Guide to Plitvice Lakes: Updated for 2019

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Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes is as stunning as you’d imagine. The intense emerald green lakes, gushing waterfalls and colourful foliage is what makes visiting the lakes an unforgettable experience.

But as stunning as Plitvice Lakes is, I must admit it’s not somewhere I want to spend all day strolling around. It was hot, busy and exhausting when I went but it was still well worth it. I wish I’d known more about what it’s like before I went so I could have planned better and had a more relaxing time.

Plan Your Visit

Even though we arrived early, it would have been better to get there at opening. As it was we were constantly overtaking slow-paced tourists and often had to wait our turn to take photos. Eventually I realised it was best to only stop at the most scenic points, of which there are admittedly many, and finished the 5-hour walking trail in 3 hours. This gave us time to have a picnic and then leave before the midday sun became too much.

It’s easy to get distracted by the first few waterfalls but you have to remember, there’s always a bigger better waterfall around the next bend. The trail sometimes seems to be neverending!

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Guide to Visiting Plitvice Lakes in 2019

Just because I’m not a fan of spending all day on a set circuit doesn’t mean I don’t recommend a visit to Croatia’s most important National Park. It really is an incredible experience and one of the highlights of Croatia. Experiencing the bright green lakes and countless waterfalls of all sizes is one of the most memorable moments in my travels.

Even though it doesn’t often snow at Plitvice I would love to go back in winter to see it under snow or even visit in autumn to see the colourful foliage throughout the park.

Here is my guide and a few tips for getting the best out of a one day visit to Plitvice Lakes and a sample itinerary for the day. 

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How to Get to Plitvice Lakes

Many people visit Plitvice Lakes on a day trip from either Zagreb or Zadar. I decided against this for two reasons. Firstly, by staying in Plitvice you can get to lakes before the day trip visitors arrive ie. before the masses of tourists arrive. Secondly, I thought I might want to get a two-day pass to visit Plitvice and staying nearby is the best way to do that.

For me, the best way to get to Plitvice Lakes is by car. Here is how your itinerary might look:

• Drive from Zagreb (or Split/Zadar) and stay overnight in the village of Seliste Dreznicko or near there.
• First thing in the morning, head to Entrance 1 and park at the designated car park (not on the road).
• Get your ticket at the entrance and a map with the trail you wish to take (ask at the tourist office at the gate entrance if you’re not sure).
• Walk along the marked pathways, past the lakes and various waterfalls.
• At one point you will see a boat which will take you to the other side of the lake. One boat trip is included in your ticket.
• Spend anywhere from an hour to all day at the park (I recommend 3 to 5 hours).
• At the end, you can hop on a tourist train to take you back to the entrance. This is also included in your ticket. 
• Head back to the car park and pay for your parking before you leave.
• Enjoy a nice dinner at your hotel.

If you prefer you can do a day trip from Zagreb or even from Split. Book your tour here:

• Plitvice Lakes Day Trip from Zagreb
• Full Day Tour from Zadar

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Best time to visit Plitvice Lakes

As far as the best time of the year to visit goes, I’d recommend visiting in spring or early summer when the waterfalls are at their peak or in autumn when the trees start to change colour. I visited in early June and it was a nice time to visit, not too hot and not too crowded, although it definitely wasn’t quiet at that time. 

In short, the best time of the year to visit: May, early June, September and October.

When not to go

When to avoid visiting Plitvice? If you have the flexibility, I would definitely stay away in July and August, the two busiest months of the year for tourism in Croatia. Not only will it be incredibly busy but it will be hot.

You might not have much choice as when you visit so if you do go during summer, be sure to arrive early and take plenty of water (of course you can buy it there too) and wear a hat and sunscreen. Remember that you can’t swim at Plitvice so you won’t be able to cool off in the water. 

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What time should you arrive

If you don’t want to share the walkways with hundreds of other tourists, have people in your photos or be walking in the heat of the day, I’d suggest arriving at the lakes at the opening, either 7am or 8am depending on the time of the year. When we finished our visit at 12pm the walkways were very crowded and tour groups were still arriving. I was glad to get out of there at that time!

The lakes are expected to be even busier in 2019 so get there early or visit in spring or autumn.

How Many Days to Spend in Plitvice Lakes

I was tossing up between getting a one-day and two-day pass, especially seeing as it’s cheaper to get the two-day pass rather than two one-day passes.

In the end, I only got the single day pass and that was definitely the best decision for me. One day at Plitvice Lakes is more than enough. I had dreamt of going to Plitvice for years and thought I would want to spend as much time there as possible but actually, 4-5 hours was plenty. I walked one of the longer trails, saw all the most popular waterfalls and had a picnic by the lake. It was the perfect amount of time to stay. 

I know it’s not always possible but if you want to see more I’d recommend visiting again at a different time of the year to see the lakes during a different season, in a different light.

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Which Walking Route to Take

It can be a bit daunting wondering which walking route to take. But once you get there, you’ll see it’s all very straightforward. The staff at our hotel recommended taking Trail C (C Program) from Entrance No 1. This typically takes 4 to 6 hours. I can’t compare as it’s the only trail I took but I feel like I saw all the most popular waterfalls. You can read about the other trails (called Programs) here or ask at the tourist office at the entrance.

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Best Plitvice Lakes Tour

Honestly, I don’t think a tour is the best way to visit unless you don’t have a car and don’t want to take public transport (which means the bus). Once you’re there the trails are very clearly marked and suited to an independent visit so you can walk at your own pace. The tourist office at the entrance can advise you on which trail best suits your needs and you don’t need much more than that. You can even get by without a map.

But if you would prefer to take a tour, these are the ones I recommend. They are offered by GetYourGuide, one of the most popular tour booking sites in Europe. 

Day trip tours are available from Zagreb, Split, Trogir, Zadar and Sibenik. 

• Rastoke & Plitvice Lakes Tour from Zagreb
• Plitvice Full-Day Tour from Zadar
• Plitvice Lakes Day Tour from Split or Trogir

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Can You Swim in the Lakes

Swimming in Plitvice Lakes is forbidden as it’s a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park. If you want to swim in one of Croatia’s beautiful lakes, you can do so at Krka National Park near Sibenik.

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Food and Drinks

Another reason to arrive early is so you can be finished by lunch time and avoid eating the overpriced food within the park, unless you take your own picnic. Drinks are a little pricey too so I’d recommend taking your own if you’re on a budget or even if you’re not. You’ll need lots of water if you’re hiking through the park on a hot day and the cafes/kiosks are quite a distance apart which is another reason to take your own drinks.

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Entrance Tickets and Parking

A daily ticket is 150-250 kuna and the two day ticket is 250-400 kuna in 2019 (it’s considerably cheaper in the off-season). Check current prices here. The entrance ticket includes a boat ride on the lake and the tourist train to take you back to the entrance. 

Parking at Entrance No 1 costs 7 kuna per hour or 70 kuna for the day.

Opening Times

The park is open from 7am to 8pm in summer. Opening times vary depending on the season so be sure to check the official website to confirm times. Click here for opening times. Entrance No 2 is closed from October to March.

Map of Plitvice Lakes

You can purchase a map of Plitvice Lakes and all the walking routes at the park information offices at Entrance 1, Entrance 2, the Flora auxiliary entrance, train station 3 and at souvenir shops. The following map shows Entrance 1 and Entrance 2 and the distance from the hotel I recommend.

Where to Stay

You have a few options on where to stay. Seliste Dreznicko is the local village with a small supermarket, hotels and restaurants. This is where many people stay as it has enough services for an overnight stay and is 5km from the National Park entrance. There is a lot of accommodation around that isn’t in town which might be limiting if you need supplies.

You can stay in Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Trogir or Sibenik if you want to be in a city and visit Plitvice on a day trip. Zagreb, Zadar and Sibenik are approximately 2 hours from Plitvice while the other cities are quite a bit further.

I stayed at Hotel Degenija, a 4 star hotel located in Seliste Dreznicko, less than 10 minutes from Entrance No 1. I did a lot of research before I booked and it’s one of the nicest hotels in the area and the location is ideal. Our room was large and clean and we had a nice meal of local trout at their restaurant. If it’s within your budget, I’d recommend staying there. This hotel sells out early so you might need to book well in advance, especially at busier times. 

There are cheaper hotels and guest houses in the area so there are options for all budgets, there’s even a camping ground not far from the entrance. Start your search here and see what suits your travel style. 

If you are taking a day trip from Zagreb I recommend staying near Zagreb Cathedral at Art Hotel Like or if you prefer to stay in an apartment, as is common in Croatia, you can get €30 off your first stay with Airbnb using my link.

Plitvice Lakes vs Krka National Park

Plitvice Lakes isn’t the only national park in Croatia with beautiful lakes and waterfalls. The other is Krka National Park, a smaller park near Sibenik on the coast. 

This is probably not very helpful but there is little difference between Plitvice and Krka and which you should visit really depends on where you travelling and if you want to swim or not.

Plitvice Lakes is considerably larger than the waterfalls and walk at Krka National Park. Plitvice is great if you want to spend the day walking around the lakes and countless waterfalls. There are many different trails and spots where you can stop and have a picnic but you can’t swim there.

Krka on the other hand only has one path around the main waterfall and waterways. You can hike away from the main area but most people don’t, so in general, I would say there is less to see at Krka. However, you can swim at Krka, next to the main waterfall, which is a bonus on a hot summer day.

Note that there is only one swimming area which is crowded and rocky so you might decide against swimming when you get there (as I did) but the water is clear and refreshing.

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Both Plitvice and Krka are extremely touristy and busy almost all year round so expect crowds at both sights.

If I had to choose, I would say Plitvice is better as there is more to see and with the multiple trails it is possible to get away from the crowds if you arrive early. I do think Plitvice is more beautiful but I know not everyone agrees. Krka is probably better if you are spending time in nearby Sibenik or Split but you can’t go wrong with visiting either place. Both Plitvice and Krka are stunning.

Read about my experience and tips for Krka National Park or visit the official Krka tourism website. 

Visiting Plitvice Lakes in 2019 – Summary

• Visit the lakes in late spring, early summer or after snow.
• Arrive at opening or late afternoon to avoid the crowds.
• Take your own food and water.
• Pick your trail before you get there to save time.
• Be aware that some trails are closed in the off-season.
• Stay in the area to be there as the park opens.
• Take a day trip from Zagreb or Zadar if you have limited time.
• Book a tour if you don’t want to organise your own visit.

READ NEXT: Fighting Through the Crowds in Dubrovnik

Please note this post contains affiliate links to tours and hotels. 

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