Tips for visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park 2024
I use the word magic to describe Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. It is popular for a reason; the pristine waters and dramatic waterfalls create picturesque views in every direction you look. In fact, the views are so picturesque that the number of people stopping to take pictures can create quite the crowd.
Top sights to see at Plitvice Lakes
There are specific lettered and color coded routes you can take through the park so be sure to talk to a ranger about how much walking you’re able to do and what you want to be sure to see. We took Program H (but modified it slightly to walk along the lake back to Entrance 2 at the end instead of taking the shuttle). Depending on what entrance you start at Program H and Program C are great options for making sure you see as much as possible, including the top 3 sights below.
1. Veliki Slap
Widely known as the biggest and most beautiful waterfall in the park. While it certainly was the tallest, from up close it’s not any more beautiful than the rest of the waterfalls, in my opinion. The real view of this waterfall (and the surrounding falls) comes from closer to Entrance 1.
2. The “Postcard Shot”
Looking down and across to Veliki Slap is the most “instagrammable moment” of a visit to the park. On Google Maps it’s marked as “Plitvicke Jazera Waterfall view point.”
3. Lower Lakes
The highlight of the park is the lower lakes section so if you only have time to do one section then do the lower part. However, in my opinion it’s well worth it to do the whole park including the Upper Lakes as well.
4. Upper Lakes
There’s plenty of waterfalls and turquoise lakes to admire here, too. If your ticket is for entrance 2 then start your day here. Supposedly this section offers some space away from the crowds but in prime tourist season in August when we were here, it was still busy.
FAQs: Plitvice Lakes National Park
Breaking down some important questions for visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Do I need to book tickets in advance for Plitvice Lakes?
Yes! I highly recommend booking tickets online ahead of time. I was there during peak tourist season and managed to book tickets just a couple days in advance, but only entrance 2 was available. Here is the link to book directly on the park’s site.
You also select a time slot when you purchase the tickets and I recommend booking as early as possible before the crowds get too dense later in the day.
Does the entrance on my ticket for Plitvice Lakes matter?
There are two entrances and you’ll need to park at the one listed on your ticket. You will enjoy the park and can see everything from either entrance. There may be a slight advantage for seeing the Lower Lakes earlier in the day if you can book Entrance 1, but don’t fret if it’s not available. We liked our journey through the park starting at entrance 2.
At the beginning of the day, talk to ranger about the program that’s best for you, based on the amount of walking you want to do (versus taking a bus) and what you want to see.
Insider tip: Remember to pay attention to where you park! The parking lot at entrance 2 goes into the woods and there aren’t clear lanes in the dirt roads. At the end of the day, I had trouble locating where we parked so be sure to look around and note where you parked amongst the trees before entering the park for the day.
Is one day enough for Plitvice Lakes?
Yes! You can see the full park in one day. I recommend starting your day as early as possible. Regardless of the entrance on your tickets, you can see both the Upper and Lower Lakes in one day. You can complete Program H or Program C in 5 to 6 hours, depending on how busy the park is and how long you have to wait for the buses and boat.
The minimum amount of time I would plan to spend at the park is 3-4 hours. Anything less and you won’t get to enjoy it.
What’s the best route in Plitvice Lakes?
From entrance 2, I recommend Program H, which takes you through the Upper Lakes, then you get a boat ride across to the Lower Lakes where you’ll see Veliki Slap up close. Last, you take the bus back from the Lower Lakes area to entrance 2.
From entrance 1, I recommend Program C, which is the opposite direction of Program H, you start by walking around the Lower Lakes, take the boat across to see the Upper Lakes, and then bus back to entrance 1.
If you are very fit, you can avoid the long lines at the boat ride and hike the full way around the park with Program K (available from both entrances).
Is Plitvice Lakes crowded?
Yes, Plitvice Lakes can get crowded, especially during high season (from May through September).
On our walk through the Upper Lakes section, we encountered what we thought was a line to get on the boat to the other side. After thirty minutes of standing still, I went to investigate and discovered the line was simply to take pictures of a waterfall and the boat dock was still another ½ mile away. We skipped pictures at that waterfall to get past the crowd.
Is there food and drink at Plitvice Lakes?
Yes, there are a few restaurants and cafes throughout the park. I recommend bringing a water bottle and snacks in your bag, but otherwise you can grab food there.
I recommend taking a break in the Lower Lakes section at Kozjačka Draga bistro, which has a large meadow area with picnic tables on the shore of Kozjak Lake. We stopped there for a rest and some food after our boat ride over from the Upper Lakes.
What should I pack for Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Sun protection is important at Plitvice Lakes so bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Wear light layers to protect yourself from the sun but something you can take off if you get too hot walking around. Make sure to wear comfortable sturdy walking shoes; no sandals or flip flops!
Pack a water bottle and a snack to keep yourself hydrated and nourished.
Is swimming allowed at Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Although the water looks like it would be perfect for a refreshing dip, swimming is NOT allowed at Plitvice Lakes, so you can leave your swimsuit at home.
Where to stay near Plitvice Lakes
Stay overnight near the park the night before so you can get an early start to the day. There’s a lot to see and it’s more enjoyable when you’re not rushing through the park. There’s a lot of guest houses nearby. We found one with good reviews and that was only about $65 per night. You’ll be spending your time in the park so you don’t need to stay anywhere luxurious or expensive.
How to get to Plitvice Lakes
🚗Driving
Driving is the best way to get Plitvice Lakes. Plan a trip to the park with a rental car from a nearby city (like Zagreb, Zadar, or Split) or while you are on a road trip through Croatia and neighboring countries.
There are also buses available from nearby cities like Zagreb and Zadar if you want to visit the park on a day trip.
You can also arrange a day trip from Zagreb through a tour company.
✈️ Flying
Zagreb: You can fly into Zagreb Airport and then drive 2 hours to Plitvice Lakes.
Zadar: You can fly into Zadar Airport and then drive 1 hour and 20 minutes to Plitvice Lakes.
🚆Train
There is no train to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
TL;DR: tips for visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park
You do need to plan ahead during the summer months in order to secure a ticket. One day is enough to see the park but try to go early so you can see both the Upper and Lower Lakes. Have a fully charged camera or phone to capture the gorgeous turquoise waters and enjoy!
Heading elsewhere in Croatia? Check out these 7 things to see in Upper Town, Zagreb.
If you’re road tripping through Croatia, be sure not to miss the hidden gem village of Rastoke, in between Zagreb and Plitvice Lakes National Park.