In 60 seconds
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia's oldest and most renowned national park: sixteen terraced turquoise and emerald lakes stepped down a forested canyon, interconnected by hundreds of rushing waterfalls and natural travertine barriers formed by moss and algae over millennia. Kilometres of wooden boardwalks wind directly over the crystal-clear waters where wild trout dart in full view, while silent electric passenger boats cross expansive Lake Kozjak.
Best for
Known for
Skip if
You want swimming in the lakes or fast-paced nightlife; swimming is strictly forbidden to preserve fragile travertine calcification, and the park closes at dusk.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Plitvice Lakes fits them. Choose interests
See
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Deep limestone canyon lakes ending at Croatia's highest 78-metre single-drop waterfall
Enter at 8:00 at Entrance 1 to view the monumental drop of Veliki Slap and cross the lower canyon boardwalks before tourist buses arrive.
Twelve stepped lakes surrounded by lush beech forest and intimate cascading cascades
More tranquil than the Lower Lakes, where narrow timber trails meander across rushing torrents and bubbling moss-covered travertine dams.
Largest and deepest lake in the park traversed by silent zero-emission electric passenger boats
A serene 20-minute water crossing linking Entrance 1 and Entrance 2, included with all standard admission tickets.
Dramatic subterranean karst cavern scaling the cliff between boardwalk and canyon rim
Climb the stone stairs carved straight through the dark cave chamber for a dramatic viewpoint looking down onto the lakes below.
Historic 18th-century hamlet of wooden watermills built over Slunjčica river cascades
Located 30 kilometres north of Plitvice, where traditional wooden houses sit directly atop rushing river channels and small waterfalls.
Strictly protected virgin forest reserve of ancient 500-year-old beech and silver fir giants
An ecological jewel in the higher elevations of the park, providing habitat for brown bears, wolves, lynx and rare capercaillie.
Eat
A short list, kept short on purpose. Each entry answers one question: when is this the right choice?
Where to eat the food this city is actually known for.
Authentic Lika stone and timber restaurant with a central open woodfire roasting hearth
Watch whole lambs roast on rotating spits over beechwood embers inside an enormous traditional Lika chalet serving police (baked potatoes) and basa cheese.
Modern regional dining in Selište Drežničko specializing in fresh trout and wild game
Celebrated for fresh local river trout pan-fried in cornmeal, deer stew with homemade gnocchi and woodfired pizzas.
Riverside mill tavern where dining tables sit on wooden docks directly above waterfalls
Dine on whole pan-fried trout pulled live from the cold river tanks while water rushes directly under your timber floorboards.
Mornings, and the slow hour between things.
Perched viewpoint cafe directly overlooking Veliki Slap waterfall
Grab morning coffee and strudel on the wooden terrace while taking in the majestic overview of the lower canyon.
Grassy lakeside picnic area and kiosk at the main boat dock
A pleasant midday resting stop to sit under willow trees on the grass with coffee and traditional apple strudel between lake trails.
Too few picks yet for their own heading, so they share this list.
Casual alpine burger and craft beer bistro at the foot of Mukinje ski slope
A relaxed, friendly stop after a full day of hiking for hearty burgers made from local beef and craft beers with views of the green slope.
Beyond the obvious
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
High cliff-edge trail above the Lower Lakes canyon looking directly down on boardwalk zig-zags
Follow the elevated perimeter trail along the eastern cliff tops to take the iconic postcard photograph of wooden paths snaking across turquoise pools.
After dark
Quiet modernist hotel lounge and terrace immersed in pine woods
Unwind with local plum brandy (šljivovica) or Croatian wine on the forest terrace listening to gentle evening rustling in the pines.
Orientation
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
The core protected 300-square-kilometre natural lake basin and pine wilderness
Strictly protected nature sanctuary with signposted walking programmes ranging from 3 hours to full-day loops.
Watermill heritage village and river valley 30 km north of the park
Atmospheric, river-oriented, excellent for authentic dining and tranquil village stays beside running cascades.
Stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Retro-modernist hotels located directly at Entrance 2 within walking distance of boat docks
Staying inside the park boundary allows you to re-validate park tickets for the second day and enter the trails before day-trip crowds arrive.
Charming traditional wooden watermill guesthouses and riverside bed-and-breakfasts
Idyllic for falling asleep to the soothing sound of waterfalls outside your bedroom window.
Rural alpine chalets and family pensions just 10 minutes drive from Entrance 1
Plentiful accommodation choices with spacious grassy gardens, outdoor pools and easy highway access.
Practical
Plan this trip — useful links
Context
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
Plitvice Lakes is officially proclaimed Croatia's first national park, protecting the unique travertine bio-geological phenomenon.
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as one of the very first natural sites worldwide for its exceptional geological and ecological value.
The tragic 'Plitvice Lakes incident' at Easter 1991 marks one of the earliest armed clashes of the Croatian War of Independence.
Further out
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Illuminated karst cavern rich in stalactites, stalagmites and prehistoric cave bear fossils
Put on a hard hat for a fascinating 60-minute guided walk through cool subterranean halls just 20 km northeast of Plitvice.
Volunteer-run mountain sanctuary for orphaned European brown bears in Velebit hills
Observe rescued bears living in natural forested enclosures in a traditional Velebit woodworking village.
