Rastoke Slapovi (Rastoke Falls), Croatia

This is Rastoke Falls, a waterfall in Croatia. There are buildings and houses built among the waterfalls. — Rastoke Falls in March 2025

Quick Facts

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 72′ / 22 m
Length of Hike: roadside

The Record

There are several areas in Croatia with spectacular waterfalls, and two of the most impressive are Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Parks. These should be top highlights if you’re visiting Croatia specifically to see waterfalls. A close third, at least among the ones I visited, is Rastoke Falls. While not as widely advertised as Plitvice or Krka, Rastoke is still well worth a visit.

Rastoke Falls, actually a collection of waterfalls, is located about 30 minutes by car from the north entrance of Plitvice Lakes. It’s a convenient stop, especially if you’re timing your visit around Plitvice’s opening hours, which vary by season. We had enough time to explore Rastoke briefly before heading to Plitvice.

There are 23 waterfalls in Rastoke, ranging in size and width. What makes them particularly special is the charming village interwoven among the falls—it feels almost like an alpine village built right into the landscape. While Plitvice and Krka feature dramatic natural beauty, they don’t offer quite the same village charm that Rastoke does.

If I had the chance to visit again, I would definitely spend a night in Rastoke or nearby Slunj. That way, I could explore the village and waterfalls at a more relaxed pace. The area is full of bridges and footpaths that cross over the rivers, making it a great place to wander. We visited in early March and didn’t see any snow, though I’ve seen photos of the waterfalls in winter, and they look stunning. That said, I didn’t really miss the snow, especially since I live in a place where it’s common during the winter months.

Directions

Set your GPS to the village of Slunj or Rastoke Falls. Either will get you to the general location of the falls, which you can see from the main road.
The one (slightly) confusing thing…the best viewpoints are on the north side of the village off of D1. If you’re headed south on that road toward the village, there’s a road that’s not very visible that leads to some great views. On Google Maps, it’s called “Rastoke View Point and Travel” and “Parking Rastoke 2”. If you head to other Rastoke Falls on the map, you’ll end up in some areas that aren’t clear about whether parking is allowed.