Krka National Park is a stretch of the Krka river in central Dalmatia where the water drops over a series of travertine barriers into green pools, with wooden boardwalks running right beside the falls. It is one of the two big waterfall days in Croatia (the other is Plitvice), and it is far easier to reach from the coast. This guide covers what you pay in each season, which falls are worth your time, the current swimming rules and the cheapest way to get there.
Swimming at Krka: the ban explained
This is the question most visitors arrive with, so we will answer it first. Swimming in the pool below Skradinski Buk was a big part of Krka’s fame, but it has been banned since 1 January 2021 to protect the fragile travertine. Jumping from the falls, bridges or boardwalks is prohibited everywhere in the park. Rangers do patrol and fines apply.
The park has permitted swimming in designated zones near Roški Slap and the Stinice and Pisak areas in summer, but the allowed spots and dates have changed between seasons. Treat any blog that promises swimming at the main falls as out of date, and check the park’s official site before planning around a swim. If a swim is the main goal, a combined tour that stops at a beach on the way back (see the tour section below) is the safer bet.
Krka entrance fees by season (2026)
Ticket prices at Krka change sharply with the month, and the summer jump is large. As of 2026 the adult prices we found are:
| Period | Adult | Ages 7-18 and students |
|---|---|---|
| June to September | approx. €40 | approx. €15 |
| June to September, after 3pm | approx. €30 | approx. €11 |
| April, May, October | approx. €20 | approx. €12 |
| November to March | approx. €7 | approx. €4 |
Children under 7 enter free. The ticket includes the shuttle from Lozovac and the boat from Skradin (the boat runs from April to October). Extra boat trips are paid separately: approximately €15 for the two-hour return to Visovac island, €20 for the longer trip that also reaches Roški Slap, and €10 for the short Čikola canyon cruise. A separate Roški Slap-only ticket exists at lower prices. Prices are approximate, so confirm on the park’s official price page before you travel.
Money tip: in June to September the after-3pm rate saves approximately €10 per adult. The park stays light until evening and the crowds thin out, so it is a good choice if you are driving yourself and staying near Šibenik or Skradin.
Skradinski Buk vs Roški Slap
Most visitors see only Skradinski Buk, and for a first trip that is the right call. But the two falls are quite different.
Skradinski Buk is the main event. It is a cascade of about 17 steps spread across several hundred metres, with a total drop of roughly 45 metres. A looping boardwalk of about 2 km (allow 1.5 to 2 hours with photo stops) crosses islets and runs under the spray. There is an old mill ethnographic display, restaurants, toilets and a gift shop, so it is the most comfortable and the most crowded. In July and August expect queues for the boat and shuttle from late morning.
Roški Slap is further upstream and much quieter. The falls are shorter but wide and layered, and the area is known for the old watermills and a more rural feel. It is reached by road from the northern side of the park (the Miljevci and Drniš direction) or by the longer boat trip from Skradinski Buk. It suits repeat visitors, self-drivers and anyone who wants to avoid the main crowds. We would add it as a second stop only if you have a full day.
Between them lies Visovac, a small island in the river with a Franciscan monastery. Visitors on the boat trip stop briefly on the island, although the monastery interior has limited access, so treat it as a scenic stop rather than a sightseeing one.
How to get to Krka National Park
There are two main entrances for Skradinski Buk. Lozovac is the road entrance with a large car park and a shuttle bus to the falls. Skradin is a small riverside town where the park boat departs. We prefer Skradin: the boat ride is part of the experience, and the village is a better lunch stop than anything inside the park.
From Split: approximately 85 km and about one hour by car on the A1 towards Šibenik. Take the Skradin or Šibenik exit depending on which entrance you want. Without a car, a guided tour is the simplest option (see below). Our Split guide and day trips from Split cover the alternatives.
From Šibenik: this is the closest base, around 15 km from Skradin. Local buses and taxis run to Skradin, and Šibenik itself is worth a stop for the UNESCO-listed cathedral of St James; our Šibenik guide and things to do in Šibenik cover the city and the Skradin boat.
From Zadar: approximately 90 km and about 1 hour 15 minutes by road. Our Zadar guide has the city side of the trip.
Self-drive tip: hire a car if you want to combine Krka with Šibenik, Primošten or Roški Slap. Parking at Lozovac is free, while Skradin has paid private lots that fill up in summer.
Best tours from Split to Krka
Because the park is a long day by public transport, many people book an organised trip. We found three that match different budgets and tastes:
- Krka Waterfalls with boat cruise and swimming is the classic day. It includes the park ticket, the boat and a swim stop at a beach on the way back, which solves the swimming problem.
- Krka Waterfalls and Trogir with boat ride combines the falls with the UNESCO old town of Trogir. It is the most efficient option if you have only one day.
- Krka Waterfalls with food and wine tasting suits those who want a slower day with a local winery and a sit-down lunch.
Prices vary by season and usually include park entry, but check what is covered before you book. For other day trips, see all Split tours.
Best time to visit
May, June and September are the best balance of flow and manageable crowds. The falls are strongest in spring after snowmelt and rain. July and August are hot and busy, with the highest ticket price. Winter is quiet and cheap at approximately €7, but the boat from Skradin stops after October and some boardwalk sections and restaurants close.
Arrive at opening (around 8am in summer) or after 3pm for the lower rate. Bring a hat, water, and shoes with grip because the boardwalks can be wet and slippery.
Practical tips
- Pay by card at the gate or buy a ticket online to skip the queue.
- Bring a swimsuit only if your tour includes a separate beach stop.
- Combine with Šibenik for a coastal evening, or with Plitvice only if you are doing a multi-day road trip, since the two are roughly three hours apart by road.
Krka is not the most dramatic waterfall in Croatia, but it is the one that fits most easily into a Dalmatian trip. Choose the season carefully, accept the swimming ban, and take the boat from Skradin.