Plitvice Lakes: Tickets, Parking, Best Trails + Map (2026)

Planning a holiday in Croatia and wondering whether Plitvice Lakes are really worth it? Absolutely yes! What awaits you is a place straight out of a fairytale – turquoise lakes linked by waterfalls, wooden boardwalks above crystal-clear water and endless green forests.

In this guide you’ll find everything you need to know about your visit: when to go, which trail to choose, where to stay and what the current ticket prices are.

Plitvice Lakes in a nutshell

A quick overview that will help you plan your trip in 5 minutes:

• Tickets: Buy them online in advance! In high season they sell out. If you have the time, consider a two-day ticket.
• Which trail to choose: For a quick visit go for route A or B, for a full day route C, and if you want to see everything, pick the longest route K.
• Accommodation: The most comfortable option is hotels inside the park, but apartments in the surrounding villages are better value (e.g. Pansion Danica or Plitvice House Rosha 2).
• Want to avoid the crowds? Come in the morning!

Why you have to experience Plitvice Lakes

This unique system of 16 cascading lakes, connected by countless waterfalls, is not only the oldest and largest national park in Croatia, but since 1979 also a proud part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The landscape here keeps changing and evolving thanks to the unique process that forms travertine barriers, which grow by several centimetres a year.

Planning your visit – everything you need to know before you go

When to visit Plitvice Lakes? The best time to go (spring, summer, autumn, winter)

Every season dresses Plitvice in a different, but always breathtaking, outfit.

• Spring (April–June): The park comes back to life and the waterfalls are at their most powerful thanks to the melting snow. Everything is in bloom, the greenery is fresh and visitor numbers are still pleasant. The weather can be changeable, so pack a rain jacket.
• Summer (July–August): High season brings warm, sunny weather, but also the biggest crowds and the highest prices. The lakes shimmer in dazzling shades of blue and turquoise and the lush greenery gives welcome shade. Be ready for queues at the entrances and for the boats.
• Autumn (September–October): For many people autumn is the most beautiful time to visit. The forests turn golden and red, creating a stunning contrast with the blue water. Visitor numbers drop and the temperatures are ideal for hiking.
• Winter (November–March): Plitvice in winter is like a fairytale kingdom. Frozen waterfalls and a snow-covered landscape create a completely unique, peaceful atmosphere without the crowds. Expect limited services and possible closures of some trails due to snow and ice.

Tickets and opening hours – how to skip the queues and save money

Buying tickets online is an absolute must, especially in high season. Not only will you avoid long queues, but above all you’ll make sure you get into the park at all, because capacity is limited. Buy your tickets well in advance through the park’s official website.

IMPORTANT: Your online ticket is valid for entry to the park within an exact one-hour time slot (for example between 10:00 and 11:00). If you miss it, your ticket expires with no refund! Plan your arrival with enough time to park and walk to the entrance.

Indicative ticket prices for 2025 (one-day):

Season	Adults	Students	Children (7-18)
June – September	EUR 40 – 60	EUR 25 – 40	EUR 15 – 20
April, May, October	EUR 24 – 39	EUR 15 – 20	EUR 10 – 15
January – March, November – December	EUR 10 – 15	EUR 7 – 9	EUR 4 – 7

Note: Prices may change. Children under 7 and people with severe disabilities enter free of charge.

Opening hours vary by season. In general:

• Summer: 7:00 – 20:00
• Spring and autumn: 8:00 – 18:00/19:00
• Winter: 8:00 – 16:00

How to get to Plitvice Lakes – by car, by bus or on a guided tour

Plitvice Lakes are easy to reach from the main Croatian cities.

• By car: Driving is the most flexible option. The park lies on the main D1 road.
  • From Zagreb: about 140 km (a 2-hour drive).
  • From Zadar: about 120 km (a 1.5–2 hour drive).
  • From Split: about 220 km (a 2.5–3 hour drive).
• Parking: There are large paid car parks at Entrance 1 and Entrance 2. Parking for a car costs around EUR 1.30 per hour in high season. You pay on the way out at the parking machines. Arrive at least 30–45 minutes before the time on your ticket so you can park calmly, walk to the entrance and make your entry slot.
• By bus: Regular bus services run to the park from cities such as Zagreb, Zadar and Split, stopping right at the entrances.
• On an organised tour:
  • From Zagreb: Rastoke and Plitvice guided tour with entrance ticket
  • From Split: Plitvice Lakes full-day guided tour from Split
  • From Zadar: Plitvice Lakes: Plitvice Lakes National Park tour

Walking routes – which loop should you choose? A detailed trail guide

The park offers several well-marked sightseeing programmes that combine walking with a ride on the panoramic train and a boat trip. Everything is included in the ticket price.

Our recommendation: For most visitors who want to see the best of both the Lower and Upper Lakes and have 4–6 hours, the ideal choice is Route C (starting at Entrance 1) or Route H (starting at Entrance 2). The two routes cover almost the same ground and differ only in the starting point. Route C first leads downhill to the Great Waterfall, while Route H starts with the train and involves more uphill walking. Both include a boat trip, which speeds up getting around the park considerably.

Routes from Entrance 1 (Lower Lakes):

• Route C (approx. 4–6 hours, 8 km): The most popular route, combining the best of the Lower and Upper Lakes.

• Route A (approx. 2–3 hours, 3.5 km): A short loop around the Lower Lakes to the Great Waterfall.

• Route B (approx. 3–4 hours, 4 km): Route A extended with a boat ride and the panoramic train.

Routes from Entrance 2 (Upper Lakes):

• Route H (approx. 4–6 hours, 8.9 km): A comprehensive route similar to Route C, but with a different start.

• Route E (approx. 2–3 hours, 5.1 km): A short route around the quieter Upper Lakes.

• Route F (approx. 3–4 hours, 4.6 km): Starts with a boat ride and walks around the Lower Lakes.

• Route K (approx. 6–8 hours, 18.3 km): The longest loop for fit hikers – walking the entire park.

• Full information about the individual routes can be found here.

Insider tip: the best viewpoints over Plitvice Lakes (including free ones)

Would you like a breathtaking, postcard-perfect view of the Great Waterfall and the canyon of the Lower Lakes – completely free and without the crowds? We have a great tip for you! A small road and a footpath run above the canyon and offer the most photogenic views.

• How to get there: Drive to the little village of Plitvica Selo. By the bridge over the Korana river you’ll find a small car park. From there set off on foot along the edge of the canyon towards the Great Waterfall. Within minutes you’ll reach several unofficial but safe viewpoints (marked, for example, as “Vidikovac”). This is where most of the park’s iconic photos come from.
• The upsides: It’s free, you avoid the crowds and you get a unique perspective. Ideal for photographers at sunrise or sunset.

The best route for families with children and prams

Shorter loops such as Route A or Route E are ideal for families with younger children. To be honest, Plitvice Lakes are not very pram-friendly. The wooden boardwalks are often narrow, without railings, and in many places there are steps you would have to struggle over. We strongly recommend a baby carrier instead of a pram – it will be more comfortable for you and your child and let you explore the park without limits.

A route for photographers and nature lovers (the most photogenic loop)

To capture the best shots we recommend Route C or H. These longer loops give you a complete picture of the park’s variety. Don’t forget our tips for the free viewpoints in the village of Plitvica Selo, where you’ll get the very best shots. Morning light (arrive right at opening time) or late afternoon offer the best conditions for photography.

What to see at Plitvice: the 6 most beautiful spots you shouldn’t miss

Plitvice Lakes is a large and varied park where every bend reveals a new, breathtaking scene. To make sure you don’t miss anything, focus on these key places that define the unique character of Plitvice.

1. Veliki slap – the king of Croatian waterfalls

This is the absolute icon and a compulsory stop. At 78 metres, Veliki slap (the Great Waterfall) is the tallest waterfall in all of Croatia. You’ll hear its deafening roar from a distance, and the fine spray will refresh you as you walk down the steps to its foot. Unlike the other waterfalls, which connect the lakes, this one is fed by the Plitvica stream, which plunges dramatically off a rock face. It’s raw, untamed nature at its purest.

2. The Lower Lakes and their canyon – a turquoise fairytale

The most photogenic and best-known part of the park. Four lakes (Milanovac, Gavanovac, Kaluđerovac and Novakovića Brod) are dramatically cut into a deep limestone canyon. This is where you experience the real magic of walking along wooden boardwalks that wind just above incredibly clear, turquoise water. Every view looks like a postcard.

3. Viewpoints from the canyon rim – a bird’s-eye view

To fully appreciate the majesty of the Lower Lakes, you have to see them from above. A path runs along the eastern rim of the canyon (near Entrance 1 and the car park) to several viewing platforms, often signposted as “Vidikovac”. This is where you take those famous panoramic photos with the wooden boardwalks winding between the lakes and the Great Waterfall in the background. The view will literally take your breath away.

4. Šupljara cave – a passage through the rock

A short but all the more intense adventure. On the route around the Lower Lakes you’ll come across the entrance to the Šupljara cave. Inside you’ll find damp gloom and a steep, winding staircase carved into the rock. Within minutes you climb dozens of metres and emerge on the upper rim of the canyon with a wonderful view. It’s a unique experience that connects the world below the water with the one above it.

5. The Upper Lakes and Velike Kaskade – a symphony of water and moss

While the Lower Lakes are dramatic, the twelve Upper Lakes offer a calmer, more intimate, forest atmosphere. They’re not squeezed into a canyon but spread across a wider valley. They’re connected by countless smaller and larger cascades and waterfalls that spill lazily over mossy travertine barriers. The most beautiful of them is the system called Velike Kaskade between Lake Galovac and Lake Gradinsko. It’s the perfect place to slow down and admire the details.

6. A quiet boat ride across Lake Kozjak

Kozjak, the largest and deepest lake, is the natural border between the Upper and Lower Lakes. Crossing it on a quiet electric boat (included in the ticket price) is an integral part of the experience. During the calm, roughly 20-minute ride you can rest, recharge and enjoy a completely different perspective on the size and beauty of this stretch of water, surrounded by dense forests.

Where to eat and grab refreshments at Plitvice?

• Main food areas: The biggest concentration of restaurants and bistros is at Entrance 1 and Entrance 2. You can eat here before or after your walk. The restaurant Lička kuća (at Entrance 1) is particularly well known and serves traditional specialities from the Lika region.
• Inside the park: The strategic spot for a rest and a meal is the large meadow by pier P3 on Lake Kozjak (Kozjačka Draga). There’s a big self-service restaurant, fast-food stands (grilled meat, chips) and plenty of places to sit. You’ll also find smaller snack bars at the panoramic train stops.

What to pack for Plitvice Lakes  – your personal checklist

• Comfortable, sturdy shoes: The wooden boardwalks can be slippery, especially when wet.
• Layered clothing: Even in summer it can be cooler in the forest sections.
• A rain poncho or waterproof jacket: The weather can change quickly.
• Plenty of water and a snack: Refreshments inside the park are more expensive.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
• Cash: Although you can pay by card at the main spots, euros in cash come in handy at the smaller stands.

Important rules of Plitvice Lakes National Park:

• Swimming in the lakes is strictly forbidden!
• Stay on the marked trails only.
• Drones are not allowed.
• Dogs are welcome in the park, but must be kept on a lead at all times.

Accommodation near Plitvice Lakes – where is the best place to stay?

• Hotels inside the park: For the ultimate experience you can stay in one of the hotels – for example Hotel Jezero, which are only a few steps from Entrance 2.
• Private apartments and guesthouses: In villages such as Grabovac, Rakovica, Plitvica Selo or Selište Drežničko you’ll find hundreds of private places to stay with great value for money. We recommend Pansion Danica, the slightly cheaper Plitvice House Rosha 2 or the excellently rated Apartments with balcony and with large free parking
• Campsites: For nature lovers there are campsites nearby, such as Camping Korana or Plitvice Holiday Resort.

We recommend booking your accommodation well in advance, especially if you’re travelling in high season.

Plitvice Lakes – FAQ (frequently asked questions)

• Can you swim in Plitvice Lakes?
  No, swimming is strictly forbidden throughout the national park.
• Are dogs allowed in the park?
  Yes, dogs are allowed, but they must be on a lead at all times.
• How much time should you set aside for a visit?
  We recommend at least 4–6 hours (route C or H). A whole day is ideal, though.
• Is the park wheelchair accessible?
  The park is not fully accessible because of the natural terrain and the steps. Movement is very limited for wheelchairs and prams.

Not just Plitvice – what to see nearby?

• The Rastoke water mills (Slunj): Only about 30 km north of Plitvice lies the picturesque village of Rastoke, often nicknamed “Little Plitvice”. A magical place for a walk and lunch.
• Barać Caves (Baraćeve špilje): About 20 km from the park you can explore the fascinating underground world of the Barać Caves. Don’t forget warmer clothes (it’s 9 °C inside).

Read also:
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A yacht holiday in Croatia – everything you need to know!

Brač – what to see – 31 most beautiful places and sights (+ map)

Hvar – what to see – 27 most beautiful places and sights (+ map)

What to See in Zagreb – 31 nicest places and sights (+ map)

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