National park · Plitvička Jezera, Lika-Senj County

Plitvice Lakes

Croatia's first national park: terraced turquoise lakes linked by travertine waterfalls

Photo: Mike Swigunski (@mike_swigunski) / Unsplash

Discover Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes is a staircase of water. Sixteen named lakes, plus smaller unnamed pools, descend through beech and fir forest in the mountains of Lika, each spilling into the next over natural dams of travertine. The colour shifts from emerald to sky blue with the light and the season, and the sound of falling water follows you along most of the trails.

Visitors move through the park on a network of wooden walkways laid just above the water, with an electric boat across Kozjak lake and panoramic vehicles linking the main points. The Upper Lakes sit in a wider, gentler basin, while the Lower Lakes lie in a deep limestone canyon that ends at the falls where the Korana River begins. It is an easy place to spend a full day, and a rewarding one in every season.

Don’t miss

01Veliki slap, a waterfall of about 78 m on the Plitvica stream, in the Lower Lakes canyon
02The Lower Lakes canyon, with boardwalks running beside cascades and clear pools
03Kozjak lake, crossed by the park's electric boat between the Upper and Lower Lakes
04The Upper Lakes, a chain of twelve lakes on dolomite with many small waterfalls
05Sastavci falls, where the lakes' water leaves to form the Korana River
06Viewpoints above the canyon looking down over the Lower Lakes

History & culture

The story of Plitvice Lakes

The lakes are still being built. Water flowing over limestone and dolomite deposits calcium carbonate, and with the help of mosses, algae and bacteria this forms travertine barriers that act as dams, creating new pools, caves and cascades over time. UNESCO describes this process as ongoing, which is why the park is protected so strictly.

Plitvice was declared Croatia's first national park on 8 April 1949 and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979; in 2000 the protected property was extended to cover the whole catchment area, bringing it to almost 30,000 hectares. The name is first recorded in 1777 and is thought to come from a Croatian word for shallow basins. In 1991 the park was the scene of one of the first deadly clashes of the Croatian War of Independence, and it was on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger from 1992 to 1997 before recovering.

Local life & traditions

Lika is a highland region of forests, pastures and small villages, with a cooler climate than the coast and a cuisine built around potatoes, cheese, lamb and trout. Many families around the park run guesthouses and farm-style restaurants, and the park itself is one of the region's main employers. Its management balances tourism with protection, which is why rules on staying on marked paths, not swimming and not feeding animals are taken seriously by locals and rangers alike.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most visitors follow one of the park's marked routes, combining boardwalk sections with the electric boat across Kozjak and the panoramic vehicles. A shorter route focused on the Lower Lakes and Veliki slap suits a half day; linking the Upper and Lower Lakes makes a full day of fairly gentle walking with some steps and slopes. The park also has four hiking trails for those who want to leave the busiest boardwalks behind.

Photographers will want to be on the boardwalks early, before the main tour groups arrive, when the water is calm and the light is soft. Autumn turns the forest red and gold, and in winter the Lower Lakes can be dusted with snow and ice. Guided tours for groups can be booked in advance through the park.

When to go

Late spring (May to June) brings full waterfalls and fresh green forest, and early autumn (September to October) offers changing colours and thinner crowds. July and August are the busiest months, when arriving early or in the late afternoon makes a real difference. In winter the Lower Lakes usually stay open while the Upper Lakes close, typically reopening in early April depending on the weather, and ticket prices are much lower.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Admission (as published, 2026 price list): Adults: EUR 10 (1 Jan-31 Mar and 1 Nov-31 Dec), EUR 23 (1 Apr-31 May and October), EUR 40 (1 Jun-30 Sep, price A) or EUR 25 (price B, after 4 pm in June-August and after 3 pm in September). Children 7-18: EUR 4 / 6 / 15 (B: 9). Under 7 free. Two-day tickets also available. Source: np-plitvicka-jezera.hr ↗
Tickets: Sold online through the park's ticketing site and at the entrances if not sold out. Online tickets must be validated at the entrance chosen when buying; entry before the time on the ticket is not allowed, and arrival up to an hour late is accepted. Source: np-plitvicka-jezera.hr ↗
Swimming: Swimming in the lakes is strictly prohibited. Source: np-plitvicka-jezera.hr ↗
Winter access: In winter the Lower Lakes are usually open and the Upper Lakes closed; the Upper Lakes usually reopen in early April, depending on the weather. Source: np-plitvicka-jezera.hr ↗
Getting there by bus: Bus stops are near Entrance 1 and Entrance 2 on the D1 state road, on both sides (towards Zadar and towards Zagreb). Source: np-plitvicka-jezera.hr ↗
Pets: Pets are permitted but must be kept on a leash. Source: np-plitvicka-jezera.hr ↗
Status: Declared Croatia's first national park on 8 April 1949; inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 26 October 1979. Source: np-plitvicka-jezera.hr ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Book tickets online in summer and choose your entrance carefully, as tickets are validated at the entrance you select.
Wear comfortable shoes with grip; the boardwalks can be wet and there are steps and slopes on most routes.
Arrive at opening time in summer to enjoy the Lower Lakes before the main tour groups.
Bring a light rain jacket and a layer: the park is higher and cooler than the coast.
Stay on the marked paths and boardwalks, and do not feed fish, ducks or other wildlife.
Buy food and water before entering if you have specific dietary needs, as choices inside the park are limited.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Plitvice Lakes: food, markets & places to stay

Restaurants, a cafe and luggage storage are available at the main entrances, and the park lists Lička kuća and a steak and pasta house at Entrance 2. Guesthouses and small hotels are spread through villages along the D1 road around the park, and campsites operate nearby with organised buses to the entrances. Long-distance buses between Zagreb and Zadar or Split stop on the D1 by Entrances 1 and 2, making a day stop possible on the way between the capital and the coast.

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image.

Price list 2026 — Plitvice Lakes National Park
Frequently asked questions — Plitvice Lakes National Park
General information — Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Plitvice Lakes National Park — Wikipedia

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