Entrance ticket prices vary from season to season and are sold as one-day or two-day tickets. Thanks. I have 2 full days to spend in the park do you have a suggested route/s? Most of the route is completed by walking and there are some short transfers by bus and boat. I just wonder if i visit the Plitvice and book the local hotel to sleep over. Tickets can also be purchased on spot, at the entrances of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, on the day of your visit. How many hours does it take to finish a normal tour in Plitvice? Take plenty of food and water with you. Simply said, its gorgeous here. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-110391046', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. I believe, it is available only for guests from the nearby houses. Regardless, even with 2 days of rainy weather, the park was incredible and well worth the visit. Plitvice Lakes National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected area. If you hiked up through the cave, retrace your steps back down the lower lakes and then resume the trail to Lake Kozjak. However, we pretty much covered answers to all your questions in the article. Is there any restaurant outside the park within a short distance for dinner? Along the way you will come to several nice viewpoints along the lakes. You can purchase one-day tickets and two-day tickets. We highly recommend staying as close to the entrances of the Plitvice Lakes National Park as possible. Entrance 3 exists? - Plitvice Lakes National Park Forum thanks so much! From here, follow the signs for program H and walk the boardwalk trails towards Lake Kozjak. This takes you to several great viewpoints over the park as well as the postcard photo spot. After a boat ride, you continue walking along the lower lakes all the way to the Great Waterfall. Route F takes a different direction than the route E. You start a visit with a long boat ride across the Kozjak Lake. 28 posts 25 reviews 34 helpful votes Entrances to Plitvice Lkes 12 years ago Save Hi I believe there is more than one entrance to the park. Trail A - the shortest walking route, covering just part of Lower lakes; includes Great Waterfall (Veliki Slap) Trail B - the longer walk, the route is covering the whole of Lower lakes, including boat and short train ride Trail C - the longer walk, this route is covering Lower and Upper lakes, includes boat and train ride This is an easy to follow route that takes you past the best of the lower and upper lakes. Special attractions at Plitvice include the Veliki Slap, a 100 foot waterfall surrounded by nearby boulders to which tourists have access. Am considering driving from Sarajevo to Lake Plitivice. To walk these boardwalks with minimal traffic is a wonderful experience and this is your best chance to take some very cool photos with few people in them. 5 | When is the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes? How to Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park. The route is 8,9 km long, and it takes 4 to 6 hours. The view from the final viewpoint near the top of Veliki Slap. A Perfect Guide to Explore Plitvice Lakes, Croatia - Hopping Miles travel to Bihac, and then from there to Plitvice. Make sure to confirm this is possible at the ticket desk if you plan to leave and re-enter as we did. Welcome to the official website of Plitvice Lakes National Park! At the last viewpoint, you can walk down a steep staircase to get back to Veliki Slap and walk to Entrance 1 from here. There are seven routes (also called programs) through the park. So, what if you dont want walk that far? Which entrance, direction? - Plitvice Lakes National Park Forum Renting a car in Croatia is a great way to explore the country and driving is very safe and easy. I wholeheartedly appriciate your effort! Which Routes? 3 4 hours, 4 km, easy. Or you can keep going to get to the postcard viewpoint over Plitvice Lakes. Cheers, Julie. Start at Entrance 1. We are a big group of family of 18 (13 adults plus 5 children aged 5 to 13) planning a half day visit to the park in early August. Its free of charge. Thank you for including our house in your choice. You could also split up our loop, visiting the lakes on the first day and hiking to the postcard point on day 2 (since the staircase is closed, this is now a long walk, but hopefully the steps will reopen in 2023). Keep it up and best wishes! Ifyou drive, just slow down and read directions finding an entrance is pretty easy. Restaurant Ambar in Rastoke has modern interiors, beautiful outdoor terrace for eating al fresco on warm days, and tasty food. From the dock, you will have to walk to Entrance 1. Need Entry Tickets to Plitvice Lakes National Park? Visiting Plitvice Lake tip: Its possible to rent rowboats at Plitvice Lakes and we highly recommend it! Here is an overview of ticket prices: Child ticket for young persons from the age of 7 to 18: The entry fee for children below the age of 7 is free! Starting with Rastovaa, better known as Entrance 1, is probably the best way to visit the Plitvice Lakes. The view from the overlook at Entrance 1. From here, you can take a boat or the shuttle to the upper lakes section, with some of the prettiest boardwalk trails and waterfalls in the park. Located in the mountainous Lika region, in central Croatia, halfway between Zagreb and Zadar, Plitvice National Park is a perfect stop for anybody traveling from north to south or vice versa. Do you recommend a particular route for a couple in their 20s that dont have a problem hiking and are only going to the Plitvice for one day?! Get there early in order to avoid crowds. Of these tickets, only a certain number are issued hourly. Hotels near Plitvice Lakes National Park - Entrance 3, Croatia. Nested in the mountainous Lika region, halfway between the coast and the capital Zagreb, Plitvice is, along with Dubrovnik, the single most visited site in Croatia. Ticket price list App Hotels & Campsites A PROGRAM Duration - 2 to 3 hours Trail length - 3 500 m Starts at the north entrance (Entrance 1). It doesnt include the longer hikes off the lake as they are more time-consuming. Ive seen it but never ha time to update the text. There are two main entrances to Plitvice Lakes National Park (No1 and No2) and both have paid car parks available. Besides hiking within well-known routes of the national park, you can spend days in this area hiking. To see the picture postcard view by driving there, without walking, is it necessary to have an entrance ticket? Summer is the most popular time to visit Plitvice Lakes. Hey frank your blog has helped a lot to plan my trip this August to Croatia , Just have one query , that is we are planning to go to plitvice from Zagreb , and then head to novalja from there , You return to your starting point by shuttle bus. Just like in Zagreb, most buses run daily between April to October. It's much quieter, and the boat stop is very close by. Hi Nguyen, Thanks for writing in and sharing your experience! There are as many as 8 different hiking routes (actually four different hiking trails for each of the two main entrances). Thank you for supporting our blog! Swimming is not permitted. no problem. The Lower Lakes get extremely busy in the morning due to their proximity to entrance No1. Below are the distances from the park to different Croatian towns, as well as the driving time between Plitvice Entrance 1 and each of these towns: Below is the location of the lakes on Google Maps. Frank & Vera, Dear Frank, While trails are well-marked most of the time, unfortunately, it's not all the time. If it is possible on Plitvice pages to link our properties with our website instead booking,com page it will meant to us a lot. Thank so much for your help. Here are the prices for one-day tickets for adults (or click here to see them on the official website): The cost for children ages 7 to 18 years is roughly half the cost of an adult. Route H includes a bus ride to the Studovac site near the Proscansko Lake. The trail C is actually extended route B. Price list - Nacionalni park "Plitvika jezera" Plitvice Lakes National Park covers over 73,000 acres. Thanks a lot. Over 1 million visitors explore the lakes every year, making Plitvice Lakes the most popular tourist attraction in Croatia. You can explore the lakes any way you choose, however, we found the below route the best. The system will display the available tickets depending on the entered date and time of the visit. Operating times? There are two main entrances to Plitvice Lakes National Park - Entrance #1 and Entrance #2. In 1979, Plitvice Lakes became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here are the GPS coordinates for the trailhead: 44549 N 153627 E. There are several parking spaces along the road here. However, you only get to see the lower lakes. It exist and always did. First time I hearing about the Plitvice lake.I am excited to see that place.Thanks for sharing this article with us. Entrance 2 is closed from November through March. We finished our visit to Plitvice today and did Program C and drove to the overview using your coordinates. Copyright 2023 | Built on Wordpress using Generatepress Theme | Web Hosting by WPX Hosting, In order to better protect this fragile natural environment, the park's management decided to limit the number of visitors to the park, and hence, they introduced the online ticketing system. Experiencing the boardwalk trails during the quiet, crowd-free morning hours is almost magical. This is a UNESCO site so swimming is not allowed here. Learn how to get to the most stunning waterfalls, how to get a birds eye view of the park, and how to get to the Veliki Slap viewpoint for the postcard view of Plitvice Lakes. Altogether there are seven suggested routes (or programs) to choose from, ranging from 2-3 hours to a whole day. This post might also contain affiliate links to other sites, like accommodation or activities. April 2, 2023 I'm answering a question I've been asked several times since visiting Plitvice Lakes in Croatia - which entrance to use at Plitvice Lakes and which entrance at Plitvice Lakes is best to start from? You have to purchase the tickets at least one day prior to your visit via, Where to go in Croatia: 16 Places Not To Miss, Driving in Croatia: All You Need to Know Before You Go, Travel Croatia on Budget: Money-saving Tips, Travel to Plitvice Lakes from Zadar or Split, How to plan a visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park. We will be driving to Croatia from Budapest in Sept, and our first night will be close to Plitvice Lakes, so we can walk in the morning. One and two-day tickets are available and its highly recommended to book tickets in advance, especially during peak season, as tickets are limited. Entrance 1 should do. The accommodation in the vicinity of the park consists of vacation homes and apartments. Each route varies in duration and length and passes a variety of sights throughout the Lakes. With two days, you could follow our loop on day 1 and on day 2, hike around Proscansko Lake (which we have not done yet). As a result of that, it was declared the first national park of the Republic of Croatia as early as 8 April 1949. As you walk up the paths you will have better views of the lower lakes waterfalls than if you start at Entrance 2. Plitvice Lakes is located in central Croatia. 3 4 hours, 4.6 km, easy. Although the routes are marked, they aren't always easy to follow. Have to heard of visitors doing bosnia to the lake instead of traveling to split/Zagreb first? However, we recommend spending at least one night in the area to allow you to experience everything the park has to offer. Where exactly the Flora entrance located ? Which route would you recommend given the weather conditions plus any other tips to help us. With its lakes and caves, boardwalk trails, and photogenic waterfalls, this national park is a delight to explore for all ages. Such a meal usually costs around 30 per person, and it consists of a starter, a main, a side dish, a salad, a dessert, and a 1/2 l of table wine and water. Or any extra activities you recommend if I have time? One question for you, is it easy to book and a bus from Plitvice to Spit? However, you will spend a lot of time in the car. An auxiliary entrance entrance Flora is close to the hotels Bellevue and Plitvice. We had parking included at our hotel so we were able to walk to both entrances quite easily. You can get on and off any time you wish for the same, flat-rate fee. Swimming is not allowed at Plitvice Lakes, since it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Do we need to take any insect repellant? The exceptional natural beauty of this area has always attracted nature lovers. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Hi Frank, I dont know what to expect with Proscankso Lake, but I think it will be nice and most likely not very crowded. There are two entrances to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Entrance 1 and Entrance 2, both situated on the same road, fairly close to each other and to the Lakes themselves. Tickets include entry to the park as well as shuttle buses between the Upper and Lower Lakes, a boat ride aroundKozjak Lake and a panoramic train journey. However, we recommend staying at least 2 days in Plitvice Lakes. Is it possible to get a hard copy of the travel guide to Plitvice lakes? The highway fees amount to 2.5 , and the ride is less than 2 hours. Plitvice Lakes is made up of a system of 16 named lakes which are split between the Upper and Lower Lakes together with over 90 waterfalls. Once you are there,it is hard to get lost as there are plenty of useful info signs and arrows. 5. The crowds reduce slightly during the day although there was a steady flow throughout the day. You can also swim a bit further north in Slunj. It is also very difficult to take pictures without other people on them and to take pictures without waiting for other people to do the same. Take a look at the boards to decide which route to take but expect it to take a little longer than stated. 2023 All images and content on this website are subject to copyright by thewholeworldisaplayground.com, 25 Awesome Things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, 21 Best Things to do in Portland, Oregon (2023), 11 Best Things to do in Isla Holbox (2023). We returned in the afternoon to explore the Upper Lakes (steps 3 and 4 above) when the crowds were much quieter. The cottage can accommodate up to four people. Visiting Plitvice Lakes tip: The biggest benefit of having a rental car in Plitvice Lakes is that you can stay overnight and experience the true magic of the lakes during the less busy hours. What route do you recomend to do with a 1 year old baby (in a baby carrier) to see the most beautiful lakes? Wow! Programs A, B, and C all start at Entrance 1. However, we have heard recent reports that this staircase is closed so you will not be able to walk up to the postcard photo spot from here. Thanks for writing in with these tips! If you have recently visited Plitvice Lakes and see that the staircase has opened, please let us know in the comment section below. The stunning turquoise lakes are surrounded by lush green forests and waterfalls rush into the clear waters. Its not a big deal but I think it is a nicer experience to walk towards the waterfalls. Plitvice Lakes National Park forum Joan M Ottawa, Canada 4 posts entrance 3 to park in May? You return a bit and then continue along lower lakes to the Kozjaka Bridge. On our last trip there we didn't have a map and we did regret it later. I felt that walking toward the waterfalls would have been a much nicer experience. Thanks in advance. ), and buy the mnost divine traditional squeeky cheese you can find in all Croatia. The park opens at 7am between June and September and 8am during the rest of the year. How To Get From Split to Plitvice Lakes | Gecko Routes With this in mind, plan at least 2 days for visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park. Its a five-minute walk on the trail to the viewpoint. Expect to pay anywhere between 25 and 45 per person depending on the route. If you plan to day trip to Plitvice Lakes, one of the best way to do it is with a guide, since your transportation is included. Parking costs 1.30 per hour from June through September and 1 per hour for the rest of the year. Thank you so much for doing up this website! Winter is a totally different experience. Bring sandwiches and have a picnic while enjoying the beauty of Rastoke. Thank you because you put our property at your page, we are doing our best to provide best possible stay to our guests. The line is 1.700 m long, and it picks up speeds of up to 120 km/h (when pushed by the north wind from the back). Thanks for all you do, you make planning our world adventures a lot easier! Wondering if there is a place for you to store your backpack for the day? Crowds are lower and the waterfalls are roaring during the spring months. This is the staircase that is currently closed (it was also closed on our visit in 2018). Planning a trip this summer In this situation, which route would you recommend for Day 1 and then for Day 2? Also the path and stairs to Supljara Cave are now closed. Plitvice Lakes Tickets, Entrance, Opening Hours & Parking Plitvice Lakes Travel Guide: All You Need To Know Before You Go Plitvice Lakes National Park consists of 16 crystalline lakes, emerald-blue in color and connected by a series of more than 90 cascades and waterfalls. Take plenty of water and enjoy it at your own pace. Plitvice Lakes is one of the best photo locations in Croatia so definitely bring your best camera gear. Check out our tips and recommended walking route which should help to escape the worst of the crowds! This is an 18.6 km walk through all of the lakes of the park. Plitvice Lakes: the Ultimate Guide to Visiting (2023) The boat rental is located on the lake at entrance 2 to the park. Were heading to Croatia for about three weeks in September and will be spending a couple of days at Plitvice. Take the shuttle from Entrance 2 to the top of the upper lakes (St3). 2 3 hours, 5.1 km, easy. The 8 hikes are detailed on the Plitvice Lakes official website. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. It can be slow going during these times, as people stop to take photos and enjoy the view. You will see a road branch off from the trail on the left. have a nice time in Croatia! Going downhill is fine. Your email address will not be published. Check trekking and hiking routes within the park here. If you like the idea of visiting the upper and lower lakes plus getting the views from the upper viewpoints, we have a recommended route through Plitvice Lakes. The museum, or rather a park, consists of an inventor's birth house, a Serbian Orthodox Church, a multimedia center, an old barn, and a children's playground. Cant wait to see them in person, and hope to maximize our brief time there! As long as your clients are happy with the service you provide, we have no problems recommending your property. This is looking towards Entrance 1. This also includes the Veliki Slap viewpoint for the postcard photo of Plitvice Lakes. The shortest trail takes approximately 2 to 3 hours, and the longest between 6 to 8. Thanks again! The restaurant is run by a state-owned company that is also in charge of the entire park, so the service can be a bit grumpy. Please help me with my situation. We want to drive up from Split and visit the park mid-day on day 1 and spend the entire day at the park on day 2, but I cannot find the information on the National Park website. 9.8 This includes staying on the marked paths, not swimming in the lakes and disposing of litter in trash cans or taking it home. This post may contain compensated links. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. You can do this now but we recommend saving it for later in the day. Have you seen that buying online entrance tickets is know available? There are a few restaurants in the park but doesnt this seem like the perfect place to have a picnic lunch? However, going farther to the postcard viewpoint adds even more walking and this can be easily seen if you have a car. Should You Start at Entrance 1 or Entrance 2? By 10, the trails become quite packed once the day trippers arrive. The trip takes about 2.30 hours and the ticket costs 14 . Take the shuttle to station 3, which is at the far end of the upper lakes. If you prefer to travel by bus from Zagreb to the lakes it's super easy. We went later in the afternoon and the shadow of the surrounding has had already changed the colour of the lakes. Many places in the area offer horseback riding experiences, including half-day and full-day horseback riding tours, and riding school. I love doing photography however it sounds like this may be a better place for early morning than sunset photos is that right? Margaret. The route is 5,2 km long, and it takes 2 to 3 hours. Its worth adding Plitvice Lakes to your Croatia itinerary and it just may be one of the highlights of your trip. If you buy your ticket for 2 days visit, you will get a discount. Rain & Cold. We created this blog to help you plan your perfect trip to Croatia. Is B tour a good choice given we have kids? If you like cheese, head to a village of Smiljan, where you can also visit Nikola Tesla's birthhouse and memorial museum. By starting from Entrance 1, you are walking slightly uphill and towards the waterfalls on the Lower Lakes. You can also take a shuttle back. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments below. If you have no desire to add on the upper cliff views, I recommend simply following Program C or Program H through the park. Spring and autumn are the best time to visit the park. Note: One of our readers wrote in with the tip to visit this viewpoint early or midday. 6. Except the beach. Hi Lauren, https://ticketing.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr/Index.aspx?l=EN. There are two main entrances to the park, the northern entrance, Entrance 1, which is closer to the lower lakes, and the southern entrance, Entrance 2, which is located at the upper lakes. I will look up a map when i get the chance (prob. 14 TOP Plitvice Lakes National Park Hotels - Inside & Nearby - Miss Tourist This route is 3,5 km long, it takes 2 to 3 hours, and it isn't physically demanding. Take the trail down to the lakes and walk the boardwalk trails. thank you for the great tips. Given the popularity of Plitvice Lakes, it helps to plan your visit in advance and make the most of your time in the park. Autumn is also a good time to visit the park as there aren't many people around, and trees start changing colors. Plitvice Lakes National Parks contains 16 interconnecting lakes that vary in color from emerald green to turquoise to deep blue, depending on mineral content and lighting conditions. Plitvice Lakes, with its crystal clear waters and beautiful waterfalls, is one of the highlights of a trip to Croatia. It takes about a half of a day to see the main highlights, longer if you want to explore the off the beaten path spots. Below are some more details about each one. The narrow boardwalks and only two entrances mean that at peak times the flow of visitors can get a little hectic. I want to come in from Zagreb and go to Split after a day at the lakes. Great work! This is a decent place to have a meal in the area. Mirjana & Rastoke | a: Donji Niksic 101, Slunj | t: +385 47 787 205 | m: +385 98 214 658 | e:info@mirjana-rastoke.com | Website, Bijeli Sport | a: Kokot Pecikovici, Bihac (BiH) | t: +387 61 138 853 | e: raftbeli@bih.net.ba | Website. Visiting Plitvice Lakes tip: We took a picnic and lots of water which allowed us to spend longer enjoying the magic of the lakes. Hi Frank! In summer the park boasts lush green foliage and in Winter, theres likely the park is likely to be snow covered and the waterfalls frozen. Its easiest to think about the park in three different sections. Take a bus from Zadar to Plitvice - Depending on what route the bus you choose to take, it takes between 1h45 to 2h50. The closest cities are Zagreb and Zadar. Follow this road uphill. Awaiting your response , cheers. Re: Entrance 3 exists? Note: This post contains affiliate links. Both sections feature stunning waterfalls and lake views and you cant go wrong with either.