National Park
Krka National Park
Home to a chain of seven travertine waterfalls on the Krka River, with boardwalks around Skradinski Buk and boat trips to the island monastery of Visovac.
Founder, from Ruma, Serbia
Krka National Park protects the lower course of the Krka River, which drops through a chain of seven travertine waterfalls on its way to the sea near Šibenik. The most famous is Skradinski Buk, a wide, many-tiered cascade and one of the most beautiful natural sights in Croatia.
Wooden walkways loop around Skradinski Buk and past restored watermills, while boat trips head upstream to Visovac, a Franciscan monastery on a tiny island, and on to the Roški Slap falls. Swimming below Skradinski Buk used to be the park's big draw, but it has been banned since 2021 to protect the ecosystem, so plan on walking and boat trips instead.
Skradin is the most scenic entry point, with boats running up the river to the falls. Krka is about an hour from Split and 20 minutes from Šibenik, making it an easy day trip. Spring and autumn bring the fullest falls and thinner crowds, and in summer it pays to arrive early. Combine it with Plitvice Lakes inland or a boat day in the Kornati Islands from Šibenik.
When to go
April through October, with spring and autumn bringing the fullest falls and thinner crowds.
Getting there
Roughly 1 hour from Split or 20 minutes from Sibenik by car.
Plan your visit
What it costs, how long to allow, and where to base yourself.
Day trips from Split from €35, park ticket extra
Half day
Skradin or Šibenik
Split, 1 hr
Where to stay for Krka National Park: Skradin or Šibenik
Skradin is the most scenic entry point to Krka, with boats running up the river to Skradinski Buk, so staying in town makes an early start easy in busy summer. Hotel Skradinski Buk is central, Hotel Bonaca adds a pool, and guesthouses cover tighter budgets. Šibenik, 20 minutes away, has more choice and boat trips to the Kornati Islands.
Hotel Skradinski Buk
Hotel
Price Range:
Mid-range
Hotel with its own restaurant about 150 m from Skradin's centre. The boats up to Skradinski Buk leave from town.
150 m to Skradin centre
Hotel Bonaca
Hotel
Price Range:
Upscale
Four star hotel in Skradin with an outdoor pool, a good place to cool off after the walkways at the falls.
In Skradin
Guest House Ankora
Guesthouse
Price Range:
Budget
Budget rooms in central Skradin with free parking, about a 5-minute walk from the old town.
5 min walk to the old town
Who it's for
Best for: A half-day from Split or Šibenik. Boardwalks loop around Skradinski Buk past restored watermills, and boat trips run upstream to the island monastery at Visovac.
Skip it if: You came to swim. That was the park's big draw until 2021, when it was banned. Kravice in Bosnia is now the nearest swimmable waterfall.
Nearby places
Easy to combine on the same trip.
Krka questions
Can I visit the Visovac monastery?
Yes, by boat. Trips run upstream to Visovac, a Franciscan monastery on a tiny island, and on to the Roški Slap falls. They cost extra on top of the park ticket.
How do I get to Krka?
Split is about an hour by car. No car? A guided day trip from Split covers the bus, the boat ride from Skradin and a swim stop in Primošten. Half a day is enough for the waterfalls and walkways.
How busy does it get?
Busy in peak summer, though generally less crowded than Plitvice given its closer proximity to coastal towns.
How much does it cost to enter Krka?
Park entry runs from about €7 in winter to €40 in peak summer (June to September), with shoulder months in between. A guided day trip from Split with the Skradin boat ride starts around €35, plus the park ticket. Boat trips to Visovac and Roški Slap cost extra. Check the official park site for current rates.
How long do I need?
Half a day covers the Skradinski Buk loop comfortably. Add a few hours for the boat trip upstream to Visovac and the Roški Slap falls.
Krka or Plitvice?
Krka is closer to the coast, easier to fit into a Split or Šibenik stay, and less crowded. Plitvice is bigger and more spectacular. If you only have time for one and are based on the coast, Krka wins on logistics.
Can I still swim at Krka?
No. Swimming below Skradinski Buk has been banned since 2021 to protect the ecosystem. Plan on walking the boardwalks and taking a boat trip instead.
Which entrance should I use?
Skradin. Boats run from there up the river to the falls, which is the most scenic way in and avoids the busier road entrance.
Ready to see Krka?
Day trip from Split: boat cruise from Skradin into the park, free time at Skradinski Buk, then a swim stop in Primošten. Park ticket extra.
