BEST TIME TO VISIT PLITVICE LAKES
Plitvice Working Hours | Plitvice Visiting Guide | Visiting Tips
Discover the Cascading Lakes of Plitvice National Park
A visit to Croatia is incomplete unless you’ve been to Plitvice Lakes. This marvelous nature wonder is something you can’t miss out on. Plitvice Lakes are the first, oldest, and largest Croatian national park. The cascading lakes are situated in the country’s mountain region, and they connect inland and coastal Croatia.
For over 70 years now, this attraction has been loved and visited by tourists and nature lovers from all over the world. Discover this stunning location and pay a visit to the Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Everything you need to know before visiting Plitvice Lakes
Want to know the best way to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park? Great! We’ve put together an in-depth, informative visiting guide for Plitvice National Park. Here you can find all the important information you’ll need to know before visiting the park. Read up on the working hours and tips for your day in nature. Plitvice Lakes is a must-visit attraction, so it shouldn’t surprise you that close to 2 million people a year visit the national park.
When Can You Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park – Working Hours
Plitvice Lakes (Plitvička jezera) National Park is open year-round – all 365 days. The working hours may vary in different seasons of the year, but the park is working. During winter and colder months of the year, most hospitality facilities inside the national park may be closed to visitors. We recommend you to check beforehand what exactly is closed due to the poor weather conditions.
Plitvice Lakes National Park Entrances – Working Hours
| Season | Working hours |
|---|---|
| Winter | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Spring | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Summer | 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Autumn (from 21.08. – 30.09.) | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| From 01.10. (until last Saturday in October) | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Getting to Plitvice Lakes
If you’re planning a trip to Croatia, make sure you put the Plitvice Lakes National Park on the list. Thanks to its excellent position on the map, Plitvice Lakes are incredibly easily accessible.
As you begin your journey to the park, you’ll find a variety of routes that will take you to your desired destination. For those who travel by car from Zagreb to the Plitvice Lakes National Park, the journey takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
However, if you don’t want to be bothered by trip planning, renting a car, and looking up routes, the best solution is to book an organized tour from the city you’re staying in. Since the lakes are such a popular visiting destination, tours are available from almost every Croatian town.
When is the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes?
Being one of the most popular attractions in Croatia, it’s a given that there are some parts of the year when Plitvice Lakes can get a little crowded. The busiest months at Plitvice are July and August. So, if you want to avoid large crowds, plan your visit to the national park around those months. The best time to visit Plitvice is from June to September. If you do plan to visit during the peak season, it’s recommended to book your day tickets in advance and arrive at the national park early in the morning.
The truth is there is no right or wrong time to visit the beautiful cascading lakes of Plitvice. Every season has its charms and unique beauties.
The park is full of greenery and life in spring and summer, and the warm weather is perfect for hours of hiking and exploring the forest surrounding freshwater. In autumn, the whole location looks marvelous, covered in red, yellow, and orange leaves. It has a unique atmosphere, and the weather is still lovely and suitable for an entire day out in nature.
A truly wonderful time of year to visit Plitvice Lakes in winter, especially if you get a chance to see the park covered in snow. It looks like a real-life winter wonderland. However, some walking trails within the park may be closed due to uncertain weather conditions.
Best Advice for Visiting Plitvice Lakes
Here are our top three Plitvice Lakes travel tips!
1.
BOOK YOUR PLITVICE LAKES TOUR ONLINE
Don’t waste time trying to organize your visit to Plitvice Lakes from other cities. Book an already organized Plitvice Lakes tour and worry-free adventure at Croatia’s largest and oldest national park. Booking your tour in advance will ensure that you will not have to spend any time waiting in ticket lines at the Entrance. Prepare yourself for a beautiful day spent in nature exploring the park, soaking in the views of glistening blue-green lakes and delightful waterfalls.
2.
HAVE A COMPLETE EXPERIENCE OF PLITVICE LAKES
Discover and experience the natural phenomena of travertine lakes and the waterfalls connecting them. During your visit to the national park, make sure you explore the facilities and try some tasty local dishes. Stroll around and have a unique experience in Croatia’s largest nature reserve.
3.
DON’T MISS OUT ON BOAT RIDE
Plitvice Lakes visit is not complete without a boat ride across Kozjak Lake. Enjoy the magnificent views while you cruise on the park’s most significant and deepest lake. Make sure you have your phone battery charged because you want to take many photos of the beautiful scenery.
Plitvice Lakes Tours
You can book a Plitvice National Park Tour from almost every city in Croatia. The national park’s position allows it to be easily accessible from both inland and coastal Croatia. Wherever you’re staying during your vacation, Plitvice National Park is something you should make time for. As we said, Plitvice Lakes Tours are available from almost everywhere in Croatia. So, if you’re staying in Zagreb, Split, or even Dubrovnik, you’ll have no problems if you decide to visit Plitvice Lakes. We advise you to book an organized tour so you can have a worry-free visit to the mesmerizing cascading lakes and you can enjoy the experience to the fullest.
Take a look at our special hand-picked selection of Plitvice Lakes tours, designed just for you!
Learn more about Plitvice Lakes
Read our Plitvice Lakes visiting tips and prepare yourself for a memorable adventure surrounded by unique nature. Here is everything you need to know before visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park!
FAQ – Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park
How many people visit Plitvice Lakes each year?
Plitvice Lakes are visited by over 1.8 million people each year.Are Plitvice Lakes worth visiting?
Yes! The national park is 100 % worth your visit. The landscape and scenery of Plitvice Lakes are breathtakingly beautiful, and we’re sure they will not disappoint you. Have a whole experience and learn everything about the lakes by going on a Plitvice Lakes tour.Can you swim in lake Plitvice?
No. Swimming in Plitvice Lakes is forbidden.How much time do you need at Plitvice Lakes?
You can spend as much time in the park as you like. We recommend at least 3 hours up to a whole-day adventure. The park’s area is pretty big, so even if you spend an entire day at Plitvice Lakes, there will still be something you miss.How do I get to Plitvice Lakes?
There are a couple of ways you can get to the Plitvice Lakes National Park. You can go in your car or take a bus. Still, we highly recommend you book an organized tour from your desired city to the Plitvice Lakes.Is one day enough for Plitvice Lakes?
One day at Plitvice Lakes will be enough for your visit. But you’ll want to come back and see the cascading lakes during different seasons of the year.Which Entrance is better for Plitvice Lakes?
Starting with Rastovača, better known as Entrance 1, is probably the best way to visit the Plitvice Lakes. The Entrance is located just above Lower Lakes. By starting from Entrance 1, you are walking slightly uphill and towards the waterfalls on the Lower Lakes.Spend an unforgettable day at Plitvice Lakes!
Book your Plitvice Lakes tour and see the stunning national park in person.