Plitvice Lakes National Park welcomes over 1 million visitors of all ages every year, making it one of the highlights in Croatia. If you are visiting Plitvice Lakes, this guide I have put together will help you learn everything you need to know to plan your trip.
With so much to see and do, be sure you have all the necessary information before embarking on this adventure!
Visiting Plitvice Lakes: Important Facts
Plitvice Lakes is the oldest and largest National Park in Croatia. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. And, is one of the most renowned national parks in the world.
This park consists of 16 lakes that are connected by a series of stunning waterfalls. The scenery is filled with wildlife, forests, turquoise lakes, picturesque landscapes, waterfalls, and breathtaking views.
How Do You Get to Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in the middle of the country. The closest airports to this destination are either in Zagreb or Zadar.
From Zagreb, it is about a 2-hour drive. And from Zadar, only about an hour and a half.
The easiest way to get to Plitvice Lakes is by private transfer or rental car. However, you can also take a direct bus from both Zagreb and Zadar, making it easy to plan a day trip from either city. Also, you can book your bus tickets in advance, there are several options you can find online.
How Much Money Do I Need?
Croatia is one of the European destinations where you can travel on a budget and still have an outstanding time!
Entrance tickets cost vary depending on the time of the year, if you are visiting one day, or if you are getting a two-day ticket. As well as, your age, if you are a student, a person with disabilities, or a group of people. Tickets are available online, and unless sold out also at the park entrances. Find the full price list here.
Since it will be a long day of exploring, you should also bring enough money to buy some food and water.
Hotels near the Plitvice Lakes Park range from $50 a night to $150 a night. Many come with complimentary pools, saunas, and other amenities.
If you drive to the park, an extra fee will be charged upon your exit for parking.
How Much Time Do You Need to Spend at Plitvice Lakes?
This, of course, varies from person to person, I recommend 4 to 6 hours, which is how long I was there. Avid hikers may want to spend some extra time, or even overnight, as there are many trails to hike and much natural beauty to enjoy.
Tip: Try to get there as early as possible, so you can avoid the crowds and, believe me, it gets crowded! Also, you will take better photos 😉
What is the Best Time to Visit Plitvice Lakes?
The best time to visit Plitvice Lakes depends on your wants and needs. That being said, summer is the busiest time thanks to the great weather. However, if you are visiting Plitvice Lakes in the summer, you can expect large crowds and possibly lower water levels.
Another good option is visiting during late spring or early autumn. Weather will still be good and the crowds will be lighter. You will also get to enjoy the park at the most colorful time of the year.
Winter is a different story. Temperatures below 0 are quite common and much of the park is frozen and covered in snow. Many consider it the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes, as the sight of the park covered in snow can be quite magical. Also, it is much less crowded and more affordable. However, due to the weather, the park access can be limited.
What are the Opening Hours?
Plitvice Lakes National Park is open year-round. However, the hours vary depending on the season.
You can check the full schedule here.
What Should I Bring When Visiting Plitvice Lakes?
As mentioned above, winters are cold with frequent snowing, while summers are hot and wet. Visiting Plitvice Lakes in the spring or fall can still lead to chilly weather and frequent rain, so make sure to bring rain jackets and layers to bundle up during those seasons.
For summers, clothing that is fresh and comfortable like a summer dress or a T-shirt and shorts is all that is needed.
Other things to bring are: (depending on the season)
- Proper hiking shoes: you will be walking for hours, so be sure you are wearing comfortable trainers or hiking boots.
- Sunscreen / Hat / Sunglasses
- Rain jacket / Umbrella
- Mosquito repellent
- Snacks & Water: you can also buy them inside the park
- Camera: believe me, you will want to capture the beauty of the park as much as possible!
*Note: swimming is not allowed, so you dont need to bring a swimsuit.
Activities to do While Visiting Plitvice Lakes:
Most of the activities to do while visiting Plitvice Lakes involve lakes, waterfalls, and hiking.
With seven different routes, and four hiking trails to pick from, it can be hard to know exactly what to do when visiting Plitvice Lakes.
The shortest route takes between 2 to 3 hours and the longest between 7 to 8 hours. So depending on how much time you have you can choose what to see.
Everyone should make sure to visit the Lower Lakes. Here, from the entrance 1, you will come across the main attraction in the park, Veliki Slap waterfall or Great Waterfall. This is the highest waterfall in Croatia measuring 78 meters!
If you have enough time you can also visit the Upper Lakes.
Other activities included with your tickets are riding the electric boats (Kozjak Lake), and the panoramic train.
The national park website has several lake tour programs for you to pick from. As well as all the hiking information. Another option is using the Plitvice Park App.
Other activities to do while visiting Plitvice Lakes (including surrounding areas) include:
- Rowing
- Hiking to the hidden viewpoints
- Picnics
- Horse riding
- Zip-lining
- White water rafting
- Kayak on a clam Korana River
- Guided tour to Barac Caves
Other Important Information:
- All transportation inside the park is included with your ticket.
- Swimming isn’t allowed.
- You can bring your dogs to the park!
I hope you have enjoyed this Plitvice Lakes National Park travel guide!
For more beautiful destinations, check these posts.
