Plitvice Lakes vs Krka National Park

Q: What if I only have time for one?

Choose **Plitvice** for iconic water-lake landscapes. Choose **Krka** if you prefer shorter visits with waterfalls plus the possibility of swimming.

Quick comparison – Plitvice Lakes vs Krka National Park

Feature	Plitvice Lakes	Krka National Park
Location	In inland Croatia between Lika-Senj and Karlovac counties	In Dalmatia, Šibenik-Knin County, along middle/lower Krka River
Area / Size	Park covers ~29,000 hectares (almost 30,000 ha)	Park covers ~109 km²
What is it?	A system of 16 interconnected lakes, cascades, travertine barriers, wooden walkways and forested hills	A riverine national park centered on the Krka River, waterfalls, river trails, historic sites (monasteries, caves)
Built / Establishment	Declared as Croatia’s first national park on 8 April 1949	Declared as national park in 1985
Elevation / Depth / Water features	Lakes are in cascades over travertine barriers; highest waterfall “Veliki Slap” ~78 m high	Multiple waterfalls along river; e.g. Skradinski Buk cascade system; Roški Slap, Manojlovački Slapovi etc.
Timings	Open year-round; varies seasonally (longer hours in summer)	Operates seasonally; check official site for schedules
Duration needed	Many visitors take 3–5 hours, full day, or multi-day for deeper exploration	For major waterfall area (Skradinski Buk) ~2 hours plus transit time
Queues / Crowds	Very busy in summer; pathways narrow; peak times congested	Also popular, especially Skradinski Buk; boat & trail bottlenecks
Best time to visit	Spring and autumn offer moderate crowds and good water flow; early morning preferred	Late spring to early autumn; mornings or off-peak times avoid crowding
Accessibility	Wooden walkways, boats, electric shuttles, parts may be strenuous or slippery	Trails along river, boat access, some parts accessible; local buses and boat transport to falls
Swimming allowed?	Swimming generally not allowed within park lakes to protect ecosystem	Swimming historically allowed in parts but often restricted during high season; check current rules
Highlights	Wooden boardwalks over lakes, the Big Waterfall (Veliki Slap), Upper & Lower Lakes, boat rides, lush forest	Skradinski Buk cascade, Roški Slap, river trails, caves (Oziđana Pećina), monastic islands (Visovac)
Dining / Facilities	Facilities near entrances, visitor centers, restaurants outside park boundaries	Visitor centers, cafes near main entrances (Lozovac, Skradin etc.)
Nearby attractions	Barac Caves, nature around Lika region	Šibenik, coastal Dalmatia, adjacent cultural/historical sites
Rules / Restrictions	Stay on marked trails, no littering, preserve nature, follow park guidelines	Behavior restrictions, entrance regulation, limited access in some seasons, boat and trail rules

Verdict – Which should you visit?

Opt for Plitvice Lakes if you crave immersive lake-cascade systems, wooden walkways, and full-day wandering in forested wetlands.

Choose Krka National Park if you prefer shorter visits, river trails, waterfalls plus the possibility (when allowed) of swimming near cascading pools.

If your schedule allows, do both — each offers a distinct flavor of Croatia’s water-based natural beauty.

Don’t miss a drop of Croatia’s waterfalls

Consider a multi-day nature pass or guided tour that covers both Plitvice Lakes & Krka National Park. It saves planning and ensures you experience two of Croatia’s greatest natural jewels.

Book your parks trip

Major differences between Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park explained

Aerial view of waterfalls and lush greenery at Plitvice Lakes, Croatia.

Geology & water systems

Plitvice Lakes: The park is famed for tufa (travertine) barriers that build and change over time, connecting 16 lakes in cascading systems.

Krka National Park: It is centered on a river course, where waterfalls, rapids, and ecological riverine systems are shaped by the Krka River’s flow.

People walking on a wooden bridge over turquoise water in Krka National Park, Croatia.

Scale & immersion

Plitvice Lakes: You traverse through forested zones, ascending and descending, traveling by boat, shuttle, and walking along wooden bridges for deep immersion.

Krka National Park: More linear experience: you often walk along riversides, visit the main waterfalls (Skradinski Buk, Roški Slap), and may combine with boat rides.

Boat tour on Plitvice Lakes with passengers enjoying scenic views of lush forests.

Visitor experience & activities

Plitvice Lakes: Focuses on walking trails, boat transfers, viewing from walkways, photography. Swimming is not permitted to protect fragile ecology.

Krka National Park: Offers walking trails, boat excursions, and in some seasons (or parts) swimming opportunities (where permitted) near cascades.

Tour group taking photos at Krka river waterfall, Krka National Park.

Crowds & accessibility

Plitvice Lakes: Can be crowded in summer; pathways may be narrow and slippery; requires careful pacing.

Krka National Park: Also sees heavy visitation around Skradinski Buk; more options for shorter visit to main falls reduce time pressure.

Waterfall and rustic house in lush greenery at Rastoke Village, Croatia.

Convenience & logistics

Plitvice Lakes: Deeper inland; reaching it often requires more travel time. Staying near entrances can help.

Krka National Park: Easier access from Croatian coastal cities like Split, Šibenik, or Zadar.

Miljacka slap waterfall flowing through lush greenery at Krka National Park.

When to visit & flow conditions

Plitvice Lakes: Water flow is spectacular in spring and early summer; autumn colors dramatic. In winter parts may freeze or be restricted.

Krka National Park: River flow and waterfall strength vary seasonally; swimming may be more feasible in warmer periods; boat access is an important component.

What you’ll see at Plitvice Lakes

Waterfalls cascading into turquoise water at Plitvice Lakes, Croatia.

Veliki Slap (Big Waterfall)

The tallest waterfall in Plitvice, descending ~78 m, marking the end of the lower lakes.

Aerial view of Sastavci waterfall and turquoise lakes in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.

Guests standing by a turquoise lake at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.

Guests on a boat during Plitvice Lakes Tour, Croatia, enjoying the scenic ride.

Waterfalls cascading into turquoise lakes at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.

What you’ll see at Krka National Park

Aerial view of Skradinski Buk waterfalls at Krka National Park, Croatia.

Skradinski Buk Cascade

The signature, broad, multi-step travertine cascade system — often the main draw.

Rošnjak waterfall flowing through lush greenery at Krka National Park, Croatia.

Oziđana pećina cave interior with rocky walls and dim lighting.

Boat cruising through Krka National Park with lush green cliffs.

Tourist sitting on a rock by Krka National Park waterfalls, Croatia.

Visiting Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park

Plitvice Lakes: Entrance tickets are sold via the park’s official webshop or at entrances. Prices vary by season.

Krka National Park: Tickets include access to land sites like Skradinski Buk and trails; sold online or on-site.

Visit both: Because the parks are far apart, there is no practical single ticket covering both. They are better visited on separate days or as part of multi-day itineraries.

Doing both independently: You can plan one or two full days. Plitvice demands more time travel; Krka is more flexible for shorter visits.

Tourists on a bus heading to Krka Waterfalls from Split, Croatia.

Plitvice Lakes:

Address: Znanstveno - stručni centar "Dr. Ivo Pevalek" | HR 53231 Plitvička Jezera | Find on map
By car: Major roads lead via highways and local roads from Zagreb and coastal areas.
By bus / tour: Many day-tour operators run from Zagreb, Zadar, or Split.

How to get to Plitvice Lakes National Park >

Krka National Park:

Address: Trg Ivana Pavla II. br. 5, 22000 Šibenik, Croatia | Find on maps
By car: Accessible from A1 motorway via Skradin / Šibenik exits.
By bus: Regular buses from Split, Šibenik, Zadar to Skradin; local transport/trail to park entrances.

How to get to Krka National Park >

Plitvice Lakes:

Open year-round; summer hours generally from early morning until evening (e.g. 7 am to 8 pm) | Plitvice Lakes National Park opening hours
Some entrances or routes (Entrance 2) may be closed in winter

Krka National Park:

Seasonal opening; check official site for hours of land sites and boat schedules | Krka National Park opening times
Skradinski Buk area tours typically quoted as ~2 hours (excluding transit)

Duration needed & best time to visit

Plitvice Lakes: 3 to 5 hours minimum; full day recommended
Krka National Park: 2 hours at main falls, additional time for side sites
For both: morning visits avoid crowds and often better light for photography

Book Plitvice tickets in advance during summer to skip long entrance queues.
Check seasonal closures - entrance 2 of Plitvice and some Krka boat services may be unavailable in off-season.
Start early both parks get busiest midday.
Bring proper footwear and rain protection trails may be wet or slippery.
Swim only in allowed areas rules change seasonally (more likely in Krka); always check on entry.
Respect trails and environment stay on marked paths to protect fragile ecosystems.
Local transport vs car Plitvice access often needs more driving; Krka is better connected to coastal hubs.
Combine with nearby towns spend extra time in Šibenik or Lika region for fuller Croatia experience.

Frequently Asked Questions about Plitvice Lakes vs Krka National Park

Can you visit both Plitvice Lakes and Krka in one day?

Not realistically; The parks are far apart and each deserves significant time. It’s better to allocate separate days.

Which is more budget-friendly?

Both have entrance fees that vary with season. Travel costs between locations often dominate over park fees.

Which is better for first-time visitors to Croatia?

Plitvice offers a signature “Croatian nature postcard” experience - lakes, waterfalls, forest in a grand scale. Krka is excellent as a more accessible waterfall day trip.

Which is better for kids?

Krka may be easier for shorter attention spans since less walking needed. Plitvice is rewarding but involves more trails and time.

How far is Plitvice from Krka?

They are in different regions of Croatia - travel between them takes multiple hours by road.

What if I only have time for one?

Choose Plitvice for iconic water-lake landscapes. Choose Krka if you prefer shorter visits with waterfalls plus the possibility of swimming.

Which park has the better waterfall experience?

Plitvice’s cascades over travertine lakes are unique and intricate; Krka’s falls are powerful and accessible, especially Skradinski Buk.

Are both included in national park passes or Croatia cards?

Some Croatia travel passes or multi-park tickets may include both, but confirm inclusion beforehand.

How long do you need at each?

Plan 3–5 hours or a full day at Plitvice; for Krka, 2–3 hours covers main falls, more if exploring thoroughly.