💦 Central Croatia
Things to do in Plitvice Lakes
Sixteen turquoise lakes linked by hundreds of waterfalls
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s oldest and grandest national park — sixteen terraced lakes in impossible shades of turquoise and green, joined by cascades and waterfalls and laced with wooden boardwalks. A UNESCO site, it’s a popular day trip or stopover between Zagreb and Split, and an easy half- to full-day of walking.
Time needed
A day trip
Best time
Late spring and early autumn (May–June, September) for full waterfalls and thinner crowds; summer is busiest and hottest
Region
Central Croatia
Don’t miss
Walk the boardwalk trails
Follow the wooden walkways right across and beside the lakes and falls, including the park’s tallest, Veliki Slap. A panoramic train and electric boat link the upper and lower lake sections, so you can tailor a 3–6 hour route.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in Plitvice Lakes
- The boardwalks weaving between the lower lakes and waterfalls.
- Veliki Slap, the park’s tallest waterfall (78m).
- The panoramic shuttle train and the electric boat across Lake Kozjak.
- A guided trip from Split or Zagreb that handles the long drive and tickets.Find tours
- Nearby Krka National Park as a swimmable alternative.Find tours
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How to get to Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice sits roughly midway between Zagreb (2 hours) and Split (about 3 hours). Buses run from both, but a guided day tour or a stopover on the Zagreb–Split route is the easiest way to visit with timed entry sorted.
Hire a car in Split
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Best time to visit
Late spring and early autumn (May–June, September) for full waterfalls and thinner crowds; summer is busiest and hottest. Autumn colour is spectacular; winter brings frozen falls but limited trails.
Plitvice Lakes tips
- Buy a timed entry ticket online in advance — peak-summer slots sell out.
- Start early (or late) and walk the trails in the recommended direction to avoid bottlenecks on the narrow boardwalks.
- Swimming isn’t allowed in Plitvice — head to nearby Krka if you want to swim under waterfalls.
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Opening hours, prices, transport and entry rules change — always verify before you go, and check your government’s current travel advice. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.