HOW TO VISIT KRKA NATIONAL PARK IN CROATIA: A COMPLETE GUIDE

MAR 7, 2022

KRKA National Park is a UNESCO Heritage Site located in the Dalmatia region of Croatia, just a short 15 minute drive from the coastal town of Sibenik. This guide is meant to assist anyone planning a visit.

Why Visit KRKA National Park?

Krka National Park is like stepping into nature’s water world. It remains mostly unaltered, except for the wooden walkways built for humans to hover above its pristine waters. But if you take one look, you will understand that this national park is a force of nature. This park made my jaw drop. I have never been so close to so much running water in my life. During the summer, the weather is warm enough and you are even allowed to swim here!

Best Time to Visit Krka National Park

I recommend visiting during the off season. I thoroughly enjoy visiting national parks when they are less crowded. I visited in November and was probably one of only 5 visitors in the park. Some entrances are closed during winter season, but the Lozovac entrance is open year round.

Peak season is during the months of June through September. It's best to visit at the beginning or tail end of these months to avoid the busy crowds. However! You are allowed to swim in the waterfall's waters, and it is warmest in July and August, so you may want to add that to your consideration when planning.

Entrance fees vary throughout the season and prices are less for children. When entering Lozovac, the price of the boat ride is included in the ticket, but there were no boats running when I went in November.

Adults:

April - October: 200 Kuna / $28.70 USD
November - March: 30 Kuna / $4.31 USD

Park hours vary throughout the year. I've learned that in the low tourist season from October to April, most parks close quite early before the sun sets and the temperatures drop, so it is best to check before you go.

KRKA's hours throughout the year can be found HERE

How to Get to Krka National Park

You can reach the park by motorcycle, car, bus, or guided tour. I rode my motorcycle from Sibenik and parked at the Lozovac entrance, which had a gigantic parking lot with free parking, public restrooms, and a snack bar. Driving or renting a car would be easiest so you can hop to the next entrance as you please. There is also an option of taking the bus or purchasing tours from neighboring cities.

To purchase Croatia's bus tickets, click HERE

KRKA boat routes and times of operation HERE

Park Entrances: Which One to Choose?

Krka National Park has five entrances:
Lozovac (the main entrance where I entered from to hike Skradinski Buk)
Skradin
Roski Slap/ Laskovica
Kistanje/ Manastir KRKA
Burnum/ Puljane

More information about the entrances can be found HERE

Hiking in Krka National Park

Skradinski Buk: The Must-Do Hike

I only hiked Skradinki Buk, so can only speak to that one. The scenic views are impressive and I highly recommend it.This 5.8 mile/ 9.3 km trail is mostly flat, and sprinkled with some moderate uphill sections. It's more of a stroll than a hike. The areas of the wooden walkways that hover above the water do not have railings, so one must pay attention and look forward while hiking or they may end up in the water. This hike is also the most popular, so go right when the park opens to avoid crowds or choose a less crowded trail.

There are over 20 hiking trails with varying mileages and difficulties which can be found HERE

How Much Time Do You Need in Krka National Park?

Ideally, you’d want at least a week to fully explore all entrances and trails. I did not do any research beforehand, so assumed there was only one entrance and all the hikes were connected and branched off each other. However, you need to exit and drive to the next entrance to see the rest of the park. I only allotted myself one day. Looking back, I wish I could have spent more time in KRKA, but I needed to keep moving South because winter was getting too cold riding for me. If you have limited time like I did, and only have a day or two, I recommend entering through the Lozovac entrance, hiking Skradinski Buk and taking a boat ride so you can see more of the park on boat. This would give you a good mix of both experiences.

Park Amenities

The Lozovac entrance offers public restrooms, free parking and a snack bar. Further inside the park, there was a souvenir shop, more restrooms, shops and cafes. The cafes were closed in November, but are open during peak season.

Where to Stay Near Krka National Park

There are many hotels sprinkled all around the various park entrances. If you are not staying in a hotel adjacent to KRKA, I recommend staying in Sibenik so you can explore the local area as well. The old town is very interesting and amazing to walk through.