---
type: "Article"
title: "Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park – tracking down Winnetou"
description: "The Plitvicer Lakes and Krka National Park in Croatia have served as the backdrop for Pierre Brice's Winnetou and Lex Barker's Old Shatterhand mountain man."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/croatia/plitvice-lakes-krka-national-park-winnetou"
author: "Katja Birrer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 19
tags: ["Experience", "Nature", "Croatia"]
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lake"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/hiking"
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/swiss-international-air-lines"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-04T14:12:14+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2017-09-21T19:12:55+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: plitvice-lakes-krka-national-park-winnetou.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Katja Birrer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
    last_modified: 2017-08-30
timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:12:14+00:00
---

# Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park – tracking down Winnetou

> Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park are two of Croatia's most celebrated national parks, famous for their turquoise lakes, dramatic waterfalls, and karst scenery — and notable as filming locations for the classic 1960s Winnetou Western movies.

## Destination
Croatia; Plitvice Lakes National Park and Krka National Park, with Krka accessible via the village of Skradin.

## Getting there
Both parks are easily reached by car with paid parking available (around $10/day); arrive early to secure a spot. The Krka boat ride from Skradin to Skradinski Buk is included in the admission price.

## When to go
Go early in the morning to beat the crowds, which peak around midday. Summer is hot; carry plenty of water. Admission prices vary seasonally.

## Why visit
Stunning turquoise and emerald lakes, thundering waterfalls, and karst formations make both parks spectacular. They also served as backdrop for the 1960s Karl May Winnetou films, adding a pop-culture curiosity for fans.

## What to see
- **Plitvice Lakes** — Croatia's oldest and largest national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, with glistening turquoise lakes and the 78-meter Veliki Slap waterfall.
- **Skradinski Buk** — The largest and most famous waterfall in Krka National Park, reachable by boat from Skradin; swimming is popular here.
- **Krka National Park additional attractions** — Ruined forts, water mills, and monasteries line the Krka river and lake shores alongside multiple waterfalls.

## What to do
- **Boat ride at Plitvice Lakes** — Electric boat ride is included in the park admission ticket.
- **Boat ride to Skradinski Buk (Krka)** — Included in Krka admission; departs from Skradin harbour.
- **Hiking the trails** — Well-maintained walkways and trails circle the lakes and waterfalls; wear sturdy shoes rather than flip flops or flats.

## Good to know
High-season admission is around 180 kuna (~$28) per person at each park (as of August 2017), covering shuttle buses and boat rides at Plitvice and the Skradin boat at Krka. Krka tickets can be bought online. Both parks are extremely popular; arrive before the crowds peak at midday. If time allows only one park, the authors recommend Plitvice Lakes.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-3.jpg"
    caption: "Veliki Slap is the highest waterfall in the Plitvice National Park"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "Veliki Slap", "excursion", "highest waterfall", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    captured: 2017-08-30
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-7.jpg"
    caption: "Turquoise waterfall pool at Plitvice Lakes"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    captured: 2017-08-30
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-10.jpg"
    caption: "Maybe in this one?..."
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    captured: 2017-08-30
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Proscansko-jezero-Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park.jpg"
    caption: "Prošćansko Lake"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    captured: 2017-08-30
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-18.jpg"
    caption: "Or what is that shining in the water?"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    captured: 2017-08-30
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-13.jpg"
    caption: "Did something just move behind that rock!?"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    captured: 2017-08-30
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-2.jpg"
    caption: "Veliki Slap is the highest waterfall in the Plitvice National Park"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "Veliki Slap", "excursion", "highest waterfall", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-17.jpg"
    caption: "Plitvice Lakes Croatia"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "boardwalk", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    captured: 2017-08-30
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-6.jpg"
    caption: "Plitvice Lakes Croatia"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "boardwalk", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    captured: 2017-08-30
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia.jpg"
    caption: "Plitvice Lake ferry"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-Croatia-21.jpg"
    caption: "Kozjak Lake"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "National Park", "Plitvice Lakes", "Plitvička Jezera", "excursion", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    captured: 2017-08-30
    geo: {latitude: 44.8765, longitude: 15.6091}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Krka-National-Park-Skradin-Croatia.jpg"
    caption: "Skradin seen from the boat"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Krka National Park", "Skradin", "boardwalk", "hiking", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    geo: {latitude: 43.8159, longitude: 15.9269}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Krka-National-Park-Croatia.jpg"
    caption: "Skradinski Buk"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Krka National Park", "Skradinski Buk waterfall", "boardwalk", "hiking", "lake", "tourist attraction", "tourists"]
    geo: {latitude: 43.8054, longitude: 15.9636}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Krka-National-Park-Croatia-2.jpg"
    caption: "Skradinski Buk in Krka National Park"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Krka National Park", "Skradinski Buk waterfall", "boardwalk", "hiking", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    geo: {latitude: 43.8054, longitude: 15.9636}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Krka-National-Park-Croatia-3.jpg"
    caption: "Krka National Park"
    keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Krka National Park", "Skradinski Buk waterfall", "boardwalk", "hiking", "lake", "tourist attraction"]
    geo: {latitude: 43.8054, longitude: 15.9636}
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
```