Highlights of Croatia: Krka Waterfalls National Park

Krka Waterfalls National Park is a very unique tourist attraction especially for families around the summer. Tourists can plan a day trip to this exquisite destination directly from Split or any other major town in Croatia by booking a Krka Waterfalls National Park tour. There is so much to do in the national park apart from visiting the main national park. Some activities in the national park include:

• A visit to the Serbian Orthodox Krka Monastery and the Mother of Mercy Franciscan Monastery
• Tour Skradin, a little town by the river
• Enjoy Roman military history in Burnum
• Experience the 59.6-meter-high Monajlovac Slap, the 22.5-meter-high Roški Slap waterfall or the famous Skradinski Buk.
• Go on an educational hiking trail, like the 1.9 kilometer Skradinski Buk trail, the 1.36 kilometer Roški Slap trail, or 2.1 kilometer Krka Monastery trail
• Explore the five old Krka River Fortresses and learn the rich regional history of the place
• Tour one of the six restored grain mills and water mills and experience the old ways of crushing grains to flour using spinning wheels

Krka Waterfalls National Park History and Facts

Krka Waterfalls National Park is one of the eight national parks in Croatia and is by far the most visited with close to one million visitors annually. This is because of the Krka river and the Plitvice lakes. Along the river is travertine stone, which allows the formation of cascades along the length of the river. There are at least 1,022 different species of flora in the park and even more species of small animals like reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects such as dragonflies and so on. The area became a national park in 1985. It is located in Dalmatia, with close proximity to Šibenik. Due to its serene environment, there are a number of monasteries in the area.

Things to Bring When Visiting Krka Waterfalls National Park

Depending on why you visit the National Park, you must bring some essentials so as to maximize your experience.

• Bring either waterproof sandals or surfing shoes – these are very important because there are a lot of water activities around the park and it is very likely that any other kind of shoe will get ruined. Hiking shoes are important for people looking to participate in any trail hikes or just walking around the park.
• Plastic bags to keep your belongings from getting wet especially electronics such as phones and cameras
• Sunscreen – being in the sun all day can cause a nasty sunburn, hence, the need for sunscreen
• Change of clothes – you should consider the different activities of the day and bring swimsuits, sunhats, extra clothes to change into, towels, etc.
• Drinking water and snacks – you cannot be too careful even if there are vendors selling water in the park
• Camera – what better way to remember the breath-taking sceneries than taking photos

 

What You Should Know Before Visiting Krka Waterfalls National Park

1. Tickets – Depending on the time of year, one can either buy their tickets online during peak season or at the gate during off-peak season. The fees also vary with seasons and age.
2. Transportation – You can access the national park from most major towns in the region like Šibenik, Split, Zadar, and Dubrovnik, among others. There are public trains and buses that offer transportation to and from the national park. There are other options such as taxis and car hiring services that one can also consider. Once at the park, they offer a complimentary boat ride with the ticket to the Skradinski Buk, located on the lower side of the park.
3. The best time to visit the park – July and August are the busiest months and the entrance fee is also very high at €25. November to March are the cheapest times with entrance fees as low as €4. There are no free boat rides or shuttle buses at this time. The best times to visit the national park are between April and June or September and October. One can enjoy affordable entrance fees at €14 and free services with little crowding.

 

Highlights of the Krka Waterfalls National Park

The main walking trails in the park are made of wood, which makes it easier to follow. There are 200 of them going downwards and 85 coming back up, depending on the route one takes. The Skradinski Buk is by far the most magical waterfall with 17 cascades. You can swim here as opposed to Plitvice lakes where they only allow sightseeing.

From the Skradinski Buk, there is a restaurant area, restrooms, and souvenir shops where one can buy whatever they want. One can visit the hydroelectric plant, which is close by as Nichola Tesla is from the area. It is the second of its kind after the one in Niagara Falls.

For those looking to enjoy a fun-filled vacation with their family, consider Krka Waterfalls National Park. You can look forward to seeing different species of flora and fauna, learn a lot about religion of the area in the monasteries, historical significance of the ancient fortresses, restored flour mills, the beautiful nature, and so much more. Krka National Park is truly a gem in Croatia.