Krka National Park is one of the Croatian national parks, named after the river Krka that runs through it.
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.
Krka National Park is the seventh national park in Croatia and was proclaimed a national park in 1985.
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.
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.
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.
- Nacionalni park Krka, Šibenska ulica, Skradin. Jun-Aug 08:00-20:00; May, Sep 08:00-19:00; Apr, 1-15 Oct 08:00-18:00; Mar, 15-31 Oct 09:00-17:00; Nov-Feb 09:00-16:00;. Price Jun-Sept 200 kn; Apr/May/Oct 100 kn; Nov-Mar 30 kn.
Nacionalni park Krka, Šibenska ulica, Skradin. Jun-Aug 08:00-20:00; May, Sep 08:00-19:00; Apr, 1-15 Oct 08:00-18:00; Mar, 15-31 Oct 09:00-17:00; Nov-Feb 09:00-16:00;. Price Jun-Sept 200 kn; Apr/May/Oct 100 kn; Nov-Mar 30 kn.
- 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.
- Roški slap.
- Oziđana pećina.
- Manastir Krka.
- Burnum archaeological site. Remains of Roman amphitheatre and some other excavations.
- Burnum - Manojlovac waterfalls.
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.
Roški slap.
Oziđana pećina.
Manastir Krka.
Burnum archaeological site. Remains of Roman amphitheatre and some other excavations.
Burnum - Manojlovac waterfalls.
- 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
Apr-Oct only:
- Skradinski buk – Visovac island. 2 hours, including 1/2 hour at Visovac 100 Kn.
- Skradinski buk – Visovac island – Roški slap. 4 hours, including 1/2 hour at Visovac, 1 hour sightseeing of Roški slap 130 kn.
- Stinice – Visovac. M-Sa 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00; Su 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00. 35 min, Visovac (30 min) 50 kn.
- Remetić– Visovac. M-Sa 9:45, 10:45, 11:45, 12:45, 13:45, 14:45, 15:45; Su 9:45, 10:15, 10:45, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15. 35 min, Visovac (30 min) 50 kn.
- Roški slap - Krka monastery - Trošenj - Nečven. 2.5 hours, Krka monastery (30 min) and view from the boat of Trošenj and Nečven fortresses. 100 kn.
Skradinski buk – Visovac island. 2 hours, including 1/2 hour at Visovac 100 Kn.
Skradinski buk – Visovac island – Roški slap. 4 hours, including 1/2 hour at Visovac, 1 hour sightseeing of Roški slap 130 kn.
Stinice – Visovac. M-Sa 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00; Su 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00. 35 min, Visovac (30 min) 50 kn.
Remetić– Visovac. M-Sa 9:45, 10:45, 11:45, 12:45, 13:45, 14:45, 15:45; Su 9:45, 10:15, 10:45, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15. 35 min, Visovac (30 min) 50 kn.
Roški slap - Krka monastery - Trošenj - Nečven. 2.5 hours, Krka monastery (30 min) and view from the boat of Trošenj and Nečven fortresses. 100 kn.
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
Souvenir shops at the both sides of Skradinski buk and at the entrance at Lozovac.
- 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.
- Buffet Stari mlin.
- "Kristijan" agrotourism.
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.
Buffet Stari mlin.
"Kristijan" agrotourism.
There is no nightlife in the park.
It's prohibited to wander and swim in the river outside the clearly designated area. Casual swimming is dangerous and also destroys fragile travertine (calcium carbonate) structures along the river, its waterfalls and rapids.
And nearby towns:
- Skradin - see the local tourist office for further information
- Drniš