Croatia’s natural beauty often leads travelers to choose between the legendary Plitvice Lakes and the dynamic Krka National Park. Both boast striking waterfalls, emerald water, and forested landscapes. But depending on your time, interest, and mobility, one may suit you better than the other.
| 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 |
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.
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.
The tallest waterfall in Plitvice, descending ~78 m, marking the end of the lower lakes.
The signature, broad, multi-step travertine cascade system — often the main draw.
Not realistically; The parks are far apart and each deserves significant time. It’s better to allocate separate days.
Both have entrance fees that vary with season. Travel costs between locations often dominate over park fees.
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.
Krka may be easier for shorter attention spans since less walking needed. Plitvice is rewarding but involves more trails and time.
They are in different regions of Croatia - travel between them takes multiple hours by road.
Choose Plitvice for iconic water-lake landscapes. Choose Krka if you prefer shorter visits with waterfalls plus the possibility of swimming.
Plitvice’s cascades over travertine lakes are unique and intricate; Krka’s falls are powerful and accessible, especially Skradinski Buk.
Some Croatia travel passes or multi-park tickets may include both, but confirm inclusion beforehand.
Plan 3–5 hours or a full day at Plitvice; for Krka, 2–3 hours covers main falls, more if exploring thoroughly.
Plitvice’s park area is significantly larger (tens of thousands of hectares) compared to Krka’s ~109 km².
Plitvice Lakes National Park Entry with Panoramic Train & Boat Ride
From Split: Full-Day Trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park with Guided Tour Option
Krka National Park Tickets
From Split: Full-Day Guided Trip to Krka National Park with Boat Ride & Wine Tasting