Park is open all year round but the best time to visit is in the Spring or Fall off-seasons. The Spring is a great time to visit because the water levels are high from the melting snow. The Summer (July & August) is very hot, and it is the most crowded time of year. In addition, the water level is lower than other times in the year. The Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit when the leaves are changing colors. The winter is also when the park is the quietest and beautiful when covered in snow and the lakes freeze.
Park hours - check the site for most up to date hours
Daily ticket prices depend on the season. Ticket price includes a boat ride on the lake, and the tourist train to take you back to the Park entrance.
Parking is hourly and costs 7kn/hour (approx. $1). Make sure you have enough small change.
There are two entrances to the park - There are 4 different hiking routes starting from each entrance, look at hiking notes below for more information.
A Day trip from Zagreb or Zadar takes 2 hours by car or 2.5 hours by bus - the best way to access the park if you have limited time.
There are 8 different hiking routes, the shortest being 3 hours. The longest takes up to 8 hours. So bring plenty of water and wear comfortable hiking shoes.
For a moderate hike, we recommend Trail C from Entrance No 1. You’ll visit both lakes, and you’ll start the trail uphill through the park and end at the top of the upper lakes where you can eat your packed lunch at picnic tables
Arrive early (before 9am) as most of the tourists come around mid-day. And plan to leave by noon to avoid traffic. OR arrive in the afternoon when most tour groups have finished their guided walks.
Plan ahead and pack a picnic lunch overlooking the scenic lakes. Food inside the park is overpriced and not high quality. Or, plan to eat your meals outside the park.
In order to enjoy early access to the lakes, consider staying in the nearby villages the day before so you can go right when the park opens.
Stay in a Sobe (similar to a B&B) instead of a hotel to save money and enjoy a more intimate, authentic experience.
Pick your own trail before you get there so you can start hiking right away - No need for the guided tours in the park as the routes are easy to follow.
If you come across a big group at the start of your trail consider walking the trail in reverse. You’ll be walking uphill most of the time but you will see fewer people on the trail.
If you decide to spend a few days in the area you can enjoy an abundance of outdoor activities outside the park:
Sorry to you swimmers out there, but there’s no swimming allowed because it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but you can rent a small row-boat for 50kn/hour
Check where the bathrooms are on the map, as there are not many bathrooms along the hiking trails.
If you have small kids, bring a baby bjorn or be prepared to carry your little ones. With a stroller, you won't be able to go far on the wooden boardwalks.
By following the tips above you can improve your experience at Plitvice Lakes and avoid most of the crowds, even though visitor numbers are expected to rise even further as the word about this beautiful place gets out.
联系客服
