The number of waterfalls is hard to mention but it must be more the a . Children 6 years and under are free. Visitors navigate the park via a network of wooden boardwalks which meander through the stunning ecosystem check prices now! From Karlovac take a state road D1 direction Slunj, Grabovac, Plitvice. Is there a short way from Donji Babin Potok than going all the way with D52 till D1 interaction ? Visiting Plitvice Lakes tip: We were so happy we allowed 2 days to visit the park. Staying in Plitvice overnight gives you a chance for easy and early access to the lakes and more time to explore the national park. Once you are there,it is hard to get lost as there are plenty of useful info signs and arrows. Over 1 million visitors explore the lakes every year, making Plitvice Lakes the most popular tourist attraction in Croatia. First time I hearing about the Plitvice lake.I am excited to see that place.Thanks for sharing this article with us. If you're a foodie, you might be disappointed with a food offer in this area. The view from the overlook at Entrance 1. Be prepared to ooh and aahh and take lots of photos. Wow! Allow around 2-3 hours to reach the ferry terminal drop off at P2. The earlier you arrive, the more of the park you get to see without the crowds, which not only makes it a more pleasant experience, but you dont get caught in traffic jams on the boardwalk trails (saving you a little bit of time). However, you can swim at nearby Krka National Park in Croatia, which looks a lot like Plitvice Lakes. Julie Last updated: June 25, 2023 Croatia 136 Comments. Programs A, B, and C all start at Entrance 1. The trail C is actually extended route B. Please help me with my situation. Entrance 2 remains closed in winter. This is predominantly due to the arrival and departure of buses ferrying day-trippers. Frank & Vera, Dear Frank, We share here all you need to know to plan a perfect visit to Plitvice. Note: This post contains affiliate links. 7 |What is the best route around Plitvice Lakes? But if you need advice getting from your accommodation to the lakes, if you wont have a car, ask your hotel staff (prior to your trip) to see what they recommend. 4 | Take the bus from ST4 back to ST2. With multiple turquoise lakes and waterfalls with wooden boardwalks winding through them, it's the perfect destination for nature lovers. Which Entrance is better for Plitvice Lakes? However, you can take a regular bus from Zagreb to Plitvice, visit the lakes, and then take another one from Plitvice to Split. Hotel Jezero is a 3-star hotel located near the park entrance. There are signs everywhere. This is an 18.6 km walk through all of the lakes of the park. We stayed at Apartment Ivano, located 15 minutes north of the park entrance. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Where can I check if the staircase to the Postcard view is open? The route is 4,6 km long, and it takes 3 to 4 hours. If you drive around a bit, along the road you'll encounter locals selling cheeses, and typical pastries from the area, like cheese or apple strudel. Or you can keep going to get to the postcard viewpoint over Plitvice Lakes. We highly recommend bringing a tripod and a polarising filter as they will really enhance your photos of the lakes. The free map you get with the ticket isn't very useful. There are four suggested hiking routes from each entrance. if you stay further away from the entrances, are there any transport options other than a car? If you hiked up through the cave, retrace your steps back down the lower lakes and then resume the trail to Lake Kozjak. Tours are a really popular way to visit the Plitvice Lakes. Its impossible to use a tripod in the busier parts of the park when it is busy: due to both vibrations and the danger of having it knocked into the lakes. Hi! If you travel by bus and wonder where to leave your luggage while visiting the lakes, you'll like to know that at each entrance you'll find a designated luggage area. 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. Though the price of the one day entrance ticket varies according to the season and your age, it usually is around 55 HRK(8 USD) in the low season to 180 HRK(27 USD) in the high season. Zrinka House also gets exceptional reviews, as does Hedgehogs Home and Country Lodge Vukovic. Even without the transport, you can still cover a considerable distance on foot. Im headed to Croatia at end of June and this is great information. On the road coming from the park, as you go through town you will go over a bridge and the road will take a hard left. It was very helpful. We try to give our best and provide hospitality to our guests. We want to cover as much as we can in that one day so I heard C and H are recommended. 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. PLACES TO GO IN CROATIA: Along the Dalmatian Coast, the towns of Split, Trogir, and Dubrovnik are wonderful coastal towns to add to your Croatia itinerary. Or any extra activities you recommend if I have time? Check trekking and hiking routes within the park here. its doable, althoug a bit of stretch. Experiencing the boardwalk trails during the quiet, crowd-free morning hours is almost magical. Lockers etc. In the following chapters, you will find everything you need to know to plan your perfect visit to the lakes. Getting from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes. Further parts of the park are less crowded even in summer (from Burgeti station further away). This is awesome and hugely helpful, Frank! Thanks for writing in and providing the update on the stairs. Plitvice Lakes National Park covers over 73,000 acres. Beyond this is the third section, a trail around Proscansko Lake. At the last viewpoint, you can walk down a steep staircase to get back to Veliki Slap and walk to Entrance 1 from here. Restaurant Ambar in Rastoke has modern interiors, beautiful outdoor terrace for eating al fresco on warm days, and tasty food. And people do stop to take photos. Or can you enter when you want on day 2? From Canada to Croatia, these destinations wear the cold exceptionally well. An auxiliary entrance entrance Flora is close to the hotels Bellevue and Plitvice. The view from the final viewpoint near the top of Veliki Slap. We share here the best information about traveling to and in Croatia, including destination guides, travel tips, activities, accommodation, and the best places to eat and visit. Thank you. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatias oldest and largest National Park. A Day Trip from Zagreb to the Lakes and Rastoke. Wish you all the best to you and your girlfriend Very informative! The Lower Lakes get extremely busy in the morning due to their proximity to entrance No1. If you want to swim in a similar setting, we recommend visiting Krka National Park where swimming is permitted. The best photography is first thing in the morning, before day trippers arrive. So, what if you dont want walk that far? Report inappropriate content 1-9 of 9 replies Sorted by 1 Morlaque Dubrovnik, Croatia It will help a lot of future visitors. are there shuttle buses? These guys know the area inside-out and will provide the best sightseeing and routes you might otherwise not be able to access yourself. 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. Ride the boat across Kozjak Lake and walk the trails along the lower lakes. If you follow our route and walk all of the way to the postcard photo spot, just be aware that it will be a very long walk back to Entrance 1. Learn how to visit Pula, Cape Kamenjak, and Rovinj. Thanks in advance. ISTRIAN PENINSULA: With 3 days, you can go on a whirlwind tour of the Istrian Peninsula of Croatia. These hours can vary so its a good idea to check the hours on the official website. If driving from Zagreb (2.5 hours), Split (3 hours), or Zadar (1.5 hours), you can just about do the park as a day trip, although you'll probably want to overnight here . There are four hiking trails that are organized into 7 different routes to tour the park. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Altogether there are seven suggested routes (or programs) to choose from, ranging from 2-3 hours to a whole day. Zagreb and Zadar are the closest towns to Plitvice Lakes. This is looking towards Entrance 1. Great article!! Basically, you are hiking around all of the lakes without taking the boat or shuttle. Thank you for taking the time to publish such and in depth review. The Park is open daily all year round, with longer opening hours during summer (usually 7am to 8pm). However, if this entrance is even open, it is relevant only for people who stay at Plitvice selo, and it is not easy accessible by car. But if you ask us, then the best route is route C. This route starts at the north entrance to the park (Entrance 1), descending down to lower lakes, and leading to the Great Waterfall. I wish we had switched it though and started at entrance 1 like you recommended. Route C is 8 km long, it takes 4 to 6 hours, and a hike is moderate. No, they are not. There is a hiking trail in the woods between the road and the cliffs. Hello, My husband and I and our 1 year old son are planning a trip to Croatia this coming September and I was wondering if you knew of an all inclusive family resort that you could recommend that would be a reasonable drive to the national park? Just a little objection you put Villa Sumrak picture instead Villa Verde and vice versa. From the dock, you will have to walk to Entrance 1. Felt like we had the park all to ourselves.until about 11:00 when it was obvious all of the tour busses had arrived and people with strollers. I dont have the exact distance but I estimate this route to be about 11 km and take up to 6 to 8 hours. The first part is the same, but instead to return to the Entrance 1 after the boat crosses the Kozjak Lake, you continue the hike along the other three lakes to the southernmost Proscansko Lake. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Disclaimer:As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I wholeheartedly appriciate your effort! tel: +385 (0)53 751 928, e-mail: support@np-plitvicka-jezera.hr. We recommend using RentalCars.com to reserve your car. You return a bit and then continue along lower lakes to the Kozjaka Bridge. Dont even try it! Thanks. From the top of the cave, follow the trail out to the upper level of the cliffs for an awesome view over the park. If you have no desire to add on the upper cliff views, I recommend simply following Program C or Program H through the park. Hi Joe. Will do soon! Note: This staircase is currently closed. Follow this road uphill. Crowds are lower and the waterfalls are roaring during the spring months. The exceptional natural beauty of this area has always attracted nature lovers. Programs E, F and H all start at Entrance 2 and are basically the same as A, B, C only they travel in the opposite direction. PRO TRAVEL TIP: For the best experience, plan to stay overnight near the park so you can have an early start to your day. You can always consult google maps, or get yourself familiar with the trails using the park's app (found on the Park's own website). This post may contain compensated links. There are also a couple of restaurants and cafes with terraces above and at the edge of the water. A zoomed in photo of the boardwalk trail to Veliki Slap. I have one question, is there any way to book entrance tickets online? I will be arriving from Split. It is close to the boat docking called "P3" (the P does not mean Parking). Plitvice Lakes, with its crystal clear waters and beautiful waterfalls, is one of the highlights of a trip to Croatia. You can also swim a bit further north in Slunj. The view is nice but not worth that long walk, in my opinion. It will help a lot of future visitors! Hi, I want to bring my 78-year old Mom to visit Croatia for about 10 days. You can use https://getbybus.com/en/ to plan your trip. Feeding the wildlife in the park is prohibited, as is taking any souvenirs such as plant material. You will see a road branch off from the trail on the left. I cannot find this option on an official website, but that would be great to skip waiting in a queue. We realise it is about a 3 hour drive, which should not be a problem. If it does you cannot buy tickets there but you can enter if you bought one online. If I had to choose one or the other, Id pick Program C, which starts at entrance 1. I want to come in from Zagreb and go to Split after a day at the lakes. We recommend spending the night near the park and getting started right at opening time. doing a two week trip thru Serbia & Bosnia, then to Croatia & Montenegro. You can climb a long series of slippery steps up through a dark cave (Supljara Cave). Read our full post on white water rafting in Croatia. Example: For a 9:00 am ticket, you can enter between the time of 9:00 am - 9:59 am. At peak times it is likely you will want to avoid the park in the middle of the day, so allowing a second day to enjoy other parts of the park is really worth it. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. If you travel from Zagreb by car head to Karlovac, a town 40 km southeast of Zagreb. However, if you feel like cooling down in cool river waters, head to the village of Korana. Bring a picnic lunch. Once you reach the bridge for Lake Kozjak, turn left and head up the path to the shuttle stop. 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. Croatia | Photography By Brianna Updated January 4, 2023 Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is one of the Balkan's top destinations. Here, look for OPG Ana Milkovic (just google it! If we are staying in Ljubljana with a car, would it be easy to visit the park and return to Slovenia on the same day ??? One and two-day tickets are available and its highly recommended to book tickets in advance, especially during peak season, as tickets are limited. At Kozjak Bridge you turn around and then walk or take the shuttle back to Entrance 1. It consists of well-preserved mills surrounded by lovely waterfalls, and rapids. It is open same time as other enterances in national park. Plitvice Lakes National Park is perhaps the most beautiful natural wonder in Croatia. Besides a visit to the national park, there are a couple of other interesting activities to do in this area. Similar to the route A, but it continues across Kozjaka Bridge where you take a boat across the Kozjaka Lake. Given the popularity of Plitvice Lakes, it helps to plan your visit in advance and make the most of your time in the park. The Flora Auxiliary Entrance is within walking distance from thePlitvica Selo Village and tickets cannot be purchased at this entrance. Planning a trip this summer Comprised of 16 lakes and over 90 waterfalls, the Plitvice Lakes site is huge and there are loads of trails to explore! By 10, the trails become quite packed once the day trippers arrive. If you are doing this in the summer months, you will most likely arrive at peak time when the boardwalks are congested with lots of people. Would love any advise you have about: how do you get to the entrances from accomodation within the national park? Hi Kamkin, more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. A wonderful detached wooden cottage, a holiday home Fairy Land is warm and cozy with a nice fireplace, a small kitchen, and a porch. Can you provide more information on that please and thanks! Take the short detour to Veliki Slap, the Big Waterfall. Cheers, Julie. Once you disembark the boat on the far side of Kozjak Lake, you walk the boardwalk trails along the upper lakes and waterfalls. This route is quite physically demanding with inclines and steps throughout. 4 | Plitvice Lake Tickets and Opening Hours. The park can be unbearably busy in the middle of the day so an early or late visit is, for us, anyway, more magical. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. May, June, September and October are considered the best months. In 1979, Plitvice Lakes became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stunning turquoise lakes are surrounded by lush green forests and waterfalls rush into the clear waters. From the dock, walk a short distance back in the direction of Entrance 1. The route is 18,3 km long, and it takes 6 to 8 hours. From Zadar or Split, drive on Highway A1, and take the exit of Gornja Ploca. Is the mysterious entrance 3 near P3 exists? It doesnt include the longer hikes off the lake as they are more time-consuming. Here is the situation first hand: If you start from entrance 1 and exit from entrance 2, you will need to go uphill the entire length of the park, but incline is shallow and there are just two short sections with steps. If you dont have waterproof shoes it might be worth starting at P2 and walking towards Station 3 until the path gets too wet, then turning around and going back to P2. Have a great trip! But I think the waterfalls of the upper lakes are slightly better than the lower lake section. Frankaboutcroatia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Which one is best and which entrance? Security are on the lookout for drones and their ban is rigorously enforced at Plitvice Lakes. Entrance ticket prices vary from season to season and are sold as one-day or two-day tickets. So, if you want to make it in, you are highly encouraged to purchase your ticket in advance through the park's website. Here are the GPS coordinates for the trailhead: 44549 N 153627 E. There are several parking spaces along the road here. Enjoy it! Along the way you will come to several nice viewpoints along the lakes. 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. It consists of 16 lakes, over 90 waterfalls, many caves, caverns, and forests. ENTRANCE COORDINATES Entrance 1 (north entrance) 4454'17.9''N 1536'40.3''E Entrance 2 (south entrance) The trip takes about 2.30 hours and the ticket costs 14 . The twelve Upper Lakes were formed on impermeable dolomite rock. I am thinking Entrance 1 route A or C. Hi Neil, Students need to show a valid student ID to obtain a discount. There are eight different hiking trails throughout the park, and you will need to decide how much time you have before embarking on a path. We created this blog to help you plan your perfect trip to Croatia. I hope you have a nice time on the rest of your visit to Croatia. Hi Lauren, The stunning turquoise lakes are surrounded by lush green forests and waterfalls rush into the clear waters. Take plenty of food and water with you. However, people do swim in Korana River up north from the lakes. 169 reviews 171 helpful votes Entrance 3 (?Flora) - Where is it? They don't want crowd on this side. Outside of the park, BeaRs Log is one of the highest rated properties in the area. Bring a picnic lunch to have along the way. If you arrive by public transport (bus), the entrance is just there, very near the bus stops. thanks so much! You blog is key for us to plan. Stay overnight near the park. 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.
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