The Best Waterfalls Near Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a town packed full of history and culture. However, the surrounding area has an amazing amount of natural beauty, waterfalls in particular. If you are planning to experience some spectacular nature when staying in Croatia’s ancient city, take a look at our ultimate guide to the best waterfalls near Dubrovnik!
The Best Waterfalls Near Dubrovnik – Kravice Waterfall
Kravice falls are known as one of the most beautiful natural sights in Bosnia, and there is certainly tough competition. Despite being in Bosnia, they are one of the most amazing waterfalls near Dubrovnik! The falls are 25m high and 120m wide, which is why they are known as the “mini Niagara Falls”. After all, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a “country of mountains and water”.
How to Get to Kravice Waterfalls from Dubrovnik
If you’re planning a day trip from Dubrovnik to Kravice Waterfalls there are a few things to be aware of. There isn’t much in the way of direct public transport from Dubrovnik so it’s best to hire a car or take a tour. If you drive, Kravice is only 140km from Dubrovnik.
However, most tours offer Mostar and Kravice in the same day from Dubrovnik. The tours last all day and include transport from Dubrovnik to Mostar and Kravice and back for around €50. We used a tour booked through GETYOURGUIDE and thoroughly enjoyed it.
After parking in the car park, the falls are a 15-minute walk downhill. We wouldn’t say the walk was particularly stroller or wheelchair friendly. There was a toilet at the car park (always good to know…).
Entry Fee
- October – May: €3
- June & September: €4
- July & August: €5
Entrance fees are only charged between the times of 8.00 and 20.00 and the falls are open 24 hours per day.
Can you Swim Here
It is possible to go swimming in the river. The water isn’t that warm but in the summer it is very refreshing! Kayaks are available to rent for around €5 per hour and are a fun way to explore the river.
How Busy Is It?
the falls can become very busy in peak season so it’s ideal to visit in late spring or early autumn for the best weather and quieter times. If you are there in the summer, maybe an early morning of later afternoon might be a better time to go. The falls are also at their fullest during the springtime.
The Best Waterfalls Near Dubrovnik – Krka Waterfall
Krka National Park is a fantastic waterfall near Dubrovnik. One of the many phenomenal National Parks in this part of Croatia, Krka is a natural beauty not to be missed.
There are many smaller waterfalls on the 3km wooden path route that you can follow around the park. The colours are brilliant greens and icy blues. After walking for a while, and taking hundreds of photos, you will arrive at the spectacular Skradinski Buk waterfall.
How to Get to Krka Waterfalls from Dubrovnik
Krka is just over a 3 hour drive from Dubrovnik centre. If you are not driving, it is possible to go by bus. However. it can take up to 6 hours. A great way to get from Dubrovnik to Krka without a car, is to go on a tour that includes all transport.
Entry Fee
The entry fee for an adult off season was only €6.50. However it varies throughout the year, reaching €20 in the summer months. Tickets can be bought in advance online HERE, or at the park entrance.
Can You Swim Here
At certain times of the year swimming is allowed at Skradinski buk and Roški slap waterfalls. However, we were there in the spring when water volume is high. So swimming was not permitted.
How Busy Is It?
During the peak seasons it can be busy and the ticket prices increase.
The Best Waterfalls Near Dubrovnik – Plitvice Lakes
How to Get to Plitvice Lakes from Dubrovnik
So it would be a push to say that Plitvice Waterfalls are near Dubrovnik as it can take up to 10 hours to get there. However, they are so spectacular, we didn’t want to leave them out! The easiest way to get to Plitvice from Dubrovnik is to take the bus. There is only one departure per day so you will have to spend the night in the area.
Entry Fee
The entry fee varies depending on the time of year that you visit. Obviously, off season visits will be a little cheaper. It is also possible to buy one or two day tickets. See below for 1 day ticket costs.
- Jan, Feb, March & Nov, December: 10 Euro
- April, May & October: 23.5 Euro
- June, July, August & September: 40 Euro
Can you Swim Here
Unfortunately, you cannot swim in Plitvice Lakes as it is a protected area.
How Busy Is It?
During the peak seasons it can be busy and the ticket prices increase. We would recommend visiting in spring or early autumn for the best weather and quieter times.
The Best Waterfalls Near Dubrovnik – Provalije Waterfall
Provalije and Pjene Waterfalls run through the old mill town of Stolac along the Bregava River. Bosnia and Herzegovina is full of amazing waterfalls and in relatively near Dubrovnik.
How to Get to Provalije Waterfalls from Dubrovnik
The easiest way to get to Provalije waterfalls is to drive. If you have access to a car, the route will take about an hour and 45 minutes. If you don’t have a car, it is possible to take the bus to Plana then take a taxi from there to Stolac. The taxi will cost around 15-20 euros each way.
Entry Fee
There is no entry fee to Provalije Waterfall
Can you Swim Here
Yes, you can swim here in the summer. The water is pretty cold so it’s not really advisable when the temperature dips.
How Busy Is It?
Provalije Waterfall is much quieter than nearby Kravice. There are plenty of nice seafood restaurants nearby with views over the water. These are definitely worth visiting.
The water dries up during the summer so its best to visit Provalije Waterfall in the spring.
The Best Waterfalls Near Dubrovnik – Pjene Waterfalls
Just a minutes drive from Provalije Waterfall is Pjene Waterfalls. This waterfall is not as spectacular as others near Dubrovnik. However, as it is so close to Provalije Waterfall, you should definitely visit while in the area.
How to Get to Pjene Waterfalls from Dubrovnik
Pjene Waterfalls is only a 1 minute drive or 10 minute walk from Provalije Waterfall. There is a big parking lot nearby.
Entry fee
There is no entry fee to Pjene Waterfalls
Can you Swim Here
Yes, you can swim here in the summer when the water has a temperature around 20 °C. As with most waterfalls near Dubrovnik, the water is pretty cold away from the summer months so it’s not really advisable to swim when the temperature dips.
How Busy Is It?
Pjene is a great place for relaxing. You can swim under the small waterfalls without bumping into too many people.
The Best Waterfalls Near Dubrovnik – Waterfall Skakavica
Skakavica is all the way over in Montenegro. It is located in a spectacular canyon and is a nice spot for camping.
How to Get to Skakavica from Dubrovnik
By car, it will take around 5 hours to drive from Dubrovnik to Skakavica. Look out for the turn to “Imanje Izvori” if you are following GPS. It has been known to try to take you the wrong direction. There is parking nearby.
Entry fee
There is a hefty fee of 1 euro to visit Skakavica waterfalls.
Can you Swim Here
There are no signs to say don’t swim. However it is pretty cold and the water can be powerful as the snow melt comes off the mountains so take care.
How Busy Is It?
This is not a busy tourist hotspot. Just beware it may run dry in the summer months so best visited in the spring.
When to Visit the Best Waterfalls Near Dubrovnik
During the off season, the entry tickets are cheaper and the park is quiet. In the peak months, there are more amenities available but the crowds are pretty large. It really depends what type of experience you are looking for. For us, we preferred to relax in the peace and quiet of nature.
What to Pack for your Trip to the Waterfalls Near Dubrovnik
We have put together a convenient packing list for your day trip to any of the beautiful waterfalls near Dubrovnik.
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Swimming costume
- Towel
- Change of clothes
- Backpack
- Snacks for the journey
- Picnic
- Book/audiobook for the bus
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing such as rain jacket or sun protection
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone
- Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
- Passport/travel documents
What to Avoid when Visiting Waterfalls Near Dubrovnik
Waterfalls hold truly spectacular natural beauty. However, to make the most of your visit, there are a few things we would recommend you avoid if possible. Weekends and holidays in the summer can get super busy! If you can’t avoid this completely, try visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon to miss the crowds.
If you visit on a rainy day, beware the wooden pathways at some locations! The rain can make the wooden slats pretty slippery.
Don’t swim in the winter. The signs in most locations will warn you not to swim at certain times of year. It is wise to heed this advise! The water is cold and powerful during the winter months and early spring. The snow from the hills melts and increases the water volume of the falls.
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not go South and check out the Albanian Riviera.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Albania? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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