Destination guide
Plitvice Lakes
Croatia
Plitvice Lakes National Park (Nacionalni park Plitvička jezera) in Croatia is one of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe. Due to its beauty and significance, this system of 16 interlinked lakes and a large forest complex around it were set aside as a national park in 1949.
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Local-ledAI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and mostly LOCAL creators' videos on this page
Prioritize visiting the Šupljara cave system only if you are wearing sturdy, reliable footwear, as the carved stone stairs are perpetually moist and steep; skip this detour if you are traveling with children.
Avoid the park's main wooden plank paths during midday hours to escape the heaviest crowds; utilize the internal shuttle bus lines to reach the upper lakes or distant entrances early to get ahead of the tour groups.
Pack your own provisions by stopping at the Robni Centar supermarket in Mukinje before entering the park, as it is the most reliable place to secure affordable supplies like energy bars and bread compared to the park's internal facilities.
Do not attempt to swim or fish in any of the lakes, as these activities are strictly prohibited; distinguish between the park's official electric ferry lines used for transport and the separate wooden rowing boat rental service available on Kozjak Lake for independent exploration.
Base yourself in the village of Mukinje if you prefer a quieter atmosphere; it is within walking distance of Entrance 2 and offers local dining options like Bistro Vučnica, which features a menu of fresh pizzas and both indoor and outdoor seating.
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Plitvicka Jezera
![Plitvice Lakes, Croatia [Amazing Places 4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9FOah5xb4ZQ/hqdefault.jpg)
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia [Amazing Places 4K]
OVO MORATE VIDJETI UŽIVO - PLITVIČKA JEZERA
Central Croatia: Plitvice Lakes National Park - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide - Travel Bite
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Croatia's Top Gem: Plitvice's Stunning Beauty & Travel Tips
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Discovering Plitvice Lakes | Croatia's Must-Visit National Park 🇭🇷
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Plitvice Lakes National Park - Ultimate Guide & Best Travel Tips
Best time to go
Best window: June–October
January and May are the months to avoid — cold and very heavy rain. The window below is when it is genuinely pleasant.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
By bus
2 shuttle bus lines run along the lakes (which are useful to take you up hills and to the entrances). The buses travel between station 1 (west of Entrance #1), station 2 (north of entrance 2), and station 3 (near Prošćansko jezero, the highest of the Upper…
On foot
Paths, mostly made of wooden planks or gravel, will take you through the whole park. In most places they are wide, but since the park is extremely well visited they can feel very crowded during the day.
By boat
2 lines of small electric ferries connect far banks of the Jezero Kozjak, a bigger lake close to the entrance #2. One ferry crosses from north (P2) to south (P1) at west end of the lake and takes 2 minutes.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
Veliki Slap waterfall
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Croatia's tallest waterfall, a 78m cascade you approach on foot along the lower lakes boardwalk trail.
Vetted sources
Šupljara cave
A cave system between Gavanovac lake and Kaluderovac lake. Stairs are carved out into the rocks, allowing visitors to ascend up to the canyon ridges, or descend down to the hiking trails along the waterfront.
Vetted sources
What to do
Plitvice Lakes National Park boardwalks
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Eleven miles of wooden footbridges winding directly over and beside sixteen turquoise lakes cascading into each other via waterfalls, Croatia's top natural sight and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Vetted sources
Kozjak Lake boat crossing
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A free park ferry across the park's largest lake, part of the standard route linking the lower and upper lake circuits.
Vetted sources
Gradinsko Lake trail
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
An upper-lakes path bordered by reeds where wild ducks nest, linking a chain of smaller lakes above the main falls.
Vetted sources
Plitvička Jezera Boat Rental
· Moderate
Rental service for wooden rowing boats. Visitors can explore Kozjak lake and its numerous waterfalls from the water front. Fresh water snakes can often be found sunbathing on tree trunks along the water.
Vetted sources
Ski Center Mukinje
Mukinje 55, Plitvička Jezera· Cheap
In winter, the Ski Center of Mukinje is open, offering skiers 3 slopes with a total length of 1 km. Primarily targeted at beginners, the lift is located in the center of the town. Ski equipment can be rented locally.
Vetted sources
What to eat
Robni Centar
D1, 53231, Plitvička Jezera
Supermarket selling drinks, energy bars, croissants and local pastries for breakfast or lunch, or bread and a wide variety of toppings. Fair prices. Conveniently located on the shortcut path leading from Mukinje to Entrance 2 of the park.
Vetted sources
Bistro Vučnica
Mukinje 55, 53231, Plitvička Jezera
Mid-range restaurant in the center of Mukinje, on a 20-minute walk from park entrance 2. Large selection of fresh pizzas Indoor and outdoor seating available.
Vetted sources
Where to stay
Hotel Jezero
· Expensive
The largest and most luxurious property of the bunch, offering in-house restaurant spa, gym, and even bowling alleys.
Vetted sources
Hotel Bellevue
· Expensive
Rooms can fit up to three people. Breakfast is provided at Hotel Plitvice across the street.
Vetted sources
Guesthouse Bor
Mukinje 59, 53231, Plitvička Jezera· Expensive
A small guest house in the center of Mukinje, next to the skiing facilities and the only bistro of the town.
Vetted sources
Cvetkovic Camping
Cvetkovic, D429, Mukinje, Plitvicka Jezera
Camp site 10 minutes from the park entrance. A bus stop at the main road takes guests to the park entrance.
Vetted sources
Miric Inn
Jezerce 18, 53231, Plitvička Jezera
A small inn, offering mid-range lodging. A bus connection leads to the entrances of the park.
Vetted sources
Travel essentials
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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.