Plitvice Lakes National Park: the complete visitor guide

Plitvice is the one everyone has seen in photographs: sixteen lakes stacked down a forested valley in shades of turquoise and jade, linked by waterfalls and a web of wooden boardwalks that take you right across the water. It was Croatia's first national park and a UNESCO site since 1979 — and it lives up to the pictures.

Upper vs lower lakes

The park splits in two. The upper lakes are broader and more serene, set among forest; the lower lakes are a tighter canyon ending at Veliki slap, the tallest waterfall in Croatia at 78 m. A free electric boat crosses the largest lake and a panoramic shuttle train links the ends, so you can mix walking with rides rather than backtracking.

Which entrance

There are two gates. Entrance 2 sits nearer the upper lakes and is the usual choice for the classic loops; Entrance 1 opens straight onto the lower lakes and Veliki slap. The park publishes lettered walking routes (different lengths and combinations of boat and train) — pick one to suit your time and energy.

Getting there

Plitvice is inland, roughly midway between Zagreb and the coast. It's about two hours from Zadar (the closest coastal city), and around two and a half from Split or Zagreb. Buses run from all three; many visitors come on a day trip, but staying nearby lets you start at opening time, before the coaches.

Best time to go

Late spring brings snowmelt and the fullest falls; autumn turns the forest gold. Summer is beautiful but crowded — arrive at opening. Winter, when the lakes partly freeze, is magical but with limited trails and services open.

Combining it with the coast? Zadar is the natural pairing — see our boutique hotels in Zadar, or the national parks overview for the rest.