Plitvice Lakes National Park: a complete travel guide
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A visit to Croatia is not complete without having witnessed the beautiful emerald green/turquoise lakes and the magnificent waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park encloses 16 interconnected lakes and over 90 waterfalls which all vary in size and color. It is absolutely an amazing place to wander around and admire nature in its purest form. In this complete travel guide to Plitvice Lakes I will help you make the most of your visit to the Jewel of Croatia.
How to get there
Plitvice Lakes National Park is very easy to reach by either car or bus and most people make a day trip out of one of the big cities like Zagreb, Zadar or Split. From these cities there are plenty of organised 1-day tours but if you really want to make the most of your visit I'd recommend going there by yourself and stay overnight so you can visit the park at your own pace.
By Bus
From the major cities you can take a bus that will stop at Entrance 1 (lower lakes) and Entrance 2 (upper lakes). Both entrances have a ticket office where you can buy your ticket and a map to the park. (In high season it is strongly recommended to buy your tickets at least 2 days before your visit online as it is possible tickets run out)
From Zagreb
- Many buses leave all day long from the Zagreb Bus Terminal
- Trip takes about 2h - 2h30
- Tickets cost around 100 Kn (€ 13.50)
From Zadar
- Buses leave from the Zadar Bus Terminal
- In low seasons there are less connections
- Trip takes about 2h - 2h40
- Tickets cost around 100 Kn (€ 13.50)
From Split
- Buses leave from the Split Bus Terminal
- In low seasons there are less connections
- Trip takes about 4h30
- Tickets cost around 150 Kn - 160 Kn (€ 22)
→ You can check the schedules and book tickets here.
By Car
If you want to be more flexible you can hire a car in one of the major cities. The park is easy accessible via the highway.
From Zagreb
- Distance: 140 km
- Time: +- 2 hours
- Highway tolls: 19Kn (€2.50)
From Zadar
- Distance: 135 km
- Time: +-2 hours
- Highway tolls: 24Kn (€3.00)
From Split
- Distance: 260 km
- Time: 3 hours
- Highway tolls: 84Kn (€11.00)
Entrances & parking
The park has 2 main entrances (Entrance 1 & Entrance 2) and 1 auxiliary entrance (Flora) which is located near Lake Kozjak. This entrance might be interesting for people who are staying in an accommodation in Plitvica Selo, as it is the least crowded, and within walking distance from the village. Do take into account that in low season only Entrance 1 is operational.
Both main entrances have very large parkings which cost 10Kn/h.
Tickets
For a list of ticket prices you can consult the following link
From April 2019 ticket policy has changed so now it's only possible to buy tickets online.
- Tickets have to be purchased at least 2 days ahead of your visit (You can only pay by creditcard)
- There are only a stated amount of tickets available per hour and per entrance so try to book as early as possible
- You'll only be able to enter the park at he chosen entrance at the chosen date and time so don't be late or you will be denied entrance
- You'll have to download the voucher you receive by email on your mobile phone or bring a printed copy
- Vouchers will be exchanged into a ticket at the chosen entrance. This is possible from half an hour before your entrance time until the end of your entrance time. (f.e. You chose to enter at 8 a.m. then you can exchange your voucher from 7.30 a.m. to 9 a.m.)
- You can only enter the park once with your dayticket so it's not possible anymore to leave the park at noon and come back later in the afternoon.
- You can still buy a two-day ticket. On the first day you have to enter the park at the chosen entrance at the right time but on the second day you are allowed to choose the entrance and time of arrival.
Best time to visit
In terms of the beauty there is not really a 'best time' to visit. Plitvice Lakes is open 365 days a year and the experience will vary depending on the season. I went during spring but I'd love to see it in the other seasons as well as each season leaves its own mark on the surroundings.
When you visit during spring, the water levels will be at their highest and the falls will stream wildly while in summer the water levels tend to be less not taking away of the immense beauty though. In autumn the colour palette will change to a vibrant orange and shades of deep rusty red providing a stunning contrast and in winter the park gets covered in a white coat making you feel like you're in a winter wonderland.
But as the park is one of the most popular attractions of the country and its popularity is rising every year, there are some better times to visit if you want to avoid being packed like sardines (you can take that quite literally). If you have the flexibility to go in the shoulder season (May-June / Sep) I recommend you do so. That way you avoid the big crowds and you'll see the lakes and waterfalls at their best. I still advise to arrive as early as possible as it still can be busy.
Possible routes to walk
There are 8 suggested routes that you can take depending on the entrance you arrive at, the time you have or want to spend and fitness level. You can find maps for the different routes at both entrance 1 and 2 or just ask the staff about the best route for you. Some routes include a boat ride and electric train ride which are included in your ticket.
Routes from Entrance 1
Trail A
Trail A is the shortest route from entrance 1 and will take you along the lower lakes and Veliki Slap (Big Waterfall) on a nice boardwalk. The suggested route starts at entrance 1 and first takes you down towards the lower lakes and the Big Waterfall. This place can be quite crowded with people taking selfies. After having admired the Big Waterfall you'll have to go back a little the same way you came in and then continue along the lower lakes towards Kozjaka Bridge. There you'll head back uphill towards entrance 1.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Distance: 3.5 km
Difficulty: Easy
Map is adapted version of map found on www.plitvice-lakes.info
Trail B
Trail B starts off the same as trail A but instead you'll cross Kozjaka Bridge towards P3 where you'll hop on the boat to cross Kozjaka lake. Get off at P1 where you can walk back towards entrance 1 or take the shuttle train.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Distance: 4 km
Difficulty: Easy
Map is adapted version of map found on www.plitvice-lakes.info
Trail C
Trail C will give you the more extended tour around the park where you'll also head to the upper lakes. It starts off the same as trail B but instead you'll get off the boat at P2 where you then walk along the upper lakes towards ST3. There you can take the electric shuttle train back towards entrance 1.
Duration: 4-6 hours
Distance: 8 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Map is adapted version of map found on www.plitvice-lakes.info
Routes from Entrance 2
Trail E
Trail E will take you along the upper lakes. You start off at P1 where you'll have a short boat trip towards P2. There you'll walk along the upper lakes to Proscansko Lake where you can take a shuttle bus back from ST3 to ST2.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Distance: 5.2 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Map is adapted version of map found on www.plitvice-lakes.info
Trail F
Trail F will take you along the lower lakes. You'll start off at P1 where you'll have the longer boat trip towards P3. There you'll walk along the lower lakes to the Veliki Slap (Big waterfall). Head back a little and then walk towards ST1 where you can take the shuttle back to ST2.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Distance: 4.6 km
Difficulty: Easy
Map is adapted version of map found on www.plitvice-lakes.info
Trail H
Trail H is the more extended route and will show you both the upper and lower lakes. You'll start off at ST2 where you'll take the shuttle towards ST3. There you'll walk along the upper lakes towards Kozjaka Lake. Hop on the boat at P2 and cross the lake towards P3. Walk along the lower lakes towards Veliki Slap (Big Waterfall). Head back a little and walk towards ST1. There you can take the shuttle back towards ST2.
Duration: 4-6 hours
Distance: 8.9 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Map is adapted version of map found on www.plitvice-lakes.info
Trail K
If you are well trained and love to hike you can take trail K and hike the whole lower and upper lakes section along with a hike around Proscansko lake. The hike is about 18.3 km and will take between 6 and 8 hours. You can either start at the K route at entrance 1 (follow K1) or at entrance 2 (follow K2).
Duration: 6-8 hours
Distance: 18.3 km
Difficulty: Hard
Map is adapted version of map found on www.plitvice-lakes.info
Note: These are all suggested routes and you can always choose to alter the routes along the way.
Pro tips:
- Beat the big tour crowds and come as early as possible (7a.m. or 8 a.m. depending on the opening hours)
- Try starting at the upper lakes. That part of the park is usually less crowded than the lower lakes. You can take the shuttle bus to ST3 from ST2 if you are parked at entrance 2 or from ST1 if you are parked at entrance 1. ( Note that the shuttle bus from ST1 only departs from 8.30 a.m. so it's better to park at entrance 2). By the time you walked down towards the lower parts crowds may already have thinned out
- The busiest times are between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. so try to avoid those
- After 5 p.m. the tour bus crowds have left so it gets less crowded by then
Bonus: hidden viewpoints
Most people just follow one of the suggested routes provided on the maps you'll find at the entrance but there are also some trails that aren't marked on the map. While you're strolling around on the boardwalks you might come across some 'detour' trails that are not very obvious but they'll bring you up the cliffs with some cool viewpoints over the waterfalls. One of them is the 'Veliki Slap' viewpoint where you have a great areal view over the lakes and see the Big Waterfall from above.
To get to the Veliki Slap viewpoint you can follow some stairs uphill right next to Veliki Slap. You'll come across them right before you arrive at the Veliki Slap 'endpoint' where everyone is taking a selfie. Once up the stairs you'll arrive at a paved street. Go right and cross a little wooden bridge. On your right you'll now see a sign that says Vidikovac (sightseeing point). Follow it for about 5 minutes and you'll arrive at the viewpoint.
Shot from Veliki Slap viewpoint
If you don't want to walk up the stairs at Veliki Slap there's also an alternative way of getting there by car. Put the following coördinates into your gps or map application and you'll arrive at the trail to the viewpoint. N44°54.15 E15°36.48
There are a couple of more viewpoints along the road if you can't get enough of them. If you turn back to the road and cross the wooden bridge back, instead of taking the stairs back down, continue along the road and you'll see some dirt paths running parallel with the road. Follow these and you'll come across some extra viewpoints.
Where to stay
There are a few campings in the neighbourhood of the park which provide a free bus to the National Park or you can book one of the many guesthouses in the neighbouring villages. If you are willing to pay a 'little' extra for some more comfort there are also 3 hotels located at entrance 2 of the park.
- Campsite Korana: 6 km from entrance 1
- Autocamp Borje: 15 km from entrance 2
- Hotel Grabovac: 10 km from entrance 1
- Hotel Plitvice: 300m from entrance 2
- Hotel Bellevue: 200 m from entrance 2
- Hotel Jezero: 750 m from entrance 2
Croatian vocabulary
Some croatian words that might be helpful ;-)
- Thank you! | Hvala!
- Entrance | Ulaz
- Trail | Trag
- Lower Lakes | Donja Jezera
- Upper Lakes | Gornja Jezera
- Waterfall | Slap
Useful links
*There may be some affiliate links on this page, which means when you click them I get a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you. This allows me to keep sharing great travel tips, so feel free to click away!*
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