Last Updated: November 23, 2021
Best Waterfalls In Croatia (Including Plitvice!)
Croatia is known for its spectacular beaches and beautiful nature, but did you know that it’s also abundant with waterfalls? You’ve heard of the ones in Krka National Park and Plitvice Lakes for sure, but there are lots of smaller, lesser-known Croatian waterfalls throughout the country that are just as beautiful and worth your time.
From the spectacular waterfalls of Istria to the charming cascades along the Croatian coastline – below is a list of the best and most beautiful waterfalls in Croatia!
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Skradinski Buk Waterfall
Skradinski Buk waterfall is the largest waterfall in the southern part of Krka National Park. If you enter the National Park at the Lozovac entrance and ride the bus to the pedestrian walkway, you’re in the perfect area to see Skradinski Buk, and about a dozen smaller waterfalls.
The walkway follows the Krka river to the Skradinski Buk fall (Krka waterfalls), featuring countless pools and cascades along the way. There are also lots of worthy detours along the way, including scenic viewpoints, cafes, gift shops, and an old mill/museum. There’s even a small beach near this waterfall and you can go for a swim if the weather allows.
Krka National Park is very large and it’s almost impossible to explore the entire place in a single day. If you are visiting just for the Skradinski Buk waterfall and aren’t planning on driving throughout the NP, it’s best to get tickets for just this part of the NP because they are significantly cheaper. It’s worth noting that this national park is very popular among both tourists and locals, and it can get very crowded.
Krcic Waterfall
Krcic Waterfall is in the Kovacic village, just minutes away from the northern entrance into Krka National Park. If you happen to visit Roski Waterfall, you won’t regret it if you take out an hour to visit this spectacular cascade as well. Krcic waterfall is quite tall, stunning, and so abundant with water that it doesn’t matter whether you visit during the dry or rainy season.
There’s a footbridge right in front of the waterfall, which is the perfect place to get a great look at this magnificent cascade, as long as you don’t mind getting a little wet. There are other viewpoints in the area, so feel free to roam around and explore until you find the absolute best views.
If you have enough time, you can also visit the town of Knin that’s nearby. It doesn’t boast spectacular waterfalls, but it does feature a magical fortress with some of the best views you can experience in this part of Croatia. You can’t see any waterfalls from the fortress, but you can get a great bird’s-eye view of the river Krka.
Roski Waterfall
Image courtesy of James Stringer
Roski Waterfall is also in Krka National Park, but it’s in the northern part of the NP. You can get tickets specifically for this part of the national park, and they’re significantly cheaper than those that give you access to the entire place.
Considering just how far Roski Waterfall is from the attractions in the southern part of the park, it’s definitely a good idea to get the cheaper tickets if you don’t plan on driving your car throughout the NP.
There are loads of fun things to do in the northern part of the NP, so you can still spend hours exploring the different attractions and admiring the scenic views, even if you never leave the area of the Roski Waterfall. There are several scenic viewpoints near the waterfall, and there’s even a cozy restaurant that offers great food alongside the panoramic views.
There’s even a cave in the area, and it’s one of the top sights in the entire NP, apart from the spectacular cascades. You must climb some 500 steps to reach the cave, but it’s absolutely worth the effort because the views from the cave entrance area are incredible.
The interior of the cave is also great, just keep in mind that it tends to be quite cold inside. You might want to skip the cave if you’re afraid of insects since it is home to several species of spiders, moths, and bats.
Manojlovac Waterfall
Image courtesy of Mico Samardzija
If you thought we were done with river Krka’s waterfalls, you’re mistaken. Manojlovac Fall is another spectacular waterfall in Krka NP, and it happens to be the tallest one on the Krka River. It’s a phenomenal sight located close to the Burnum entrance into the NP. The entire area is stunning, featuring cascades, panoramic viewpoints, and ancient ruins.
You can even get to the bottom of the waterfall, for some incredibly close-up views of the flowing stream. It’s not exactly a child-friendly path since there is some climbing involved, so keep that in mind if you’re visiting the area with kids. There are a few other observation decks in this area as well – most of them are on higher ground and offer phenomenal views of Krka’s tallest waterfall.
Take your time and explore all the hidden paths in the area, if you want to get some amazing photos of the Manojlovac Waterfall. It’s worth noting that this area is not that popular with tourists, so there likely won’t be any crowds while you’re there.
The nature here is practically untouched, and it’s incredible just how beautiful everything looks. If you follow the river downstream for a little while you can also see the Miljacka waterfall – it’s not quite as spectacular as this one, but it’s still a charming sight.
Sopot Waterfall
Sopot Waterfall is located in a nature preserve in Istria and it’s one of the highest waterfalls in the region. It is 24.5 meters tall and it’s quite a spectacular sight. The waterfall is accessible by a 3-kilometer hiking trail, which is definitely worth doing because of all the wonderful sights you get to experience along the way.
The trail features panoramic viewpoints, an ancient bridge, and a spectacular waterfall. It’s a relatively easy hiking trail suitable for newbies, but it is worth noting that the terrain is rocky and steep at times.
Parts of the trail are through the forest, but most viewpoints are on exposed ground do be sure to bring a hat and lots of water. Also, be careful if you visit the area shortly after rain because the trail becomes muddy and slippery.
Sopot Waterfall is rather interesting – it’s not quite as mesmerizing as the falls of Krka and Plitvice Lakes national parks, but it is incredibly charming. The stream falls into a turquoise pool, and the colors are incredible. It is best to visit Sopot Waterfall in the spring or autumn – summer heat tends to dry out the stream, and if you visit during the dry season, you might not get to see a waterfall.
The Great Waterfall (Plitvice Lakes)
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s most popular and largest national park and a must if you want to see some spectacular waterfalls. This place is so stunning it was actually designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The National Park boasts a system of interconnected lakes, with lots of cascades and pools throughout the NP. The nature of the park is spectacular, featuring native wildlife, amazing flora, and exciting hiking trails.
The Great Waterfall might be the largest and best-known in the national park, but it’s certainly not the only one. There are dozens of cascades throughout the park, and you can see most of them if you just follow the NP walkway.
It’s even possible to stay in the national park for a few days, which is a great idea if you really want to explore the area. With lots of hiking and cycling trails, there’s certainly no lack of fun things to do at Plitvice Lakes National Park. Just make sure to reserve accommodation in advance – this is the most visited NP in the country, and it’s usually crowded regardless of the season.
Mreznica River Waterfalls
Mreznica River boasts more than a hundred waterfalls throughout its course. It’s not exactly easily accessible since it flows through a canyon, but it is possible to reach some scenic viewpoints via various hiking trails. The river is popular for its countless cascades, especially for people who are into rafting and kayaking.
Both activities are very popular in the area, making Mreznica River a must for all adventurers who aren’t afraid of the occasional adrenaline rush. You can even go swimming in the river if the weather is nice, and that’s always a bonus.
Mreznica River isn’t popular for any single waterfall, but rather for the experiencing of seeing so many of them in such a short amount of time. They’re often smaller cascades, but they’re spectacular enough that you won’t regret taking the time to visit this part of Croatia.
It’s worth noting that there are campsites along the river banks, so consider staying in the area longer if you’d like to explore more than just the Croatian waterfalls. This area is very close to the city of Karlovac, and it’s under an hour away from Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Slunj Rastoke Waterfalls
Slunj is a small touristy village near Karlovac and Plitvice Lakes National Park. The entire village is incredibly picturesque, and definitely worth a visit if you want to see some incredibly beautiful nature. There are lots of waterfalls in this village – some are small, others are big, and all of them are beautiful.
Also, there are quite a few bridges and panoramic viewpoints throughout the village, as well as old mills that are remarkably charming. Slunj village and all of its picturesque waterfalls are just some 25 minutes north of Plitvice Lakes, so you can easily kill two birds with one stone if you’re in the area.
Additionally, the charming village is nowhere near as popular as the national park, so it’s a great alternative if the park happens to be very busy when you try to visit it. In addition to Slunj Rastoke Waterfalls and enchanting mills, this tiny village also boasts a beautiful old town with ruins of a medieval fortress.
Zarecki Krov Waterfall
Zarecki Krov waterfall is another beautiful cascade in Istria, just a short drive away from the Sopot Waterfall. It’s a rather unique sight as well – the cascade flows down from a rocky overhang into a pretty big pool, which happens to be quite popular for swimming, cliff jumping, and picnics.
The amount of water in the stream depends on the season – it’s a thin stream during the dry season, but a majestic cascade in the rainy season.
The nature in this area is very beautiful, featuring lots of greenery and gorgeous flowers. Also, the water from the stream has carved out some rather interesting pools in the rocks, and they’re certainly worth checking out.
Zarecki Krov waterfall is on the river Pazincica, near the town of Pazin. The place is very popular with both tourists and locals, so expect crowds, especially on warmer days. It’s not a bad idea to stop by the town of Pazin as well, while you’re already in the area. It’s popular for ziplining, and the town also boasts a castle and a cave that are definitely worth exploring.
Sopote Waterfall
Not to be confused with the Sopot Waterfall in Istria, the Sopote Waterfall is another spectacular sight in northwest Croatia. This waterfall is in Zumberak nature preserve, and it’s quite far away from the Istrian cascade with a similar name.
Sopote Waterfall is easily accessible by road and only the last few meters of the path must be crossed on foot. The waterfall is very tall and beautiful, and it’s definitely a must-see if you’re on the hunt for Croatia’s most stunning cascades. It’s worth noting that the area near the fall is also the start of a hiking trail that takes you above the cascade, allowing you to see the source of the cold water.
The trail is somewhat steep and can be slippery thanks to all the leaves on the ground, so make sure you’re wearing appropriate hiking gear.
Zumberak nature preserve boasts lots of other hiking trails, so you can explore more of it if you enjoy being in the area. The nature here is absolutely wonderful and practically untouched since the place is not that popular with tourists. Just keep in mind that this part of the country boasts a colder climate than what you might be used to, so be sure to bring adequate clothes.
Other Croatian Waterfalls
We can’t cover all the waterfalls in Croatia, but if you want a few more to add to your list here are some worth checking out:
- Gologoricki Dol Waterfalls
- Mali Buk Waterfall, Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Sastavci Waterfalls, Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Butori Ponor Waterfalls, Istria
- Mrežnica Waterfalls
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
