Perfect Day Trip To Krka Waterfalls From Split, Croatia

I recently had a fantastic day visiting Krka National Park from Split. This wonderful oasis of greenery packed with waterfalls and forest is well worth adding to your Croatia itinerary. Not only is it incredibly beautiful but it’s easy and affordable to visit even for solo travellers in Croatia.

KRKA QUICK LINKSGetting to Krka from Split: car / bus / day tour
Day tours: GetYourGuide / Viator

Croatian national parks are out of this world! After spending 3 months here, I can attest that one of the best things to do in Zagreb is take a Plitvice National Park day trip, and one of the top things to do from Split is visit Krka.

Although you technically can visit Plitvice from Split, it’s 240km away so it’s much easier to take a Krka trip from Split.

Read next: 22 best Split day trips

Where is Krka National Park?

It’s 54km northwest of Split and takes just over an hour to reach by road. You can also easily reach it from cities like Šibenik and Zadar.
The Lozovac and Skradin park entrances are most accessible when visiting Krka from Split.

Read next: 35 fantastic things to do in Split, Croatia

Is Krka worth visiting?

If you love nature and waterfalls, absolutely!Although there are plenty of wonderful things to do in Split, you’d regret spending all your time in the city. Krka is one of the most naturally beautiful places in Croatia; you might feel you ‘missed out’ if you leave without seeing it.
My one word of warning is that it’ll be packed with tourists during the summer months! But the same goes for most attractions in Croatia during July and August.

My day trip to Krka Waterfalls from Split 

While I was living in Croatia and working remotely from February-April 2022, I took as many day trips from Split as possible. Although the islands are stunning, my Krka day trip from Split remains one of my favourite memories… Especially since we virtually had the place to ourselves during the off-season!Myself and two friends travelled by bus but you can also drive or take an organised day tour. Whatever your mode of transport, Krka trips from Split are inexpensive and easy to arrange.
In this guide, I’ll explain how to travel from Split to Krka National Park and everything you need to know for a great day out.

Getting to Krka National Park from Split 

There are several ways to travel the 54km journey. These are…

Split to Krka National Park by car

This is the cheapest way to visit Krka waterfalls from Split if you’re travelling as a small group. Use Rentalcars.com to find car rentals in Split. The journey will take a little over 1 hour. Get there early and beat the crowds!There’s free parking at the Lozovac entrance with a shuttle bus to the falls (April-October). In off-season, you can drive in the park or take a 875-metre nature walk to Skradinski Buk Falls.There’s more parking in Skradin town with a ferry (April-October) into the park.
See the Skradin-Skradinski Buk Falls ferry timetable here.

Split to Krka National Park by bus

It’s easy to visit Krka by public transport. Take the bus from Split bus station to Skradin town then either board the ferry (April-October) or walk into the park. Book your bus ticket with Flixbus from €6.99 each way. The journey takes 1 hour 15 minutes.
The Skradin national park entrance is 10 minutes from Skradin on foot, then it’s around 40 minutes along a path beside the lake to reach the waterfalls. It’s a lovely walk but obviously requires a little more excursion than sitting on the ferry.

Tip – in peak season, book your Split to Skradin bus ticket a few days in advance. I wouldn’t recommend winging it and hoping to buy a ticket from the driver. We caught the last bus back and it was totally full. Your day trip to Krka from Split could get a lot longer if you get stuck overnight!

Krka Waterfalls tour from Split 

If the idea of organising the trip yourself doesn’t appeal, there’s no need to: budget day trips to Krka Waterfalls from Split are comparable with the price of the return bus ride!If you’re a highly independent traveller, the only downside is travelling on someone else’s schedule.
Best Split to Krka National Park tours:

Skradinski Buk Falls is not to be missed during a Krka day trip from Split

Krka National Park entrance fee

Adult tickets to Krka National Park cost:

• Nov-March – 50 kuna
• April-May & Oct – 100 kuna
• June-Sept – 200 kuna.

A big difference! The two later ticket types include a 25-minute boat ride.
In peak season, buy your ticket from the Krka National Park ticket office in Skradin town and board the ferry beside it. Since this was out of action during our March visit, we purchased our tickets directly at the Skradin park entrance.

Opening times – Krka National Park opens at 8am in peak season (April-October) and 9am in winter. Closing time is month-dependant. On December 24th and 31st, it closes at noon, and it’s closed altogether on the 25th and 26th of December.

Should you get your ticket online in advance?

In off-peak season, no. If you’re travelling as part of a Split to Krka National Park tour, also no: the guides will have this covered. However, if you’re travelling independently in peak season, you may wish to purchase your ticket online in advance to save time and avoid queuing on the day.

When is the best time to visit?

If you’re travelling on a budget, the best time to visit Krka is off-peak. This also means you’ll beat the crowds: we had the place to ourselves in early March!
However, the boats and day tours don’t run until April so it’s best to wait until then if you plan to use them. Shoulder season (April, May and October) would be ideal. The summer months will have the best weather but prepare for the falls to be crowded.

Arriving in Skradin

I had no expectations for this small town, I just knew it was the port of entry and exit when travelling from Split to Krka. I was pleasantly surprised! Skradin is a lovely little place with gorgeous architecture and mountain surrounds.
There are plenty of places to eat and drink. A speciality dish is Skradinski rižot (Skradin risotto) served at many restaurants in town.

Main sights of interest in the park

If you’re taking an organised Krka Waterfalls tour from Split, you won’t have a say over the itinerary. But if you’re visiting independently, you might like to learn about the different locations. These include…

Skradinski Buk was a highlight of my Split to Krka day trip!

Skradinski Buk Waterfall

This is the most popular and photographed place in Krka National Park. It’s where the ferry from Skradin drops you, and it’s the easiest site to reach if you’re coming on foot from Skradin.
Skradinski Buk is a karstic waterfall similar to those at Plitvice. There are several cascades that thunder into picturesque pools. Walk across wooden bridges and admire the many scenic viewpoints.

Want to see Krka on film? Watch my Instagram Reel

The Skradinski Buk boardwalk around the whole area will take around 1.5 hours. After relaxing, taking photos and stopping for food, you could easily spend a few hours. Organised tours commonly spend 2.5 hours before moving on.

Roški Slap

The second set of waterfalls in Krka are worth a visit but they’re nowhere near as impressive as Skradinski Buk. There are a few tall cascades at Roški Slap and the flatter Necklace Cascades upstream.
If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat at Panorama Roški Slap. The falls are a 35-minute drive from Skradinski or a short boat ride. Some parts are closed from November to March.

Visovac Monastery

Another enchanting place in Krka is Visovac Monastery. Perched on a tiny lake island, it features a Catholic monastery built in the 1400s and repaired in the 1800s. It’s now a museum holding treasures including one of three remaining illustrated copies of Aesop’s fables (printed in 1487).
The island monastery is 6km from Skradin. Boats to the island operate from Bristane village (right beside it), Skradin, Roški Slap and Skradinski Buk.

Many Krka day tours will include it so just double-check the itinerary.

Tips for visiting Krka from Split

• Bring your own food if you don’t want to pay inflated tourist prices. There are a bunch of stands near Skradinski Buk Falls serving hot dogs, fries etc. During off-peak season (Nov-Apri), these are shut so make sure to pack your own lunch.
• There are a few bakeries and restaurants in Skradin town if you want to buy refreshments before entering the park or have dinner when you return.
• Wear comfy shoes if you plan to walk between Skradin and Krka rather than take the ferry. The stony path is fairly flat but you might be struggling in flip flops.
• If you have accessibility requirements, here’s some advice about wheelchair accessibility at Krka.
• Take the ferry there (from Skradin to Skradinski Buk) then the 40-minute walk back. This way you experience more of the park.

Börek for lunch from a Split bakery

Can you swim in Krka Waterfalls?

I know many people are confused because the internet is awash with photos of people swimming in Krka Waterfalls. These are likely old photos; you’re now not allowed to swim in Skradinski Buk Falls.It’s the same at Plitvice. I imagine sunscreen and other artificial products getting in the water is terrible for the ecosystem.
Apparently, there are a couple of beaches beside Visovac Lake and a section of Roški Slap falls where you can still swim.

What to pack

• Enough water in a stainless steel reusable water bottle. You can buy plastic bottles at the falls but we don’t want that! There are a few water fill-up stations where you can refill your bottle
• Suncream, sunglasses and a hat
• Mosquito spray in the summer
• A power bank to keep your devices alive
• Swimwear and a towel if you plan to visit Visovac Lake or Roški Slap falls where swimming is permitted.

Other places nearby Krka

• Cikola Canyon – I spent a fantastic day hiking in Cikola Canyon. You can take an easy hike beside the Zipline Šibenik station or a harder one down to a hidden cave and natural swimming pool in the basin of the canyon.
• Ključica Fortress – built by the wealthy Nelipić family in the 13th century, this preserved fortress was conquered by the Turks in 1546. After 100 years, they were forced out and Ključica has been abandoned ever since. Take an easy hike to the viewing platform or a harder one to the fortress.

Cikola Canyon

Ključica Fortress

Note – although Ključica is technically in Krka National Park, no entry ticket is required. The fortress and Cikola Canyon are both free to visit.

Šibenik

Šibenik is a charming city on Croatia’s Adriatic coast, just 13km from Krka National Park. With monuments dating back to the 14th century and unrivalled views of Šibenik Bay, it’s surprising the city isn’t better known.
If you want to visit Šibenik and Krka National Park from Split during the same day, take this Krka and Šibenik day trip.

St. Nicholas’ Fortress

Off the coast of Šibenik, this 16th-century fortress is a UNESCO Heritage Site as a notable Venetian Work of Defence. During tourism season, you can catch a ferry to the fortress from Šibenik.