Plitvice Lakes National Park

Protected for decades, Plitvice Lakes National Park earns its national park status with scenery that stops you mid stride.

History and background

Croatia’s oldest and largest national park, a UNESCO site since 1979. Sixteen terraced lakes, linked by waterfalls, sit in a forested karst basin. The park was the site of the first armed clash of the 1991 war, the Plitvice Lakes incident.

Good to know

Plitvice Lakes National Park stands in Lika & Gorski Kotar, one of the six regions that make up the Croatia most visitors fall for. From the Adriatic shore to the karst mountains and the quiet inland valleys, this part of the country gives you something worth the detour.

Buy tickets online in peak season, arrive before 10:00, and wear shoes you can walk in all day.

Practical info

• Entry: check the official source before you travel. Prices and opening hours change, and some spots close entirely out of season.
• How to get there: Tap the map above for exact directions. In Croatian towns parking is usually signposted and paid, look for the blue P zones. If you are island hopping, leave buffer time for the ferries.

Best time to visit

Croatia is at its best from May to October. June and September are the sweet spot, warm water, long days, and thinner crowds than high July and August. Winter shows a quieter, cheaper and surprisingly handsome country, especially inland and in the cities.

This is part of an open Croatia library by Photograph by John, real places, real maps, no paywall. Share it if it was useful.