Croatia is a country abundant in natural beauty – there are even 8 national parks, 2 strict reserves, and 11 nature parks. All of these locations are beloved weekend and summer destinations for locals, as well as favourite tourist locations. People from around the world come specifically for some of the national parks in Croatia. Thanks to the peculiar geomorphology of karst which makes up most of the Croatian surface, there are wonderful natural phenomena you’ve probably never encountered.
Some of the most popular national parks in this country are Plitvice Lakes and the Krka River National Park. Visited by streams of people every day during the tourist season, they continue to mesmerize everyone who visits them. They’re loved both by children, young couples, families and people of all ages. Choosing between Krka National Park vs Plitvice National Park can be hard, because they both offer amazing sights and are somewhat alike, but follow our guidelines, and you’ll easily decide which one to visit on your next trip. If you’re staying for a week or more, we suggest you visit both!
PRO TIP FOR TRAVEL IN CROATIA: You can hire Croatia Limo for your airport transfers, private sightseeing car tours, or long-distance taxi rides.
Waterfalls in the Plitvice National Park
Discover the beautiful nature of freshwater ecosystems
The first factor in deciding which park suits you better is their nature. It’s hard to choose which one is better – Plitvice Lakes vs Krka, and there’s no definite winner. It all depends on your preferences. These are both freshwater national parks which consist of many streams and waterfalls, as well as beautiful forest shade. Krka’s nature is more of a Mediterranean type, while the Plitvice Lakes offers a continental climate.
Plitvice National Park consists of :
- 16 lakes,
- 2 main rivers with a few smaller ones,
- numerous springs,
- and magical waterfalls – the most popular one is the Milka Trnina waterfall named after a Croatian opera singer.
There are around 30 caves in this peculiar dolomite and limestone base. This is the oldest and the most visited national park in Croatia, and people have been visiting it for almost a century. Most of the lakes are separated by travertine barriers which are a landmark of Plitvice Lakes.
While Plitvice National Park is famous for its lakes, Krka is popular because of its waterfalls. There are 7 travertine waterfalls, similar to those of Plitvice, but mostly larger. The most popular ones are Roški slap and Skradinski buk – most of the tours are focused on these spots. There’s a promenade through the forest near the Skradinski buk which is built along or over the streams so you can stroll next to the beautiful water.
Both Krka and Plitvice Lakes are abundant with animal life and wonderful plants so you’ll encounter plenty of animals on your trip. There are various fish and bird species, as well as some interesting reptiles and amphibians. Choosing between Krka National Park vs Plitvice Lakes based on nature will be hard – they’re both worth visiting, so we strongly suggest you visit both if you can. If you have to choose, then it’s smart to visit Krka in the summer and combine it with a sea vacation, and Plitvice in the winter so you can discover the true winter fairytale.
Unique sights of the Krka National Park
Choose based on your vacation location
One of the main things that’ll influence your decision whether to visit Plitvice Lakes vs Krka is their location. Krka is located in the central Dalmatia, near the town of Šibenik and Zadar in which you can book a private transfer from Zadar to Krka . This river is connected to the sea near the small town of Zaton, and a part of it is sailable. The total area of the river is 109 km2, and its spring is just beneath the Dinara mountain near the town of Knin. Even though the focus of the Krka National Park is the river of the same name, it also includes the lower stream of the river Čikola, another beautiful Croatian freshwater destination.
On the other hand, Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in a mountainous region between several mountain ranges. It’s surrounded by the Dinarid mountains, which influence its special geomorphology. Some of the closest towns to the Plitvice Lakes are Slunj, Gospić, and Ogulin, which all make great one-day trips.
You can choose which park to visit based on the location of your vacation – if you’d like a seaside vacation, then Krka is a better option because you can easily book accommodation in the beautiful coastal town of Šibenik and get on one of many tours to Krka. However, if you’re more interested in hiking the continental Croatia and visiting its capital of Zagreb or even planning a winter vacation, then Plitvice Lakes are the better option. A private transfer from Zagreb to Plitvice is the most convenient option.
Wide tourist offer
Aside from the natural beauty of these national parks, there are some other sights. One interesting destination in the Krka National Park is the small island of Visovac on which stands the secluded monastery. Visiting this island will be a unique experience, that’s for sure. There are numerous bike and hiking trails ideal for those looking for an active vacation, some amazing viewpoints and boat tours. Since Krka is one of the most important rivers in this region, there are charming old water mills you can visit and learn a lot about the local history and about the crucial role of the river.
Plitvice Lakes also has cultural and historical heritage you can explore. This region has been inhabited since prehistoric times, so there are a lot of cultural sights you can visit. Aside from this, it’s an important biodiversity spot and the focus of many biological research projects on fish, mammals, flora and others. Numerous people come to volunteer and help investigate the interesting nature of Plitvice.
Ideal stroll through the Plitvice Lakes National Park in every season
Plitvice Lakes vs Krka National Park – a hard choice
When summed up, it’s still hard to say which National Park you should visit. It’s best to decide depending on which part of Croatia you’re interested in – the monumental mountains of the Dinarid region, or the coastal Mediterranean region. Both of these locations offer interesting karst geomorphological phenomena, numerous waterfalls, rivers and lakes, as well as beautiful strolls. If you’re staying in Croatia for a week or longer, we suggest you visit both. You’ll need a few days for the both national parks because of their wide offer and large area, but you definitely won’t regret visiting.
