Plitvice Lakes

Sixteen emerald lakes linked by hundreds of stepped waterfalls, with wooden boardwalks hugging the water, plus the Rastoke mill village, caves and the Velebit mountains nearby.

Plitvice Lakes National Park lies in Lika-Senj County in central Croatia, on a mountain plateau between Zagreb and Zadar. Founded in 1949 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1979, it is Croatia's most famous natural attraction. The 16 main lakes cascade down the valley in steps, separated by natural travertine barriers and connected by hundreds of waterfalls. In the sunlight the water shimmers in shades of emerald green and deep blue. Climate and seasons: at roughly 500–600 m above sea level, the park is cooler than the coast. April–June has the highest water volume and the most spectacular waterfalls; July–August is the most crowded, and you must book an entry time slot on the official website; mid- to late October is the best time for the changing colors of the beech forests; in winter, snow and ice keep visitors few, and some boardwalks and boat services are suspended. Where to go: the park is divided into the Lower Lakes (canyon and the 78 m Veliki Slap, the Great Waterfall) and the Upper Lakes (clusters of tiered waterfalls), linked by an electric boat across Lake Kozjak. Entrance 1 and Entrance 2 are convenient for the Lower and Upper Lakes respectively. Nearby extensions include the Rastoke mill village and Barać Caves to the north; the Gacka River spring, the Kuterevo Bear Refuge and Northern Velebit National Park to the west; the Nikola Tesla Memorial Center, Paklenica and the Cerovac Caves to the south; and Una National Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina to the east. Getting there: long-distance buses run from both Zagreb and Zadar, taking about 2–2.5 hours; driving is the most convenient option. We recommend staying 1–2 nights near the park and entering as soon as it opens in the morning. Notes: the boardwalks have no railings; swimming, feeding fish and leaving the trails are prohibited; ticket prices vary by season, and in peak season visitor numbers are capped, so book ahead; bring your passport if crossing into Bosnia and Herzegovina, and check official sources for current policies.

Top sights

• Plitvice Lakes National Park – Sixteen emerald-green lakes linked in tiers by travertine dams, more than 90 waterfalls, and wooden boardwalks running above the water. Cro…
• Veliki slap (Great Waterfall) – Croatia's tallest waterfall, where the Plitvica River plunges 78 metres from a cliff into the gorge of the Lower Lakes.
• Lower Lakes – Four lakes sit in a limestone gorge, with boardwalks running along the water. Most of the classic shots of emerald water and boardwalk are…
• Upper Lakes – Twelve lakes step down a dolomite valley, with dense waterfall clusters and forest all around. More open and peaceful than the Lower Lakes.
• Lake Kozjak – The largest and deepest of the Sixteen Lakes, where electric boats shuttle between the upper and lower lake areas, serving as a transfer hu…
• Šupljara Cave – A limestone cave in the cliff of the Lower Lakes, with stone steps leading up through the cave to the cliff top, overlooking Lake Kaluđerov…
• Rastoke – Where the Slunjčica River plunges into the Korana River, forming many small waterfalls with wooden water mills scattered among them, someti…
• Barać Caves – A group of limestone caves north of the Sixteen Lakes, with guided tours of stalactites and stalagmites, home to several bat species, and w…
• Drežnik Grad – The ruins of a medieval castle above the Korana River gorge, once a military stronghold against the Ottoman Empire, with views over the val…
• Kuterevo Bear Refuge – An orphan brown bear refuge run by villagers and volunteers, where visitors can observe brown bears living in the forest up close, with opt…
• Majerovo Vrilo (Gacka Source) – The crystal-clear karst spring of the Gacka River, beside which restored wooden water mills stand. It is the most photogenic rural scene in…
• Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre – The birthplace of inventor Nikola Tesla, a memorial complex consisting of a restored family home, the church where his father served, and a…
• Northern Velebit National Park (Zavižan) – A high-altitude karst national park in the northern Velebit range. The Zavižan area has a botanical garden, a mountain hut, and trails with…
• Paklenica National Park – A national park made up of two deep canyons on the southern slope of the Velebit Mountains. It is a climbing mecca in Croatia and also offe…
• Cerovac Caves – One of the largest cave systems in Croatia, with abundant stalactites and rich finds of cave bear bones and prehistoric artifacts.
• Štrbački buk (Una National Park) – A broad waterfall in Una National Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Una River drops about 24 meters. It is a popular cross-border d…

Where to eat

• Lička Kuća Restaurant – Veteran Lika country restaurant opened in 1972, close to Entrance 1; its signature dishes are bell-covered slow-roasted…
• Degenija Restaurant – Family restaurant 4 km north of the park, open year-round, known for Gacka River trout, mushroom-sauce veal and wood-fi…
• Petar Grill Restaurant – Log-cabin grill restaurant beside Entrance 1, known for its large grill and bell-covered peka cooking; the lamb peka is…
• Plum Bistro – Modern bistro and café on the north side of the park, popular for pasta, steak and beef tartare, with craft beer and co…

Itineraries

• Classic Croatia: Zagreb to Dubrovnik – A classic first-time route from the capital via Plitvice Lakes, Zadar, and Split to Hvar and Dubrovnik.
• Zagreb to Dubrovnik via Bosnia and Herzegovina – An in-depth, one-way self-drive route from inland Croatia through Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Adriatic Coast
• Slovenia & Northern Croatia – From Ljubljana to Zagreb, connecting the Lake District, Piran, Istria, and Plitvice Lakes.
• Slovenia & Croatia Grand Tour – From Lake Bled to Dubrovnik, this route connects the Alps, Karst landscapes, Istria, lakes, and Adriatic islands.