Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia - Complete Visitor Guide
As I write this article and choose the photos, I am taken straight back to Croatia. I remember the warm days, the drives and how relaxed we felt the whole time. It was one of those trips that stays with you. The kind you smile about long after you are home.
As I have mentioned in my other Croatia articles, the two national parks were the main reason we planned this trip. Krka was high on the list, and it completely won us over. Plitvice Lakes National Park did the same, and in many ways, even more.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the most famous natural sights in Croatia. It is known for its turquoise lakes, powerful waterfalls and wooden walkways that take you right across the water. The park is well laid out and easy to explore, but it still feels wild and untouched in places.
In this guide, I share what it is really like to visit Plitvice. I cover what to see, how much time you need, how to get there and where we stayed. If you are planning a trip to Croatia, this is one place that truly deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Where Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Located in Croatia
Plitvice Lakes National Park is in central Croatia. It sits between the coast and the inland regions. The park is surrounded by forests and small villages, which adds to the calm feel of the area.
Plitvice is around 2 hours from Zagreb by car. From Zadar, it takes about 1.5 hours. If you are travelling from Split, expect a drive of roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and stops.
Because of its location, Plitvice fits well into a wider Croatia road trip. Many people visit it while travelling between Zagreb and the Dalmatian coast, or as a stop when moving between Split and northern Croatia. We found that having a car made things much easier, especially for reaching the park early and staying nearby. If you are planning to drive, it is worth reading up on what to expect when driving in Croatia, as it is generally straightforward and very scenic.
Why Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is easy to see why. The park is made up of a large number of lakes linked by waterfalls, all set in a natural forest landscape. The colours of the water change as you walk, from deep blue to bright green. The wooden boardwalks take you right over the lakes and close to the falls, which makes the whole experience feel very immersive.
If you have already visited Krka National Park, Plitvice feels both familiar and different. Like Krka, it is beautiful and well organised, but Plitvice is much larger and more dramatic in scale. There are more lakes, more walking and a stronger sense of being surrounded by nature throughout the park.
Main Attractions in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is made up of several distinct areas, each with its own feel. Some parts are calm and open, while others are steep and dramatic. Together, they create the varied landscapes the park is known for.
Below are the main attractions inside the park, and what makes each one worth seeing.
Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera)
The Upper Lakes are made up of 12 lakes spread across a wide forest area. The paths here are calm and scenic, with water flowing gently between the lakes. You walk past smaller waterfalls and clear pools along the way. This part of the park feels quieter and less dramatic, but very peaceful. Lake Kozjak is the largest lake here, and you can cross it by boat.
Lower Lakes (Donja Jezera)
The Lower Lakes feel very different to the Upper Lakes. This area sits inside a deep limestone canyon, with tall cliffs on both sides. There are fewer lakes, but the scenery is more dramatic. The paths take you closer to the water and to some of the best viewpoints in the park. This is where many of the classic Plitvice photos are taken.
Veliki Slap - The Biggest Waterfall in Plitvice
Veliki Slap is the tallest waterfall in Plitvice and one of the main highlights. The water drops from a great height and makes a powerful sight as you approach it. There are several viewpoints where you can stop and take photos. No matter when you visit, this area always makes an impression.
Wooden Boardwalks and Walking Paths
The wooden boardwalks are a big part of the Plitvice experience. They run across the lakes and alongside the waterfalls, keeping you close to the water at all times. The paths are well marked and easy to follow. As you walk, the views keep changing, which makes the visit feel varied and never boring.
How Much Time Do You Need at Plitvice Lakes
You can see Plitvice Lakes in half a day, but it will feel rushed. A shorter visit usually means sticking to one main route and missing some quieter areas. A full day is a much better option. We set aside a day for Plitvice and it gave us the time to walk at a relaxed pace, stop at viewpoints and enjoy both the Upper and Lower Lakes without constantly watching the clock.
Staying overnight near the park makes a big difference. It allows you to enter early or stay later in the day, when it is much quieter. This is especially helpful in peak season. We chose to stay nearby and it worked really well for us. Our stay at Patar Apartments near Plitvice was comfortable, convenient and ideal for exploring the park without the stress of a long day trip.
Walking Routes and Trails in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park has a range of clearly marked walking routes, known as programmes, to suit different time limits and fitness levels.
Routes starting from Entrance 1 focus more on the Lower Lakes and the Big Waterfall, while routes from Entrance 2 often begin in the Upper Lakes area. Shorter routes take around 2 to 3 hours and cover key highlights like Veliki Slap and a few lakes, while mid-length routes of 4 to 5 hours combine walking with electric boat rides across Lake Kozjak and panoramic vehicle sections. These routes are ideal if you want a good overview without walking the entire park.
If you have more time and energy, the longer routes are very rewarding. Full-day programmes cover both the Upper and Lower Lakes, include multiple viewpoints, and take you deeper into quieter parts of the park. These routes involve more walking, fewer shortcuts and longer distances, but they show Plitvice at its best.
All programmes are circular and well signposted and your entrance ticket includes use of the electric boats and panoramic vehicles. For more details on the routes/programs, visit the official park website.
We did what is called the 'K1 Walk/Tour'. It begins and ends at Entrance 1 and covers both the Upper and Lower Lakes. It took us around 7 hours to complete the circuit. We found the route easy to follow and it was helpful that we chose a walking circuit based on how much time we had as we got to see the best of the park.
How to Get to Plitvice Lakes National Park
Driving to Plitvice Lakes is the easiest and most flexible option. The park is reached via state roads D429 and D52, depending on where you are coming from. The D429 road runs past both Entrance 1 and Entrance 2. There is paid parking at both entrances, right next to the ticket areas. We found driving simple and stress-free, and it fit well into our road trip plans. If you are unsure what to expect, my 'Driving in Croatia' guide covers everything you need to know.
Buses also run to Plitvice Lakes from major cities like Zagreb and Zadar. These services use the same main road and stop close to the park entrances. Bus travel is cheaper, but you have less control over timings, especially for early entry or late exits. It is important to plan ahead, as the two main entrances are about 3 km apart.
Guided day trips to Plitvice are popular, especially from places like Split and the coast. These tours usually include transport and park entry, which makes things easy. The downside is limited time inside the park and fixed routes. If you want to explore at your own pace, visiting independently works much better, in my opinion.
Practical Tips for Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Tickets for Plitvice Lakes National Park are sold with timed entry slots, especially during the busy season. It is best to book online in advance, as numbers are limited each day.
- Entry is via Entrance 1 or Entrance 2, so choose the one that suits your planned walking route.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, as the boardwalks can be slippery when wet.
- Layers are useful, as the weather can change quickly. Bring water, and a small backpack is easier to manage on the narrow paths.
- There are toilets and cafés near the main entrances and at a few points inside the park, but options are limited once you start walking.
- Eating is only allowed in designated areas, and swimming is not permitted anywhere in the park.
- To manage crowds, try to enter early in the morning or later in the afternoon and avoid peak summer hours if you can.
- Staying nearby makes this much easier, as you are not tied to bus times or long drives.
- Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, with fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures, while summer is beautiful but very busy.
- It really helps to have the park map downloaded on your phone, as it makes it much easier to see where you are and follow your chosen route while walking through the park.
- Using a phone or camera strap is a good idea, as it helps prevent accidental drops into the lakes or waterfalls, especially when walking on narrow boardwalks close to the water.
Plitvice Lakes vs Krka National Park - Which Is Better
Plitvice and Krka are both stunning, but they offer different experiences. Plitvice is larger, more dramatic, and better suited to longer walks and full-day visits. It feels wilder and more spread out. Krka is more compact and easier to explore in a shorter time, which works well if you want something less demanding.
If you enjoy hiking and varied scenery, Plitvice is the better choice. If you prefer an easier visit with shorter walks, Krka may suit you more. I have shared more details about this in my 'Visiting Krka National Park' guide.
Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting
Yes, without a doubt. We spent around seven hours exploring Plitvice, and it never felt boring or repetitive. The scenery kept changing as we walked, from wide lakes to narrow canyons and beautiful waterfalls. Visiting in October meant beautiful autumn colours and a real sense of calm. The park felt peaceful and we were able to enjoy the views without heavy crowds. Even though the waterfalls were not at their strongest, the overall experience was still excellent.
Plitvice is one of those places that truly lives up to the hype. It offers something unique and leaves a lasting impression. For us, it was a highlight of our trip and a key reason we loved travelling through Croatia. If you are planning a wider itinerary, this is one place that really deserves a spot. And if we return to Croatia in the future, Plitvice Lakes National Park is somewhere we would happily visit again.
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