the monastery on the island of Visovac – so check the current rules if you want to bring your dog with you for the whole day.

Is Krka or Plitvice best?

They are two quite different nature experiences. Plitvice impresses with its many lakes, waterfalls and long systems of wooden bridges, while Krka is more spread out and combines waterfalls with the Krka River, boat trips and historical sites such as Visovac. If you have the opportunity, we definitely think that both national parks are worth a visit.

How far is it from Split to Krka National Park?

From Split, it is about 90 kilometers to the southern parts of Krka National Park and the journey takes about an hour by car, depending on traffic and which entrance you choose, making Krka a popular day trip from Split.

See more in Croatia

There is a lot to see and experience in Croatia. Here are some tips on nice places to visit, not too far from Krka National Park.

• Zadar - a historic city on the Adriatic Sea
• Trogir - a Unesco World Heritage Site in Croatia
• Split - a historic city on the Croatian coast
• Omiš - the 'pirate city' by the dramatic mountains

READ MORE: National parks in Croatia - 8 glorious oases

More national parks in Croatia

• Plitvice National Park
• Paklenica National Park

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