National park · Croatia
Plitvice Lakes National ParkNacionalni park Plitvička jezera
Buy tickets online (peak €40) and start at Entrance 1 before 9 am to beat crowds; hike a short Route A (2 h) or the full 4‑hour circuit in spring or autumn.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
approximate
Established
1949
Best months
Apr–May, Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Croatia ↗Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Croatian sources for your passport.
- Croatia ↗Book car ferries and popular catamarans ahead in summer; foot passengers still need to be early for the busiest routes.
- Croatia ↗Split and Dubrovnik fine visitors for walking shirtless or in swimwear away from beaches; carry a cover-up.
- Kvarner ↗Jadrolinija car ferries on the Krk–Cres–Lošinj line fill on summer weekends; book the car slot, foot passengers rarely need to.
- Kvarner ↗The bura wind closes the Krk Bridge to high-sided vehicles and cancels some catamarans; check the forecast before a crossing day.
At a glance
- Country
- Croatia
- Area
- 2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²)
- The park covers roughly 2 km² of lakes and about 300 km² of surrounding forest and karst landscape (official figures vary).
- Established
- 1949
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Plitvice Lakes National Park protects a cascade of 16 interlinked lakes and waterfalls across a karst plateau, offering boardwalk trails through beech‑spruce forests and habitats for bears, wolves and lynx; visitors can explore short loops or a full‑park circuit, with internal buses and ferries included in the ticket.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1979Outstanding natural beauty and travertine formation.
Size and age
2 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (2 km²) · national park since 1949
The park covers roughly 2 km² of lakes and about 300 km² of surrounding forest and karst landscape (official figures vary).
Why go
- Explore 16 interlinked lakes and waterfalls on wooden boardwalks.
- See rare wildlife such as brown bear, wolf and lynx.
- Choose from short loops to a full‑park trek covering upper and lower lakes.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible snow; limited services.
- FebCold, fewer crowds.
- MarMild, lower visitor numbers.
- AprSpring bloom, comfortable temps.
- MayWarm, dry, ideal for walking.
- JunWarm, start of peak season.
- JulHot, crowded, parking scarce.
- AugHot, very busy.
- SepAutumn colours, fewer tourists.
- OctCooler, still open.
- NovEarly snow possible.
- DecCold, limited daylight.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown bear, wolf, lynxApr–Sep · Rare sightings; keep distance. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Golden eagles, capercaillie (check)May–Jul · Birdwatching season. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Zagreb
Drive 2 h via A1 to Karlovac, then D1 to park; park at Entrance 1 or 2.
2 h
Open the page →
From Split
Drive 3 h via A1 to Gornja Ploča, then D1 to park.
3 h
Open the page →
From Zadar
Drive 2 h via A1 to D1, then follow signs to park.
2 h
Open the page →
From Bus
Intercity buses stop near park entrances; ask driver to alight at Entrance 1 or 2.
varies
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance 1 (north) | Gate, Veliki Splat waterfall, lower‑lake routes. | Open with ticket. |
| Entrance 2 (south) | Gate, upper‑lake routes, boat stations. | Open with ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates taken from official park site; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance ticket (peak season Jun–Sep) | EUR 40 (≈ US$50) | person | Includes internal buses and ferries. |
| Entrance ticket (shoulder season Apr–May, Oct) | EUR 23.5 (≈ US$30) | person | Includes internal buses and ferries. |
| Entrance ticket (low season Nov–Mar) | EUR 10 (≈ US$12) | person | Includes internal buses and ferries. |
| 2‑day ticket (peak season Jun–Sep) | EUR 59.7 (≈ US$70) | person | Includes internal transport. |
| 2‑day ticket (shoulder season Apr–May, Oct) | EUR 39.5 (≈ US$50) | person | Includes internal transport. |
| 2‑day ticket (low season Nov–Mar) | EUR 15.5 (≈ US$19) | person | Includes internal transport. |
| Parking (hourly) | EUR 1–1.5 (≈ US$2) | hour | June‑Sep €1.50/h, otherwise €1/h. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- €40≈ US$50
- €23.50≈ US$30
- €10≈ US$12
- €59.70≈ US$70
- €39.50≈ US$50
- €15.50≈ US$19
- €1–1.50≈ US$2
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Official park website before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for backcountry routes (e.g., Medveđak).
- Camping
- Not allowed in the park; stay in nearby villages or hotels.check
- Fires
- No open fires; use designated barbecue areas only.check
- Drone
- Not allowed without special permit.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Plitvice Hotel
Comfortable rooms 5 km (3.1 mi) from Entrance 1.Comfortable rooms 3.1 mi (5 km) from Entrance 1.
Near the park
Guesthouses in Korenica
Budget options 8 km (5 mi) south, good for early entry.Budget options 5 mi (8 km) south, good for early entry.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Slippery wooden walkways low
Sudden thunderstorms medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main boardwalks are level but have steps; wheelchair assistance possible on lower‑lake routes.
- Upper‑lake routes include steep sections and ferries; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Buy tickets online to reduce queue waste.
- Stay in locally owned guesthouses; support community economy.
- Carry out all litter; do not feed wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Tickets range from €23.5 in off‑peak months to €40 in summer; 2‑day passes cost €59.7. All include internal transport.
What are the best hikes in Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Route A (lower lakes, 2 h) for a quick visit; Route C (upper lakes, 3 h) for waterfalls and ferry; or the full 4‑hour circuit for both sections.
When is the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Spring (April‑May) and early autumn (September‑October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Can I bring a pet into the park?
No, pets are not allowed inside the protected area.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
Camping is prohibited; stay in nearby villages or park‑adjacent hotels.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Plitvice Lakes National Park
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