Krka National Park.
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Overview

Krka National Park is the second most visited Croatian national park (after Plitvice Lakes). It is named after the river Krka that runs through it.

Understand

The park is located along the middle-lower course of the Krka River in central Dalmatia, in Šibenik-Knin county, downstream Miljevci area, and just a few kilometers northeast of the city of Šibenik. It was formed to protect the Krka River and is intended primarily for scientific, cultural, educational, recreational, and tourism activities.

Visiting the park Before you visit the park you need to understand how tourism is organized inside the park. There are multiple areas of interest, most of which are not connected by road or path and often quite distant from each other so if one wants to explore the park from inside the only way is to take the ferries and enjoy a full day of navigating the Krka river (see #Get around). Otherwise you will need to leave the park and enter again from the main road for each attraction making the visit into a series of shorter excurions or views onto the river valley.

Despite being a true nature's gem, the options to actually enter the nature are somewhat limited and in most of the places of visit you will be greeted by the park staff and a rather strictly signaled walkpath.

History Krka National Park is the seventh national park in Croatia and was proclaimed a national park in 1985.

Flora The Krka National Park belongs to the Southern European (Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean) region. Due to its special position and the mosaic distribution of various types of habitats, it is characterized by exceptionally rich and varied flora and fauna.

860 species and subspecies of plants have been identified within the Krka National Park, including several endemic Illyrian-Adriatic species.

Fauna Eighteen species of fish inhabit the Krka River, among which ten are endemic, making the Krka a natural landmark of the highest category. Brown trout and Dalmatian Barbelgudgeon are a couple of fish that can be found in the ecosystem. Patches of reeds, lakes formed along part of the river and swamped meadows abound in amphibians and birds, while thickets and stone quarries are home to reptiles.

The abundance of various species of birds (222), the structure of the bird communities and the great significance of the Krka for spring and autumn migrations make it among the ornithologically most valuable regions of Europe. There are numerous carnivorous birds in the area, notable ones are: Osprey, Short-toed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Lanner Falcon and the Peregrine Falcon. Other birds of interest are Eurasian Eagle-owl, European Bee-eater and Griffon Vulture.

Among the mammals, there are 18 species of bats, which are generally endangered or near extinction in the rest of Europe, Long-fingered Bat, the Daubenton's Bat, and the threatened European Otter.

Climate The climate of Krka National Park consists of warm to hot summers, and mild to cool winters. The climate is quite variable with the hottest month being July and the coldest being January. Spring and autumn are quite mild.

Get in

Skradin. Perhaps that's a better option than Lozovac as Skradin is a nice-looking town and a trip to the park will include a short journey by a ferry.

Lozovac. Out of season there is no public transportation from Lozovac down to the park's waterfalls.

Lozovac. The main entrance for tourist groups and individuals traveling by car. In season the park provides a shuttle service from there down to the waterfalls at Skradinski buk. Out of season cars are allowed to descend down up to the parking lot near the Skradinski buk.

Roški slap. For a waterfall and tripper boats to Krka monastery, and fortresses of Trošenj and Nečven.

Burnum. For the archeological site of Burnum.

Kistanje. For Krka Monastery and tripper boats to Roški slap waterfall and fortresses of Trošenj and Nečven.

Fees and permits

The pricing scheme for the entrance is not a simple one, although if you plan on visiting Skradinski buk which is the landmark of Krka, you will get a ticket for the entire park. Other options are for all sites except Skradinski buk (half the prize) and also for just several sites in the northern part around Burnum so be ready to ask at the ticket office for the exact places you plan to visit.

Get around

On foot The core of the park, Skradinski buk in particular, is easy to be explored on foot.

Skradin ferry. Park's ferries run between town of Skradin and the pier at the . The boats run every hour from 08:00 (09:00 late autumn or early spring) till 18:00 in summer (finishing earlier other times). Returns are scheduled at 30 min past every hour. The last departure from Skradinski buk is 1.5 hour later than the last boat from Skradin.

Tripper boats to Visovac, Roški slap, Krka monastery and the Trošenj fortress (see #Boat trips). Boats Stinice - Visovac - Remetić (see #Boat trips).

By bus Shuttle bus between Lozovac entrance (see above) and Skradinski buk (see below).

See

Skradinski buk. Considered the major attraction of the park. It is a pleasant cascade of lakes and waterfalls which is close to the both main entrances.

Visovac. It's a beautiful island with a Franciscan monastery on it. The monastery is a place of pilgrimage.

Burnum archaeological site. Remains of Roman amphitheatre and some other excavations.

Do

Swim. In the lower lake at the Skradinski buk. Despite being a designated swimming area, it doesn't have any special facilities, such as changing booths, and the access to the water isn't quite safe. Otherwise, that's a wonderful experience. Swimming only is allowed at this designated place. Swimming is not allowed between 1 October and 31 May. This is only posted once you get to the ticket booth, where they claim it's due to high water, and advise to leave swimming gear and towels in the car. However, once you get down to where the swimming takes place, you can actually still go swimming, even though it's forbidden. Staff do not care.

Hike the trails Cycle the cycling trails, but bear in mind that cycling is not permitted on the walking trails

Skradinski buk – Visovac island. 2 hours, including 1/2 hour at Visovac

Skradinski buk – Visovac island – Roški slap. 4 hours, including 1/2 hour at Visovac, 1 hour sightseeing of Roški slap

Stinice – Visovac. 35 min, Visovac (30 min)

Remetić– Visovac. 35 min, Visovac (30 min)

Roški slap - Krka monastery - Trošenj - Nečven. 2.5 hours, Krka monastery (30 min) and view from the boat of Trošenj and Nečven fortresses.

Buy

Souvenir shops at the both sides of Skradinski buk and at the entrance at Lozovac.

Eat

Buffet Kalikuša. The location is very touristy. Quality of food and service is rather moderate, but the setting is magnificent: at the site of an old mill next to a small waterfall which used to feed the mill.

Sleep

There is no accommodation inside the park, but there are plenty of options for accommodation in the town of Skradin and village of Lozovac, and there is also a hotel close to the Roški slap.