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Besides the dramatic Dalmatian coastline, Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s most well-known natural wonder. The chain of 16 lakes filled with vivid blue water are linked by a series of waterfalls. Streaming, thundering, and tumbling, the water has carved a deep canyon into the limestone rocks. But, what makes Plitvice Lakes extraordinary are the tufa barriers over which the water spills from one lake into the next.
The naturally occurring phenomena, in which calcium carbonate is the culprit in a complicated formula. Ca (HCO3)2+water dispersion → CO2+H2O+CaCO3↓ (tufa). It has been at work for 7,000 years, resulting in mounds of mineral deposits covered in algae and other plant life. In scientific terms, it’s complex, if not a bit drab. To the casual observer, it is quite simply breathtaking to visit Plitvice Lakes, Croatia!
When to Visit Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Our first time here was in late winter; the least popular time to visit Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park. During that trip, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. However, the trees were bare and patches of snow covered the ground along the water’s edge. The Upper Lakes, the section of the park we had heard were the most stunning, was closed.
Although we were disappointed, the upside was that we nearly had the entire park to ourselves. We moved across the wooden planked walkways at our own pace, relishing the scenery and the freedom to uninterruptedly take as many pictures as we wanted. And, we took a lot.
{Read About Our Experience Visiting Plitvice Lakes in Winter}
However, after visiting Plitvice Lakes in March, the disappointment lingered. Our desire to see the Upper Lakes didn’t fade. A little more than a year later on a return trip to Croatia, we seized the opportunity to visit Plitvice Lakes again. This time, it was in early autumn when both the Lower and Upper Lakes were open. And when the waterfalls were amidst thick, colorful foliage, and tinged in hues of yellow and orange. In other words, utterly magnificent!
Visit Plitvice Lakes in Autumn
It was a crisp, cool day in late-September on our autumn visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park. The paths were familiar; the waterfalls recognizable. But, under the glow of the early fall sun, flecks of golden light shimmered on the teal current reflecting the changing leaves of the hillside trees.
Lower Plitvice Lakes
We were at the entrance at 7:00am, just as the park was opening, allowing us a few hours of solitude before the crowds arrived. We retraced our steps of the lower lakes, following the path that hugs the canyon wall just barely above the water’s surface.
Then we hiked to the rim of the canyon for staggering viewpoints of the lakes below. Just like fashion trends, the appearance of the lake had changed with the season.
We were already awestruck after touring the Lower Lakes of Plitvice in autumn. However, the excitement was building as we caught the boat over to the Upper Lakes for the first time!
Upper Plitvice Lakes
It was nearing mid-day when – with great anticipation – we took the electric boat to the Upper Lakes. Rather than clinging to the shoreline, the elevated paths of the Upper Lakes cut across the water and meandered through the oasis to the base of multiple Plitvice waterfalls.
We were surrounded by rushing water that flowed over cliffs and trickled down moss-covered rocks. Completely enveloped in the aqueous wonderland, colors appeared more intense; blues and greens glowing vibrantly.
We admired the mystical falls dripping with both water and vegetation as we strolled above the translucent sapphire pools. We were, however, no longer alone; the crowds had caught up to us.
They marched in herds and we let them pass us by. We refused to be rushed through the Upper Lakes of Plitvice that we had waited so long to see.
To visit Plitvice Lakes in autumn was like seeing the park through tinted sunglasses. We took our time admiring and photographing Plitvice Lakes, amassing more than 1,000 photos during the day!
Somehow, we managed to select just a mere fraction of those pictures to share in this Croatia Photo Essay: Visit Plitvice Lakes in Autumn!
Plitvice Lakes Views from Above
We completed our Plitvice Self Guided Tour back along the cliff tops, gazing down at the incredible colors and awesome scenes of nature in Croatia. We were also pretty certain that this wouldn’t be the last time we planned to visit Plitvice Lakes…any time of year!
Tips For Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Check the official park website for operation hours and prices. Tickets must now be purchased online in advance! Visitors no longer purchase tickets at the gates.
- Don’t miss the Upper Lakes!
- Pack your day bag full of water, snacks…and a bit of patience for the crowds outside of winter.
- Stay near the park the previous night to get an early morning start.
- To learn more about the park, consider taking Plitvice Lakes Tours.
- If you are attempting to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park on a day trip without a car, we recommend joining an organized tour, which can be done from Zagreb, Zadar or Split.
Where To Stay at Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
During our visit to Plitvice Lakes, we stayed in an Airbnb Apartment. Plitvice Lakes holiday apartments can also be searched for on Booking. However, for just one night it may make more sense to book traditional accommodations. There are some Plitvice Lakes Hotels to choose from inside the park – or close to the entrances.
Plitvice Lakes Transportation
Plitvice Lakes National Park is best reached by car or bus. There is no train to Plitvice NP or Plitvice Airport.
How To Get to Plitvice Lakes
Whether traveling from Zagreb, Zadar or Split, most visitors arrive at Plitvice NP by car, bus or tour. The bus stops are conveniently located by both Plitvice Lakes Park Entrances, just be sure to know ahead of time which stop your accommodation is closest to! Bus schedules can be found on Bus Croatia and Get By Bus – but it is best to check again once in Croatia and buy your onward tickets in advance.
Travel To Croatia and Around
Our preferred method of getting anywhere is by flying (we are JetSettingFools, after all!). When we do need to purchase plane tickets, we start our search for the best deals on airline tickets to Croatia on Skyscanner.
To get around Croatia, flights are not necessary. In Europe our preferred bus company is FlixBus – as it is economical, clean and comfortable with Wi-Fi and a toilet. We aren’t keen on driving in Croatia, but renting a car can often save time and money (especially when traveling with more than two people) – and a car rental allows for greater discovery.
Before You Go to Croatia
- Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable travel shoes. I (Sarah) have traveled with these shoes by Columbia, Skechers and Reef. Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell and Sanuk.
- We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip to Plitvice Waterfalls, Croatia! Rather than relying on your phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel, which takes amazing photos and is an excellent budget camera.
- Be sure to have a good guidebook for Croatia prior to arriving and a proper backpack to store all of your everyday travel items.
- If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, consider traveling protected with World Nomads.
Interested in more Croatia Travel Tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for our complete packing list and other travel resources!
Plan Your Best Croatia Itinerary!
Visiting other Top Destinations in Croatia? We’ve got you covered with our detailed guides to Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korcula, Split, Rovinj, Zagreb and more Croatia Guides!
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