Do you want to visit a waterfall in Croatia? Krka or Plitvice? This blog post will help you decide which one is best for your travel plans.
There are many waterfalls to see in Croatia and there’s no way to visit all of them.
If you’re like us, you want to make the most out of your time traveling, but don’t know which waterfall should be the focus.
Well I’m here to give you a few tips on how to make that decision!
Your Guide To Picking Either Krka or Plitvice Waterfall To Visit In Croatia
The first question that comes to mind when deciding between these two waterfalls is where are they located?
The Krka falls are found along the southern coast of Croatia, while the Plitvice falls are nestled among forests and hills in northern Croatia.
One major thing that stands out is the size: Plitvice has an area of 405 square kilometers while Krka has includes 109 square kilometers along the Krka River.
This means that we can expect more from Plitvice because it is so much larger than Krka and offers far more diversity in scenery and features for visitors – including stunning waterfalls and several lakes.
Aside from the shear sizes of these parks, there are different heights of waterfalls to consider.
The waterfalls at Krka are an average 400 feet high and 100 feet wide while Plitvice boasts 200-300 foot cliffs with an average width of 1,000 feet at points!
It’s also on the Unesco World Heritage List!
Quick Overview
- Krka:
- closer to Split
- shorter to see around
- need to pay extra for boat rides
- park and take a bus down to the park
- Plitvice:
- should stay 1 night and take 2 days to see
- boat rides included
- lots of different sized waterfalls
- Both:
- trails are boardwalks or dirt, not too difficult
- beautiful nature
Let’s take a closer look at what makes each attraction unique then decide if it’s worth visiting both or just sticking with one!
What To Expect At Krka National Park
This park features 16 cascades, which originate from small springs through underground channels.
The National Park is a stunning natural location in all directions.
The most famous spot here, and arguably one of the most prominent landmarks in Croatia itself, are its waterfalls that plummet into an emerald pool!
You have plenty of opportunities for adventure as there’s trails along every turn giving glimpses at how diverse this park really is – just take your time exploring because it will be worth every second spent walking these paths with fresh air filling your lungs!
Some factors that can make your decision to visit might include the park’s proximity to Split and how quickly and easily you can accomplish your visit.
Krka National Park is less that an hour from Split. This is the main reason we decided to make a visit.
For those traveling with small children, like us, a smaller time commitment makes is more enticing to visit a location.
Upon arrival at the park, there is a bus that takes you down the winding road right up to where the trail starts which is a nice convenience.
The trail itself is easy and way shorter than those at Plitvice. We were able to do it with a toddler, so that says a lot.
There are fish ponds and lush greenery all around as you make your way up.
Before you know it, you’ve arrived at a studding viewpoint above the main waterfall where you can see the wooden boardwalk wind its way over the water.
Once you make your way down to that boardwalk, you will go through an area where there are picnic tables and vendors.
This is a great place to take a short break and grab a snack as well as take in the views.
You can explore the waterfalls and the different viewpoints in less than a couple of hours.
Alternatively, you can take your time and do more, maybe even take a ferry. Keep in mind that the ferry ride would be an additional cost.
Things You Should Know About Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a must-see for travelers who want to see the best of Croatia.
It’s often called one of the most beautiful places in Europe and it lives up to its reputation.
There are several things you should know before visiting Plitvice Lakes, including how long it takes to get there, what time of year is best, and how much time you need to explore it.
The lakes are surrounded by lush Croatian forests and mountains, giving you an opportunity to experience nature at its finest.
In addition, there are many fun activities that you can do at the park such as hiking, boating, and biking!
If this sounds like something you would be interested in doing then read on further to learn five things that every traveler should know about visiting the Plitvice Lakes National Park!
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The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a one-of-a-kind place in Croatia that has been on my bucket list for years.
I finally got the chance to visit this summer and it was everything I could have hoped for and more!
Here are some things you should know about visiting the park so your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s biggest attractions during the summer months.
Visitors from all around flock here year after year for their chance to see some of Europe’s most beautiful lakes and waterfalls so you can bet that the summertime is the busiest time to be at this park.
Temperatures are cool even in the summer so it’s a nice place to go for some relief from the heat that most experience along the coast of Croatia.
Being high in altitude gives this park lower temperatures so having a light jacket can be helpful.
You should also be prepared for the crowds. Most of the trails closer to the tram stations are going to be pretty packed.
As you venture further into the park you’ll notice less and less people and even have some areas all to yourself.
There are so many trails to choose from at this park but you should know that the parts with the most beautiful waterfalls are still going to be pretty busy during the summer.
Visiting in the fall may be more up your alley if you prefer less tourists around. Some might argue that the greenery is gone at that time of year.
However, the turning of the the leaves can create a magical sort if beauty in itself.
There aren’t any roads going through the park itself, so you can only get there by foot or boat.
If you’re staying outside of the park, expect a 20+ minute walk from where your car is parked to where all of the trails begin.
This may sound like a pain, but trust me when I say that it’s totally worth it!
You can choose to stay at a hotel like Hotel Jezero which is right in the heart of the national park. This is our top recommendation for those choosing to visit Plitvice Waterfalls.
As we have mentioned, the size of the park and the many trail options you can hike make it a park you have to invest more time in.
Additionally, if you are visiting the park from Split, you have a three hour drive in each direction.
So, staying a night and spending two days exploring Plitvice Lakes National Park is the most practical way to do it.
If you are really into nature and hiking, Plitvice is the right place for you. The distance to get there won’t deter you and the trails are well-worth it!
Not only do you get front-row seats to several different waterfalls of various sizes, but you get the bonus of cruising on the lakes.
The boat rides are all included with your ticket to Plitvice Park so no need to worry about adding that to your budget.
Which Croatia Waterfall Will You Choose To Visit?
We’ve gone over the specifics of visiting both Krka and Plitvice National Parks. Were you able to pick the best one for you to visit?
Let us convince you that both of these parks are spectacular and you should visit both if you can. The one factor that may make the decision for you is time.
Although, we recommend spending a couple of days to really get to see Plitvice, you can choose to do the quicker version by taking a tour.
There are tours from Split that will take you to Plitvice for a day-trip. Taking a day tour to Plitvice may be the option for you if you absolutely want to see both parks but you have limited time.
The day-trip includes transportation so there is the convenience of not having to drive there yourself.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the specifics of these two amazing Croatian National Parks.
There are so many factors to consider when deciding which one to visit, but if time is not a factor for you then it’s important that you know they are both worth visiting in your lifetime!
If you’re looking for a fast-paced adventure with adrenaline pumping action, then go with Krka while if you want something more relaxing or serene then choose Plitvice Lakes National Park instead!
Let us know what questions or thoughts come up for you as you’re thinking through this decision, or, if you have visited, let us know what influenced your decision in the comments.
Travel Planning Guide:
- Get your accommodations with Booking.com
- Stay protected with travel insurance from Safety Wing
- Book a tour with Viator
- Gear and Products you might need for this trip from Amazon
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