If you’re planning to visit the incredible Krka National Park in Croatia, then you’ve come to the right place.
Krka National Park is a major bucket list item for many, and is the Croatian epicenter of lush greenery, insanely beautiful views, and roaring waterfalls. Plus, unlike at Plitvice Lakes National Park, you can even swim here.
In my month traveling Croatia, Krka National Park easily became one of my favorite destinations. In this article, we’ll cover everything you should know before you travel to Krka, including how to get there, entrance fees, where to swim, and travel tips.
Let’s dive in!
Krka National Park Visitor’s Guide
How to Get to Krka National Park
If you’re traveling to Krka from Split, as I did, and you don’t have a rental car, then there is a charter bus that will take you straight from the bus station on the promenade to Krka (Skradin), and pick you up later that day.
It’s not a tour, but given the number of people who do this trek, they make it super easy to get there and back. The bus ride is about an hour and fifteen minutes long and will give you wicked views of the countryside along the way.
We booked a day in advance (in June) to make sure we got a spot, but I suggest that if you are traveling in July or August (high season in Croatia) that you book as far in advance as you can.
Additionally, if you’re traveling from Zadar, then there is also a bus that takes about an hour and a half to get to Krka.
👉 Tour alert! This highly-rated Krka tour from Split includes round trip transportation and a boat ride.
Krka National Park Entrance Fees
Once you get to Skradin, the historic town sitting just outside the park, you’ll find the booths to purchase your tickets into the park with ease. Tickets are roughly 150 Kuna (20 Euro), but fluctuate given the seasons. Make sure you check updated prices here before you get there.
Once you purchase your ticket, you’ll be guided into a line that will take you onto a ferry that will then float you to the main attractions within the park. Make sure that you grab a map of the park at the ticket booth, as this will come in very handy for getting around and making sure you grab the right ferries to your destinations.
👉 Pro Tip: Renting a car abroad can be a hassle. Use Discover Cars to compare and contrast options and book your rental ahead of time.
Swimming in Krka
As you can see in the photo below, so many people come to Krka National Park to swim in the pristine waters beneath the stunning waterfalls. As temperatures get insanely hot in Croatia in the summertime, I highly recommend you bring your bathing suit to do just this.
However, one thing that I have to note here is to be wary of pickpockets. My friend Cailee and I got to the main watering hole around noon and noticed that it was jam-packed with people. As we were scoping out the area looking for a place to take a dip, a lady came up to us and told us that she had heard of pickpockets in the area.
Armed with that news, we decided to continue on to explore the park on foot and let the swimmers clear out a bit before going swimming ourselves. We eventually made it back to the swimming area around 4 pm and, while there were still people in the area with us, it wasn’t nearly as packed as earlier.
📚 Related Reading: 10 Best Day Trips from Split, Croatia That You’ll Love
Krka Waterfalls
Because who doesn’t go to Krka National Park to see a million unreal waterfalls?! Trust me when I say that Krka is packed to the brim with gorgeous flowing falls and chances are you’ll never tire of seeing them and feeling their cool spray on your skin.
What’s super cool about the waterfalls and caves in Krka is that they’re made of calcium carbonate (limestone) that builds up about 1cm per year. That means that the waterfalls are ever evolving and give a unique experience to visitors every year.
📚 Related Reading: Best Things to Do in Mljet Island, Croatia
Krka Wildlife
Walking through the paths at Krka, you can’t help but be in awe of the amazing wildlife seen everywhere. From fish to dragonflies, make sure you stop and enjoy the company every now and again!
Krka National Park Hiking
Exploring the trails around Krka was one of my favorite activities. For leisurely strollers, there is a 40-minute trail loop that will take you from the main swimming area, through some incredible scenery and wildlife, and back to civilization.
It’s a super-easy loop and conquering it won’t require you to be super fit or have special footwear. Additionally, the loop is especially brilliant given that during some points you’ll be walking on wooden planks over waterfalls and fish.
However, if you’re a more experienced hiker and you feel like getting off the wooden slabs a bit, then there are a ton of other great trail options in Krka.
📚 Related Reading: Best Things To Do in Split, Croatia (+ tips you need to know!)
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What to Pack for Krka National Park
Swim Gear: I highly recommend bringing your favorite swimsuit, dry bag, quick-drying towel, and water shoes for swimming.
Hiking Gear: Even if you don’t plan on hitting the harder trails, you’ll definitely want a pair of sturdy walking shoes, a water bottle, and eco-friendly sunscreen.
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Thanks for reading my guide to visiting Krka National Park in Croatia! Up next, check out my picks for the best things to do in Split.
Have fun in Krka National Park!
