Expat in CroatiaVisiting Plitvice Lakes (Plitvička jezera)
Plitvice Lakes National Park (Nacionalni park “Plitvička jezera”) is a stunning wonder of protected nature located in Lika and covers almost 300 square kilometers. It is one of the largest national parks in Croatia and most beautiful miracles of nature in the world. Plitvice Lakes consist of 16 interconnected lakes arranged in cascades, separated by dams of travertine and surrounded by forest.
Plitvice Lakes became the first Croatian national park in 1949 and was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979. Plitvice is so incredible, it would be a travesty not to visit it while traveling throughout Croatia.
Why you should visit Plitvice Lakes (Plitvička jezera)
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Distinctive colors of lakes
The azure, green, grey and blue colors of the lakes make for amazing pictures and are a peaceful sight for everyone’s eyes. Colors vary depending on the number of minerals, type of organisms, and angle of the sunlight.
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The Large Waterfall (Veliki Slap)
The Large Waterfall is the highest waterfall in Croatia and the most beautiful in the national park. Veliki Slap is 78 meters high and gets almost completely frozen during the winter.
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Tufa sediments
The gorgeously unique waterfalls and lakes were created thanks to tufa barriers, which started to form during the Pleistocene epoch (6000-7000 years ago).
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Lake tour programs
You can choose between 8 different tours around the lakes. Paths through the forest and lakes will give you the most beautiful views among the whole park.
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Hiking trails
People in love with hiking can explore 4 beautiful hiking trails around the park, varying from 1 1/2 hours and 8 hours. Dive into the nature and enjoy all the beauties that forest gives you!
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Panorama Train
Plitvice sightseeing trains drive visitors around the park. If you get tired from walking, jump into the train and enjoy the amazing panorama view. This is also a good option for those who have trouble walking or are handicapped as they can still see and enjoy the park.
How to visit the Plitvice Lakes
Where it is
Plitvice Lakes National Park is situated partly in Lika-Senj county and partly in Karlovac county, between Korenica and Slunj. It includes a depression between the Mala Kapela mountain and the Lička Plješivica mountain range.
When to go
Plitvice Lakes are amazing during every part of the year. Every season brings new beauties and attractions to the park. Plitvice is crowded during the summer season, so it is better to visit it during June or September when the weather is sunny and dry and there are fewer people. Early morning with beautiful sunlight on the waterfalls is the most beautiful and peaceful part of the day.
In fall, you can see the leave colors changing all over the park. Visiting the park in winter is also popular because you can see the lakes and waterfalls frozen over.
National Park Opening Hours
Here are the working hours of the national park divided by seasons:
| Season | Period | Park Hours | Hours for entering park / ticket purchase / exchanging vouchers for tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | from last Sunday in October until last Saturday in March | 8.00 – 16.00 | until 14.00 |
| Spring | from last Sunday in March (31.05.) | 8.00 – 19.00 | until 17.00 |
| Summer | 01.06. – 20.08 | 7.00 – 20.00 | until 18.00 |
| Autumn | 21.08. – 30.09 | 7.00 – 19.00 | until 17.00 |
| Autumn | 01.10. until last Saturday in October | 8.00 – 18.00 | until 16.00 |
Directions to Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes is easy to find because it is situated near the main road which passes through Lika. Buses are available throughout the whole year from all over Croatia that will take you straight to the park’s entrance.
1. Traveling by car
- From Zagreb – Take the A1 (Zagreb – Split – Dubrovnik) highway and exit towards Karlovac. Continue via D1 state road towards Slunj and Rakovica. Plitvice Lakes is situated 30 kilometers past Slunj.
- From Split – Take the A1 (Dubrovnik – Split – Zagreb) highway and exit towards Gornja Ploča. Continue to drive towards Udbina and Korenica. Plitvice Lakes is located 20 kilometers past Korenica.
2. Traveling by bus
- From Zagreb – the bus timetable and ticket prices can be found here.
- From Split – the bus timetable can be found here.
- From other – the bus timetable and prices can be found here.
Admission and Ticket Prices
Tickets are available at all the entrances until 18:00. Parking lots at Entrance 1 and Entrance 2 work from 7:00 until 22:00.
Entrance tickets and prices
The entrance ticket includes:
- electric boat transport
- panorama train transport
- visitor insurance
You can book your ticket online here.
One-day tickets
| Visitor | Price Per Person (HRK) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 – 31.3 1.11 – 31.12 | 1.4 – 31.5 1.10 – 31.10 | 1.6 – 30.6 1.9 – 30.9 | 1.7 – 31.8 | |||
| A*** | B*** | A*** | B*** | |||
| Adults | 60,00 | 100,00 | 250,00 | 150,00 | 250,00 | 150,00 |
| Adults - Groups | 55,00 | 90,00 | 150,00 | 150,00 | 250,00 | 150,00 |
| Students* | 50,00 | 75,00 | 160,00 | 100,00 | 160,00 | 100,00 |
| Students - Groups | 45,00 | 70,00 | 100,00 | 100,00 | 160,00 | 100,00 |
| Children 7 to 18 years | 30,00 | 50,00 | 120,00 | 70,00 | 120,00 | 70,00 |
| Children 7 to 18 years – groups | 25,00 | 45,00 | 80,00 | 70,00 | 120,00 | 70,00 |
| Children up to 7 years and persons with disability (over 50%)** | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
* Student tickets are available only upon presenting a valid student ID card, confirming the status and identity of the student.
** To receive a discount, please show the appropriate identity card.
*** From June 1 to August 25 price A is valid until 4 p.m., while price B is valid after 4 p.m.
*** From August 26 to September 30 price A is valid until 3 p.m., while price B is valid after 3 p.m.
Two-day tickets
| Visitor | Price Per Person (HRK) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 – 31.3 1.11 – 31.12 | 1.4 – 31.5 1.10 – 31.10 | 1.6 – 30.9 | |
| Children 7 to 18 years | 50,00 | 80,00 | 170,00 |
| Students | 70,00 | 120,00 | 250,00 |
| Adults | 90,00 | 160,00 | 350,00 |
Guided group tickets
Guided tours in Croatian, English, Italian, French, German and Spanish are available for organized groups of 15 people or more.
Contact the park directly to book a guided tour using the below contact information.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +385 (0)53 751 014; +385 (0)53 751 015
| Guide Tours | Price (HRK) |
|---|---|
| Half-Day Tour (up to 4 hours, tour of the Upper or Lower Lakes) | 900 |
| Full-Day Tour (lasts 5 – 6 hours, tour of the Lower and Upper Lakes) | 1300 |
Parking
Operating hours of parking entrances and parking lots
| ENTRANCE | WORKING HOURS |
|---|---|
| Entrance I – Rastovača | 7:00 – 20:00 |
| Entrance II – Hladovina | 7:00 – 20:00 |
| Auxiliary entrance II – Flora | 7:00 – 20:00 |
Parking Prices
| Vehicle | 01.04 -31.05 01.10 – 31.10 | 01.06 – 30.09 |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | Free | Free |
| Automobile | 8 kn/hour | 10 kn/hour |
| Camper | 80 kn/day | 100 kn/day |
| Automobile with trailer | 80 kn/day | 100 kn/day |
| Bus | 80 kn/day | 100 kn/day |
Boats and Trains
Boat Schedule
| Boat Route | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Short route (P1 – P2) | 7:00 – 20:30 (as needed) |
| Long route (P2 – P3) | 8:00 – 19:00 (every 30 min.) |
| Long route (P3 – P2) | 8:30 – 19:30 (every 30 min.) |
Panorama Train Schedule
There are three train stops:
- St1 – at Entrance 1
- St2 – near Entrance 2
- St2 – at Prošćansko jezero
| Train Route | Schedule |
|---|---|
| St2 – St1 | 8:00 – 20:15 (every 30 min.) |
| St1 – St2 | 8:30 – 20:30 (every 30 min.) |
| St2 – St3 | 8:00 – 19:30 (every 30 min.) |
| St3 – St2 | 8:30 – 20:00 (every 30 min.) |
