Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park is a wonderland of tumbling waterfalls, cerulean water and mesmerizing beauty. The 16 terraced lakes that spill from one into the next in captivating falls are absolutely enchanting.
However, visiting the site can be far from a fairytale if you are unprepared. We were caught off guard on our first trip to Plitvice in Winter, only learning on arrival that half the park was closed.
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On our second visit the following year – during the stunning autumn season – we got tangled up in an unfortunate crush of passengers from tour buses.
Recently, on our third time through in late spring, we finally felt like pros. We effortlessly navigated the trails and timed our trip to avoid the biggest crowds.
Based on our personal experiences, we have rounded up our essential tips for visiting Plitvice Lakes to help you enjoy your time at this spectacular spot!
Top Tips for Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes NP – or Plitvička Jezera in Croatian – is one of the prime tourist attractions in the country. Our tips are designed to help you make the most of your visit!
#1 Purchase Plitvice Lakes Tickets in Advance
This tip for Plitvice Lakes National Park should not be dismissed! They only sell a limited number of tickets per hour – and those get gobbled up quickly in the summer.
In order to ensure that you can enter at your desired time, it’s best to buy tickets online at least a few days prior to your arrival.
You don’t want to show up without tickets, only to find the park is sold out. That said, if you are lucky and there is availability, you can still buy them at either main entrance.
Pro Tip: Check the number of slots available per hour. They only show ‘day of’, but it’s good for tracking when it may be the busiest.
#2 Prepare for Plitvice Lakes Crowds
Unless you are planning a winter trip, you will encounter fellow travelers during your visit to Plitvice NP.
The park is unique in that the ‘trails’ consist of rail-less boardwalks that hover over the water and narrow shoreline paths.
With a two-way system, heaps of other people and so many photo ops, bottleneck traffic and slow paces are inevitable. Therefore, it’s best to pack your patience.
Rather than stress over the crowded walkways and frequent stops, take a deep breath and roll with it. Crowds tend to come in waves. If you get caught up in a big group, find a place to pull aside and let them pass.
Travel Tip: Looking for an upside to all the tourists? There are plenty of people who will happily take your photo in the most idyllic spots!
#3 Pick the Right Plitvice Lakes Program
The park service has created ideal routes – or programs – that showcase the best of the area. They are outlined on the official website and include walking distance and estimated times.
In our opinion, Program C (5 miles in length and roughly 4-5 hours to complete) is the perfect route to follow.
Starting at Entrance 1, it features Veliki Slap (the biggest waterfall), the Lower Lakes, a boat ride and the Upper Lakes. Then a convenient shuttle bus returns you to the beginning.
In the end, it took us a full 6 hours to complete Program C. While the walking itself was not strenuous, we intentionally took our time in order to savor our surroundings.
Top Tip: It is not required to follow a program. During our first visit, when the park was empty, we freely wandered, frequently detouring onto random paths.
#4 Plan the Best Time To Go to Plitvice Lakes
The middle of the day – between 10am and 2pm – is when that park is busiest, so arriving early or later is our recommendation.
On our first two trips, we got an early start and arrived at the gate at 7am, just as they were opening.
This ensured that we had the park relatively to ourselves for a short time before the buses arrived from Zagreb and Split. Those few hours were magical.
On our most recent trip, we opted to forego the early morning wake up call. Instead, we planned a mid-day arrival, getting to Entrance 1 around 12:30.
We were just on the tail end of the big bus crowds, which allowed us to tour the Lower Lakes with relative ease (but we still got caught in a few large groups).
It was mid-afternoon when we started meandering through the Upper Lakes. Although we had to keep an eye on the time (we didn’t want to miss the last shuttle), we nearly had the upper falls to ourselves. It was incredible.
This is one of the Plitvice Lakes tips that no one ever touts. The benefit of an early afternoon arrival is the chance to experience the park with few others late in the day when the sun is soft.
Photo Tip: Taking photos of Plitvice Lakes can be challenging. In order to grab the best angles, early morning or late afternoon is ideal. However, some waterfalls plunge into deep shadows outside of the midday sunshine.
#5 Be Aware of Plitvice Seasonal Changes
The timing of your visit can severely impact your experience. Having been to Plitvice in three distinctly different seasons, we believe we can offer some expert advice.
Summertime is the least appealing time to visit. Besides the heavy crowds, the heat can be intense. While we love the autumn colors, so do a lot of other travelers…so you won’t be alone.
During winter (which lasts until April) the Upper Lakes are closed. Although that is a downside, the positive is that entry is cheaper, there are far fewer guests and the snowy landscapes are impressive.
Spring – especially late spring – is now our preferred time to visit. The greenery is lush, the sun usually shines and the crowds are relatively light.
Top Plitvice Tip: Regardless of when you go, there could be a chance of precipitation. As there is no where to take refuge when on the trail, make sure to pack a raincoat.
#6 Consider the Plitvice Lakes 2-Day Pass
With surreal landscapes and miles of paths beyond the outlined programs, outdoor enthusiasts can easily spend more than a day at Plitvice National Park.
Although the 2-day park pass only offers nominal savings, the luxury of spending two sublime days in Plitvice should be considered.
The extra time allows for a slower pace, more flexibility and a few off-the-beaten-path adventures. We discovered heaps of trails that are so often overlooked during our two day trip in winter.
If you can manage to squeeze 2 days at Plitvice into your overall Croatia Itinerary, we highly recommend it.
Pro Tip: A fantastic way to use the two-day pass is to arrive at midday on Day 1 and complete Program C. On Day 2, go back early to see the waterfalls in morning light.
#7 Decide What To Wear at Plitvice Lakes
Although you won’t likely need technical gear or hiking boots, you will want proper outdoor attire. We believe a good pair of walking shoes is essential as well as moisture-wicking clothing for summer.
Here’s another Plitvice tip: Wear clothes that can be layered. The temperature can fluctuate throughout the day, so being able to easily adjust your outfit is key.
Don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat and your favorite sunglasses, too. Sunscreen is a must during the summertime to reapply throughout the day.
We like to wear small, comfortable backpacks – like this one – where we can stow everything we will need.
Top Tip: Hiking poles can be helpful when touring Plitvice Lakes, especially for travelers who struggle with balance.
#8 Pack Plenty of Water
Make sure to bring sufficient water and some snacks. You can even pack a full picnic, as there are tables at the P3 boat dock where you can dine comfortably outdoors.
Although we heard that there is a water refill station, we were unable to find one. We brought a liter of water per person, which was good enough for our Program C trek.
Note that there are concessions offered within Plitvice. Restaurants and food stands are located around the park…but, not surprisingly, they tend to be quite overpriced.
Top Tip: Bathrooms (with flush toilets) are readily available, too. You can find them at Entrance 1, Entrance 2, the P3 boat dock and all three shuttle bus stops.
#9 Trip Itinerary Tip for Plitvice Lakes
The remote location of Plitvice Lakes National Park means it is difficult to reach. Visiting on a day trip – either from Zagreb, Zadar or even Split – practically ensures you will be there at the busiest time.
Instead, plan to stay a night. If you are getting an early start, book accommodation for the night before. If you are aiming for an afternoon-to-evening visit, find a place nearby at the end of the day.
Top Tip for Plitvice Lakes NP: Plan a road trip itinerary. Start in Zagreb or Istria, go to Plitvice, then continue south to Zadar or Split. Every time we have visited, it has been as we traveled north to south (or vice versa).
#10 Plan To See More of the Plitvice Region
Those who spend a night near Plitvice Lakes can make the most of their road trip by adding nearby attractions.
The quaint village of Rastoke just to the north is a true gem! Once thriving with mills, streams flow through town and waterfalls tumble into pools. It’s an utterly beautiful place to spend a few hours.
The preserved historic part can be entered for a fee. Note the opening hours though, as we arrived just as they were closing. Also be sure to stop by S’mek for local smoked trout and cheese!
Other places to see near Plitvice Lakes are Baraceve Spilje Cave (and walking trails), the old town of Dreznik and family-owned farms.
Road Trip Tip: If you are traveling to or from Dalmatia, we suggest taking the picturesque route along the coast. Stop at the Velebit Mountain viewpoint (Kubus Ura) and drive the scenic Jadranska Magistrala E65 – aka The Adriatic Highway.
#11 Take the Bus to Plitvice Lakes
While there is no doubt that driving is the best way to reach Plitvice, you can also travel by bus. There are Plitvice bus stops at both entrances and the route is served regularly by FlixBus.
Travelers using the bus who plan to stay overnight should opt for a hotel within the park or find accommodation in Rastovača, a neighborhood close to Entrance 1.
Insider Tip: Plitvice Lakes offers luggage storage. There are both lockers and an area for large suitcases. Just be aware that the room is not 100% secure (although we have left luggage there with no problems in the past).
#12 Organized Plitvice Lakes Day Trips
To be completely honest, we feel Plitvice deserves more time than an organized day trip can provide. That said, with so much more to see in Croatia, it might be a reasonable compromise.
Letting a tour guide take care of the specifics can also be very relaxing. Here are some highly-rated options from Zagreb (including Rastoke), Zadar and Split.
Just be aware that it will be a full day adventure – and you will likely spend more time in transit than at the lakes.
Travel Tip: We discourage attempting an excursion from places further afield – like Dubrovnik or Ljubljana, Slovenia – as the distance is just too far.
Final Thought: Consider Skipping Plitvice
In our opinion, it is without question that Plitvice is 100% worth visiting. However, like all major tourist attractions, there are a few reasons to skip it.
The trails, while beautiful, can be challenging. In addition to the varied terrain, there are sections of incline. We believe a certain level of fitness is required to truly enjoy it.
The ticket price is far from cheap – and during the summer months it is outright exorbitant. The crowds, unpredictable weather and the location can be deterrents, as well.
Krka National Park is a good alternative to Plitvice Lakes. Also known for its waterfalls, it is easier to reach from the Dalmatian Coast, especially Split or Sibenik. Plus, it’s less expensive!
Start planning your trip to Croatia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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