A visit to Plitvice Lakes (Plitvička Jezera) National Park is a must-see if you are traveling to Croatia. Visitors from all over Croatia, Europe and beyond should add this to their sightseeing itinerary. From the north coast of Croatia you can reach the park in about a 2.5 hours drive to the southeast making it a perfect day trip idea for your vacation. It is one of the oldest and largest national parks in Croatia and in 1979 became a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park was founded in 1949 and is located in the mountainous Lika-Senj region of Croatia near the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Looking for a rental on the north coast? Our 1 BR and 2 BR Apartments are in Crikvenica.
There are several hotels, rental villas and apartments nearby if you're wanting to stay longer than a day. The most popular time of year to visit is between June and August, but you can visit and enjoy the beauty of the park any time of year. I would even recommend visiting each season as the leaves change to bright reds, oranges and yellows in the fall, the snow and ice accumulates in the winter, it melts in the spring causing a stronger flow at the waterfalls and the foliage blooms through the summer.
Want another day trip idea? Check out our travels to Istria and Krk, Cres & Lošinj Islands.
The park is around 295 square kilometers/114 square miles long connecting 16 lakes and waterfalls together and pours into a limestone canyon. There are two different entrances to the park with seven different routes you can take to see the lakes and four hiking trails. There are 12 upper lakes supplied with walkways and trails and you can take a short boat ride to see the four lower lakes with more walkways and trails. Each lake has different shades of blues and greens depending on the minerals in the water and the color of the sky. While you are at the upper lakes you can see the 16 meters/52 feet tall, Galovački Buk waterfall. At the four lower lakes you can see the 78 meters/256 feet tall, Veliki Slap waterfall, as well as the Supljara Cave, reaching a length of 68 meters/223 feet.
Entrance 1 starts at the lower lakes and then a boat ride takes you to the upper lakes.
Entrance 2 starts at the upper lakes and then a boat ride takes you to the lower lakes.
If you're looking for a shorter route (2-4 hours) choose either the upper lakes or lower lakes. To see all the lakes it can take you anywhere from 5-8 hours. If you are not renting a car during your stay in Croatia, you can get to the park by booking a tour with a bus or private car or you can go to a bus station and purchase a round trip ticket. I suggest you arrive at the park in the morning so you have the whole day to stroll around. Tickets can be purchased online or at the park. The busiest season to visit the park is in the summer. I really suggest booking your tickets online in advance because there is a limit to how many people can enter at the same time to prevent overcrowding.
Interested in visiting Croatia's third largest city? Check out our Travel Guide to Rijeka.
Before or after the boat ride (depending on which entrance to the park you take) there is Kozjačka Draga Bar and Grill. They offer burgers, hot dogs, pizza, fries and soft drinks. This is also a great spot for a bathroom break and a chance to sit and rest your legs. If you are looking for somewhere more formal to eat, there are several restaurants just outside the park where you can experience traditional Croatian cuisine. I highly recommend a few minutes down the road at Bistro "La Ursula" in Mrzlin Grad Tourist Resort. After a long day of hiking this is the perfect place for a delicious meal. Tell the owner Karlo I said "Hello!"
Read our Travel Guide to Opatija for a luxurious day on the north coast.
If you are looking for an outdoor adventure with breathtaking photo opportunities, then a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park is just for you! This is a top favorite destination for hikers and nature lovers. Come see the endless beauty of this cherished site in Croatia.
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Happy Travels! Sretan Put!
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