The Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s top destinations and a place where nature really steals the show. With its crystal-clear lakes, cascading waterfalls, and abundant greenery, it’s a destination like no other—one you shouldn’t miss on a trip through Croatia.
You’ve probably heard many people talk about “the lakes,” and now it’s your turn to check them out and see what all the fuss is about. Let us give you a preview of what to expect!
Plitvice Lakes National Park – Photo credit: Tim L. Productions
Where Are the Plitvice Lakes Located?
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is situated in central Croatia, near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. It lies roughly halfway between Zagreb (150 km away) and Zadar (120 km away), in the picturesque Lika region.
The park is easily accessible from several nearby cities, with various transportation options to help you get there. Traveling from Zagreb or Zadar is the most practical choice, but it’s also possible to join a group excursion from Split for a full-day bus tour.
Since Split is located on the Adriatic coast, the journey takes a bit longer. However, leaving early in the morning and returning late in the afternoon still makes a good day trip. And since buses are perfect for napping, waking up early will be OK too.
To the Lakes by a rented bus from Split
The city of Split is about 240 km from Plitvice Lakes National Park, so you should start your day very early to be able to complete a full tour of the park.
If you’re traveling in a group, I recommend renting a minibus with a driver in Split and traveling to the park this way. That way, you can arrange a very early pickup time with your driver (ideally around 6 am!) to arrive at the park around 9 am.
This way, you can start your tour of the lakes around 9:30 am and have several hours to enjoy the walk. I suggest starting the return journey around 5 pm so you can hike comfortably and have free time for lunch.
Parking your bus in the Plitvice Lakes parking lot
Both parking lot 1 and parking lot 2 have parking spaces for buses and minibuses. The hours are from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, and the cost is low, around HRK (13 EURO) per day.
How is the Plitvice Lakes National Park organized?
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is divided into two sections (upper and lower), which can be explored together or separately. The lower section is simpler and more touristy, while the upper section is a bit more demanding, especially towards the end with steeper paths.
Both sections are connected by a panoramic bus/train and boats, which save time and effort when moving between them. The boats are used to cross Lake Kozjak, the largest lake in the park, avoiding the need to walk around it. Meanwhile, the panoramic train/bus allows visitors to complete circular routes or return to their starting point.
What’s great about this park for your group is that both the sporty ones and the more relaxed or lazy ones will have a good time. The more active visitors can enjoy a challenging day with many ups and downs and several kilometers of walking. Their step counter will surely exceed 30,000! Those opting for a more relaxed approach can use the boat and bus and still have a great day with less physical exertion.
There are also trails and bridges that allow visitors to explore both the upper and lower parts, offering panoramic views of the waterfalls and the unique vegetation of the Plitvice Lakes.
Boardwalk over Plitvice Lakes – Photo credit: Ilse
Upper part
As the name suggests, this corresponds to the highest area of the park. Here, a series of smaller lakes (12 out of the total of 16) and waterfalls that feed the lower lakes through rivers and streams are grouped together. In other words, this is where the interconnected lake system begins.
The estimated visiting time for the upper part of the lakes is 2 hours.
Lower part
This corresponds to the lower part of the park, where the larger lakes (4 out of the total of 16) and the most imposing waterfalls are found, such as Veliki Slap, which, at 78 meters high, is the tallest waterfall in the park. Here, the waters from the upper lakes converge, creating landscapes that leave no one indifferent.
The lower part is connected by a system of walkways that allow approaching the Veliki Slap waterfall. This area is usually the most crowded, as it has the easiest access and provides the most characteristic postcard view of the park.
To explore the lower part, you’ll need approximately 3 hours, so the park can be explored in a total of 5-6 hours.
What do we recommended to visit?
The Plitvice Lakes are one of Croatia’s major attractions – Photo credit: Mike Swigunski
To truly understand the Plitvice Lakes National Park, both the upper and lower parts should be explored. Each complements the other, so visiting both provides a much broader perspective of the area.
However, if you don’t have enough time to complete the entire circuit, you can focus your visit on the lower part of the park, which is visually the most attractive. This is not to discourage visiting the upper lakes (not at all!), it’s just a suggestion.
In any case, it’s advisable to depart from Split as early as possible to allow sufficient time for the visit.
What are the most popular routes to take within the park?
To visit the Plitvice Lakes, there are several hiking routes that allow exploration of different parts of the park. Routes A, B, and C start from Entrance 1 of the park, while routes E, F, and H begin at Entrance 2.
Below are some walking routes. For those eager to walk and swim, I recommend route A/green, and for those who prefer a lazy immersion in nature, I suggest a short walk, and of course, photo spots.
I’ll briefly outline the most popular options so you can choose based on your preferences:
Route A
Route A covers a distance of 3.5 km, which takes 2-3 hours to complete, and it runs through the lower part of the park, entering from Entrance 1.
It includes Lower Lakes and the lakes Novakovića brod, Kaluđerovac, Gavanovac, and Milanovac. Along its route, it also passes by the park’s highest waterfall. It’s an easy route suitable for everyone, with the only downside being that it doesn’t pass through the Upper Part.
Route B
Route B is similar to the previous one (it’s 4 km), but it includes a panoramic boat ride. Access is also from Entrance 1, and it covers the same points as Route A, including a boat ride across Lake Kozjak, the largest lake in the park.
Route C
Route C is an 8 km route that takes 4-5 hours to complete. The good thing about this walk is that it allows you to visit both the upper and lower parts, making it one of the most comprehensive in the park. It covers all the points included in Routes A and B, the waterfalls Veliki Prštavac and Mali Prštavac, and a boat ride across Lake Kozjak. You can take the panoramic train back.
Route E
Route E starts and ends at Entrance 2 and only covers the upper lakes and waterfalls. It includes a brief boat ride on Lake Kozjak, a walk past the Great and Small Prštavc waterfalls (among others), and a return journey on the panoramic train to the starting point.
This route covers a distance of 5 km and takes 2-3 hours. If you only want to visit the upper part of the park or if you have limited time, this is a good option.
Other possible routes
In addition to the mentioned ones, there are three other routes that can be done within the park. Here’s a brief description of each:
Route F
It’s a 4.6-kilometer route that focuses on the lower section of the park and takes about 3-4 hours. Access is from Entrance 2, and it includes an initial boat ride followed by a visit to the lower lakes.
Route H
It’s a route of almost 9 km that takes between 5 and 6 hours to complete. Access is from Entrance 2, and the walk starts with a panoramic train ride to an area in the upper section, then crosses Lake Kozjak by boat to visit the lakes and waterfalls in the lower area. After passing by the Great Waterfall, you can take the panoramic train back to the starting point.
Route K
It’s the longest route in the park (18 km) and, of course, the most comprehensive. You’ll see all the attractions on foot without taking any boat or bus (meaning you’ll have to go around Lake Kozjak instead of crossing it by boat).
The route is ideal for those traveling with more time and who enjoy hiking. In your case, I don’t think it’s the most convenient option.
It’s worth noting that the times mentioned are estimates. If you’re physically fit, it may take you less time than indicated.
Entrance to Plitvice Lakes
In addition to the routes, another thing you need to know is that there are two entry points to the park located along the main road.
Ideally, you should enter through Entrance 1, which is situated in the lower section of the lakes and allows you to admire the waterfalls head-on. The downside is that this part tends to be much more crowded as all tourists enter through here.
When is the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes?
Photo credit: Mateusz Suski
While Plitvice Lakes can be visited at any time of the year, there are certain times that are more convenient. It’s best to visit in late spring, summer, and autumn.
Despite the heat, the months of July and August are when the lakes and waterfalls are at their best. The downside of visiting during this time is the large number of tourists, which can lead to very crowded trails.
Therefore, we believe the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes is from May to June and from September to October. There are fewer tourists, and the weather is pleasant, making it a perfect day for sure.
Swimming in Plitvice Lakes
Seeing so many lakes may awaken your desire to swim and play like children in the water. However, you should know that swimming has been prohibited in Plitvice Lakes National Park since 2006.
Why was this done? Well, it was due to the large number of tourists visiting the park in the 1990s and water pollution from nearby hotels and agricultural operations. This posed a threat to the natural balance of the ecosystem. Thus, the rule prohibiting swimming was put in place to preserve the environment.
But don’t worry. If you’re visiting on a hot day, you can ask your bus driver to take you to the Korana River, which flows into Plitvice Lakes. It’s just as attractive as the lakes in the park, so you’re sure to have a great time swimming in its crystal-clear waters. Even the villagers have built a small ladder next to a tree, perfect for diving into its waters. Your bus driver will know where to take you.
Where to eat in Plitvice Lakes?
Inside the park, there are many restaurants, bistros, and cafes where you can eat something and recharge. For example, at Entrance 1, you’ll see the restaurant Licka Kuca, and at Entrance 2, you’ll find the restaurant Poljana. If you get hungry while walking around the lakes, you can stop at Bistro Kozjacka Draga, located near Lake Kozjak.
The menus include traditional Croatian food, but also fast food like pizzas or hamburgers.
Ticket prices and visiting hours
Plitvice Lakes – Photo credit: Milada Vigerova
Plitvice Lakes National Park is open every day of the year, but the hours depend on the time of year. In any case, it’s always advisable to check beforehand on the official park website.
In general, the visiting hours are from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, but ticket sales booths are open until 3 pm.
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or from their site. But, if you plan to visit the park during peak season or on weekends, it’s advisable to buy them in advance. Don’t forget that it’s one of the most visited attractions in the country, so tickets sell out quickly.
The ticket price includes, in addition to park admission, the use of the boat and panoramic bus/train.
Here are the prices:
- From 01/01 to 31/03 and from 01/11 to 31/12, the cost for adults is 10 EUR, for students 6 EUR, for children aged 7 to 18 years 4 EUR, and it’s free for children under 7 years.
- From 01/04 to 31/05 and from 01/10 to 31/10, the cost for adults is 23 EUR, for students 14 EUR, for children aged 7 to 18 years 6 EUR, and it’s free for children under 7 years.
- From 01/06 to 30/09, the cost for adults is 25 EUR, for students 15 EUR, for children aged 7 to 18 years 9 EUR, and it’s free for children under 7 years.
Group discounts for the park
The park offers discounts for groups of 15 people or more. Keep in mind that to obtain this benefit, it’s mandatory to notify the arrival in writing through the Marketing and Sales Department.
Having a guide for your group
If you want to make the most of your day and learn all about Plitvice Lakes and its inhabitants, it’s worth hiring a guide.
Ready to explore one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Croatia? I assure you that you’ll have a great time walking the park’s boardwalks, sailing, and capturing the beauty of the landscape through the lens of your camera. Don’t forget to take some time to simply admire the panorama. Plitvice Lakes will be etched in your memory forever.
Practical links
Official site of the park and tickets
Get there by public bus
https://global.flixbus.com/bus-routes/bus-split-plitvicka-jezera
Get there by a chauffeured rented bus
https://rentautobus.com/countries/croatia/item1388
