Krka National Park and the city of Šibenik make a natural combined day trip from Split, lying approximately 80 km north along the Dalmatian coast and reachable in around 1.5 hours by car or organized minibus excursion. The park protects a 73-km stretch of the Krka River canyon, its series of travertine waterfalls, and the wetland and riparian habitats surrounding them — a distinct Dalmatian counterpart to Plitvice Lakes, set at lower altitude and more directly accessible from the southern coast.
The park's centrepiece is Skradinski Buk, a 17-step cascade dropping approximately 45 metres in total, accessible from the lower park entrance at Skradin by a 20-minute boat ride from Skradin town (included in the park entry fee). A circular boardwalk route encircles the waterfall complex, passing reconstructed watermills, a small ethnographic display, and viewpoints over the cascade. The upper park section contains the Visovac island monastery — a Franciscan friary established in the 15th century on a small island in the canyon lake, still inhabited by friars and accessible by short boat excursion (approximately €20 extra). The Roski Slap waterfalls further upstream are a quieter alternative set amid maquis scrub and old stone mills.
Šibenik, 15 km from the park's main Lozovac entrance, merits a two-hour visit in its own right. The Cathedral of St James (Katedrala Sv. Jakova) was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. Built entirely from stone between 1432 and 1555 — no brick or mortar used in the walls — it represents a pioneering transition between Venetian Gothic and Renaissance architecture. A frieze of 71 portrait heads carved along the exterior apse is among the most photographed architectural details in Dalmatia. The Tvrđava Sv. Mihovila (St Michael's Fortress) above the old town hosts summer concerts and commands views over the Šibenik channel.
From Split, organized minibus tours (€45-55 including park entry) depart from the Promenade waterfront and are the most convenient option. Independent travellers can take a Šibenik-bound bus from Split bus station (1.5 hrs, €8-10), then a local bus or taxi to Skradin or the Lozovac park entrance. A suggested day arc: depart Split by 8am, reach Šibenik by 10am for the Cathedral of St James, continue to Lozovac by 11am for the Skradinski Buk boardwalk through midday, and return to Split by mid-afternoon. Park entry is €25-35 per adult in high season, with tickets available at np-krka.hr.
How to get there
- Organized tour from Split (includes park entry, ~€50)
- Car rental via A1 then coastal D8 road
- Bus to Šibenik then local bus to park entrance
Highlights
- Skradinski Buk waterfall cascade - swimming allowed in the pools
- Boat trip to Visovac island monastery
- Roski Slap upper waterfalls and mills
- Šibenik's UNESCO Cathedral of St James (15th century)
Tips for visiting
- Buy Krka National Park tickets at np-krka.hr before leaving Split — the Lozovac car park fills completely by 10am in peak summer and the entrance closes when capacity is reached.
- The Skradin entry point (lower park, boat from Skradin town) is less crowded than Lozovac and offers a scenic approach up the canyon by river boat.
- Spend the morning in Šibenik at the Cathedral of St James, then head to the park by 11am — this order ensures a quieter cathedral visit before tour groups arrive.
- Book the Visovac island monastery boat excursion (€20 extra) at the Skradin dock when purchasing entry tickets — spaces are limited and sell out on busy days.
- Swimming in Krka's pools has been suspended since 2020; the park remains excellent for waterfall walks, birdwatching, and riverbank walks along otter-inhabited stretches of the Krka River.
When to visit
April through June and September through October offer the best conditions: waterfall volume is higher from spring rains or autumn run-off, summer heat is more manageable, and the car parks at Lozovac are less likely to fill before arrival. Midsummer weekends see the heaviest crowds and earliest capacity closures.
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors still swim at Krka National Park?
Swimming was permitted at Skradinski Buk until 2019 but has been prohibited since 2020 due to ecological conservation requirements. No swimming is permitted anywhere within the national park boundaries.
How do visitors reach Krka National Park from Split without a car?
Organized day tours from Split (€45-55 including park entry) are the simplest option, departing from the Promenade waterfront. Independent travellers can take a bus to Šibenik (1.5 hrs, €8-10) then a local bus or taxi to Skradin or the Lozovac park entrance.
What is the difference between Krka and Plitvice Lakes national parks?
Both protect travertine lake-and-waterfall systems, but Krka sits at lower altitude on the Dalmatian coast near Šibenik, while Plitvice is deeper inland and closer to Zagreb. Krka is more easily combined with a coastal Dalmatian holiday; Plitvice has a larger lake system and is typically visited from Zagreb.
What is the Visovac island monastery?
Visovac is a small Franciscan monastery on an island in the middle of Krka's canyon lake, founded in the 15th century and still home to resident friars. Access is by short boat excursion from Skradin (approximately €20 extra, not included in park entry).
How long does the Skradinski Buk boardwalk circuit take?
The circular boardwalk around Skradinski Buk waterfall takes 1-2 hours at a relaxed pace. Including the boat from Skradin town and a lunch break, most visitors spend 3-4 hours at the lower park entrance.