Krka National Park runs alongside the Krka River in the southernmost part of Croatia and is prized for its seven cascading waterfalls. Up north, you will find a hiking trail that passes through a different series of spectacular waterfalls. Visovac Island houses the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy. The Krka Monastery was developed above old Roman catacombs and Roški Slap.
Krka National Park is one of two national parks that are home to stunning waterfalls and lakes. Located in the center of Šibenik-Knin County, Krka National Park comprises an area of 109km.
Running along the Krka river, Krka National Park extends from the Adriatic to the mountains in the interior. This park resembles a magical fairytale with many gorges, waterfalls, and gushing rivers along the karstic canyon. Manufactured structures are also an attraction, and the area is known to draw monks, who are attracted to its seclusion and remoteness.
Extending from the Dinaric Range to the sea, the 73km Krka River and its divine waterfalls characterize the scenery of Krka National Park. The waterfalls are called a karstic phenomenon, meaning that river water sliced through limestone to create a 200m deep canyon. While this natural site is impressive and worth seeing, artificial sights are also worth traveling to.
The park has five main entrances: Lozovac, Skradin, Krka Monastery, Roški Slap, and Burnum, and all can be reached by car.
Visovac Monastery is a beautiful piece of history located in Krka National Park and is a must-see while visiting Croatia. The monastery was built from 1445 to 1460 by the Bosnian Franciscan order.
In 1993, the island came under siege during the Croat-Bosniak War, and all but one friar fled abroad while many civilians took refuge there. In 1995, peace returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina after signing the Dayton, and refugees began returning home soon after.
The monastery remains open to visitors all year round except for January. Visitors can explore the church, part of which has now been turned into a museum depicting both old items and traditional Croatian artworks. The 12th-century Glagolitic Mass is still held once a month in the church. More than 100 people can fit into the church for mass, celebrated by one of six monks who live on the island.
For those interested in historical artifacts, there are several Roman tombstones dating from around 500 AD located around the monastery’s yard. These were collected from various sites around Visovac before being placed here after renovations took place during the 19th century. The monastery is best known for its unique Glagolitic script, which can still be seen today on many of their manuscripts and homespun items.
The main attraction in Krka National Park, this hour-long trail goes along boardwalks and tiny islands in the emerald green river and ends at the park’s largest waterfall.
Skradinski Buk’s 800m-long waterfall drops by nearly 46m before falling into the lower lake, a favorite swimming spot. Nearby, a group of memorable mill cottages has been transformed into workshops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. As you can imagine, this area can get quite busy during peak tourist season.
Close to the Skradinski Buk waterfall, the Krka River widens into a large lake known for being home to local water birds. At its center, you can find a tree-lined island, a perfectly reclusive spot for a monastery. Augustinian hermits founded this monastery in the 14th century, and it was expanded in 1445. In the 17th century, the church was widely remodeled, and the bell tower was added in 1728.
If you have seen photos of Krka National Park, you’ll know how stunning and vibrant it is. It looks like something out of a fairytale with serene natural wonders like hundreds of waterfalls pouring into small emerald green pools.
Can’t Miss: The impressive waterfalls of Skradinski Buk along with the charming town of Skradin make Krka National Park a popular destination. The falls are a series of 17 impressive waterfalls that make for a beautiful sight. The rest of the park is beautiful as well. Roški Slap, located in the upper part of the park, is a series of smaller cascades that look like necklaces draped across the river.
Insider Tip: Visovac Island is a great place to visit if you have some extra time. Not only is the monastery a beautiful site, but the monks are always happy to show tourists around and let them try some of their delicious beer. So be sure to add it to your list of places to see while in Croatia!
Restaurants: If you love seafood, you must try Cantinetta. Cantinetta is known for its fresh fish and wine, produced just a mile from Skradin, a small town at the entrance to Krka National Park. Cantinetta serves some of the finest seafood on the Croatian coast; be sure to try their grilled fish of the day or even their grilled octopus while enjoying the local Croatian wine.
As one of the most beautiful places in Croatia and indeed Europe, Krka National Park should be on everyone’s Balkan itinerary. Yes, it receives a lot of tourists, but for a good reason. Between its breathtaking canyons and whimsical waterfalls, there’s simply nowhere else quite like it. In this article, we share everything you need to know about Krka National Park’s natural and cultural highlights and the exciting ways to explore them with Always Croatia.
Krka National Park is a protected nature reserve of outstanding natural beauty situated along the Krka River near the coastal town of Sibenik in Croatia. The park blends a breathtaking natural landscape with a deep cultural heritage, making it one of the foremost places to visit in Croatia and the Balkans.
Krka National Park is best known for its string of seven majestic waterfalls which cascade through the park’s fragrant Mediterranean forests imbued with lavender, sage, and violets over mossy tufa rocks into its signature emerald pools. With hiking trails and biking routes dotted with scenic viewpoints laced throughout, visitors can behold the exceptional beauty of the park for themselves.
Spanning several kilometres along Krka River National Park lie a chain of waterfalls that have gained the world’s attention making it one of Croatia’s must-visit destinations. The Krka waterfalls are collectively defined by their whimsical character as the water is combed out between lumpy moss-covered rocks as it pummels to the emerald river below. Yet, from their size and shape to their setting, each waterfall has distinct features that makes them all worth a visit. But while some are easily reachable on short hiking paths, others are tucked away awaiting those with an extra sense of adventure.
At first glance, Krka River National Park is a stunning natural reserve embellished by whimsical waterfalls but look deeper and find its cultural heritage is just as rich as its nature. The park’s enchanting beauty has called settlers into its forests, canyons, and caves since prehistoric times, lending to a rich cultural heritage that is still evident today.
While the caves offer signs of Iron Age life, the astonishing 1st-century Burnum military camp shows the Romans once occupied Krka. Throughout the Middle Ages, the river became dotted with Medieval castles and forts which lie in ruins today providing some of the park’s best viewpoints and photo opportunities. And most recently, in the early 20th century, the river became the source of one of Europe’s first hydroelectric power plants which, although no longer operating, still stands today along with charming Croatian watermills.
There are 21 hiking trails spanning a total of 47 km in Krka National Park mostly ranging from easy to moderate; only a couple of them are considered challenging. Since the park is relatively flat, it’s accessible to most people regardless of their hiking experience. With trails from less than a kilometre long to more than 30 km, you can hike in the park whether you’ve got an hour to spare or a whole day. All of them offer a satisfying slice of Krka’s incredible nature and heritage. Here are some of the most popular Krka National Park hiking routes:
Krka National Park is one of the most popular places for biking in the Balkans and with 388km of cycling trails through beautiful protected land, it’s easy to see why. With mountain biking, road, and trekking routes, Krka can be enjoyed by all cyclists. While mountain bikers whizz their way around the off-road routes, families can enjoy a safe and peaceful asphalted cycle. On a bike, you can cover more of the park’s gorgeous viewpoints in less time. Here’s some of the most popular Krka National Park biking routes:
Krka National Park offers four boat excursions to intriguing points of interest from an isolated island to a medieval fortress. Since the park is centred around the Krka River and its series of seven waterfalls, exploring it by boat offers an incredible alternative perspective. From the river, the park’s lush blanket of Mediterranean forests surrounds you on all sides while the waterfalls spray you with a refreshing mist. Here’s more about boat excursions in the Krka Lakes Croatia:
Cikola – Get a glimpse of Kljucica Fortress, Cekinac Cove, and Krnica Lake en route to Torak Lake spring.
Visovac Island – Take a boat to this isolated island where a Franciscan monastery stands in the middle of a Krka lake and discover its unique history as a place of pilgrimage.
Roski Slap Waterfall – a four-hour tour from Skradinski waterfall through the Medu Gredama canyon to Visovac Island, featuring a hike along the Roski slap necklace waterfall to see the historic watermills
Medieval fortresses – ride along the Roski Slap waterfall to two of Krka’s scenic ruined medieval fortresses which offer a fascinating insight into the Krka River’s history as well as sensational views.
Boasting a Mediterranean climate, Croatia experiences four seasons with hot summers and mild winters. The park’s forests change with the seasons from full lush foliage in the spring and summer to fiery fall colours in autumn and bare and frosty in the winter. Since each season brings a new look to Krka River National Park, it stays open all year long so that its changing scenery can be enjoyed to the full. While the park is worth visiting at any time of year, it may be better to visit in the spring before temperatures peak or in the autumn when its trees wear their auburn coat.
The best way to visit the Krka River National Park is on an Always Croatia cruise which combines authentic Croatian land excursions and Adriatic sailing adventures with luxury living. Choose between our thoughtfully curated luxury and island-hopping cruise itineraries or create your own when chartering one of Always Croatia’s sleek motor and sailing yachts. Find out more about visiting Krka National Park on an Always Croatia cruise by contacting our Croatia travel experts here.
