Waterfall wonderland in Plitvice Lakes

Rarely does nature provide so much pleasure to humans as at the Plitvice Lakes. The coherency of water, greenery, and stone will simply enchant everyone. The Plitvice Lakes are described as the natural jewel in world media. The lakes are a natural phenomenon of unique beauty. They constantly change color from turquoise to green, and compose a unique symphony of playful sounds. The beauty of this national park is difficult to describe in this way.

National Park Plitvice Lakes is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia. They are located approximately halfway between the capital of Zagreb and Zadar on the coast. It was declared a national park in 1949. Its beauty was so irresistible that UNESCO included it on its list of world heritage sites as one of the top natural attractions on this esteemed list. The most attractive part of the national park extends into the eight-kilometer-long area of lakes and waterfalls where there are the best-landscaped tourist tracks.

Like a fairy tale world

When you enter the park, it is like you had entered into a wondrous land. It is a world of the extraordinary beauty of untouched nature, the richness of flora and fauna, waterfalls, lakes, trees, and numerous wild animals, such as – wild boars, martens, wolves, deer, wild cats, otters, and of course, the brown bear, as a crown of the Plitvice animal kingdom. Over 160 species of birds and 20 species of bats, which live in various habitats, holes, and caves, are found in the park. Plitvice Lakes is the largest and the most visited of Croatian national parks. It consists of 16 lakes, divided into upper, from which the waters cross the sparkling cascades and waterfalls and spill into the lower lakes.

The upper lakes are larger and deeper, while the lower ones are smaller and shallow, formed on the limestone base. When you pass through the park you feel peace, welfare, freedom, and stability. However, Plitvice Lakes is not only rich with water but also a forest, which inhabits all three of the biggest predators of Europe – a brown bear, bobcat, and wolf. The forests are rich in endemic plants in these areas of Europe. Endemic species in the Plitvice Lakes are only part of the rich population of plant species. If you ever visit the Plitvice Lakes, it will surely astound you with its beauty, and you will have an unforgettable experience. Plitvice Lakes can most certainly be placed side by side of the most beautiful natural riches of the world. It would be such a loss not to visit them, even for a short while, if you ever take a trip to Croatia. Plitvice Lakes should surely be on your Croatia “bucket list”.

When is the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes?

If you decide to visit Plitvice Lakes, the first dilemma is, whether to visit the lakes in the summer or wintertime? The best answer is – both. This amazing place you can visit at any time of the year. Every season is special and magical. Spring and summertime will reward you with an abundance of greenery, water, and waterfalls. In the fall you can see the magic and rich colors of the park, and also you can enjoy it without big tourist crowds. And winter has its charms. Frozen waterfalls and lakes and a shroud of white snow are certainly good enough reasons to visit, and the map is slightly cheaper. Plitvice Lakes are, after Dubrovnik, the second most popular tourist destination in Croatia. Therefore, it is understandable that during the summer huge crowds are waiting in line to enter the park, and after that, a crowd of people on the tracks. All of this can spoil your experience.

The park is best visited in spring or late summer when the weather is still good and sunny, and there are not so many crowds like the one in the middle of the summer season. Comprised of 16 lakes and over 90 waterfalls, Plitvice Lakes site is huge and there are loads of trails to explore. There is 22 km of hikes around the lake system alone, with another 36 km of hikes throughout the national park leading off the lakes. The best option is to stay two to three nights. This will give you two full days to enjoy and experience the park.

Ticket prices depend on the period of the year. From November to March, you’ll pay less. Students, children, and groups can receive certain discounts. The park is open daily, including Sundays and holidays.

Some tips for your visit to Plitvice Lakes

• Inform yourself before you visit Plitvice Lakes.
• Come early to avoid the crowds.
• Take a bag with sun cream, water, and food.
• Put on practical shoes.
• Do not rush, enjoy your own pace.

Accommodation at Plitvice Lakes

Near and within the park there are many accommodation units. You can settle in hotels, campgrounds, villas, holiday homes, or apartments. Near the park, there are numerous cities and places where you can have accommodations in numerous households that offer private accommodations in the beautiful surroundings of the forests in Lika. If you want to save and enjoy a more intimate setting, this type of accommodation is ideal for you. If you ever look for accommodations at Plitvice and you do not have a car, make sure that the accommodation is near the entrance to the park. Of course, that’s just part of what Plitvice Lakes and its surroundings offer. For a more detailed search for accommodations at Plitvice Lakes, you can also use our search engine at Visitteo.