The Ultimate Guide To Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia 2023

Plitvice Lakes National Park (Nacionalni park Plitvička jezera) in Croatia, is a hidden paradise for nature enthusiasts. This national park is made up of 16 lakes, connected by numerous waterfalls and cascades, all surrounded by forests of fir, spruce, and pine trees. The lakes showcase a breathtaking range of colors, from mesmerizing shades of azure green and turquoise to various hues of blue. The National Park’s largest lake is Kozjak, while the tallest waterfall is Veliki Slap.

Where Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Located?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is situated in central Croatia, near the border of Bosnia- Herzegovina. The park spans a large area, with a significant portion falling under Lika-Senj County and a smaller section under Karlova County. Since 1979, Plitvice Lakes National Park has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

How To Get To Plitvice Lakes National Park

The closest airport from Plitvice Lakes National Park is approximately 75 miles away located in Zadar. Unfortunately, there are no direct train routes are available to National Park, so driving or taking a bus is the best option for transportation.

From Zagreb: The quickest way to reach the park is by driving from Zagreb, which takes around about 2-3 hours. Buses from Zagreb to the park are also available, as well as various full-day trips and guided tours that can be booked.

From Split: It takes roughly 4 hours to drive from Split to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Full-day bus trips and guided tours are also available, with bus journeys taking between 4.5 to 5.5 hours.

From Zadar: The fastest way to reach the park is by driving, which takes approximately 1.5 hours.

From Istria Region: If you plan on traveling by bus from the Istria Region to Plitvice Lakes National Park for a round trip, it’s recommended to allocate a full day for your journey as the one-way bus trip may take 5.5 hours or even longer. During my own trip, I opted for a full-day bus tour from an operator based in the Istria region, traveling to Plitvice Lakes National Park from Pula. Prior to departure, the bus picked up passengers from nearby towns in the Istria region before making its way to the destination. To find an available bus tour from the Istria Region to Plitvice Lakes National Park, please check out the Excursion to Plitvice Lakes from the Istria Region option. If you’re driving from Pula or Rovinj, the journey to Plitvice Lakes will take between 3 to 4 hours.

Bus Tickets And Rental Car Bookings

Bus Tickets: If you are interested in purchasing bus tickets from your departure location to Plitvice Lakes National Park, you can check available itineraries and buy tickets on getbybus.com.

Rental Car: If you are comfortable driving in a foreign country, renting a car could be the quickest and most flexible way to reach Plitvice Lakes, National Park. You can pre-book a rental car from various airport locations in Croatia. Like many European countries, driving is on the right side. The roads are generally in excellent condition. Although manual transmission cars are more prevalent than automatic transmission rental cars, you can still fund automatic transmission cars. However, automatic cars are somewhat more costly and less readily available. I recommend booking your preferred car in advance, especially during the busy summer season. A valid American or European Union driver’s license is acceptable to rent a car in Croatia. You will also need to buy full insurance from a car rental company.

Can you take Uber to Plitvice Lakes National Park?

While it is possible to take an Uber from many major cities in Croatia to Plitvice Lakes National Park, there is no Uber service available for transportation from the park to other destinations. If you are planning to share your Uber fare with others, it may be worth considering as a viable option.

Plitvice Lakes National Park Details And Entrance

The National Park’s typical hours are from 7 am to 8 pm. During peak season (July and August),  the walking paths can become quite crowded, particularly in the afternoons. If you want to take your time to capture great photos, it’s advisable to visit earlier in the morning.

How much do entry tickets cost in 2023?

Entry ticket prices vary depending on the month of your visit. Children under the age of 7 are admitted to Plitvice Lakes National Park for free.

• 10 Euros/ $10.96- For adults, January- March, November-December
• 23.50 Euros/ $25.77- For adults, April- May, and October
• 39.80 Euros/ $43.64-For adults, June- September (Peak Season)
• Entry tickets for children between the ages of 8-17 are less expensive than for adults.

Do you need to buy entry tickets in advance?

While it is not required, you can purchase entry tickets in advance online to avoid waiting in long lines at the park entrance gates. Tickets are also available for purchase on-site at Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Are there available car parking areas?

Yes, there are parking areas at both Entrance # 1 and Entrance # 2 locations. Parking rates slightly vary on the time of your visit. The hourly parking fee is around 1.3 Euros from May to September, around 1 Euro from April to May, and from October to November.

Is there any place to eat?

There are cafes located at the park entrance and near the boat stop at Kozjak Lake where visitors can purchase food and drinks. There are also several restaurants located along the road near the entrances of Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Some of the suggested restaurants nearby Plitvice Lakes National Park are:

• Restoran Degenija
• Restaurant Poljana
• Lička kuća

Can you swim there?

No, swimming is not permitted anywhere in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Source: www.plitvice lakes.info

How much time do you need to see Plitvice Lakes National Park?

To fully enjoy Plitvice Lakes National Park, it is recommended to spend a minimum of 2 to 8 hours. Exploring Plitvice Lakes on foot can take around 6 hours or more, but you can reduce your walking time by 2 hours by taking the free boats.

Entrance # 1 is a better walking starting point for exploring the Lower Lakes section, which would take approximately 3 hours to explore. If you prefer to start with the top upper lakes, then Entrance #2 is the way to go. Free buses are available to take you there, and the upper lakes section can be explored in around 2 hours.

I was able to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park with a full-day bus tour from the Istria region. Due to our limited time, we completed our tour in around 3.5 to 4 hours by taking the free boat to cross Lake Kozjak. If you wish to fully explore the park at your own pace, without feeling rushed, it would be best to allocate a full day and arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

What to wear and bring with you

• Comfortable walking shoes; no flip-flops. The walking trails can be slippery.
• Lightweight clothing for summer season
• Sunglass
• Cardigan or light jacket
• Raincoat
• Umbrella
• Hat for the sun
• A bottle of water
• Sunblock
• Snacks and food