The Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, is one of the most beloved places in the heart of Europe and a pilgrimage destination for those who love trekking and nature hikes. If you fall into this category, it’s very likely you’ve already heard about it and have future visits planned. In this article, we want to help you organize the perfect holiday in this Croatian paradise, with some advice not only on what to see but also how to get there and how long it takes to see the Plitvice Lakes!
How to Get to the Plitvice Lakes
Getting to the Plitvice Lakes is fairly straightforward if you’re coming from the main Croatian cities, but it requires at least two hours of travel.
The area is served by buses, although they are not very frequent and run on fixed schedules only a few times a day. The best way to visit the national park without losing too much time and to have more freedom is therefore to travel by your own car or rent one.
Keep in mind, however, that if you arrive by car, you need to add the parking feeto the entrance ticket price. Visiting the park isn’t cheap, but it’s definitely worth it. For all park prices and other information, we recommend visiting the official website.
The closest city is Zadar which is two hours from the park, followed by Zagreb at two and a half hours, and finally Split at three and a half hours.
Another way to reach the park comfortably and stress-free is to join an organized tour. Meeters offers a bus trip to the Plitvice Lakes from Italy, departing from Verona, for a weekend of exploration with new friends. For all information and bookings, visit the dedicated page!
How Much Time Is Needed to Visit the Plitvice Lakes
Visiting the Plitvice Lakes is quite intense, but one day is often enough to follow the main routes and see the most beautiful waterfalls and lakes.
That said, considering the long travel times to the lakes—at least 4 hours round trip—our advice is to stay overnight nearby and dedicate at least two days to exploration and contemplation. This becomes practically essential if you love trekking and want to enjoy the visit as much as possible.
Where to Stay?
The lakes region is one of the most visited by tourists year-round, so it’s well supplied with accommodations, including hotels and guest houseswhere you can stay.
Hotels inside the park are naturally the most expensive. But in the area, you can find other more affordable accommodationswhere you might also leave your car to avoid paying the park’s parking fee, then walk to the park.
Also consider that during peak season and weekends, prices are generally quite high everywhere due to the large influx of visitors.
When to Go?
The Plitvice Lakes area is wonderful all year round, offering not only very different photo opportunities but also experiences and emotions that are completely opposite! The water in each lake takes on a new color depending on the season, as do the surrounding forests.
The best time to visit the lakes is probably spring, along with autumn. The mild climate makes walks extremely pleasant, and although the park is always quite busy, you won’t risk getting caught in crowds. Spring’s strength is the high water levels with waterfalls in full flow at their best.
Winter, too, with its frozen lakes and snow, can offer very evocative scenes. Choose your visit days carefully, though. Temperatures are quite cold and with shorter days, the park’s opening hours are reduced.
Finally, summer is in some ways a great time and in others the worst. The reason is easy to guess. On one hand, you can enjoy beautiful days; on the other, the heat can be tough on your endurance, as can the huge crowds of tourists that flock there.
In July and August there are long lines and it’s not uncommon for entrances to be limited. Saturdays and Sundays can be really stressful. So if you plan to relax in nature, avoid summer!
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Visiting the Plitvice Lakes National Park
The Plitvice Lakes National Park covers an area of almost 30,000 hectares and includes 16 lakes, connected by canyons and waterfalls, including the beautiful Veliki Slap which is 78 meters high.
The lake system is fed by two rivers, the White River and the Black River, which have created two different areas within the park. The first is known as the “upper lakes” or Gornja Jezera. The second is the “lower lakes” or Donja Jezera.
The large park area is crossed by numerous trekking trails that pass through different zones and landscapes with difficulty levels ranging from highest to lowest. There are also boardwalks perfect for beginners or for those who just want to enjoy nature without exerting themselves. Whatever you choose to do, always carry the map with you.
There are three entrances to the park. Entrance1 is the main and most used one, also because it’s the most scenic. Starting here, you follow a path uphill that always puts you in front of lakes and waterfalls.
Entrance2on the other hand, leaves the lakes behind you, while the Flora Auxiliary entrance is near the village of Plitvica Selo and may be more convenient if coming from that direction, but remember that in this case you must buy tickets online.
In total, there are 8 routes to follow, each marked by a letter and well signposted. With the map in hand, it’s easy to follow and switch routes without the risk of getting lost. You can also take some routes by boat or use the internal train.
So, if you want to have multiple experiences, the answer to the question how long it takes to visit the Plitvice Lakes is definitely at least two days! These were our tips on the subject, and if you liked this guide, keep following our site and join us to travel in Italy and around the world with company!