There are many breathtaking waterfalls in Croatia. Although it might not be the first place you’d think about when you want to see waterfalls, but this country by the Adriatic is as naturally diverse as it is historically rich.
Blessed with stunning coastal areas, Croatia also has rugged mountains, lush rolling hills and forested areas that are home to some of the most magnificent waterfalls you’ll ever see. There’s a lot of them, too and none look the same. Here are some of these breathtaking waterfalls that you must see when you’re in Croatia.
Contents
- 11 of the Most Breathtaking Waterfalls in Croatia
- 1. The Great Waterfall, Plitvice Lakes National Park
- 2. Slap Krčić
- 3. Skradinski Buk, Krka National Park
- 4. Roški Slap, Krka
- 5. Mrežnica Waterfalls in Croatia
- 6. Rastoke waterfalls
- 7. The great waterfalls of Žumberak
- 8. Zrmanja Waterfalls in Croatia
- 9. Sopot Waterfall
- 10. Gologoricki dol Waterfalls
- 11. Butori Ponor
11 of the Most Breathtaking Waterfalls in Croatia
1. The Great Waterfall, Plitvice Lakes National Park
Tucked within Croatia’s most visited National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this amazing natural wonder lives up to its name. It is a ‘great’ waterfall indeed, and that’s saying a lot given that Plitvice has so much beauty in it that could easily steal your attention.
There are about 90 waterfalls of different sizes inside this massive park so what sets the ‘great’ one apart? The Great Waterfall towers at 78 meters making it the highest waterfall in the country.
It definitely stands out among the other waterfalls in Plitvice, as it was formed by the Plitvice Potok. That’s the river which extends 3 kilometers to the west of the fall, while the rest of the waterfalls in Plitvice are formed by the spilling of water from upper to lower lake.
If you are in Croatia, it is one of the top places to visit in the country.
2. Slap Krčić
View this post on Instagram
Also called Veliki Buk or Topoljski Buk, Slap Krčić is situated in the north of the Knin field, where the river Krčić flows into Krka river. It is a 22-meter-high waterfall, with its deep and picturesque canyon that’s a favorite among tourists.
The waterfall is located in a family-friendly area that you can explore either by foot or by cycling. There are also plenty of spaces to just relax and watch or listen to the waterfall so pack a picnic and spend an afternoon here.
3. Skradinski Buk, Krka National Park
There are seven amazing waterfalls in Krka National Park Krka, which is the second most visited national park in Croatia.
From these seven waterfalls, the most stunning would have to be Skradinski Buk, which is situated at the very end of the river.
This waterfall is made up of many smaller waterfalls and azure lakes and is nearly 90 meters wide. The breathtaking Skradinski Buk also has a clear swimming pool at the base and visitors are allowed to swim here so pack some swimming gear.
Opening Hours
For Skradinski buk and Roški slap
January–February, November –December– 9: 00 am- 4:00 pm
March-9:00 am – 5:00 pm
April– 8:00- 6:00 pm
May, September– 8:00 am-7:00 pm
October 1-15 -8:00 am- 6:00 pm
October 16- 31- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission Fee
For Skradinski buk and Roški slap
For full entry to all areas of the park
January- March, November-December
Adults- 30 kn (€4.06)
Children ( 7-18 )- 20 kn (€2.68)
April- May, October
Adults- 100 kn (€13.44)
Children ( 7-18 )- 80 kn (€10.76)
June–July, August and September
Adults- 200 kn (€26.87)
Children ( 7-18 )- 120 kn (€16.13)
Children under the age of 7 – have free entry throughout the year.
Contact Information
Phone: +385 (22) 201 777
Email: info@npk.hr
Address: Trg Ivana Pavla II br.5, 22000 Šibenik, Hrvatska
4. Roški Slap, Krka
Still located in the Krka National Park, Roški Slap is the sixth waterfall on the river Krka. This waterfall is about 36 kilometers downstream from the source of the river and is known for its numerous cascades and effluents.
Roški Slap is close to numerous watermills that also houses ethnographic collections, souvenir shops, etc.
There is also a cave above the Roški Slap, a must-visit that’s surrounded by beautiful vegetation. This cave is called Oziđena špilja, and it’s where you can enjoy a different view of the river Krka, its rapids and cascades.
Opening Hours
For Skradinski buk and Roški slap
January-February, November -December- 9: 00 am- 4:00 pm
March-9:00 am – 5:00 pm
April- 8:00- 6:00 pm
May, September- 8:00 am-7:00 pm
June- August -8:00 am-8:00 pm
October 1-15 -8:00 am- 6:00 pm
October 16- 31- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission Fee
For Skradinski buk and Roški slap
For full entry to all areas of the park
January- March, November-December
Adults- 30 kn (€4.06)
Children ( 7-18 )- 20 kn (€2.68)
April- May, October
Adults- 100 kn (€13.44)
Children ( 7-18 )- 80 kn (€10.76)
June–July, August and September
Adults- 200 kn (€26.87)
Children ( 7-18 )- 120 kn (€16.13)
Children under the age of 7 – have free entry throughout the year
Contact Information
Phone: +385 (22) 201 777
Email: info@npk.hr
Address: Trg Ivana Pavla II br.5, 22000 Šibenik, Hrvatska
5. Mrežnica Waterfalls in Croatia
Mrežnica Waterfalls may not be as tall as the ones in Plitvice or Krka National parks, but it is worth visiting if you want to see something different. For one, it is part of a stunning network of cantons, mills, and springs.
The waterfalls are part of the Mrežnica River which is regarded as one of the most special natural waterways in the country, known for its emerald green waters and the upper canyon.
This is where a great number of waterfalls flow through, and also where the Mrežnica Waterfalls flow into pools of warm water that you can swim through.
6. Rastoke waterfalls
This stunning waterfall is located in the picturesque village of Rastoke, where rivers Slunjčica and Korana meet.
Rastoke has a lot of places that are worth visiting such as caves and river canyon where you can enjoy stunning views of surrounding areas.
The two rivers Slunjčica and Korana that flow through this town is what creates incredible rapids and falls, which is one of the most beautiful in Croatia.
7. The great waterfalls of Žumberak
The great waterfalls of Žubmerak is actually a collective name of the five largest waterfalls of Žumberak mountain. Except for the Cerinski Vir, all of these waterfalls are found in the Žumberak National Park.
Sopotski Slap is the largest and the best known among these waterfalls, towering at 40 meters high and has three cascades. It is also located at a very high altitude, which is 700 meters above sea level.
With its well-maintained hiking trails and a lush forest that’s ideal for exploring, the great waterfalls of Žumberak are very popular among climbers.
8. Zrmanja Waterfalls in Croatia
Zrmanja Waterfalls is made up of cascades of a variety of heights and shapes, therefore creating an impressive water symphony. At 11 meters high, Visoki Bukis the highest and most stunning among these waterfalls. The highest and the most beautiful one is the Visoki Buk, which stands at 11 meters.
Located among canyons and caves by the Zrmanja river, it is often said that this lace is a hidden gem. This place is also a top destination for nature and adventure lovers, as its rapids are ideal for rafting and the canyon ideal for kayaking.
9. Sopot Waterfall
View this post on Instagram
Surrounded by beautiful forests and dramatic rocky terrain, Sopot Waterfall is almost 100 feet tall. It has a pretty interesting landscape as you’ll find marine fossils and rock because this area used to be covered by the sea thousands of years ago.
When you see the Sopot Waterfalls, it does look like it’s been carved into the limestone and that makes it one of the unique and most beautiful waterfalls in Croatia.
10. Gologoricki dol Waterfalls
View this post on Instagram
Another picture-perfect spot is the Gologoricki dol Waterfalls, situated near the town of Cerovlje in the Istria peninsula, on a farm and accessible by horse, coach or foot.
Do not expect a massive waterfall or anything that’s too spectacular when you go see the Gologoricki dol Waterfalls, as it is quite hidden and set within the beautiful landscape of a quaint little village.
It’s still something to look at though, as the scenery looks like its straight out of a painting centuries ago.
11. Butori Ponor
View this post on Instagram
Still in Istria, in the village of Momjan is the Butori Ponor waterfalls. It is on the Ardila River and has a stunning gorge below. Butori Ponor is nestled in a small, out of the way rural setting, that’s also known for its generations-old water wheels. Like the windmills of Holland, these waterwheels are an important part of Croatian history and heritage. Aside from this hidden gem of a waterfall, Momjan village also has a centuries-old castle and church ruins that you can visit.