Which day tour from Split to take: Plitvice Lakes or Krka Waterfalls? As a full-time tour guide and a part of the Portal Day Tours team, I just love both of those stunning Croatian national parks. Although I get that question a lot: Which tour is better, Plitvice Lakes or Krka Waterfalls, giving a simple answer hasn’t always been easy. Allow me to share some of my personal views and experiences that may help you make the right choice.
So, which one is better? Of course, it depends, like always. It depends on your time, abilities, preferences and circumstances.
For instance, although a GROUP tour may not work for you, getting a PRIVATE tour might meet your expectations and be tailored to your wishes. But, say you have a choice, equal choice. For example, you’ve got a day set out for an excursion. You’re equally able to do both tours. (You can walk, have no limiting health conditions, and last but
not the least: the weather is expected to be nice in both national parks!). But you only may pick
one…
PLITVICE VS. KRKA: MY VERDICT
In that case, I would definitely go to Plitvice Lakes.
Why?
I love nature. When I’m attentive, I can be impressed by even a small flower or a leaf, a drop of rain or a pebble.
As I will explain below, Krka has a special place in my heart. I would certainly visit both places if I were you.
However, Plitvice Lakes National Park totally overtakes me. It’s such an all-encompassing place that one simply ceases to exist. There’s only nature, and you as a part of it. The moments of AWE are so numerous that cause intense surges of serotonin, oxytocin, and even adrenaline.
I visited Plitvice Lakes more than a hundred times. And it’s never been the same. Always unique, exciting and awe-inspiring. My phone is full of photos of some special, breathtaking moments at Plitvice Lakes. Allow me to share some of them…
Veliki Prštavac Watefrall, Plitvice Lakes. Photo by Igor Kocelj
Amazingly transparent water at Plitvice Lakes. Photo by Igor Kocelj
Milka Trnina Waterfall, Plitvice Lakes. Photo by Igor Kocelj
Turquoise water of Plitvice Lakes. Photo by Igor Kocelj
Rainbow at Sastavci Waterfall, Plitvice Lakes. Photo by Igor Kocelj
WEATHER
I would certainly choose Krka over Plitvice in case of bad weather forecast for Plitvice. Since Krka is situated in the Mediterranean part of Croatia, bad weather usually has only transitory effect, especially in summer. Plitvice Lakes, however, are in the mountains. That means that rain in commonplace there even in summer. Therefore, get acquainted with the weather forecast for both parks before making a final decision.
Rain at Plitvice. Photo by Igor Kocelj
At times I really wished I were to Krka instead of Plitvice… It was raining so heavily and it was so cold, that you could hardly walk. Looking at the scenery was the last thing on your mind. Couple of years ago it was 7°C (45°F) …in July! So, we stopped at the nearest shop to buy some warm clothes. Since it most people on our bus were in shorts and T-shirts, we bought ALL the clothes they had (it was a small village store). Eventually, a guy (I believe he was from Hong Kong), had to buy pyjamas to put over his summer clothes… he looked so cool that other tourists would take pictures of HIM instead of the waterfalls!
Nevertheless, light rain can make both parks look even more magical. As most other tourists would be deterred by it, rain lets you enjoy the parks intimately. And there’s something very attractive when you have water around you and literally all over you, right?
Unordinary early spring view of the cascading waterfals at Skradinski Buk, Krka National Park. Photo
by Igor Kocelj
LENGHTH & MEALS
The next feature of Portal Day Tours trip to Krka waterfalls is its duration. If you take this trip, you would be able to sleep longer (the tour usually departs at 8:30 AM from Split) and be home earlier (around 6:30 PM). Plitvice Tour requires you to get up earlier and return later.
Personally, the favourite part of the Krka trip is the fact that I can still take a swim when I get home. After the trip to Plitvice, I can only do night time swimming (I actually do that a lot. Nothing can beat the feeling that you may not be the only one in the water, right?) Also, if you have dinner plans in Split, The Krka Waterfalls tour would be perfectly suited. We stop for an optional light lunch (Dalmatian smoked ham, cheese, olive oil, tomatoes…) around 1pm. So, by 6pm you’d be starving already. Especially if you have Garfield’s metabolism.
As for Plitvice Lakes tour, after the hike, we stop for an (not entirely) optional lunch/dinner. It usually takes place around 3 or 4 pm. So, if you’re used to having your lunch around noon, you should go to Krka instead. Or bring some sandwiches to eat along the way at Plitvice. A hint: Before taking Plitvice Lakes tour, you may consider practicing intermittent fasting.
DIFFICULTY
Has your cell phone ever congratulated you for making 10.000 steps? If so, the Plitvice Lakes National Park would be a delight. Relatively easy walking, going uphill and downhill, steps here, steps there. But in general, it is easy.
However, if you have never made 10.000 steps in a day, or it’s been a while since you last did some strenuous exercise, visiting the Plitvice Lakes may be challenging. You should especially be cautious if you have a medical condition of any kind, because your symptoms might worsen.
Another issue is having children with you. Keep in mind that infants can only be CARRIED through the park. So it’s heavy workout. Also keep in mind that strollers may not be a solution either. Children get exhausted more quickly. What if that happens in the middle of nowhere? And you should know that the toilets might appear too far apart when you have little children along. Admittedly, there is a lot of walking at Krka, too, but the walking can in most cases be customized. In other words, you can avoid unwanted strenuous parts. In that case, Krka would be a good option for you.
Boardwalk at Plitvice Lakes. Photo by Igor Kocelj
The narrow boardwalks at Plitvice, countless intersections, limited seating on panoramic trains and electric boats can be very challenging for large groups of people. Even though the Park managed to decrease the number of visitors lately, you can still sometimes feel overwhelmed with the hordes of tourists swarming all over the boardwalks that usually don’t come with handrails.
SWIMMING
One of the most common questions I get at Plitvice Lakes is whether you can swim there. I totally get it because the water seems so inviting. Unfortunately, a resolute NO is the answer. (Of course, you have to swim if you’re accidentally pushed over the edge of the boardwalks.
And yes, it does happen at times). Although swimming at the waterfalls at Krka has also been discontinued, swimming is allowed at Roški Slap, one of the stops of Portal Day tour to Krka. Right after an optional lunch in a traditional tavern by the water, feel free to walk down to the Visovac Lake at Roški Slap and get much needed refreshment in the cool water of the Krka.
FREE TIME
What appears to be a disadvantage of Plitvice Lakes day tour: restricted independence, can become a plus. You don’t need to worry about getting lost (if you follow the guide and his or her instructions. It’s so easy to be carried away by the sights and to neglect the guide’s pleas. On average, I lose 1 person in a month, which means running back to intersections and trying to locate the lost sheep.)
You can just relax and be immersed in beauty. Therefore, take advantage of the few moments of being alone. There are several photo and comfort stops where you can break away for a while and feel the nature. On the other hand, Portal Day Tours excursion to Krka Waterfalls and the city of Šibenik is one of our most relaxing and varied trips.
I particularly enjoy the personal freedom that is required to experience the area to the full. In other words, after arriving to a site and providing you with necessary information, the tour guide gives you free time to explore the area on your own. This includes time for swimming or hiking at Roški Slap area.
A field of Cyclamen hederifolium at Krka. Photo by Igor Kocelj
As a guide, I appreciate the essential alone-time, allowing me to charge my batteries and regain my inspiration. I usually find a spot by one of the streams and just observe the water. Likewise, you can do the same. Instead of just running through the park and taking countless photos, slow down and just BE there.
This is one of the great advantages of this trip. One great feature of Portal Day Tours trip to Krka Waterfalls is the tour of Šibenik, with its spectacular Cathedral. The dormant city of Šibenik is not really a usual tourist mecca and is just waiting to be discovered. Since our tour of Šibenik usually takes place around teatime, you can find a shaded spot in a local café and enjoy a cup of coffee or an ice cream.
City of Šibenik, Croatia. Photo by Igor Kocelj
THE CONCLUSION
I hope you got a clearer view of pros and cons of visiting both Croatian National parks, Krka and Plitvice Lakes. Ideally, I would visit both places. That is, I would take both Portal day tours. In both cases you would benefit from a carefully tailored tours and the experience and knowledge of our professional guides. So, whichever tour you go to, you’ll have no regrets.