Discover what to expect on a Viking Cruise excursion to Krka National Park and the charming town of Skradin, Croatia. We will share all about the amazing waterfall views, helpful tips, and planning advice.
Krka National Waterpark Waterfalls
On a recent Viking cruise, one of our ports brought us to the stunning country of Croatia. Eager to explore its natural beauty, we chose an excursion to Krka National Park to see the famous waterfalls and experience the scenic trails. It didn’t take long to realize we had made a great decision—this day quickly became one of the highlights of our trip. Here’s why you should add it to your travel list too.
Krka National Park has such beauty everywhere you look.
Some Facts about Krka National Park
First a few facts about Krka:
*Named after the Krka River, which flows through the park.
*Covers nearly 27,000 acres of protected land.
*Home to 7 waterfalls, including the famous Skradinski Buk.
*Waterfalls drop a total of 150 feet along a 1,300-foot stretch.
*More than 860 plant species and abundant bird and fish life.
*Swimming has been prohibited since 2021 to protect the ecosystem.
We started our day from the port and took buses to Krka.
Arrival at Krka National Park
Our Viking Cruise excursion lasted about 3.5 hours. After boarding our tour bus, we drove through Croatia’s beautiful countryside along the river before arriving at Krka National Park. Once there, our guide led us to the welcome center where we were given 15 minutes of free time to go to the restrooms, get snacks, and shop. This was our only break so make sure to spend the time wisely.
Special Note About Stairs
Be prepared for more stairs than you might expect. The trail starts with a descent to the base of the waterfalls and ends with a climb back up, and some people in our group found it more strenuous than the “moderate” rating suggested. There are limited railings in certain areas, so this is something to consider if mobility is a concern. Several guests opted to stay near the welcome center, which still offered impressive views of the waterfalls.
There is a welcome area with places to sit and relax and a lookout spot to view the falls.
At the welcome area there is a snack bar, bathrooms, souvenir shop and picnic area.
Walking the Waterfall Loop
Finally, we began the scenic loop around the waterfalls, which took us about 45 minutes to an hour. We chose to explore at our own pace rather than stay with the tour guide—just be sure to let the tour guide know and confirm your meeting time for departure. The trail starts with several steps down (again, no railings), leading to the base of the waterfalls. From there, we crossed a wooden bridge that offered one of the most breathtaking views of the falls.
Map of Krka National Park ~ we looped around the waterfalls.
At the bottom of the falls we walked over a bridge.
The most magnificent view of the waterfalls.
After we walked across the bridge, we started our decent back up the stairs walking along some beautiful areas with even more waterfalls. When we reached the top we were actually walking above the waterfall which was really cool. There is a wooden walkway that goes over the water.
*Special note ~there are no railings so you need to have good balance at this point.
We met back up with our group and headed to the bus. My only complaint was I wish we could have stayed longer as there was so much more to explore. I hope some day I can return!
Exploring The Town of Skradin
We left the the waterfalls and stopped at a cute little Croatian town called Skradin. This small riverside town feels like a postcard with its cobblestone streets, pastel stone buildings, and peaceful harbor filled with boats. Dating back over 2,000 years, Skradin has roots in Roman times and today serves as one of the main gateways to Krka National Park. They had plenty of gift shops and places to eat and it was a nice place to unwind after our time at the waterfalls.
Bringing it all together
Overall, our excursion to Krka National Park and the historic town of Skradin was truly one of the highlights of our Viking Cruise. From the breathtaking waterfalls and scenic wooden pathways to the charming cobblestone streets along Skradin’s harbor, the day offered the perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural charm. While the 3.5 hours felt a bit short, the experience was absolutely worth it. If your itinerary includes this stop, I highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity—you’ll leave with incredible photos and even better memories.
Shop My Favorite Travel Necessities:
Heading to Europe Soon? Check out some of my favorite travel necessities here:
Shop Here: My Favorite Europe Travel Finds
Heading to Europe soon. Check out my post all about planning a 3 country vacation right here:
How to Plan An Amazing 3 Country Itinerary of Germany, Italy and Croatia