Distance from the park to the city of Zagreb 137 km
Distance to the city of Pula 276 km
Distance to the city of Split 250 km
The Plitvice lakes national park is a dynamic system of 16 lakes connected by 92 waterfalls.
The total area of the lakes is about 2 sq.km., and of the national park it is 200 sq.km.
Thanks to its unique beauty, its flora and fauna, this place was made a National park back in 1949, and in 1979, by UNESCO’s decision, the Plitvice lakes were listed on the list of the world natural monuments
This unique creation of nature, which appeared about four thousand years ago, attracts a great number of tourists. The local customs and traditions are of particular interest, such as wedding under a waterfall.
Among the mountains covered with thick forests, there are 16 beautiful lakes with transparent blue-greenish water. Small rivers and springs constantly fill the lakes, which are connected by foaming cascades and noisy waterfalls. The water has been eroding the rocky shores and created unique landscapes for millennia.
The territory of the Plitvice lakes received the status of a national park in 1949, it is one of the most beautidul natural landmarks of Europe. In 1979, according to the Convention of the world cultural and natural heritage, the Plitvice lakes were listed in the book of The world heritage of UNESCO.
Since then, the National park has been protected by this organisation. The area of the park is 295 sq.m.
The deposits of calcium carbonate that the lake waters are rich in, have caused the emergence of riffles of cavern limestone, or travertine on certain kinds of algae and moss, which process still continues today. The leaves and twigs of nearby trees that fall into the water are quickly covered by calciphiles (so-called “lime-loving plants”), which, when they die away, fossilize and make hard deposits that stem rivers. The water, with time, corrodes such “dams” and ceases new waterfalls.
The national park is beautified by several caves. In some of them, traces of life of the prehistoric man were found. Particularly interesting are the caves located under waterfalls.
The flora and fauna of the park are both varied: there are about 152 species of birds, numerous kinds of butterflies, small mammals, deer, bears, wolves, boars and wild cats.
The flora of the park consists of 1200 species of plants, 50 of which are orchids.
A touristic train and motorboats connect the most remote areas of the Park, and there are made neat paths and wooden flooring along all the lakes.
Also, you can sail in a row boat on Lake Kozjak in the park, visit the Supljara cave, ride mountain bikes (the total length of lanes is 20 km), ascend Mt Medvescak, and in winter, you can do skiing and ride sledges in the settlement of Mukinja.
Plitvice Lakes national park Croatia in TOP10 most favorite water places of Europe
National Park Plitvice Lakes of Croatia is among the TOP 10 most interesting water attractions: rivers, lakes and coasts in Europe in the rating of the columnists of the American newspaper New York Times
The rating included the most picturesque lakes, rivers and parts of the sea coast.
➝ more about TOP10 most favorite water sights in Europe
Rastoke waterfalls & mills and town of Slunj
The town of Slunj, according to legend, was founded by King Zvonimir, but for the first time it was mentioned as a feudal fortification in the 12th century.
In Slunj, you can visit the ruins of an old Francopan fortress, built in the 15th century along with a Franciscan monastery during war with the Turkish kingdom. In the 16th century, the town was razed by a Turkish army and made an outpost of the Military border. At the end of the 17th century, the place started to look the same as it Slunj looks like now.
Rastoke is a part of the town of Slunj, which is famous for its waterfalls and its preserved watermills. Rastoke grew as a millers’ area back in the 17th century, and it is supposed that it had happened earlier.
➝ more about Rastoke waterfalls & mills
Excursions to Plitvice Lake National park
There are many tourist group excursion buses travelling to the Plitvice lakes, as well as private excursion mini buses with guides.
Walking routes around the Plitvice Lakes
The Plitvice lakes national park has two entrances — ULAZ 1 and ULAZ 2, and several walking routes developed with consideration of the different abilities of the guests of the park. All the routes are different and have a walking part of the route: 2-3 hours, 3-4 hours, 4-6 hours, 6-8 hours and a crossing by electric ferry or road-train.
BBC documentary film about the Plitvice lakes National park
The Day of the Plitvice lakes National park
On April 8, there is the annual celebration of the Day of the Plitvice lakes National park
On this day, in 1949, the Croatian Parliament adopted the law about protection of the Plitvice lakes that made the park national heritage of Croatia.
Worktime of park Plitvice Lakes
The park Plitvice Lakes is open for visit every day, with no days off or holidays, from 7:00 to 20:00
Cost of ticket to the park Plitvice Lakes
- for adult – 110 kn (app. 14,5 euro)
- for a group of adults from 15 people – 100 kn (app. 13,5 euro)
- for student – 80 kn (app. 10,5 euro)
- for child 7-18 years – 55 kn (app. 7,5 euro)
- for child to 7 years – free
Cost of ticket to the park Plitvice Lakes for two days:
The guests of the Plitvice lakes park wishing to get acquainted with the beauty of the park as close as possible and completely submerge into the fantasy fairy-tale world of the nature of the Plitvice lakes, in the park itself and in its close proximity, there are the hotels of the Plitvice lakes, and there has been developed a discounted entrance ticket for adults and children, which is valid for two days.
- adult ticket for two days — 180 kn (app.24 euro)
- child ticket for two days – 90 kn (app.12 euro)
The Plitvice Lakes park on map of Croatia
Get to Plitvice Lakes park
The nearest airport to Plitvice Lakes is airport Zagreb
You can get to the Plitvice lakes only by motor transport if you travel along the A1 motorway by car or bus.
Get to Plitvice lakes park by bus
You can get to the Plitvice lakes park and back by bus travelling from the bus station of city Zagreb.
You can see the schedule of the buses travelling to the Plitvice lakes, and the prices, on the official website of the bus park of Zagreb www.akz.hr
If you travel by bus, the way to the Plitvice lakes takes about 2 hours 30 minutes
➝ read more Get to Plitvice Lakes park – the cheapest way
Get to park Plitvice Lakes by car
You can visit Plitvice lakes by yourself if you travel by car rented in Croatia.
The А1 motorway has several turnoffs to the Plitvice lakes park, the turnoffs say PLITVICKA JEZERA.
The A1 Croatian motorway (the Zagreb-Split motorway) is a toll road. For example, travelling from Split to the Plitvice lakes turnoff costs 83 kn (about 11 euro), the price mentioned is for passenger cars.
The roads in Croatia are of good quality with clear signs.
Distance from the Plitvice lakes park
- to Zagreb – 134 km
- to Split – 256 km
- to Dubrovnik – 454 km
- to Zadar – 132 km
- to Osijek – 419 km
- to Rijeka – 169 km
- to Pula – 275 km
In the park itself, there have been developed different walking excursion routes for the visitors to walk along by themselves around the Plitvice lakes park, which are marked all over the park territory with plaques.
The cost of parking by the Plitvice lakes park
Parking near the Plitvice lakes park is paid.
Cost of parking for car – 7 kn per hour (app.1 euro)
Cost of parking for car with with trailer – 70 kn per hour (app.9,3 euro)
Parking for motorcycle is free
Hotels in Plitvice Lakes park
There are several hotels, motels and camp sites built on the territory of the park, and they all harmonize with the landscape. Several years ago, a project devoted to reconstructing the traditional structures was begun: now, a Korana mill has been restored, and the works aiming to restore a water saw-mill, also on the Korana, are nearing completion.
Pansion Breza 3* 1 km from Plitvice Lakes
SUPERB rating 9.3 / 10
Review score based on 497 reviews
Distance to Plitvice lakes park: 1 km
Distance to next bus stop: 6 km
Distance to airport Zagreb: 130 km
Add: only 1 km from Lake Kozjak, the biggest lake in Plitvice National Park, peaceful location, surrounded by forest and meadows, sat TV, some rooms feature a balcony, private parking, guests can take a walk in the lush nature and reach a big waterfall located just 1.8 km from the property, hiking and bicycle rides
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 55 euro
Photo and description rooms of Pansion Breza 3*
Hotel Degenija 4* 4 km from Plitvice Lakes
SUPERB rating 9.2 / 10
Review score based on 736 reviews
Distance to Plitvice lakes park: 4 km
Distance to ski lift Mukinje: 7 km
Distance to airport Zagreb: 130 km
Add: rooms with modern interior with dark wooden furniture, parquet floors, free Wi-Fi, rental bicycles, free private parking is available on site, the entrance of the Plitvice Lakes National Park is just 4 km away
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 95 euro
Photo and description rooms of Hotel Degenija 4*
Pansion Winnetou 3* 4 km from Plitvice Lakes
FABULOUS rating 8.6 / 10
Review score based on 196 reviews
Distance to Plitvice lakes park: 4 km
Distance to airport Zagreb: 130 km
Add: pansion is great for a stopover or for exploring this scenic region, rustically furnished rooms invite guests to a peaceful night’s rest when travelling north coming from the Adriatic Sea or when wishing to discover the park with its lakes and more than 90 waterfalls
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 49 euro
Photo and description rooms of Pansion Winnetou 3*
House Vukovic 3* 6 km from Plitvice Lakes
FABULOUS rating 8.6 / 10
Review score based on 137 reviews
Distance to Plitvice lakes park: 6 km
Distance to ski lift Mukinje: 12 km
Distance to airport Zagreb: 130 km
Add: close to Plitvice Lakes National Park, rooms with sat TV, free internet, air-conditioned, free private parking, common kitchen facilities free, Barac Caves are located nearby
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 34 euro
Photo and description rooms of House Vukovic 3* in Grabovac
Guest House Spoljaric Sasa 3* in centre Plitvice Lakes
VERY GOOD rating 8.3 / 10
Review score based on 218 reviews
Distance to Plitvice lakes park: in centre of park
Distance to the main road: 2 km
Distance to airport Zagreb: 130 km
Add: is situated in the village of Rastovača, in the centre of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, free Wi-Fi, sat TV, surrounded by forest and just a few other houses, spacious terrace with barbecue facilities, children playground
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 40 euro
Photo and description rooms of Spoljaric Sasa 3*
Hotel Plitvice 2* in Plitvice Lakes
VERY GOOD rating 8.1 / 10
Review score based on 1115 reviews
Distance to Plitvice lakes park: next to park
Distance to the main road: 2 km
Distance to airport Zagreb: 130 km
Add: is situated next to the entrance to the Plitvice Lakes national park, overlooking the small plateau of the park lake zone, the hotel is renovated and features 51 rooms, internet via modem, private parking
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 70 euro
Photo and description rooms of Hotel Plitvice 2*
Hotel Jezero 3* in Plitvice Lakes
VERY GOOD rating 7.8 / 10
Review score based on 1145 reviews
Distance to Plitvice Lakes park: in centre of park
Distance to Kozjak the largest lake: 300 m
Distance to airport Zagreb: 130 km
Add: offers 7 suites, 7 semi-suites and 5 handicapped equipped rooms, free Wi-Fi, night club, dancing bar, hotel restaurant with its rich and recognizable culinary offer, children’s playroom, private parking
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 90 euro
Photo and description rooms of Hotel Jezero 3*
Hotel Bellevue 2* in Plitvice Lakes
GOOD rating 7.8 / 10
Review score based on 1300 reviews
Distance to Plitvice lakes park: next to park
Distance to the main road: 2 km
Distance to airport Zagreb: 130 km
Add: is situated next to hotel Plitvice Lakes park, it was built in 1963 and is recognizable for its interesting interior and exterior dominated by wood, the hotel offers guests peaceful rest in unique natural surroundings
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 70 euro
Photo and description rooms of Hotel Bellevue 2*
House Nada 3* inside the Plitvice Lakes park
GOOD rating 7.5 / 10
Review score based on 27 reviews
Distance to Plitvice Lakes park: inside the park
Distance to Licka House restaurant: 1 km
Distance to bus station to Zadar & Zagreb: 1 km
Distance to airport Zagreb: 110 km
Add: is situated inside the National Plitvice Lakes park, property offers organised tours of lakes and waterfalls, spacious garden with patios, deckchairs, parasols, barbecue facilities, rooms come with hardwood floors, free Wi-Fi, sat TV, seating area, shared terrace overlooking the garden and the mountain, guests can have fun in a bowling alley or on the tennis court, breakfast is available upon request, Baraceva Cave is 10 km away
Cost rent room for 2 per: from 50 euro
Photo and description rooms of House Nada 3* in Rastovaca
Offical web of Plitvice Lakes national natural park www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr