Last Updated on December 10, 2025 by Sam
Plitvice Lakes National Park is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in Croatia. Home to a series of 16 interconnected lakes and more than 90 mesmerising waterfalls, it’s no surprise that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s an essential stop on any Croatia itinerary, with spectacular scenery that feels like it’s straight out of a Disney movie. If you’re deciding between Krka or Plitvice, we’d definitely prioritise Plitvice, though Krka National Park is a must-visit if you have the time for both. Find out the must-see highlights for both the Upper and Lower Lakes, ticket prices, essential tips, and more with this guide to visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Plitvice Lakes National Park Information
Opening Hours
Plitvice Lakes National Park is open 365 days a year. Hours vary depending on the season, but during the peak summer months, the park is open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Visit the official website for the most up-to-date opening hours before your visit.
Entrances
There are two official entrances at Plitvice. Entrance 1 is located at the Lower Lakes and remains open throughout the year. Entrance 2 is located near the Upper Lakes, but this entrance normally closes during the winter months.
The park can be explored on foot from both entrances, with buses and boats available to transfer you between the Lower and Upper Lakes. For an overview of the layout, use this Plitvice park map.
Entrance Fee
As of 2026, the Plitvice Lakes National Park entrance fee ranges from €10 during low season to €40 during the peak summer months (June to September). Ticket costs increase most years, so check the official website for the latest prices.
Parking
There are paid car parks at both entrances to Plitvice, with prices from €2 per hour during the peak season.
Wildlife
The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, ranging from the fish in the lakes to rare bird species. Plitvice is also home to snakes, wolves, and even bears, so keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you!
How To Get to Plitvice Lakes National Park
Car
The best way to get to Plitvice is to drive yourself, so that you can arrive at opening time, when the park is less busy. It’s impossible to fully avoid the crowds during peak season, but arriving early means you’ll have some time in the park before it gets crowded. We recommend using Google Maps for directions to the park.
The length of your journey to Plitvice Lakes will depend on your starting point, but expect it to take around 2½ hours from Split and 2 hours from Sibenik and Zagreb.
Renting a car is very affordable in Croatia, especially if you book via Discover Cars, as they compare between operators to get you the best possible deal. Click here to get a quote in seconds on the Discover Cars website!
Tour
If you’d prefer not to drive, the easiest option is to take a tour to Plitvice Lakes National Park. As Plitvice is so popular, tours regularly sell out in advance, so it’s best to book as far in advance as possible.
Plitvice tours depart from several places, including Zagreb, Split, Trogir, and Zadar. The tours are great value and typically include your entrance fee, a guide, and return transport for a one-day trip to the park.
Click here to find the best tours on the Get Your Guide website!
Bus
Although it’s possible to reach Plitvice by bus, it’s better to take a tour or drive yourself. There are fairly regular departures to the park from Zagreb, but the journey takes a few hours.
If you’re planning to get there by bus, check the Arriva website for schedule and ticket information.
Best Time To Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice gets extremely busy in July and August, so we recommend visiting in May, June, September, or October if you can. Visiting at this time means the park will be less crowded, which makes for a more enjoyable experience.
Although the summer months are the most popular, visiting the Plitvice Lakes in winter can be extremely rewarding. If you’re lucky, you’ll find the park covered in snow with some of the lakes and waterfalls frozen. This spectacular sight is truly unforgettable, although you’ll need some luck to time your trip perfectly.
During winter, sections of the park may close depending on weather conditions. It’s common for the Upper Lakes to be closed, with no boats running there from the Lower Lakes.
What To See in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is 297 square kilometres, making it impossible to see everything in a day. The park’s lakes actually only cover a distance of around eight kilometres, which is the main area visited in the park. This area of the park is split into two sections: the Upper Lakes and the Lower Lakes.
Upper Lakes of Plitvice
Consisting of 12 lakes with amazingly clear turquoise waters, the Upper Lakes make up a larger section of the park. The Matica River is the main source of Lake Proscansko, the first and highest of the Upper Lakes. Through a series of waterfalls, water flows onwards through the lakes and into Lake Kozjak, the final Upper Lake.
In this section of the park, you’ll find stunning waterfalls amongst the lakes and wild forest. Highlights you won’t want to miss include:
Veliki Prstavac: Undoubtedly one of Plitvice’s most beautiful waterfalls, Veliki Prstavac is also the second-tallest waterfall in the park. With several streams crashing over a 28-metre drop, it’s a truly impressive sight.
Galovački Buk: One of the most picturesque spots in Plitvice. If you arrive at the right time, rays of sunlight break through the trees surrounding Galovački Buk waterfall. With a drop of 16 metres, it’s not one of the tallest falls in the park, but it’s certainly a contender for the most scenic.
Lower Lakes of Plitvice
This part of our guide to Plitvice Lakes focuses on the Lower Lakes, which have a different feel to them. Although they account for a smaller section of the park, they’re by no means less beautiful.
Formed in a limestone canyon, there are four lakes in this section. Lake Milanovac is the first of the Lower Lakes, and is fed by Lake Kozjak of the Upper Lakes. The final lake is Novakoviča Brod, from which water flows into the Korana River.
Like the Upper Lakes, the Lower Lakes have delightfully clear waters and cascading waterfalls that feed them. Make sure not to miss the following waterfalls:
Milanovački Slap: Located between Lake Kozjak and Lake Milanovac, Milanovački Slap is where water flows from the Upper Lakes to the Lower Lakes over a 10-metre drop.
Veliki Slap: The name roughly translates as ‘Great Waterfall’, which is a fitting title for the tallest waterfall in Croatia. Veliki Slap stands at 78 metres tall and can be admired from several viewpoints on the path near Entrance 1. This path then leads down to the base of the waterfall, allowing you to get close enough to feel its true force.
Sastavci Slap: At the end of the final lake, the cascading Sastavci Slap waterfall plunges into the Korana River. Located very close to Veliki Slap, it’s possible to get a wonderful view of both falls together on the path leading down from Entrance 1.
Getting Around Plitvice Lakes
Walking
Plitvice Lakes National Park has a number of trails, allowing you to explore the lakes and waterfalls on foot. Wooden walkways meander across the lakes, allowing you to get up close to Plitvice’s waterfalls. Other paths offer panoramic views from above, giving you the chance to appreciate the park’s beauty from afar.
You also have the option to make use of sightseeing trains and electric boats to help you get around the park, as well as renting row boats for €15 per hour. The train and electric boat rides are included in the price of your ticket and prove particularly useful for seeing as much as possible if you don’t plan on spending a full day at Plitvice.
Sightseeing Train
Plitvice runs sightseeing trains, which are, in effect, shuttle buses that help you get around the park more efficiently.
There are three stations within the park. Stations 1 and 2 are near their namesake entrances. Station 3 is located near the top of the Upper Lakes section, close to Lake Prošćansko. ‘Trains’ run every 30 minutes, but check the official website for an up-to-date schedule.
Boats
Electric boats are another way to get around Plitvice, but there are only a couple of routes in operation. Trips run between the park’s three piers:
P1: Close to Entrance 2.
P2: Located at the Upper Lakes across from P1.
P3: Located at the Lower Lakes, close to Milanovački Slap.
Boats operate two set routes across Lake Kozjak:
P1↔P2: A short crossing providing quick access between Entrance 2 and the Upper Lakes.
P2↔P3: A 20-minute trip crossing of Lake Kozjak, giving easy access between the Upper and Lower Lakes.
Boat trips at Plitvice are included in the price of your ticket, but if you’re visiting in peak season, wait times can be extremely long. The rides are pleasant and offer a different perspective of the park’s scenery, but prioritise the longer route for the best views. Visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park official website for the latest boat timetable.
Where To Stay Near Plitvice
As the park is a couple of hours’ drive from the nearest cities, it’s worth considering an overnight stay nearby to make the most of your trip. This allows you to get to the park early to enjoy the spectacular nature before the crowds arrive for the day.
Here are some of the best accommodation options near Plitvice:
B&B Villa Irene Plitvice Lakes
With cosy cabin-style rooms in a peaceful location, B&B Villa Irene is a great place to stay when visiting Plitvice. The property is surrounded by dense forest and impressive nature, and is just a 10-minute drive from Entrance 1.
Hotel Degenija
Hotel Degenija is one of the best luxury hotels near Plitvice, located just a 5-minute drive from Entrance 1. This stylish hotel boasts a range of high-end facilities, most notably an outdoor pool with brilliant views of the area’s nature.
Stay Inside Plitvice National Park at Hotel Jezero
If you’re looking for something special, Hotel Jezero offers the chance to stay inside Plitvice Lakes National Park. You’re just steps away from exploring the park’s stunning waterfalls and lakes, so the location is hard to beat!
Click here to see the wonderful Hotel Jezero on Booking.com!
Tips for Visiting Plitvice Lakes
Arrive early: This is particularly important during July and August as crowds flock to Plitvice during peak season. Aim to arrive for opening time (7:00 AM during summer), as it’s the best way to see the park without crowds. Tour buses typically arrive around 9:00 AM, so arriving early gives you a couple of hours to explore before it gets busy.
Swimming at Plitvice: Swimming is prohibited at Plitvice, but you can swim in the Korana River just outside the national park. The best spot for this is near the village of Rastoke, and is marked on Google Maps as Korana Naturbad Slunj.
Bring lunch and water: Food and drink at Plitvice National Park can be pricey, so we recommend packing your own lunch and enough water to last the day. The easiest option is to buy some burek at a local bakery the day before your trip and use this for a convenient on-the-go lunch.
Wear suitable footwear: As you’ll be doing lots of walking, it’s important to wear comfy footwear for your visit. The walkways can also get slippery at times, so make sure to wear something suitable to avoid slipping.
Pack a jumper and a raincoat: The mornings can be a bit chilly, especially out of peak season, so you may want to bring a jumper. It’s also worth having a raincoat to save your clothes from getting drenched by the spray of Plitvice’s waterfalls.
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