We tell you all the information you need to visiting Plitvice Lakes: how to get there, things to do, best time to visit.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a Unesco World Heritage Site and was immediately a “must” of our trip when we traveled in Croatia.
This park stands out for two things:
- 16 lakes of crystalline water, which as they get deeper they acquire turquoise, dark green and all kinds of variations between these two colors.
- Small and large waterfalls that unite them to form an unparalleled spectacle.
That is to say, during the tour (which is the one we chose to do) we will ascend from lake to lake, since they are arranged in a staggered way.
🔝 Looking for more places to see in Croatia? Check out this article on things to do in Croatia in 7 or 10 days .
1. Best time to visit Plitvice Lakes
Although it can be visited all year round, the ideal season to visit it is from April to October, when the weather is more pleasant. We visited in the middle of the summer season and had clear skies, pleasant weather and no heat.
If you visit the Plitvice Lakes in July and August, keep in mind that the number of visitors is very high, although thanks to the extension of the park you can visit the points of interest without rushing.
🔝 Check out these recommendations for touring the country in the Croatia Travel Guide.
2. Price for visiting the Plitvice Lakes 2025
The entrance fee varies according to the month of visit.
- Low season (November to March): Admission is priced at 10 euros.
- Mid season (April, May and October): In the autumn and early spring months the price is 23 euros.
- High season (June to September): In the midsummer months, the fee is €40, but that price is reduced to €25 if you enter the lakes after 4pm in June, July and August or after 3pm in September.
Discounts are available for children aged 7-18 and students. Children under the age of 7 are free of charge. It is also possible to buy tickets for two days, which must be consecutive, to visit the Plitvice Lakes at your leisure.
You can see the updated entrance ticket prices on the official website of the Plitvice Lakes.
In all cases, the price of admission to Plitvice Lakes includes the electric boat on the lake and the panoramic train.
3. How to tour the Plitvice lakes
Walking through the lakes is a great and vertiginous experience, you cross narrow wooden walkways arranged over the lakes, and when you look into the lake you can see two things: the bottom of the lake and fish standing around, as if they were flying.
I say standing and not swimming because it was like that, they were there, standing still in some of the parts of the lake where the water did not continue downstream until it stopped at the next lake.
There are many different ways to explore the park. There are several marked routes that go by letters (from A to H), each one goes through different sectors of the park and there are longer and shorter ones. The most complete are C and H, the former is accessed through entrance 1 and the latter through entrance 2.
Of the different routes, we did route C, one of the most complete. We started at Entrance 1 to see the Great Waterfall and the lakes below, and continued up the walkways to the lakes above. On the way we enjoy the electric boat that makes a short trip on the Kozjak Lake.
📷 Book here the Plitvice Lakes tour from Zagreb, which includes transportation, and entrance to the lakes. You can also book the
Once you finish the tour at the upper lakes, there is a free electric bus that takes you to entrance 1 and entrance 2, without the need to walk all the way back. In total, the tour of the Plitvice Lakes took us about four hours.
If you do it the other way round on route H, which starts at entrance 2, you first take the electric bus, then visit the upper lakes and then the lower lakes. You go downhill all the way, but to get to entrance 1 there is a very steep climb.
4. Entrance 1 or 2 at Plitvice Lakes, which one is better
- There are two entrances from the route: Entrance 1 and Entrance 2. The lockers for backpacks are free of charge.
- There is a free shuttle bus included in the ticket price that takes you between each of the entrances.
- The bus from Zagreb to Plitvice stops at each entrance. It first stops at entrance 1 and then at entrance 2.
- Depending on the route you choose to visit the Plitvice Lakes, you should choose the entrance. Routes A, B and C start at entrance 1, routes E, F and H at entrance 2. As mentioned above, the best routes are C and H, and depending on which one you choose, you will enter the lakes from entrance 1 or 2.
5. Tips for visiting Plitvice Lakes
- Wear comfortable shoes, such as hiking shoes or trainers. Depending on the time of year you visit the Plitvice Lakes, change your attire. In summer we recommend light clothing because it is very hot and there are some places without shade. In winter at least a coat and a mackintosh.
- Take sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun, especially in the hotter months.
- Choose the most suitable route, if you don’t want to walk for a four hour hike choose a shorter route such as route A or B.
- You can bring your dog but it must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Is it allowed to swim in the Plitvice Lakes? No, it is expressly forbidden, so leave your swimming costumes in your backpacks!
- There are several restaurants inside the lakes where you can eat, with tables and chairs and shady places to sit.
- It is advisable to visit the Plitvice Lakes early in the morning or after 4pm, when the crowds are at their lowest.
- There are no free maps for touring the area and analysing possible routes. There is one at the entrance, but it is quite small and not very detailed. The information centre sells them for those who want to explore it in more depth.
6. Where to stay in Plitvice lakes
The bus also stops in two other towns in case someone has lodging there. As we got closer to the park, we saw many small towns where they offered apartment-zimmer-camera-sobe. We decided to do the lakes in one day and then sleep in Zagreb.
There are three options for accommodation just a few meters from the Plitvice Lakes National Park: Hotel Bellevue, Hotel Plitvice and Hotel Jezero. All are boutique style hotels with very nice facilities.
Other good alternatives outside the park are:
- Golden Lakes Rooms: 1.5 kms from the park entrance, it is a rural manor house with modern facilities inside. Rooms with terrace and views of nature.
- Guest House Spoljaric Sasa: is a simple but comfortable guesthouse with the advantage of having a restaurant in the same place. Ideal if you go by car, as it is a bit farther from the main road.
- Lake House: 3 kms from the entrance to the park, it is a rural lodge run by its owners with a very abundant breakfast.
7. How to get to Plitvice Lakes
How to get from Zadar to Plitvice by bus
There are buses from Zagreb bus station that drop you off at the entrance to the Plitvice Lakes. Bus frequency is good in high season, with more than 10 daily frequencies. You can see the bus timetables from Zagreb to Plitvice here.
If you want to make the reverse journey, you can buy tickets for Zagreb at the park’s entrance 1. We travelled on the 16:15 bus (there may be other timetables from other companies), so keep this in mind to finish your visit and get back in time. The bus arrives in Zagreb, without stops, around 19:00.
How to get to Plitvice from Zadar or Split
There are also frequent buses from Zadar and Split to Plitvice Lakes. Both depart from the bus station.
Plitvice Lake Excursion
If you want to take it easy, there are excursions to Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb, Split or Zadar that include entrance fees, guide and transport.
📷 Book here the Plitvice Lakes tour from Zagreb, which includes transportation, and entrance to the lakes. You can also book the
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