{"id":2826,"date":"2022-04-18T10:20:07","date_gmt":"2022-04-18T02:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rearviewmirror.ruqa4eh2-liquidwebsites.com\/?p=2826"},"modified":"2023-01-18T14:14:55","modified_gmt":"2023-01-18T06:14:55","slug":"guide-to-plitvice-lakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/guide-to-plitvice-lakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Plitvice Lakes National Park: A Guide for 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park is as stunning as you’d imagine. The intense emerald green lakes, gushing waterfalls and colourful foliage is what make visiting the lakes an unforgettable experience. In this guide, I provide information and tips for visiting in 2022. This includes the best time to visit, which entrance and trail to take, ticket prices, where to stay and how to visit Plitvice on a day trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Plitvice<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As stunning as Plitvice Lakes is and as much as I loved my visit, I definitely made some mistakes when it came to planning my visit. Visiting in summer meant that it was hot and crowded. Obviously, it’s busy for a reason, it’s a wonderful and unique natural park that many people dream of visiting, but knowing what I know now, I would have chosen to visit during a cooler and quieter time of the year. Of course, not everyone can choose when to visit but it’s something to think about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plitvice Lakes National Park in 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though we arrived early, it would have been better to get there at the opening time. However, things have changed a bit since my first visit. Tickets can now be purchased online up to 1 day in advance. You chose your entrance time when booking and this is when you must enter the park. You can still purchase tickets at the gate but there are a limited number of tickets and they can sell out. Priority is given to online bookings. I suggest always booking in advance unless you are taking a tour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of the park and each individual waterfall and stay all day. Personally, I chose to take a 5-hour trail but due to the crowds, I decided to move along quickly and completed the main trail in 3 hours. You might not want to do this but I found it gave us time to have a picnic and then leave before the midday sun became too much. I think this was a relaxing way to go but if you’re visiting on a cooler day it would make more sense to linger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Emerald<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. Basically, I think it would be worth visiting during any (and every) season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Waterfall<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to Get to Plitvice Lakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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 (this is less of a problem now with the automated ticket system). 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. Thirdly, it’s a lot less stressful and a more relaxing way to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, the best way to get to Plitvice Lakes is by car. Here is how your itinerary might look:<\/p>\n\n\n\n