Krka National Park is a popular tourist destination, luring visitors with its exceptional natural beauty. Hike to waterfalls, take boat excursions along its peaceful lakes and check out its historical monasteries and old mills.
Extending over 68 square miles (176 square kilometres), this park takes its name from the River Krka, which runs through it en route to the Adriatic Sea. The river forks and splits through the park, running into picturesque gorges, lakes and multi-layered cascades.
Look for the famous Skradinski Buk, a sequence of terraced falls that flow into a shimmering blue pool. Follow the boardwalk around the waterfall network, which leads through forests and past gurgling streams to scenic viewpoints. Bring your bathing suit along to splash or swim in the large pool at the bottom of these cascades. Don’t miss Roški Slap, another popular series of waterfalls within the park’s boundaries.
Try to spot some of the unique wildlife species that inhabit the forests and aquatic environments. Among them are rare and endangered creatures including wild cats, greater horseshoe bats and wolves.
Though nature now provides the greatest attractions, the park shows evidence of past human activities. Seek out the ruins of a Roman military camp at the modern-day village of Ivoševci. The park is also home to the remains of medieval fortresses as well as several industrial-era mills dotted along the river’s banks.
During the summer, take park-operated boat excursions to the Mother of Mercy Franciscan monastery, which sits on a tree-ringed island in the middle of Lake Visovac. Elsewhere in the park, the 14th-century Krka Monastery overlooks the river and can be visited independently or with a guided tour in summer.
Krka National Park is located in central Dalmatia about 6 miles (10 kilometres) from the town of Šibenik. The park has several entrances and numerous ways of reaching them. Embark on an organised excursion or take a bus from Šibenik to the town of Skradin, located near one of the entrances. It is about an hour’s drive north from Split. There is a fee to enter.
