The Ultimate Travel Guide for Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park
Think you’ve seen the most jaw dropping scenery in the world? Think again. Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park will blow your mind! If you like waterfalls, it may even be your favorite place on earth as it is full of them. I’d go so far as to label it a “must visit” on any Croatian itinerary, so let’s find out more about it.
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Why Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice is Croatia’s largest national park and is impressive and awe inspiring. In fact, it’s so amazing, it’s considered a World Heritage Site. It features a number of clear lakes staggered down a hillside creating over 5 miles (8 km) of paths with waterfalls thundering down all around them. It is one of the most beautiful natural places I have ever been.
Everywhere you turn there are waterfalls crashing down into another waterfall. I LOVED it. As I can’t do it justice with words, admire the image and then read on about the top reasons to visit Plitvice Lakes.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Plitvice Lakes
- The number one reason to go to Plitvice Lakes National Park is the sheer scale of the park and the number and size of waterfalls layered within it. At 294.83 square kilometers, it is Croatiaโs largest National Park. It features hundreds of cascades pouring one into another from multiple levels creating an impressive park. Youโve probably never seen anything like it!
- As of 1979, it is on the UNESCO list of World Natural Heritage sites.
- With 1,267 different species of plants, 321 species of butterflies, 161 species of birds, and brown bears inhabiting the Plitvice forest, Plitvice Lakes is a naturalist’s paradise!
- With so many beautiful landscapes, itโs hard not to walk away with a few award-winning photographs and memories.
- No picture can provide the feeling of being surrounded by waterfalls and the sound of water crashing down around you. Not to mention the unique wooden boardwalks built over the water that make you feel like youโre walking on water throughout the park. You’ll be able to witness the falls from every angle, and as an added bonus, the clarity of the water is unbelievable!
Plitvice Lakes Hours of Operation
Plitvice Lakes National Park is open 365 days a year but the hours of operation vary by season.
- November to March: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- April to May: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
- June to August: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
- September: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- October: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- November to December: 8:00 – 4:00 pm
You should also know that ticket sales end 2 hours before closing time.
Find the latest details on their official hours of operation page.
Tickets for Plitvice Lakes National Park
Tickets are on the pricey side for Croatia, but I assure you, it is worth it. They sell both one and two day tickets. Here are the current costs of a one day ticket:
- January to March: 10 euros
- April to May: 23 euros
- June to August: 40 euros until 4pm; 25 euros after 4pm
- September: 40 euros until 3pm; 25 euros after 3pm
- October: 23 euros
- November to December: 10 euros
Children 6 years and under are free, and children 7 – 18 are about half the price of an adult. Also, if you have a valid student ID, donโt forget it as it can save you money!
Also note, if you are driving to Plitvice Lakes National Park, there is a parking fee. It runs 1.5 – 2 euros per hour for a car or 15 – 17 euros per day for a camper or RV.
Check the latest pricing on the Plitvice Lakes website.
Best Time of Year to Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park
The park is open year round, so you can visit anytime! However, let’s take a look at the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Summer in Plitvice Lakes
Summer is of course the busiest season, bringing hoards of tourists to the park. You’ll also find that due to the high temperatures and lack of rainfall, the waterfalls may not be quite as impressive as other times of the year. If you opt to visit in summer, I recommend you arrive when the park opens to avoid the crowds.
Spring and Autumn in Plitvice Lakes
Spring and autumn are the “shoulder seasons” and the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes. You’ll find the park to be less crowded than summer in addition to the opportunity to witness the waterfalls at their fullest in the spring or surrounded by fall colors in autumn.
Winter in Plitvice Lakes
Winter is not a popular time to visit due to the cold temperatures as it can be a bit unpleasant to explore in. Dress appropriately. Fortunately, the winter can bring snowfall which makes Plitvice Lakes quite magical!
The 7 Walking Routes through Plitvice Lakes National Park
In the park, you’ll find seven different routes to tour the lakes and waterfalls. To make the most of your time, you’ll want to plan out your route ahead of time. However, before you do that, you should understand the seven routes to determine what’s right for you!
Find a map of Plitvice Lakes National Park here.
1. Route A: Lower Lakes
2.2 miles (3.5 km) | 2 – 3 hours | Starts & ends at Entrance 1
The shortest walking route, Route A starts at Entrance 1 and goes downhill to the boardwalk trails to see the lower lakes and Big Waterfall (Veliki Slap). At the Kozjak Bridge, turn around and head back to Entrance 1.
2. Route B: Lower Lakes
2.6 miles (4 km) | 3 – 4 hours | Starts & ends at Entrance 1
From Entrance 1, head downhill to the boardwalk trails to see the lower lakes and the Big Waterfall (like in Route A), but continue across Kozjak Bridge. Then take the boat across Kozjak Lake and head back to Entrance 1 by shuttle.
3. Route C: Lower & Upper Lakes
5 miles (8 km) | 4 – 5 hours | Starts & ends at Entrance 1
Follow Route B, but once you’ve taken the boat across the lake, walk the boardwalk trails through the upper lakes and waterfalls. Then take the shuttle back to Entrance 1.
4. Route E: Upper Lakes
3.4 miles (5.5 km) | 2 – 3 hours | Starts & ends at Entrance 2
From Entrance 2, take the boat across Kozjak Lake and walk around the upper lakes back to Entrance 2.
5. Route F: Lower Lakes
2.9 miles (4.6 km) | 3 – 4 hours | Starts & ends at Entrance 2
Start at Entrance 2, and take the boat across Kozjak Lake. Walk the trails around the lower lakes to Entrance 1 and take the shuttle back up to Entrance 2.
6. Route H: Lower & Upper Lakes
5.6 miles (9 km) | 4 – 6 hours | Starts & ends at Entrance 2
Take the shuttle from Entrance 2 up to the top of the upper lakes (St3). Walk the boardwalk trails through the upper lakes to Kozjak Lake where you’ll catch the boat to the lower lakes. Walk around the lower lakes to Entrance 1 where you’ll take the shuttle back up to Entrance 2.
7. Route K: Lower & Upper Lakes
11.6 miles (18.6 km) | 6 – 8 hours | Starts & ends at Entrance 1
This is the longest of all of the trails where you will in essence be walking around all of the lakes without taking the boat or shuttle. Recommended to start at Entrance 1, but you can really start at either entrance.
Recommended Path through Plitvice Lakes NP
While you can do any of the above routes that are laid out, this is the ultimate route I recommend.
Enter at Entrance 1 (Ulaz 1) and walk uphill to Station 1 (ST1). This will take you past some views of Veliki Slap, the largest waterfall.
From there, take the shuttle to the top of the park at Station 3 (ST3). Get off the shuttle and turn left to follow the paths around the top of the lakes. This will take you along the path on the right side of the map. It will ultimately take you down next to the top 3 lakes with truly incredible views. Eventually you’ll land at Ferry Terminal 2 (P2).
Take the boat across to Ferry Terminal 3 (P3). From there make your way back slowly towards Entrance 1 again. This route will provide a good mix of walking and transport while providing maximum viewing opportunities.
Need to Know Information
Let’s take a look at a few more details to make your visit to Plitvice Lakes go smoothly.
Plitvice Lakes National Park Entrances
In case you haven’t picked up on it yet, the park has two main entrances. They are about 3 km apart. You can use either entrance to get into the park.
I recommend using Entrance 1 to start at the bottom of the falls. This creates a straight forward path through the park to not miss anything critical. Yes, critical, like waterfalls.
Transportation around Plitvice Lakes National Park
Once inside Plitvice Lakes NP, you’ll find a number of options to get around. This includes a shuttle that’s called the panorama train and a boat/ferry system. Both of these are all included in the price of your park ticket, and you will want to use them to get around as the park is quite large!
Facilities Inside the Park
Bathrooms and cafes to buy food and water are limited but do exist within the park. They are most commonly found near the entrances, shuttle stations, and ferry terminals. I would also recommend taking some food and water with you to keep you energized as you explore the park.
6 Pro Tips for Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park
Ease your mind and make your trip a success with these tips for visiting Plitvice Lakes NP.
- Arrive early: Plan to arrive when the gates open to have the park mostly to yourself. Around 10am the trails will start to get crowded with tours arriving.
- Pack a snack and water: The day will be long and you will be active. Take something to snack on and hydrate with as you admire the beautiful waterfalls.
- Avoid the crowds: When the park is crowded, the upper lakes tend to see less visitors as they are further from the entrances and harder to reach.
- Check the weather: The climate at Plitvice Lakes does not always match that of the Croatian coast. Check the weather and wear/pack appropriate clothing for a comfortable trip.
- Wear the right shoes: While I love flip-flops, the wooden boardwalks can be slick when wet and the trails can be muddy. Wear solid shoes with non-slip soles to spend more time looking at the scenery and less time watching where you step.
- Get the Postcard Photo: Next to the Big Waterfall, Veliki Slap, is a staircase leading up to the upper level of the cliffs. From there you’ll have a number of great photo spots, including the classic postcard photo.
How to Get to Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is centrally located in Croatia between Zagreb and Zadar making it a great side trip from either city. It can also be a great thru point as you travel from one city to another. And, as a bonus, the park offers free luggage storage to make your life easier!
So how do you get to Plitvice Lakes NP? It obviously depends where you’re coming from, but here are the most common routes.
Getting from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes
There are three great ways to get from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Select the option that is best for you.
- Drive Yourself: Drive the 85 miles from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes in 2 hours.
- Check Out the Bus: The bus from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes runs a few times per day and takes just over 2 hours. You’ll need to use Plitviฤka Jezera as the destination. Search tickets now on BusBud and Croatia Bus Domestic.
- Take a Tour: Make your trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park simple with a private tour or a small group tour.
Traveling from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes
Similarly to Zagreb, there are three main transportation options to get from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- Drive Yourself: Drive the 84 miles from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes in just 1 hour and 50 minutes.
- Check Out the Bus: The bus from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes runs multiple times per day and also takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. The destination will be Plitviฤka Jezera. Search tickets now on BusBud and Croatia Bus Domestic.
- Take a Tour: Let a tour handle the logistics so you can focus on the stunning waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes. Check out this amazing tour option!
Options from Split to Plitvice Lakes
Split actually offers a few additional choices, like a train and bus combination journey, to get to Plitvice Lakes, but the most direct options remain:
- Drive Yourself: Drive the 160 miles in right around 3 hours.
- Check Out the Bus: The direct bus runs 3x per day and takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. You can search tickets on BusBud.
- Take a Tour: The most popular option from Split is a tour, and there are some great options, but it would be hard to beat this tour.
Where to Stay Near Plitvice Lakes National Park
Believe it or not, there are multiple hotels located in Plitvice. This makes spending multiple days visiting the Plitvice Lakes area easy. Here are the best options.
Hotel Jezero
This 3 star hotel is located in the middle of the park, only 1,000 feet from the largest lake, Kozjak Lake. You’ll find Hotel Jezero offers everything you need for a comfortable stay, including 2 restaurants and a spa and wellness center. Additionally, there is free private parking and free WiFi.
Check rates at Hotel Jezero now.
Hotel Plitvice
Located right outside the entrance to Plitvice Lakes NP, Hotel Plitvice has the longest standing tourist tradition in the area. Fortunately, it has been recently renovated and offers modern and comfortable rooms. You’ll also find a restaurant and free private parking on site.
Check rates at Hotel Plitvice now.
Hotel Grabovac
Hotel Grabovac is located just over 5 miles (9 km) north of the central tourism area of Plitvice Lakes making it just 10 minutes away from the national park. This 3 star hotel also offers free transfer services to the park.
Check rates at Hotel Grabovac now.
Search all hotels and hostels near Plitvice Lakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully you’ve learned a LOT in this travel guide, but if you still have questions – drop them in the comments! In the meantime, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Is Plitvice Lakes worth visiting?
If you like stunning scenery and waterfalls – Plitvice Lakes is 100% worth visiting! But, if you hate natural beauty, then skip it. ๐
How long do you need at Plitvice Lakes National Park?
You will want to spend around 5 hours in Plitvice Lakes National Park to see both the Upper and Lower Lakes. However, you can easily spend more time if youโre big into photography as the place is like a fairy tale.
Can you swim at Plitvice Lakes National Park?
No matter how tempting the water may be, swimming is strictly prohibited when visiting Plitvice Lakes NP. If you want to swim near waterfalls, you’ll need to visit Krka National Park.
Which is better, Plitvice Lakes or Krka National Park?
Both Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Parks are beautiful. However, they are located in different regions of Croatia and can take some time to get to as they sit outside the cities.
Depending where in Croatia you are, you may want to visit one or another. If you have the time and opportunity to do both, I highly recommend it as they both offer amazing experiences. If you can only pick one, Plitvice Lakes would be my preference!
Discover Other Incredible National Parks
Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park is like a dream come true, but there are also other places around the world that can leave you in awe. Check out these amazing National Parks and let your wanderlust run rampant!
- Explore glaciers and towering mountains in Torres Del Paine National Park
- Admire the most majestic African animals with a safari in Kruger National Park
- Hike through Glacier National Park for vistas that will leave you breathless
- View more waterfalls at Krka National Park – also in Croatia!
Explore More of Croatia
- How to Take a Magical Day Trip to Krka National Park
- The Ultimate Travel Guide for Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park
- One Week in Croatia: Itinerary for First Time Visitors
- 27 Best Things to Do in Zagreb, Croatia + 11 Easy Day Trips
- 24 Incredible Things to Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
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I’ve always wanted to go here! So glad you made and loved it! You’re my hero ๐
I love Plitvice Lakes National Park and your content is great! I will come back to read it again before my next visit.
It’s a beautiful place! Do enjoy!
Your website and the content are great. I particularly love this article about Plitvice Lakes in Croatia. I will come back to your site again and again.
Thank you for the kind words. Happy to hear you find it useful! Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is one of the most beautiful places for waterfalls.