How to Visit Plitvice Lakes in Croatia

Introduction To Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes National Park, located in the heart of Croatia, is a breathtaking destination renowned for its wild, stunning, and untamed waterfalls. Covered in lush moss and algae, these cascading waters create a vast landscape that is both unique and mesmerizing. If you’re planning a visit, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about how to visit Plitvice Lakes and the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes.

How to Get To Plitvice Lakes

Can You Take a Taxi to Plitvice National Park?

Yes you can. They have Uber from the major cities. Reaching Plitvice Lakes from major Croatian cities is quite straightforward. Here are the approximate cost for Uber prices for one-way trips:

• Zagreb to Plitvice: 100 Euros
• Zadar to Plitvice: 55-70 Euros
• Split to Plitvice: 1380 HRK
• Dubrovnik to Plitvice: 3135 HRK

For those who prefer public transport, buses run regularly from Zagreb, Zadar, Split, and other nearby cities.

Renting a Car or Driving To Plitvice Lakes

Renting a car is another convenient option, allowing you to explore the beautiful Croatian countryside at your own pace. Car rentals in this part of Croatia typically range from £70 to £100 per day.

Parking Costs: Car parking is about £5-£10 per hour, depending on the season. Motorbikes and bicycles can park for free.

Nearest Airport

If Plitvice lakes and the national park are on your bucket list and a big reason for visiting the country, then you will want to fly into or be based in Zadar which is 120 km away and takes a couple of hours. Zagreb is about 130km away too, so either option is great. Split is almost double the distance if you are based there, so just expect a long journey.

When is the Best Time to Visit Plitvice Lakes?

• We visited Plitvice in early June when the weather was scorching hot, but it is open all year round.
• The best time to visit Plitvice Lakes is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (aka Fall between September to October). During these periods, the weather is mild, and the crowds are smaller compared to the peak summer months.
• Winter offers a unique experience with snow-covered landscapes, though some trails may be closed.

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What You Need To Know About Plitvice

Cost of Entrance To Plitvice Lakes?

Entry tickets are less than £10.
Additional costs are charged for the boat rides across the lakes and shuttle trains, which can be a time-saving alternative to walking the longest route which can takes approximately 8 hours.

Book Tickets in Advance: The entrance can get very crowded, and without a pre-booked ticket, you might find yourself waiting for hours. We got to skip the cue due to being part of a group and having paid in advance.

We also almost missed out too. We were already in croatia when we booked via the tour company and we had to book one 10 days away. Others had sold out. Though we could have still gone, we’d have had to hire a car, get petrol and pay for parking. We wanted a relaxed experience on this trip.

Food And Drink

There are cafes in the park that offer food, drink and ice creams. The toilets are also next to the cafe spots.

I recommend taking food and drink with you on this day trip, even just a water bottle and something small to snack on at a minimum. There is a big distance between the entrance and the first cafe point. Like other National Parks around the world, it is also pretty pricey.

Don’t Forget To Stay Hydrated: Bring a good water bottle that stays cold. There are a few cafes along the trail, but having your own water can save money and time. Some areas are very open to the sun, with little to no shade to hide behind.

Take Appropriate Clothing

Wear Proper Footwear: The paths are uneven, with sections of cobblestones, plank boardwalks, and gravel. Comfortable walking or trail shoes would be best. Trainers are a minimum essential if you don’t. We saw some people in flip flops and sliders and they were mostly grumbling and slipping out of those things on the cobbles and hills (I don’t think the intense heat would have helped).

Wear comfortable walking shoes or trainers, and dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions. In summer, bring a hat and sunscreen, and in cooler months, wear a jacket

Although we didn’t experience it, our driver warned us that the weather is unpredictable here. Plitvice Lakes is in the mountains and quite high up, so don’t expect the weather to be the same as at sea level on the coast. I also suggest wearing light clothing in case it’s hot. It’s easier to warm up and stay dry with extra layers than to cool down if you’re wearing something too thick.

Set Your Expectations

Expect Crowds: The park is popular, and the main falls can be especially crowded. Be prepared for possible rudeness. We experienced some pushing and shoving from impatient visitors along the lower lakes part of the trail. It is very narrow in parts (you can kinda see that above) with just single file walking either side when on the board walk. I was injured and limping (though walking at a good pace still), I got plenty of pushes.

There were also a lot of people living through their phones and selfie sticks. No shade meant, but honestly they would nudge you out of the way or just suddenly stop and hold the rest of the people up (at some spots you don’t mind, but when it’s crowded and narrow on the board walks or lower lake paths, you’re at risk of being nudged in the water.

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Navigating the Plitvice Lakes Trails

What Are The Options?

Plitvice Lakes offers several routes (A, B, C, and K) to explore its stunning landscape. We went with Route B which was the best option for us time wise (when we our group driver factored in the transfer times).

Our Experience on Route B in Plitvice Lakes

This provided a comprehensive view of the park’s highlights and gave us just short of 6 hours in the park. The first major waterfall you’ll encounter is the Veliki Slap Waterfall (all routes will see this), a stunning 78-meter drop into a piercing blue lake surrounded by gorgeous limestone and green scenery. It’s incredibly dramatic as a view. You can see the board walk sections over the lower lakes.

Following on from the lower lakes you will will end up trailing over to some canteen huts with a large clearing full of seating at the first cafe. It’s a little pricy and the food is limited to the usual chips, burgers, hot dogs etc. With drinks and ice creams also on offer. It very much caters for American/British tourist with the food choices here. You will also find toilets here too.

Following on from this you can either relax and take in the fresh air and view of the lake and forest surrounding, or you will likely be heading on the boat across the lake. The boats have a good capacity and they are electric, which makes them quiet and very gentle when you are on them.

You feel like you are floating across the water slowly and there was a welcome breeze the further you got from the shore.

When you reach the next stop, there is an option to go and wander to see more falls (this wasn’t part of our booked route and we were a little short on time to add that one) or you can head on another boat over to the next shore (this time a shorter journey).

This then took us to the next canteen and and a grass clearing where we sat and had a cold drink before having to hide in the shade.
We then walked through the trees towards a collection point along a quite private road. Here we were picked up by what was described as a like a train but electric. We thought they may have meant a tram, but we didn’t see any tracks or overhead wires. It was in more of an electric bus with multiple carraiges.

Once we got back on the route, we were high up above the waterfalls in what felt like a bit of a birdeye view. It was stunning, not only could we see the waterfalls and lakes but we could see the vast expanse of wild forest and mountains that surround this beautiful area.

Wildlife and Flora in Plitvice National Park

Beyond the lakes and waterfalls, Plitvice National Park is home to a huge variety of wildlife, including European brown bears, wildcats, wild boars, grey wolves, deer, otters, and bats. Birdwatchers will also love that they have 169 species of birds that inhabit the park.

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Final Thoughts about Visiting Plitvice National Park

Despite the crowds and the heat, visiting Plitvice Lakes was an unforgettable experience. The natural beauty of the lakes and waterfalls is truly mesmerising. While I might not visit again due to the overtourism and my desire to explore other areas, I highly recommend it for first-time visitor. I am also still tempted by another visit in winter or autumn to see how different the lakes are then.

Conclusion

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a gem in Croatia’s natural landscape. With a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic day in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or simply looking to enjoy a peaceful day in the great outdoors, Plitvice has something for everyone.

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