10 Exciting Things to Do in Plitvice National Park
Croatia’s popularity has been on the rise in recent years, due in part to its numerous stunning destinations. Situated along the picturesque Adriatic coast, the country boasts a plethora of stunning coastal towns and villages. However, Croatia has much more to offer than just its coastline. Inland, visitors can find the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a beautifully wild and rugged landscape unlike anywhere else in the country.
Plitvice National Park is an incredibly popular destination; for a good reason, it’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to several beautiful lakes and waterfalls, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna. The best way to enjoy the park is to be prepared before you go. This means knowing what time of year to visit, what to wear, and what to expect when you’re there.
A Brief Background on the Plitvice Lakes National Park
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s most popular tourist destinations. The park is known for its 16 lakes, which are connected by a series of waterfalls. The lakes are located in a forest and drop 133 meters in altitude. The waterfalls flow over mossy limestone, which gives the falls their signature look.
The park is located along the D1 national highway, with two entrances found along the road. The park is a popular tourist destination, receiving over a million visitors each year.
How to Get to Plitvice Lakes National Park
The Plitvice Lakes are a group of 16 interconnected lakes located in central Croatia. The lakes are situated in the Dinaric Alps and are bordered by Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although the Plitvice Lakes are a popular tourist destination, they can be difficult to reach due to their location.
The closest major cities to Plitvice Lakes are Zagreb and Zadar. You can get to Plitvice Lakes National Park by taking a tour, a bus, or renting a car and driving.
When you want to visit a new place without any hassle, a guided tour is the best option. You don’t have to worry about getting lost or anything, as someone will be there to show you around and tell you all about the place.
Interested in an air-conditioned pickup and drop-off service from Zagreb? Book a private guided tour with Plitvice Lakes Tickets & Tours now!
When’s the Best Time to Go to Plitvice Lakes National Park?
The best time to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park is in the spring or fall. The weather is usually milder during these seasons, making it more comfortable to walk around and explore the park.
What to Do in Plitvice Lakes National Park: Our Recommendations
1. Take a Guided Tour of the Lake
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful places on Earth. With its turquoise waters, lush greenery, and waterfalls, it is truly a must-see. There are a few different ways to see the lakes, and the best way is to take a guided tour. The tour is approximately 3-6 hours long, but it is well worth it.
2. Go Fancy With a Private Tour
If you want to see the lakes in a more private setting, you can always book a private tour. A private tour will take you to all of the best spots in the park, and you will not have to share your experience with anyone else. This is a great option for couples or families who want to spend some quality time together.
Fancy a private tour around Plitvice National Park? Book one with us today and enjoy a more intimate experience with your loved ones!
3. Grabovača Cave Park
In the heart of Lika, there is a cave park that has been around for years. This park is one of the first in Europe to offer speleotherapy, and it is still one of the only parks in Croatia to offer this. The park is home to many caves, holes, and water sources. All of these natural phenomena can be found in the Grabovača Cave Park. The park also offers many trails and viewpoints for visitors to enjoy.
4. Veliki Slap Waterfall
This is the highest waterfall in Croatia. It is located in the Rakitnica Canyon, in the heart of the Konjic municipality. The Rakitnica is one of the most beautiful and deepest canyons in the Dinaric Alps. This natural phenomenon is one of the main tourist attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Rakitnica River flows through a canyon that is up to 1000 meters deep. The Vedro Polje lake is situated at the bottom of the canyon. At its deepest point, the canyon is only a few meters wide. The Veliki Slap waterfall is situated on the Rakitnica River, near the village of Jablanica. It is 22 meters high and is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
5. Horse riding at Ranch Terra
If you love horses and are searching for an adventure, a small family ranch that provides unique riding experiences through the trails of the scenic Plitvice Valleys is the place to go. Try strolling, trotting, or galloping across breathtaking green meadows surrounded by majestic mountains. You will remember this unforgettable experience for the rest of your life because of the gorgeous and well-trained horses, a kind greeting, and a competitive attitude.
6. Forest Trails
You can choose to walk along the canyon ridge at the Lower Lakes. This involves walking along the eastern ridge on gentle paths through the woods. You will be able to see the lakes and waterfalls from above.
It’s when you reach Lake Kozjak that your options for forest trails expand. You can take the boat across the lake, or if you have the time, follow Program K along the western ridge of the lakes. This stretch has some great views of the lake.
7. Lake Kozjak and the Boat Ride
Lake Kozjak is the largest and deepest lake in the Plitvice Lakes National Park and is a popular spot for swimming and boating. There is a small boat dock where you can rent a boat or take a boat tour. The boat tour is a great way to see the lake and learn about the history and ecology of the park.
8. Cycling (Karlovac and Lika-Senj County)
The Karlovac and Lika-Senj County offers some great cycling routes. Many marked trails wind through the forests and along the lakes. The trails range in difficulty from easy to expert. Cycling is a great way to explore the park and get some exercise.
9. The “Panoramic Train.”
The “Panoramic Train” is a small train that runs through the park. The train is a great way to see the park and learn about its history and ecology of the park. The train makes several stops along the way to get out and explore the park.
10. Lower Lakes Boardwalks
The Lower Lakes Boardwalks are a series of boardwalks that wind through the park. The boardwalks are a great way to see the park and learn about its history and ecology of the park. The boardwalks are also a great place to take a break and enjoy the views.
Discover the majestic Upper and Lower Lakes by going on a Plitvice Lakes Private Tour! Marvel at the Great Waterfall and explore the picturesque village of Rastoke accompanied only by your friends or family.
5 Useful Tips to Make the Most of Your Plitvice Lakes National Park Trip
Plitvice National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Croatia and one of the most visited national parks in Europe. Every year, more than 1.5 million visitors come to see the waterfalls, lakes, and forests of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is open all year round, but the best time to visit is in the spring or autumn when the crowds are smaller. Check out more tips on visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park if you’re looking for a more in-depth discussion. Meanwhile, here are some quick tips to take on the go.
1. Start Early
The best time to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park is in the morning when the crowds are smaller. You’ll have more time to enjoy the scenery and take photos without people in them. If you’re staying in one of the hotels in the park, you can even start your day before the park opens at 8 am.
2. Buy Your Tickets in Advance
You can buy your tickets online or at the entrance to the park. If you buy your tickets in advance, you’ll avoid queues at the ticket office, and you’ll get a discount on the ticket price. You can also buy a combined ticket that includes entry to the park and a boat ride on one of the lakes.
3. Wear Comfortable Shoes
There’s a lot of walking involved in visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park. You’ll be walking on wooden boardwalks, dirt paths, and stone steps, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. You might also want to bring a raincoat, even if the weather forecast is good, as the waterfalls can make the boardwalks slippery.
4. Take Your Time
Walking the entire trail around Plitvice Lakes can take up to eight hours. If you’re not up for that, you can just do the upper or lower section of the trail. To visit the upper section, you can take the shuttle bus from entrance 2. The lower section, which is the more popular section, is accessible from entrance 1.
5. Book a Guided Tour
If you want to make the most of your time here, consider booking a guided tour. These tours take care of the entrance tickets, which can be a pain to find. The guides know the best places to go and can get you there faster. They can also share interesting facts about the area.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a beautiful destination to visit, you should definitely add the Plitvice Lakes National Park to your list of places to visit in Croatia. It’s a great place to visit no matter what time of year it is!
Wondering if you should go on a book a Plitvice Lakes Tour? If you’re visiting or traveling through Croatia, one of the things you should do is go on a Plitvice Lakes Tour. There are organized tours to Plitvice Lakes from every major Croatian city, such as Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Omiš, Split, and Trogir. Don’t stress about going through countless tour options because we did that for you! Please take a look at our selected tours of Plitvice National Park! We found the best Plitvice Lakes tours from every bigger city in Croatia.