If you love waterfalls, Croatia is a must! Due to its jagged coastline and plethora of rivers, waterfalls abound in this tiny country. Most people have heard of Plitvice, the country’s largest national park. But the real gem of a park is Krka (pronounced “ker-ka”), in the town of Dalmatia. You won’t get caught in hordes of tourists, and you’ll have better luck with the weather, too. Here’s what you need to know about Krka Waterfalls National Park.
Where (the Heck) Is Krka Waterfalls National Park?
Krka Waterfalls National Park is located in Croatia, a European country just east of Italy. Not only the birthplace of Nikola Tesla, Marco Polo, and the necktie, Croatia also has a robust tourism industry due largely to its breathtaking beauty. (Within the first half of 2019 alone, the country had more than 16 million visitors and over 90 million bookings!)
With eight national parks, beautiful beaches, and over 1,000 islands off the Adriatic coast, Croatia’s got it all. It’s also super affordable compared to the rest of Europe. (Already convinced? We’ve got the perfect Croatian getaway just for you!)
A Note on Language
Croatian is the official language of Croatia, spoken by 95% of its citizens (who call themselves Croats!). The good news about Croatian? It’s phonetic, meaning once you learn the sounds for each accent, the words are pronounced as written. And don’t be fooled by its lack of vowels: “Krka” is pronounced like “ker-ka.” Easy-peasy! (Learn more fun Croatian phrases here!)
What’s So Special About Krka Waterfalls National Park?
Krka Waterfalls National Park is an ecological marvel. Covering 55 square miles, the park is home to seven waterfalls so strong, they helped power the world’s second-oldest hydroelectric plant. Besides waterfalls, you’ll experience over 800 species of plant life, 200 species of birds, 18 species of bats, and an assortment of diverse amphibians and reptiles.
What Is a Karst?
Krka Waterfalls National Park is one of the few places in the world where you can find a kind of topography called karst. Karst is made up of sinkholes, caves, and springs that were created over millions of years by water-corroding rock (say what?!). Diverse organisms thrive in karst. As such, it’s extremely vulnerable to pollution. So look but don’t touch: You are witnessing a geological phenomenon that took millions of years to create!
A bit of good news for you non-hikers: Krka is a walk in the park—literally! The one trail in the park is a wooden boardwalk that’s mostly flat and—word has it—can be traversed in flip-flops. Spend an hour on the boardwalk winding past a small village and shaded ponds towards gorgeous lookout points over the falls.
Finally, the Moment You’ve Been Waiting For…
Let’s take a closer look at some of the more popular features of this magnificent park:
Skradinski Buk Falls
A collection of 18 waterfalls that span 150 feet in height, Skradinski Buk is one of the two main waterfall collections featured in the park. Get ready to take some amazing travel photos! The cafe and bathrooms near the falls make it easy to spend an afternoon here, basking in the sun.
Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls
Swimming at Skradinski Buk has been prohibited since January of 2021 in order to protect the park’s rich biodiversity. (NO: swimsuit; YES: sunblock!)
Visovac Island
After you’ve had enough time marveling at Skradinski Buk, stop by Visovac, a tiny island in the Krka River. The island was settled in 1445 by Franciscan monks, who built a church and monastery there that still displays artifacts from the era. The island is nicknamed “Our Lady’s Island” after the Virgin Mary.
Roski Slap Falls
From Skradinski Buk, drive or take a boat to Roski (pronounced “ROSH-kee”) Slap, the other main feature of Krka. This series of 12 waterfalls span 72 feet in height, earning the nickname “Vast Waterfall.”
Charming Watermills
Near both Skradinski Buk and Roski Slap, you’ll notice watermills in little “ethno-villages” that have been preserved for educational viewing. These watermill structures, which include a kitchen, sleeping quarters, and mills, have been very important to the economy of this region for centuries, and touring them will give you a picturesque glimpse into the past.
Did We Mention Ancient Fortresses?!
Besides the ethno-villages, Krka Waterfalls National Park also features five ancient fortresses for visitors to view. The fortresses were built in the Middle Ages by Croatian noblemen and royalty. (That’s right: You can satisfy your nature craving and history craving all in one tour!)
Fun Fact
As if all this weren’t enough to make visiting Krka Waterfalls National Park a priority, there’s more: the park has been featured on the television series “Game of Thrones.”
Travel With Us
Explore Krka Waterfalls National Park with The Travel Yogi! We start day two of our Croatia Adventure with a refreshing early morning yoga session before heading to Krka, where we take in the beautiful Skradinski Buk Falls. Then, we wind past emerald pools on the wooden boardwalk and enjoy more majestic views. Afterward, we head to a local organic farm for views, folktales, and a relaxing lunch before returning to the city of Split for an evening yoga session and dinner in an historic hotel. Learn more or book your reservation today.