Plitvice or Krka: Which National Park should you visit?

Croatia is stunning wherever you go. The popular emerging destination is known for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, picture-perfect islands, historic cities, and the never-ending Adriatic coastline. And can we forget the ruggedly beautiful inland national parks of Croatia? No trip to Croatia can be complete without visiting this natural wonderland, and you have to add at least one of the National Parks to your itinerary. Plitvice Lakes and Krka are two of the most well-known and gorgeous national parks of Croatia. Ideally, you should visit both, as they are equally spectacular in different ways. Unfortunately, most of us are constrained by time and budget and must plan accordingly. So, if you have limited time and have to choose between the two national parks – Plitvice Lakes and Krka, keep reading. Hopefully, it will help you decide where to go.

Overview of Croatia’s National Parks

Croatia is home to national parks where you can enjoy breathtaking landscapes, exciting adventure opportunities, and peaceful tranquility. Kornati Islands NP, Mljet NP, Kamenjak NP, Northern Velebit NP, Krka NP, and Plitvice Lakes NP are the most worthwhile to visit. Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Parks should definitely be on your bucket list. Both parks are known for their cascading waterfalls and emerald lakes amidst picturesque, lush backdrops. The similarity ends here, as the parks offer quite different experiences. Let us first take an overview of both national parks.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Nestled between the majestic Gornja, Mala Kapela, and Medvedak mountains, Plitvice Lakes National Park opened in 1949 and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Covering an area of 295 sq. km, Plitvice Lakes is just magical with its sixteen terraced crystalline lakes tumbling into each other and creating countless waterfalls and canyons in the process. Pretty meadows, open pastures, craggy mountains, and lush woodlands surround the mineral-rich, vibrant lakes. The nearby forest is home to fir, pine, beech, and spruce trees, as well as bears, wild boars, rabbits, and deer.

The park is divided into two parts: Upper Lakes and Lower Lakes. Wooden walkways and footbridges snake across the lower and upper lakes, offering scenic trails for visitors to explore and admire the emerald pools and trickling waterfalls. It is said that at any given time, the lakes never look the same as they did the day before. The color of the crystal-clear water changes from emerald green to turquoise to faded grey, depending on mineral content, weather, and the angle of light. Admission costs vary by season. Check the latest prices here.

Krka National Park

Krka covers an area of 143 sq. km and was designated a national park in 1985. A small Visovac Island, seven magnificent waterfalls, fascinating gorges, and the jade-green Krka River are located within the park’s boundaries. Krka is best known for the Skradinski Buk Falls, a series of 17 waterfalls. Water from the Krka and Cikola Rivers cascades over 17 travertine steps, forming deep pools before cascading to create the impressive Skradinski Buk. The majestic falls are also considered to be one of the most beautiful calcium carbonate waterfalls in Europe.

Other major attractions of Krka are the Roski Slap Falls, the medieval fortresses, and the Serbian Eastern Orthodox Monastery located on the tiny Visovac island. Krka is home to nearly 800 plant species and 200 bird species. Many reptiles and amphibians can be spotted around the Krka River. Krka has a wooden footpath winding through the park in a well-defined loop, providing a perfect opportunity to admire the falls from close quarters. However, the best way to experience the charming waterfalls is to swim beneath them or take a boat ride on Krka Lake. Admission prices are lower than at Plitvice, perhaps due to its smaller size. You can check the current costs here.

Plitvice Lakes or Krka – Which should you visit?

Plitvice vs Krka: Which is easier to reach?

If you are in Split and short on time, Krka National Park is more practical, as it is just 90 km from Split (a 60-90 minute drive). This means you can take a half-day / full-day organized tour from Split or Zadar (77 km away). You can also hire a car or take a bus to reach Krka. There are five entrances to the park, but most people use the Lozovac entrance or take a boat ride from the Skradin entrance. There is a bus service from Split to the Skradin entrance of the park. Check the bus timings and availability here. You also have the option to use the entrance at Visovac, Slapove Krka, and Burnum.

Plitvice Lakes is more convenient if you are based in Zagreb or another city in northern Croatia. It is 130 km from Zagreb and 120 km from Zadar. You can plan a day trip or stop en route to the coast. Making a day trip to Plitvice from Split is not recommended. It is somewhat remote and quite large, so you will only be able to get a glimpse of what it has to offer. You should plan two days for Plitvice and stay near the park, either before or after, so you are not rushed to explore the natural wonder. Bus stops are located at Gates 1 & 2, so catching a public bus is quite convenient. Renting a car is the best option as it gives you maximum time and flexibility.

Plitvice vs Krka: Which is more accessible?

Krka National Park has circular walking trails that range from 1.9 km to 3.4 km, and you need just a couple of hours to walk the longest loop. The circular boardwalk takes you to some of the most majestic waterfalls in the park. The trails are pretty manageable and suitable for people of all ages and capabilities. Signboards are guiding you all the way. If you don’t want to attempt anything strenuous, Krka is for you.

Plitvice Lakes is much bigger, with trails ranging from 3 km to 18 km. It can take you anywhere from 3 to 8 hours to explore the massive park, so choose based on your energy levels. The trails are well-marked and doable; you have to stick to a specific path and watch your step. If you are into hiking and adventure, Plitvice is definitely more exciting. However, none of the parks are suitable for toddlers or people with mobility issues, as wheelchairs or trolleys cannot be pushed on the trails.

Plitvice vs Krka: Which is more crowded? 

Krka is less crowded than Plitvice Lakes. But since it is much smaller, it feels quite cramped with even fewer people. In 2017, the National Park announced that a maximum of 10,000 visitors at a time would be permitted in the Skradinski Buk section. Considering the park’s size, you can plan your visit for late afternoon. The morning rush would be over, and you should still have sufficient time to explore the park and take a dip in the emerald pools.

Plitvice is much more popular and busier than Krka. The park attracts more than a million visitors a year. July and August are crowded, and it is even difficult to see the falls with people pushing you from behind. You have to walk behind rows of people during rush time. The best option is to start early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the tour buses, day-trippers, and long queues for the boat. For that, you should spend at least one night in the vicinity so that you can enter the park before hordes of people start arriving from nearby places.

The spring and summer rush of Plitvice can be really draining. If you are looking for a more relaxed, less crowded park, choose Krka National Park. 

Plitvice vs Krka: Which has more activities?

The biggest attraction of Krka was that you could actually swim in Krka National Park. However, as of 2021, you are not allowed to swim at the base of Skradinski Buk Falls and enjoy the impressive display of waterfalls from there. Climate change and the need to preserve resources & the richness of biodiversity are the reasons for this ban. Swimming is still allowed in a few locations, such as Stinice, Remetic–Pisak, and downstream of Roski Waterfall, but the most popular lake is now off-limits to swimmers.

If you are looking for more than scenic views, Krka offers options. You can visit religious monuments, the second-oldest hydroelectric power plant, water mills, and a few medieval fortresses. You can enjoy a boat ride from the town of Skradin across the River Krka. Krka is known for its diverse wildlife, so be on the lookout for bird and reptile species.

Plitvice Lakes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so swimming and bathing are strictly prohibited. Besides hiking, you can take a boat ride across Lake Kozjak or enjoy a train ride that would drop you at different points in the park. Exploring the countless trails and routes along lakes and waterfalls can be exhausting. If you still have time and energy left, you can explore the trails that loop above and beyond the lakes and take you to the surrounding caves, woodlands, and villages. This is your chance to escape the crowds and spot a bear or wolf.

Plitvice vs Krka: Which is more beautiful?

We all want to visit places that are gorgeous and unique, so this is the most important criterion. Krka is undoubtedly beautiful. The sweeping series of naturally colored lakes is wild and picturesque. Skradinski Buk Falls, with waterfalls at one end and cascades at the other, looks phenomenal. Narrow waterfalls gushing out of craggy cliffs, travertine cliffs, tranquil trails, and turquoise clear water are awe-inspiring and are bound to leave you spellbound by their natural beauty. If you are looking to escape the well-worn tourist trail and explore something off-beat and enchanting, Krka National Park should be on your radar.

Plitvice Lakes are magnificent and mesmerizing, and you are unlikely to see anything more spectacular on your Croatia Visit. The vibrant-colored lakes, cascading waterfalls, quaint wooden pathways, and lush landscapes make the striking park a photographer’s delight. There are endless opportunities to take some memorable pictures, and you won’t be able to put your camera down. Every twist and turn will leave you awestruck. The lakes in Plitvice Lakes are much more colorful, and the waterfalls are definitely more staggering. If your decision is based on aesthetics, Plitvice is a clear winner. It is one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

I hope this has helped you decide which national park is best for you. But be assured, whatever you choose to visit, you won’t be disappointed.