Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes - main resorts and areas, tours and attractions, museums

The beauty of Plitvice Lakes captures the soul and stays there forever. Completely clear water gurgles in countless waterfalls, leaves of tall beeches rustle like whispered songs, wooden stage creaks underfoot, air is filled with birdsong, pine-tree smell adds to the aura of endless relaxation. It seems that such beauty should forever cure people of anger and hatred. Not so long ago, Serbs and Croats were killing each other in those heavenly glades. Today, however, the fairytale forest has been cleared of mines and weapons.

The existence of Plitvice Lakes is only possible thanks to the coincidence of several natural factors. The Dinaric hills, where the water body cascade spreads out, are made of the dense travertine limestone, which is, however, easily washed away by water. Calcium dissolved in it is extracted by calcophilic plants and when they die, flakes of the pure mineral form and settle on the bottom of the basins. Occasionally, the sediment blocks the stream, but the water finds another way, forming new waterfalls. The lakes are like a living creature, changeable and vulnerable. Maintaining this fragile natural balance is the main reason for strict prohibitions on bathing, fishing and overnight stays in the park.

How to get to Plitvice Lakes

The lakes are situated 135 km from Zagreb, a mere 2 hours drive by a comfortable bus. From the airport, you can catch the Pleso shuttle. It arrives at the Central Bus Station, from which buses depart to Plitvice Lakes.

Hotels

There are no five-star hotels near the lakes, so accommodation for 1-2 days is often cheap. The best hotel is the guesthouse Plitvice near the lake Kozyak. A standard room there costs from 425 HRK per night. A cheaper option is the bed and breakfast Bellevue (7 km). Rooms start at 325 HRK. Reservations must be made well in advance due to high occupancy rates during the summer season.

If you're looking for a place to stay near Plitvice Lakes National Park, there are a few options to choose from. There are a few hotels located right inside the park, including the Green Lakes House and the Jezero Hotel. Both of these Plitvice Lakes National Park Hotels are within easy walking distance of the lakes and offer stunning views of the waterfalls and wildlife. If you're looking for something a little more affordable, there are also plenty of hotels located in the small town of Plitvice Lakes, just a few minutes' drive from the park. These hotels offer great value for money, and many of them offer shuttle services to and from the park. No matter where you choose to stay, you're sure to enjoy the beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park!

The food at Plitvice Lakes

You can enjoy national dishes such as basa cheese, lamb on a spit, freshwater trout and pancakes with apple jam at the restaurant Licka Kuca at the northern entrance to the park. A full meal of roast or braised lamb with side dishes, seasonal salad and beer costs 240 HRK. For the less demanding tourist, the Poljana Restaurant is a self-service canteen where you can get a delicious lunch for 100-150 HRK. There are several bars, buffets and cafes selling fast food for 7-9 HRK at the crossings.

It is forbidden to have picnics in the park.

Plitvice Lakes hiking trails

The Matica River, formed by the confluence of the Crna and Bela, immediately drops into the first waterfall of the cascade of 12 Upper Lakes. Prošćansko is 37 metres deep and more than 2 kilometres long. It is separated from other bodies of water by the Labodovac rapids with a 20-metre drop. Below in the rocks is the Cave Garden with many caves. Kozjak Lake, 46 m deep, comes to the end of the cascade and is drained by the sparkling waterfalls.

The lower lakes lie in a canyon up to 40 m deep. Hiking trails are arranged along the banks and on top of the steep dolomite walls. The Great Cascades form the rapids separating the lakes, the most impressive waterfalls in the Plitvice region. Beyond Novakovo Brod, the streams flow down from a height of 25 metres into the pool of Kostovci and drop to the Great Waterfall from a height of 78 metres. This is the source of the Korana River.

Episodes of several movies about Vineta, the Apache chief and Chingachgook, the Big Snake were filmed on Plitvice Lakes.

The national park can be accessed through the South and North Entrances on the Upper and Lower Lakes side (there are car parks). A bus travels through the area and ferries run across the major lakes. Walking is allowed only on paths, bridges and trails, not deep into the forest. The area of the Upper Lakes is home not only to harmless roe deer and hares, but also brown bears—they do not venture onto the path but they are the masters of the thicket.

Detailed maps of the park with photo-markings are sold at the entrance. The proposed trails are labelled A to K according to their difficulty and duration. Tourist groups must be accompanied by a park staff member.

If you are short on time, a simple route A through the most beautiful parts of the Lower Lakes is the best choice. It lasts about 2 hours and goes past the Great Falls and then upstream along the canyon. The longest route K lasts for at least 8 hours and includes a full detour around the Lakes Region. It's best split into two days so that tiredness doesn't interfere with enjoying the natural beauty.

Ticket prices

From 1.07 to 31.08, the price of a ticket for adults is 250 HRK, for teenagers 160 HRK; from 1.04 to 30.06 and from 1.09 to 31.10 - 100 and 50 HRK; from 1.11 to 31.03 - 60 and 30 HRK respectively. Entrance is free for children up to 7 years of age.

The ticket entitles the holder to free use of the electric transport within the park. More information on the official website.