Plitvice Lakes National Park

The Plitvice Nature Park is known as a water paradise as it is made up of 14 lakes and multiple waterfalls that cascade down along the way. It is a true natural wonder that attracts thousands of tourists a year, especially in the summer months, to enjoy the water and nature. The Plitvice Lakes are located about 130 kilometres from Zagreb, making it an ideal getaway from the capital. Join us for a tour of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the best things to see in Croatia.

What to see at Plitvice Lakes National Park?

As mentioned above, the park is made up of 14 impressive lakes that can be explored along seven different routes to suit your time and your desire to walk. Before we start with the routes, it’s worth noting that there are two entrances to the park, 1, to the north, and 2, to the south. Furthermore, the National Park is divided into two areas, the lower lakes and the upper lakes. Entrance 1 is closer to the lower lakes, and Entrance 2 to the upper lakes.

1. Shortest Routes

• Route A (2-3 hours, 3.5 km). This is the shortest route, perfect for those who have less time. It is a circular route that starts and ends at Entrance 1 and runs through the lower area with some of the major attractions such as the Great Waterfall, four of the lakes and the Kozjak Bridge.
• Route B (3-4 hours, 4 km) Also starts at entrance 1 and shares most of the sights with route A, but also includes a boat ride on Kozjak Lake and a scenic drive.
• Route E (2-3 hours, 5.1 km): Starts at entry 2 and runs along the upper lakes only, along with a boat ride on Lake Kozjak.
• And Route F (3-4 hours, 4.6 km): Starts at Entrance 2, but covers both the lower and upper lakes. It also includes a walk with several viewpoints that offer spectacular views of the natural panorama.

2. Longer routes

If you have more time for your Plitvice Lakes tour or are even staying overnight in the area and are not concerned about the length of the route, you may be interested in the longer routes. The Plitvice Lakes are a real wonder and for some people a 2 or 3 hour tour is not enough, so here are some longer tours.

• Route C (4–5 hours, 8 km): The first of the longer routes starts at Entrance 1 and is one of the most complete as it covers the lower and upper areas, as well as the boat and train ride.
• Route H (4–6 hours, 8.9 km): As you can imagine from its length, this is another of the more complete routes. It passes through the lower and upper lakes and includes the boat ride and train ride.
• Route K (6–8 hours, 18.3 km): Route K is also divided into two options, as you can start at either entrance 1 or 2, as this route runs through the entire park. It is the longest and most demanding, but also the most complete

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see near Plitvice Lakes?

If you’re planning a trip to the Plitvice Lakes, you’ve probably first visited Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, which is 130 km from the Plitvice Lakes. Therefore, instead of Zagreb, we suggest two other destinations near the lakes for you to continue your discovery of Croatia.

1. Zadar

An hour and a half’s drive from the Plitvice Lakes lies the wonderful town of Zadar, on the shores of the Adriatic. This small Croatian town is impressive not only for its beauty, but also for the historical vestiges that time has left on it. An example of this is its wall, with its striking Terrafema Gate (16th century) that leads to the historic centre, its Roman Forum, proof of the passage of this civilization in Zadar (1st century BC to 3rd century AD), as well as its many churches and its cathedral. It is also worth noting its beautiful steps on the shores of the Adriatic where the waves crash into the sea, the best spot in the city to relax, enjoy the sea and the city’s beautiful sunsets.

2. Sibenik

Sibenik is a beautiful and peaceful town on the shores of the Adriatic, yet it is often overlooked on travel routes as it is overshadowed by other more famous towns such as Dubrovnik or Split. The city, as well as boasting some of the country’s most spectacular cathedrals, has a lot to offer in terms of history and culture. In this post, we’ll tell you what to see in Sibenik and some other tips to help you prepare for your trip.

Sibenik is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Croatia, with its marble floors and white facades that have earned the city the name of the Pearl of the Adriatic. Here is a list of the must-see places to visit in Sibenik. The Old Town, the Croatian Republic Square, the Medieval Garden of St. Lawrence Monastery, the Michael’s Fortress, the Cathedrals…

Discover Sibenik in more detail at Things to see and do on your trip to Sibenik

How to get to Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb?

In general, if you’re going on a Croatian itinerary, it’s always best to travel by car. Whether it’s your own car or a hire car, you’ll save time travelling and have more freedom in terms of timetables. However, if this isn’t your plan, there are always alternatives for getting around.

The drive from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes is about 130 kilometres, or just under two hours if you’re travelling by car. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry, you can travel by bus. Buses leave from Zagreb bus station for around €12 and the journey time is around 2.5 hours. However, we don’t highly recommend this option and insist on a rental car, as it’s highly recommended to arrive early in the morning to avoid the heat and other tourists and enjoy the route at your leisure.

Where to sleep close to Plitvice Lakes?

Although many people choose to travel to Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb or other cities during the day, it is highly recommended to spend a night in the area and avoid spending so much time behind the wheel, especially after the fatigue of the route. You can also take the opportunity to get to know the area better.

There are few hotels inside the National Park. They are more expensive than nearby hotels outside the park, especially in high season. However, they have the advantage of being in the National Park itself, making it easier to start your route early in the morning. Also, parking is usually free at the hotels.

Another option is to stay in one of the villages near the lakes, where prices are cheaper than in the park itself.

Where to eat?

There are a few restaurants in Plitvice Lakes National Park itself, but it is highly recommended that you take your own food on the trails. This way you can stop to rest and eat when you want and need to and not wait until you get to the restaurant to refuel. For this reason, we suggest at least bringing snacks such as nuts or sandwiches and water in case you get hungry during the route.

• Li?ka Ku?a: This is one of the park’s restaurants, right at the entrance. It’s a great place to recharge your batteries after a day’s hiking. Its speciality is Croatian coima and barbecue, although vegetarian options are of course available. Open from 11:00 to 23:00. Price range: €20-60

Tips for your trip to Plitvice Lakes

• Tickets to Plitvice Lakes National Park can be purchased online.
• Bring good shoes for the hikes, such as trainers or even hiking boots.
• Take a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, especially if you’re going in summer.
• Do not stray from the marked trails.
• Bring your own water and food, at least some snacks to replenish your energy along the way.
• Get up early and arrive very early, especially in high season, to avoid the heat and other tourists.
• Be responsible: don’t litter and respect the natural environment
• The official currency of Croatia is the Kuna.
• We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as this will make it cheaper for you.
• The best time to visit Croatia is in spring and autumn, when there are fewer tourists and the temperatures are more pleasant than in winter or summer.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured

How to organize your travel itinerary to Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travellers what to see in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about Plitvice Lakes National Park