Krka NP is the second most famous national park of Croatia, after Plitvice Lakes. Both parks are home to incredible lakes and waterfalls. The big difference is that you can actually swim at Krka! Which is such a wonderful experience! Here is some advice I’d like to share with you before you start packing your bags!

 

 

What you should know about Krka before your visit

What is Krka NP?

The Krka river covers the surface of about 109km². It is one of the most beautiful and most popular tourist attractions of the Dalmatian Coast. What makes Krka so special is its particular phenomenon; the miracle of nature called travertine. Travertine is limestone deposited by mineral springs. It has formed natural dams in the Krka valley, that created the cascades.

 

The park counts 1022 plant species and is home to countless amphibians, reptiles, fish and birds. It is one of Europe’s most important ornithological areas.
Not only can you admire the lakes, the waterfalls and the surrounding nature, Krka also consists of many cultural and historical monuments such as fortresses and Roman settlements. Unfortunately they were too far away from the main waterfall to do by foot, so I wasn’t able to give them a visit.

 

How to get there?

I visited Krka NP from Sibenik. Which was very easy. I just had to take the local bus to Skradin, which took about 30 minutes. There you can buy your entrance ticket and take the free boat to the lower part of the park, where you can find its most famous waterfall; Skradinski Buk.

There are also busses from Split and Zadar that will take you there. Just make sure you know at what time the last bus returns and take the boat back in time. I had to run from the boat to the bus stop, just like 50 others (it was madness I tell ya! Maaaadness 🙂 ) to get there in time and then I came to the conclusion that the bus arrived early and that I missed it, so I had to catch a cab! I shared one with two French students, who had to return to Sibenik as well, to cut the cost and it was a really fun ride! The taxi driver, called Ivan, was really sweet and even offered us chocolate! I don’t know what happened to the 50 other stranded people… 🙂

 

I advise you to visit the park by car so you can drive to the other parts of the park as well. From the lower part it takes 5,5 hours by boat to reach the other waterfall Roski Slap and 9 hours to get to the furthest point of the park where you can find the Roman military camp.

 

 

What to see and do?

Hike

Unfortunately I only visited the lower part of the park, but there is plenty to do! I started my trip by hiking around. That way you can get a good view of all the different levels of lakes and waterfalls that are formed by the travertine. There are sand paths and paths made of wooden logs, just like at Plitvice Lakes. These paths take you across the water and waterfalls and show you the variety of plants and species that live here.

 

 

Admire the dragonflies

I was amazed by the bright colored blue dragonflies. I already saw some at Plitvice Lakes, but over here there were way more flying around and they were so bright! There were blue and even green ones! I was obsessed by them and tried to film and photograph them like a crazy person. What I found strange was that a lot of people didn’t even notice them or they didn’t care, while they were so beautiful!

 

 

Swim & relax in the sun

After the hike I got some lunch at the picnic spot and noticed that people were spread all over the lawn, sunbathing. So I decided to take a swim first at the Skradinski Buk waterfall and then do the same. I went all the way to the left side of the river bank, where you could still enter the water, so not too many people had to pass my backpack (I’m always afraid something gets stolen). I put out my shoes and clothes, walked through the mud and tree branches and then entered the water…

 

 

The water was ice cold! But I really wanted to get a good look at the waterfall and make some nice pictures so I had no choice but to balance myself through the water to find a steady spot. The bottom is made of slippery rocks that make it really hard to walk through the water. But I managed, took my pictures and then I had to leave because apparently we were at a spot where we weren’t allowed to go into the water!

I took my stuff and then I was able to enjoy the sun at the lawn. It was so nice to relax a little among both tourists and locals.

 

 

What to bring?

Plastic bags

This may seem strange, but I took a plastic bag to put my backpack and my shoes in, when going for a swim. That way the backpack and shoes don’t get mud all over them and they stay dry. Camera equipment stays safe and you don’t have to worry about other stuff getting wet.

Surf shoes or water sandals

I took neither of them and regretted it right after I took my shoes off. First of all I’m the kind of person that doesn’t like feet getting dirty. I hate sand and mud. Second, the bottom of the river was so slippery and you had to be careful not to hurt your feet. Surf shoes or water sandals could have been the perfect help to walk through the water more safely and faster. Now I looked like an old lady who was barely able to walk. Finding balance on slippery rocks in ice cold water is hard to do. Especially when you don’t want your stomach to get wet (too cold)!

Wet wipes

Like I stated before; I hate dirty feet. So wet wipes are the perfect item after your swim and walk back through the mud. As soon as I sat on my towel at the lawn, I took my wet wipes to clean my feet, so my sandals wouldn’t get ruined.

 

Did you visit the Krka NP yet? Did you see the other parts of the park? Or do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below!