Plitvice Lakes or Krka National Park?

If you’re planning a trip to Croatia, you might be wondering whether to visit Plitvice Lakes or Krka National Park. They’re both beautiful and both definitely worthy of a visit, but if you can’t fit them both in to your itinerary, which one should you choose? Let me try and help you decide.

What’s on Your Bucket List?

Usually, when people talk about bucket list destinations in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes features somewhere near the top. And for very good reason.

When I first seen photographs of Plitvice Lakes, I struggled to believe it was an actual place. But it most definitely is. I visited earlier this year as part of an interrailing trip, and I was absolutely blown away. It really is one of the most insanely beautiful places I’ve ever been.

Plitvice Lakes

I discovered Krka National Park whilst researching things to do in Dalmatia before setting off on a two week holiday to Dubrovnik and Split last year. To be honest, I wanted to got to Plitvice, but I grudgingly agreed with my friend and travel companion, that it was just too far to travel during our reasonably short trip to Croatia.

Although the photographs I found online of Krka were also ridiculously stunning, I didn’t think they were in the same league as Plitvice. I have to admit that I viewed Krka National Park as a consolation prize.

Krka National Park

Now that I’ve been lucky enough to have visited both, I’ve put together a little something that might help you decide between the two.

But first, here’s some facts about each.

Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site located half way between Zagreb in the north east of Croatia, and Zadar on the Dalmatian coast. It’s Croatia’s largest national park and one of the oldest in South East Europe. With 16 lakes, connected by amazing waterfalls, Plitvice spans 116 square miles of forest and stunning turquoise water.

Krka National Park

Krka National Park is situated along the Krka River in southern Croatia, about 6 miles inland from Sibenik. It’s best known for its 7 waterfalls covering an area of nearly 55 square miles, but there’s also walking trails and traditional watermills to explore.

Plitvice v Krka

Distance

Like me, on my first visit to Croatia, your decision might depend on how long you have in Croatia, where you’re based and whether you intend to travel while you’re there.

Distance	To Plitvice Lakes	To Krka National Park
from Dubrovnik	268 miles (432 km)	172 miles (277 km)
from Split	151 miles (243 km)	54 miles (87 km)
from Zadar	74 miles (119 km)	48 miles (77 km)
from Zagreb	81 miles (130 km)	204 miles (328 km)

So if you don’t want to travel too far, your best bet from Dubrovnik or Split is probably Krka (although from Dubrovnik it could take around 3 hours to drive there). From Zagreb, Plitvice is probably your better option, and from Zadar both parks are easily reachable in under 2 hours (by car).

Size

Plitvice Lakes covers an area of around 116 sq miles (that’s 300 sq km). It’s massive. To really explore the whole park could take a couple of days (although it’s entirely possible to see most of it in one day if you don’t linger too long at each lake or waterfall).

Krka National Park is a lot smaller. It’s around 55 sq miles (142 sq km) so at less than half the size of Plitvice it’s easy to cover the whole park in a day.

So the question is, does size matter to you?

Cost

As with most major tourists attractions you’ll find different prices and deals if you shop around for organised tours. However, to make life a bit easier, here’s a quick run-down of general entrance fees for individual adults (*prices correct at time of writing):

	January - March November - December	April - June September - October	July - August
Plitvice Lakes	55 Kuna	110 Kuna	180 Kuna
Krka National Park	30 Kuna	110 Kuna	180 Kuna

There’s not a whole lot of difference in price, but prices do vary for group bookings, students and children so it’s worthwhile doing a bit of research to see what suits you best. Check out Plitvice Lakes Price List and Krka National Park Price List for up to date details.

Crowds

Plitvice Lakes is reported as being the most popular and busiest of the two parks. But I’m not so sure.

In my experience Krka National Park is definitely giving Plitvice a run for its money especially on hot summer days. Because Krka is quite a bit smaller, even with less people it can certainly feel just as crowded. I read in the media recently that Krka National park has started to restrict its visitor numbers. For me, that’s a definite indication that crowds are on the increase at Krka.

I went to Krka in late June 2016 and it definitely felt more crowded than my visit to Plitvice in early May 2017.

Things to do

Both parks have incredible scenery, beautiful waterfalls, mild hiking trails and at least one area that serves food, drinks and souvenirs. You can also arrange customized guided tours at both parks if you arrange in advance.

Swimming

If there’s one thing that sets Plitvice and Krka apart it’s this.

You can swim at Krka National Park.

Unfortunately you’re not allowed to swim at Plitvice Lakes. This is for environmental reasons, which I’m totally on board with. But the gorgeous turquoise water is so damn inviting. I would have loved to have jumped in.

I knew before arriving at Plitvice that swimming wasn’t an option, but I overheard another visitor asking the question of his tour guide. The tongue and cheek response was along the lines of “the only way you can swim in the lake was if you accidentally fall in”. Hilarious. No one would “accidentally” fall in, right? Wrong. Well, almost wrong.

The wooden paths that form the various trails through Plitvice Lakes are flat for the most part. But every now and then there is a step or two to go up or down (which makes sense because it’s a path built over and around water falls). It’s extremely easy to get caught up in the beauty of your surroundings and miss a step, stumble and/or fall. I seen three people actually fall off the path. Luckily for them, they weren’t walking over water at the time, so they fell into what I would call ‘the rough’.

I’m also embarrased to say that I myself came very close to falling in the lake. I was too busy marvelling at my surroundings and talking to my friend who was walking behind me. Thankfully he seen the step long before I did and he grabbed my arm just as I stumbled. If he hadn’t I would have definitely fallen into the lake.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a dangerous trail. If I had fallen in, it would only have been knee deep. But it would definitely have been one of the most embarrassing moments ever.

The moral of the story is if you choose Plitvice Lakes, remember to watch your step.

Beauty

Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder, so this is a really difficult one to call. Both parks are absolutely gorgeous.

There are two things, however, that in my opinion sets Plitvice Lakes apart in the beauty stakes.

The first is the colour of the water. The water at Plitvice is mesmerizing. Each lake is a different colour, ranging from crystal clear, to turquoise, to green, to electric blue. Presumably the colour of the water depends on the weather, the lighting, the time of day etc.

The second is the sheer number of beautiful and very different lakes and waterfalls.

I’d definitely give Plitvice 10 out of 10 for beauty, and I’d give Krka 8 out of 10.

Which one should you visit?

Both!

Seriously.

If you have to choose one, I’d say choose the park that is nearest to wherever you’re staying.

In my opinion, Plitvice Lakes wins for beauty, but Krka National Park wins for swimming.

If I’m honest I’d probably go back to Krka in the summer (for the swimming) and Plitvice in the winter (when I’d be less inclined to jump in the water).

Whichever one you choose, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

But if you’re still undecided, check out some of my photos.