Visit the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia: reservation & rates

Are you planning to visit Croatia? Enjoy it to discover the Plitvice Lakes, one of the most beautiful parks in the country!

The Plitvice Lakes are one of the most popular and well-known sites in Croatia. Located halfway between the cities of Zagreb and Zadar, they form a wonderful set of sixteen great lakes, connected between them by 92 cascades or small tormented rivers! If the national park hosts more than one million visitors each year, nature is still left to the wild. No human intervention is permitted. Only a wooden log path allows you to turn around, as well as some light installations.

Would you like to visit the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, a splendor of nature? In this article, you will find all the necessary information to discover it in the best conditions. Tips, history and practical information through rates and schedules, we provide you with the essentials to plan your visit and make the most of it!

History of the Plitvice Lakes

The Plitvice Lakes region has been inhabited for thousands of years, first by the Thracians, Illyrians, Celts and finally by Croats since the seventh century. Known as the Jardins du Diable, the site began to attract interest in 1860. With the first visitors, protection efforts are being made little by little. The Plitvice Lakes National Park was created on 8 April 1949. It is both the oldest national park in southern Europe and the largest in Croatia! It has also been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979.

The park houses a large primitive forest, consisting mainly of beech and fir trees. There are many rare animal and plant species, such as brown bear or wolf. The fishery richness of the lakes also attests to the prosperity of local fauna and flora.

Our tips to visit the Plitvice Lakes

Are you coming to visit the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia? To discover them in the best conditions, here are our best tips.

Best times

The Plitvice Lakes are visiting all year round, because they are very different each season. However, the park is really crowded in the summer. It is sometimes difficult to move there and the water level is fairly low.

We recommend visiting the Plitvice Lakes spring . The water level is very high, bringing wildness and beauty to waterfalls and streams. Autumn is also an ideal period. The trees take beautiful colors. In winter, waterfalls sometimes cover with snow, offering fairy tale decors to starry visitors!

Time zones, better to arrive 9 a.m. . At noon, the aisles are very crowded and tourist groups begin their visits!

Routes

The Plitvice Lakes are discovered through 8 hiking routes different. The shortest is 2 to 3 hours, the longest takes up to 8 hours. The K route allows you to discover the park as a whole. It is, however, more advisable to seasoned hikers. All routes are marked, and easy to follow.

Here’s what we recommend:

• A lentry 2, take the boat to pontoon 1 to pontoon 2
• Borrowing theroute E covering upper lakes
• Join him then Trail F to discover the lower lakes and the large waterfall

Note : itineraries cross and cover slightly different places, do not hesitate to take a few tips during your hike.

To take in his backpack

• Many water, especially during the summer!
• Your picnic: the park's restaurants are expensive and cheap. Better to take your own meal and enjoy it in an enchanting setting!

What you can do or not do in the park

Visiting the Lakes of Plitvice involves folding to a few rules.

• It is perfectly possible to walk with your dog, however it will have to hold on permanently.
• You must obviously not interact or harm fauna and flora.
• You must also keep it strictly to yourself marked paths or picnic areas.
• Photos and videos are allowed inside the park, as long as the use is non-professional/commercial.

What to see and what to do at the Plitvice Lakes?

The national park covers an area of almost 295 km2. You will discover 16 large lakes , more than 90 waterfalls , many caves , caves, and above all, beautiful forest ! The lakes are divided into two groups: 12 upper lakes and 4 lower lakes.

As previously seen, the park is mainly walking by dirt roads and aisles. Bus shuttles operate every 20 minutes along designated areas of the park. They allow to reach different places and routes. A visit to the Plitvice Lakes also includes a boat ride!

How much does a ticket cost to the Plitvice Lakes?

To visit the Plitvice Lakes, you will need to buy an online ticket in advance or on site. This ticket must be kept on its own until the Park exits.

June to September

• Adult : 250 kunas (33,6€)
• Student : 160 kunas (21,5€)
• Child (7 – 18 years old) : 120 kunas (16,1€)

Note: after 16 hours, the price is lower than a hundred kunas or less. In September, this rate decrease applies as early as 3 p.m.

April, May and October

• Adult : 100 kunas (13,4€)
• Student : 75 kunas (10,1€)
• Child (7 – 18 years old) : 50 kunas (6,7€)

November to March

• Adult : 60 kunas (8€)
• Student : 50 kunas (6,7€)
• Child (7 – 18 years old) : 30 kunas (4€)

Please note: the Park also offers 2-day tickets. The rate is also degressive. For example, the 2-day entrance costs 350 kunas for an adult in summer and 90 kunas in winter.

How do I book a ticket for the Plitvice Lakes online?

Book a ticket for the park

It is possible to book your ticket directly for the Plitvice Lakes online and on the official website of the National Park. You are thus sure to be able to enter the park at the time you want, without having to wait if there is a queue at the entrance. You can also opt for a guided tour of the park.

Book a trip to the park

It is thus possible to book a excursion from Zagreb, Zadar or Split . You will be taken care of at your hotel, enjoy a pleasant and fast ride and a guided tour for the day! If you don’t want to drive or take the bus, opting for this type of tour is an excellent idea.

Schedules to Plitvice Lakes Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is open 365 days per year . Opening times however vary depending on the seasons.

In summer

• Summer : from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• The parking lot Open an hour before and close an hour after closing.
• The ticket office Usually closes two hours before the park closes.

In winter

• Winter : from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Indoor 2 closed).
• The parking lot Open an hour before and close an hour after closing.
• The ticket office is open only up to 2 p.m.

Please note: during the winter season, most restaurants in the park are also closed. The accommodation is provided only by the Hotel Jezero. For more information on schedules and openings, please consult the official website of the National Park, available in French and English.

How do I access the Plitvice Lakes?

To go to Plitvice, you have three options: the bus, the car or a trip.

By bus

• From Zadar or Zagreb, the bus route lasts on average 2 hours 30.
• If prices vary throughout the year, a return trip costs about 160 kunas (21,5€).
• Buses usually circulate from morning at the end of the afternoon (you can see the schedules on the website -in English- Bus Croatia).

Note : for reserved trips online, you will need to print your tickets before boarding the bus. We also advise you to take the bus back to entrance 2, less frequented. You will have more chance to have a place! The bus passes first at entrance 2, less frequented, then at entrance 1.

By car

If you have the means and the possibility, you can rent a car and easily join Plitvice from any Croatian city. The country’s roads are excellent and you will have no trouble moving around.

• The National Park is also easily located. On the roads it is indicated as "Plitvička jezera". You can't miss them!
• The parking lot costs 8 kunas (1,08€) per hour in winter and 10 kunas (1,34€) In summer. It's free for motorcycles.

Where to stay near the Plitvice Lakes?

There are many holiday homes, apartments and hotels near the National Park. The park has 4 official hotels, as well as two campsites. However, we recommend you avoid these 4 hotels, especially in high season.

To sleep near the park, we recommend that you prefer accommodation in the surrounding villages, such as Slunj. For example, you can sleep at home, a common thing in Croatia. Just look for the "Sobe" (bedrooms) panels on the road!