Plitvice Lakes National Park

Cascading Waterfalls and Turquoise Lakes

Pitvečki Lakes National Park in Croatia showcases a series of terraced lakes connected by waterfalls flowing through lush green forests. The park’s limestone cliffs and clear waters create striking visual contrasts under changing light conditions throughout the day. Visitors encounter walking paths that wind around and between the lakes, allowing close observation of diverse plant life and occasional wildlife such as deer or birds. Seasonal changes alter colors in foliage and water clarity, offering varied experiences year-round without relying on dramatic scenery tropes.

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National Park in Croatia

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$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.5

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	8

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken, especially by park staff, guides, and in nearby tourist services. You won’t have trouble communicating or finding English signage.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Plitvice Lakes National Park Summary

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World-class for waterfalls and forest scenery. Walk wooden trails past turquoise lakes, photograph cascading falls and enjoy peaceful nature hikes.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Lakes

Natural sites

Waterfalls

Spotless

Forests

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 10

Couples

♻️ 9

Sustainability

Croatia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, but some smaller businesses may prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Leaving 5-10% in restaurants is common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed, especially in tourist areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in public places but allowed in designated areas.

Statehood Day (May)	Events and closures occur.
Easter (March/April)	Religious observances and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and celebrations.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Cammeo
Other:	Island-hopping and exploring the Adriatic coast are highly recommended. Summer can be crowded.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

🌨️

Jan

🌨️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌦️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Entry tickets are timed and often sell out in summer, book online in advance from May to September

Electric boat and panoramic train run reduced schedules in winter, some trails close due to ice

Swimming in the lakes is prohibited year-round

Don't miss

🌊 Walk the wooden footbridges among turquoise lakes and falls
💦 See the breathtaking Veliki Slap, Croatia’s tallest waterfall
🛶 Take a boat ride across pristine Lake Kozjak
🥾 Hike trails in both the Upper and Lower Lakes
🦉 Spot rare wildlife and birds in the lush forests
📷 Capture fairytale scenery in every season with your camera

You've been here?

Why travel to Plitvice Lakes National Park?

This UNESCO World Heritage site is perfect for those who love natural beauty, hiking and photography. The park's wooden boardwalks and hiking trails lead you through crystal-clear lakes and thundering waterfalls. The changing colors of the water – from emerald green to deep blue – are mesmerizing. However, it can get crowded, especially in summer, so visiting early or off-season is recommended.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Great Waterfall

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Lake Kozjak
2 Great Waterfall
3 Cave Šupljara
4 Korana
5 Sastavci

🎈Events

Plitvice Marathon
Earth Day Celebrations
Educational Nature Workshops
Winter Snowshoeing Events
Photography Exhibitions
Local Cultural Festivals
National Park Anniversary Events
Birdwatching Weekends
Guided Thematic Walks
Seasonal Nature Camps

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Knowledge before you go

Buy timed tickets in advance; daily visitor numbers are limited.
Arrive at opening time to enjoy quieter boardwalks and clearer water views before tour groups and mid-day crowds appear.
Choose your route carefully; distances vary greatly and some combine boat rides, shuttle buses and longer one-way hiking sections.
Consider an overnight nearby and revisit early or late; changing light, mist and fewer people make photos and viewpoints dramatically better.

How to travel to Plitvice Lakes National Park

The park is about 2 hours by car or bus from Zagreb and Zadar. Buses run frequently and parking is available but fills up quickly. There are also organized tours from major Croatian cities.

Access summary

From Zadar Airport (ZAD): Bus via Zadar, roughly 2–3 hours total.
From Zagreb: Direct buses to Plitvice, usually about 2–2.5 hours.
From Zadar: Daily buses to Plitvice, typically around 1.75–2.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Plitvice Lakes National Park

There are a few hotels and guesthouses within the park, as well as more accommodation options in nearby towns like Rastovača, Korenica and Slunj. Booking ahead is recommended, especially in summer.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Plitvica Luxury Etno Garden

8.7

House Pavlic

9.7

B&B Villa Sumrak Plitvica

9.6

House Naomi Apartment 1 Plitvice Lakes

9.8

Plitvice Holiday Resort

8.0

Villa Mukinja - Wellness & Spa

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Plitvice Lakes National Park

The park is mostly explored on foot via wooden walkways and hiking trails. Electric boats and a panoramic train connect some areas. Wear good walking shoes and be prepared for steps and uneven paths.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-65 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 65% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Bihac, Bosnia and Herzegovina - 21 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£38	£82	£213
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£53	£135
🍝 Food per day	£12	£23	£61
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£7	£17

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£9
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£5.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.80
☕ Cappuccino	£0.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£9.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.05

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£14
🤧 Cold medication	£3.30
💇 Basic haircut	£3.40

Safety information overview

General safety

The park is very safe for visitors. Stick to marked trails and avoid slippery areas near waterfalls. Swimming is not allowed in the lakes to protect the ecosystem.

Health & Medical

Medical help is available at the park. For serious issues, hospitals are located in nearby towns. Bring necessary medications, as options are limited within the park.

Accessibility

Some paths are accessible, but many trails include steps and rough terrain. The park offers limited wheelchair-accessible routes, mostly near the Lower Lakes.

Tap water

Tap water is clean and safe to drink. Water fountains are available and a reusable water bottle is highly recommended, as bottled water inside the park can be expensive.