Visiting the Plitvice lakes? This is what you should know

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The Plitvice National Park boasts a stunning 16 emerald-green lakes and a remarkable 90 waterfalls! Nestled between these lakes and cascades, you’ll discover beautifully landscaped hiking trails. Plitvice is one of Croatia’s top attractions, drawing large crowds. Therefore, it’s essential to prepare for your visit, as there are several things to consider. You can find all the things you need to know to make the most of your visit below.

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The Best Time to Visit Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes are beautiful in every season. In winter, a thick layer of snow often covers the area, allowing you to enjoy frozen waterfalls. Springtime boasts the largest waterfalls, while summer brings vibrant greenery and the clearest lakes. In the fall, the foliage turns shades of red, orange, and yellow. The busiest months are July and August, so it’s advisable to avoid them if you have the flexibility. If you do visit during these months, aim to arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Attractions at Plitvice Lakes

The entire park is a spectacle in itself, but since you’ll need to choose a route, it’s helpful to know how the park is divided and what you can expect to see in each area.

The Lower Lakes

The Lower Lakes consist of four smaller, relatively shallow lakes situated within a 40-meter-deep (131-feet-deep) limestone gorge. Here, you’ll walk across the famous wooden bridges that span the lakes. Although it’s the smallest section of Plitvice Lakes, many consider it the most beautiful.

The Upper Lakes

The 12 Upper Lakes are much larger and more expansive. They exhibit the same beautiful deep green color and are surrounded by unique plant life. This area is vast, offering hours of hiking if you so desire.

Kozjak Lake

Kozjak Lake is the largest among all the lakes and is situated between the upper and lower lakes. While you can walk all along the lake, it can be quite time-consuming, and you won’t see anything different from what you can find in other parts of the park. It’s more enjoyable to take the boat instead. This beautiful 15-minute journey cuts across the lake and is included in the ticket price.

Veliki Slap Waterfall

At the lower lakes, you’ll find the Veliki Slap Waterfall, an impressive 78-meter-high (256-feet-high) cascade. In the summer months, it might appear less impressive due to a lack of rainfall, as seen in the photo below from our visit in September.

Must-do: Kayaking on the Mreznica River

If you want to explore the beauty of this region in an adventurous way, we have a fantastic tip for you! Just north of Plitvice Lakes lies the Mreznica River. Here, the wilderness is untouched, and you’ll be far away from the tourist crowds. The river boasts the same stunning colors as the Plitvice Lakes and is home to several waterfalls and lakes. Jump into a kayak and enjoy this hidden gem of Croatia. You can leisurely paddle down the river with a guide, occasionally catching some rapids. If you want, you can also jump off waterfalls, but it’s not mandatory if you’re not up for it. There’s always an easy route without jumps, allowing you to make this tour as adventurous as you like. The starting point of the kayak tour is a 40-minute drive from the entrance to Plitvice and is easily accessible by both car and bus. You can book the kayak tour here, and it’s advisable to do so in advance. Don’t forget to bring your swimwear and waterproof shoes, as you may need to walk on rocks at times.

Choosing Between Entrance 1 and Entrance 2

When purchasing a ticket for your visit to Plitvice Lakes, you’ll need to choose between Entrance 1 and Entrance 2. To make an informed decision, it’s helpful to know the differences. At Entrance 1, you’ll find the Veliki Slap Waterfall and the lower lakes, while Entrance 2 provides access to the upper lakes. These two entrances are designed to allow visitors who only want to explore a specific part of the park to choose the one closest to their desired area. If you wish to explore the entire park, you can do so from both Entrance 1 and Entrance 2. You can walk between the lower and upper lakes, take a boat, or hop on the train. If you plan to see both parts of the park, we recommend choosing Entrance 1. It’s often a bit quieter, and you’ll begin with a fantastic viewpoint overlooking the park.

Choosing Among 8 Different Routes

From each entrance, you have the option to select from 4 different routes, giving you a total of 8 routes to choose from. The routes within the park are clearly marked with signs and markers, and you can view a map at the entrance. If you want to see all the attractions, we recommend Route C from Entrance 1. This route allows you to visit the Veliki Slap Waterfall, the lower and upper lakes, and take a boat ride on Kozjak Lake. Then, you can return to Entrance 1 using the train. This way, you can see all the attractions without having to walk excessively.

Entrance 1

  • Route A: Veliki Slap & lower lakes | 3 km (1.9 miles) – 2 to 3 hours
  • Route B: Veliki Slap, lower lakes, boat ride & train journey | 4.6 km (2.9 miles) – 3 to 4 hours
  • Route C: Complete park with boat ride & train ride | 8.9 km (5.5 miles) – 4 to 5 hours
  • Route D: Complete park on foot | 18.3 km (11.4 miles) – 6 to 8 hours

Entrance 2

  • Route E: Upper lakes, boat ride & train journey | 5 km (3.1 miles) – 2 to 3 hours
  • Route F: Route B in reverse | 4.6 km (2.9 miles) – 3 to 4 hours
  • Route H: Route C in reverse | 8.9 km (5.5 miles) – 4 to 6 hours
  • Route K: Route D in reverse | 18.3 km (11.4 miles) – 6 to 8 hours

Important Note: The boat and train operate only from April to October. If you visit the park outside of these months, you’ll need to choose between the upper or lower lakes or complete the full circuit on foot.

You Must Pre-Purchase Tickets Online

It’s important to know that you must purchase your Plitvice Lakes tickets online in advance through this website. Only a limited number of people are allowed into the park, and if you arrive at the entrance without a ticket, you may be out of luck.

Choose a Time When Buying Your Tickets

In addition to selecting your entrance when ordering tickets, you’ll also need to choose a specific time slot. This is done to spread out the crowds. For example, if you choose 08:00, you’ll be allowed to enter the park between 08:00 and 09:00. Don’t arrive just before 09:00, as there could be a line. You can stay in the park as long as you like.

Tip: Especially during the summer months, Plitvice Lakes can be very crowded. To experience the park at its best, it’s wise to choose the earliest available time slot.

Facilities and Rules in the Park

You’ll find picnic tables, restrooms, and places to purchase food and drinks scattered throughout the park. Smoking is allowed in designated areas. It’s not recommended to bring a stroller to Plitvice Lakes due to uneven terrain on some paths. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.

Where to Visit Plitvice Lakes From

The ideal way to visit Plitvice Lakes is during a road trip through Croatia. You can stay in the vicinity of the park at one of the many B&Bs and hotels, allowing you to start your visit early in the day. If you’re not on a road trip but staying in Split, Zagreb, or Zadar, you can also take a tour from there. However, these tours often last 10 to 12 hours due to travel time.

Our Favorite Places to Stay Near Plitvice Lakes

A lovely B&B near the entrance of Plitvice Lakes is Plitvica Lodge. Most rooms come with a balcony offering a beautiful view of the lush surroundings. The owner is incredibly hospitable, and you can enjoy delicious breakfast and dinner at the B&B. If you’re looking for a unique overnight stay, consider Plitvice Holiday Resort. You can choose from a lakeside cottage, a stay in a treehouse, or even a tipi tent. How fun is that? Each accommodation option is unique and enhances your visit to Plitvice Lakes.

Plitvica Lodge
 Plitvice Holiday Resort