Congratulations once again and I hope you will have an unforgettable vacation in Plitvice! If so, I am a bit jealous, because you are about to be charmed by one of the most beautiful countries on Earth! Enjoy your travels in Romania! It is an enjoyable walk through the forest. You now have a new follower. If you take Plitvice Lakes Entrance 2, once you are downstairs at the river, take the boat to the other side (2 minutes). Then I went back up the path and over the bridge and found another path. Plitvice Lakes are the perfect backdrop for a picnic. So I looked it up in Google earth and voila, by car no problem. Bellevue and Plitvice hotels are closed in December, January, and February. I do want to give a heads up: we were told to get to the view of the upper lakes we could either take the shortcut up the stairs or drive all the way around. In that time she has covered everything from trending topics in music and entertainment to parenting, sports and beyond. . NOTE:Wondering about the Plitvice Lakes opening hours? 1a: at the top of the stairs from Big Waterfall, choose the direction to the right. This post answers all your questions and tells you everything you need to know to plan your visit to see the amazing Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, including: when and where to buy tickets the best time to visit what to except what you can and can't bring how to get there Best of luck with your travels! This is completely understandable due to the fragility of the ecosystem in the lakes. The stairs are still closed. . 1. The next time I come back, I will definitely do it! In case you really want to swim in some wonderful, turquoise water, you can do so in Krka Waterfall National Park in Dalmatia. ).Even, if you are not able to go to all the little lakes that they say are the most clear and colorful, you might enjoy it. Which cities should I visit (Dubrovnik and plitvice is already on the list) and what transportation do you recommend to use to get to this places, Hi, Maria, good work here Kevin.been interested in this area since I saw this in the 501 Must See Natural Wonders book . Even though Plitvice Lakes requires quite some walking, it can still be visited by people who cannot walk very far, no problem! Your email address will not be published. or other way round, Doing the waterfall first and then going to the Veliki slap from entrance 2 ?. :-) If you enter the park after 4pm, you get a discount on the entrance fee. Again, thank you so much for your blog. I dont know, sorry, you may want to ask the park direcly. I guess there are places outside the park where you can swim. You will get an AMAZING dinner that you will remember for a long time! On the one hand, chalk tufa is being washed away partly. How frustrating! Your email address will not be published. Dont give up your dream job because you are amazing at it! Learn some Croatian before you visit Croatia! Hi, we are planning to visit the park next week. Thank you for your write-up and photos. The water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the lake and the fish swimming. Save yourself the hassle and dont bother coming once. Hi Yulia, Yes, this is the location Veliki Slap. Yes. The closer to the park, the more expensive. Hopefully, you will understand soon just by looking at the pictures below. I am going to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Sept 2019. I wa there in early October when the weather was still nice and the water was incredibly turquoise. You can check the opening times for all seasons here. Plitvice Croatia is made of 16 lakes: 12 upper lakes, and 4 lower lakes. Hi, nice article! https://misstourist.com/category/europe/sweden/. Located in Central Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes are known for its sixteen terraced lakes, limestone canyons, eighty-foot waterfall, and endless hiking trails. One of the components of Croatias appeal is its National Parks, which are all extremely beautiful. Well, after Iceland, I got spoiled so it is hard to amaze me with waterfalls yet Plitvice Lakes still dazzled me with its beauty. The locals petitioned the magical queen for assistance, and she answered by building the Plitvice lakes. . I really want you to visit this Croatia waterfall park if you are in the country! If you want to see the 4 lower lakes, youll have to wait for the boat to take you there. My partner uses the wheelchair so we are well used to getting so far and then he waits while I go and explore the parts the chair can not get to. How was the weather in October last year? Next:20 Photos Of The Plitvice Lakes In Croatia That Will Have Us Booking Flights Tomorrow. Who am I to say it better than TLC? Thank you. Ive read some reviews stating that it is extremely crowded to visit during the month of June. Hello Yulia, If the monetary dis-incentive is not enough for you, Im sure many avid park go-ers would have something to say if they see you stripping down and jumping into the lakes. Hotel Plitvice is another awesome choice, located right next to theentranceto theNational Parkand close to Hotel Jezero! We will be there at the same time this year!! Hi, Estrid, thank you! I found that not all the bus booking sites included the earlier buses- getmybus does. We will do camping at Brojce or Korana. Only if you fall in from the wooden pathways and not recommended as the rapids and swift water are a danger to your life. Thank you! Youve just made me aware that if I want to swim in the Lakes Ill need to go to Krka! I think I mention in the article that the Big Waterfall is a short walk away from Entrance 1! We never wouldve known to go to the secret spot. Stay tuned for more on the Plitvice Lakes! Thanks. Plitvice falls within of the Croatian county of Lika and to get there you'll need to drive about 50km on smaller roads from the nearest motorway, which is the E71 between Zagreb and Split. As of 2010, the fine for bathing in the lakes is 70 (Im pretty sure it would have risen due to inflation). Hello! Good work! I was considering the secret spot you mentioned, as it seems like the route from the waterfall has been repaired now. The map is quite confusing which is the upper and which is lower lakes. So how would you recommend to split the visit between the 2 days in the park lower lakes in the afternoon of arrival, and upper lakes the next morning? I am staggered at the beauty of the waterfalls. Jezera is the only one that stays open all year. I couldve stayed there for hours if I had had the time. If after Ive tried to discourage you to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park with these 5 reasons you shouldnt visit you still want to travel there, here are some tips for you. In short, it does not matter when, just go there, dont miss the chance! First a crag is formed but later a cave roof forms under the crag. Unfortunately, swimming in the National Park is strictly forbidden. Can you please tell us if the 1day ticket works by 24hours or by the date ? They finally exit the lakes as river Korana. Can you swim in Plitvice Lakes National Park? The national park is located on National Route D1 ZagrebSplit between Slunj and Korenica in the vicinity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. How did you get there by car: I mean, what did you enter in your GPS as the endpoint? There is even a bus that departs directly from Zagreb Airport in case you do not want to stay in the city! The prices vary depending on the period (more expensive from July to August); you can also get a nice student discount. I just went there today and maybe to add to your steps, between Step 1&2: The park opens at seven a.m. during peak summer months, so staying at a village close to the park will make it easy to get there before the crowds roll in. Although visitors aren't allowed to swim in the lakes directly, just few kilometers north of the National Park, swimming is possible! Thanks. -> turn right and walk straight (2-3 mins) until you pass a wooden bridge. . As a result, Proansko Jezero was thought to be her first creation. -> follow the road for about 5 mins (you will see the Big waterfall from above) until you get to an asphalt road. I guess there are places outside the park where you can swim. Just head over to Plitvice Entrance 2; it is close by, and there are way less tourists. 7. Plitvice Lakes swimming is a big topic. Here's what you can do instead. Renting a Car in Croatia Good or Bad Idea? Hope this helps and I wish you a great time in Plitvice! Also when I buy the tickets online do I buy entrance 1 or entrance 2 or can I buy entrance 1 for one day and entrance 2 for the second day? They sell food in Plitvice, but its quite expensive, and not the best food you can find. Zagreb: 135 km, 2 hours 15 minutes Zadar: 136 km, 2 hours Split: 260 km, 3 hours Dubrovnik: 450 km, 5 hours Pula: 275 km, 3 hours 45 minutes It is possible to visit Plitvice Lakes on a day trip from Zagreb, Zadar and Split. How many days should I stay in Plitvice Lakes? No. Thanks very much. Of the 7 National Parks in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes National Park is the most famous one, and is the one with the most visits each year. Just like in Zagreb, most buses run daily between April to October. With its idyllic mix of waterfalls and rivers Plitvice would make for a perfect place to cool off from the summer heat . So, where the hell is this view and how do you get there? [follow the path for 1-2 min until you see a viewpoint deck,] and, voila!, you will see THE view! I only say this because for your other instruction, you gave a time estimate. Hello Ann! Is it still possible to get there WITHOUT a car? Where can you stay in Plitvice Lakes National Park? It was spectacular!! Zadar. I have been there three times and I always like to come back. A mysterious lady has a role in the Plitvice Lakes' genesis story. If you look at google maps the orientation is correct. Found at the end of the lower lakes, it is truly something to behold. After you've spent time swimming and lying in the sun, take time to explore the trails. Parking in Plitvice Lakes National Park is pretty cheap. Hi Jen, 8 days on Brac with 2 kids! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WEtxJ4-sh4, TLC Waterfalls (Official HD Video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WEtxJ4-sh4), this guide to avoid the crowds in Plitvice. Nope! After coming up the mountain by car, I parked right before the bridge. Because the area is rising in popularity, there are more and more accommodations around the park. Check out the city of Karlovac and its city beach on river Korana. And still, it was unbelievably beautiful and completely different from many other sites and lakes that I have seen( including lakes in Canadian Rockies, in the Great Caucasian Mountains, Caspian, lake Tahoe etc. Do not forget to climb to the secret spot I described here! One word: BREATHTAKING! Even if I havent rented a car during my trip in Croatia, I have heard so many things about how beautiful it is to drive those coastal roads! By the way, if you want to visit the park with your dog, it is not a problem, I saw many people walking in the park with their dogs. Plitvice Lakes National Park in November 2019 A series of wooden footbridges and pathways snake over the lakes and around their shores providing gentle trails for visitors to wander, explore, and take in the breathtaking views. Either between 6th June to 10th June. There are no signs directing you to it, but the place is stunning! I didnt reach the spot by the road because I didnt have a car but had a wonderful time in the park. Hey Hi,very helpful blog.Thanks for sharing, Im wondering if soemeone can show me with a map how to now get to the secret spot? NOTE:There are 3 hotels located inide the National Park: Hotel Jezero, Hotel Bellevue and Hotel Plitvice. Note that all the transportation INSIDE the park is included with your ticket. Plitvice Lakes National Park is only a 2h drive away from the capital city, Zagreb. Ill be traveling at the end of month to Plitvice but only for the day. Even though Plitvice Lakes is not veeery wheelchair-friendly, it can still be visited. Plitvice Lakes swimming is a big topic. But I have some good news, too! Swimming had been forbidden in the Plitvice Lakes National Park since 2006. My dream is to become a full-time travel blogger. Dont go chasing waterfalls . Have you heard of Triglav National Park yet? Hi, after reading your blog I checked the parks website; however Im a little bit confused. The territory of Plitvice Lakes is huge and you definitely cannot visit the whole park by walking. Thank you and thank you for the advice! We recommend at least 3 hours up to a whole-day adventure. Thank you so much for the nice words and for the indication, I have updated the article with the step suggested by you! It really depends on you, there are indeed quite many little bridges that you would need to climb up and then down, but if you are ok walking with a cane, I think you would be able to do it! Awesome post on the lakes! Croatia - Spilt, Hvar, Dubrovnik 5:58 pm. talking about Croatia, it is fine to buy tickets at the cash register as there are no lines usually and i did not encountered any miscommunication problems. Fantastic blog and v helpful for us. Ja Votes. Hi, Scott! And also how do u suggest getting to Plitvice from Split. These are the upper lakes and the most beautiful waterfalls. Hope you enjoyed the post thought it would be a good start toexplain the science behind the Plitvice Lakes. NOTE:Plitvice Lakes is not extremely wheelchair-friendly, but it can still be visited. I bet it looks gorgeous covered in snow as well! 11 | Can I swim in Plitvice Lakes? The park is a wonderland of crystal-clear waters, vibrant flora and fauna, and dramatic limestone cliffs There are a lot of places all over the world that are described as something special. But if you ask me, 1 day would be a bit rushed in my opinion because you will not be able to enjoy it to the fullest. Im sure weve never knew and found it without you. Use this Split itinerary to plan ahead). ), You wont believe it, but people still report that they are almost alone there when they reach the place! If still in doubts, I recommend reaching out to the park directly. Thanks a lot . Enjoy your time on the site! Loule, Portugal 0 Votes The national park is located quite remotely, about 10km from the Bosnian border, and the closest city is actually the Bosnian town of Biha. According to Wikipedia, uncontrolled tourism and water pollution caused by waste water from hotels and agricultural activities in the surroundings of the lakes led to a higher rate of eutrophication of the lakes (increased concentrations of organic substances within the water). or any tour we can joint? Did they seriously think I could drink it all by myself? Good luck in manifesting your dream too. But every season is different in its beauty. Plitvice Lakes (Plitvika jezera) is one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Croatia, with its sixteen terraced lakes, limestone gorges, 80-foot waterfall, and numerous hiking trails. If you arrive by bus, just give them a call or tell them in advance what time you arrive, and they will pick you up from the bus station. Hi, Slew! 0. If you really want to swim, you can visit Krka National Park, another National Park in Croatia with waterfalls, where you can swim ? As a tour guide once explained to me, "The lakes are also a resevoir for drinking water! as i have booked from online tickets for entrance 2. If you would like a hotel right inside the park, Hotel Jezero is a great choice! The water masses reaching the lakes at the upper or lower part of the system are continuously changing the outlook of the lakes and the surrounding landscape. Holiday Park Fenomen Plitvice different options that you can choose from (chalet, two-bedroom apartment, one-bedroom apartment etc) Reading time 12 minutes Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park? Swimming is not allowed at the Plitvice national park, but at Krka. I have visited Split and Dubrovnik (on a cruise, in 2012) and was amazed how beautiful Croatia was then I saw Plitvice Lakes National Park I always intended returning to Croatia as I wanted to share it with my partner. Thank you again for such great tips! It was there even before the tourist boom and it is a great value for the money! I am staying here for 2 nights and was wondering if I should do the park in one day and go and explore something else around Plitvice area? Hi Harriet, Can you swim in the lakes? For more, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. thx and happy travels. The Wikipedia page included a string of formulas on tufa formation, but Ithought it would be a tad much for a blogpost. Thinking of visiting Plitvice in the winter? We almost turned around, thinking we were wrong, but thankfully asked a biker and he told us to continue going. I am sorry, I cant really advice on this. Thank you soooo much for your nice comment and for the useful information, I have updated the last step with your suggestion I am sure this will help other travelers as well! Eastern Europe seems to be a land out of time , and we dont get to see the natural wonders much after the decades of programming and propaganda from the West. To get an even better (visual) idea of what Plitvice Lakes are all about, watch this video: Conclusion: I have answered some of the most popular questions above, but if you did not find the answer to your question here, be sure to ask me in the comments below. timed entry 9:34 pm. Not many people at all. How do you get to Plitvice Lakes National Park? Do you really want to kill your wanderlust because of this one place? I think there must be some path accessible with a wheel chair, but I remember some path having small bridges and steps, which would be inconvenient for your mother. Pula, Croatia the jewel of the Istrian Coast. Craig, You can just ask one of the employees how to get there, that is what I did! Budget accommodation: (up to US $50) The closer you get to the park, the pricier it is. Hi Yulia, thanks for your blog. It truly is a post-card view. The best option is to venture into one of the tiny, surrounding towns, purchase a variety of local foods, and have the picnic of your life beside a clear, blue lake or towering waterfall. This would definitely be the perfect location to chase waterfalls, if that was a cool thing to do. Is it still close by the stairs?? I often get asked about that. The moss gets encrusted with travertine and fresh moss grows further out. Just a couple of small suggestions to explain how to get there in advance: there are a lot of stairs about 250- to get to the top. I can also recommend a guided tour this one sounds great for what you need. I hope this answers your questions! Im going back to planning now. If you have already surfed the Internet and seen pictures of the lakes, you probably have seen the picture above, right? Thank you for a great blog! Right? Check out these guides for the neighbor country, Slovenia: Slovenias jewel: Lake Bled 15 things to do in Slovenia Have you heard of Triglav National Park yet? We visited KRKA National Park this year (2019) and enjoyed it. It depends on what you are looking for and how tight your schedule is. The Plitvice Lakes basin is a karst river basin of limestone and dolomite, with approximately 20 lakes, created by the deposition of calcium carbonate precipitated in water through the agency of moss, algae and aquatic bacteria. There are now more accommodation options inside the park however not all are open due to covid, You shared some awesome tips for Plitvice, congratulations! That is why after just 1 day in Zagreb, I left the hustle and bustle of the city and headed to this amazing natural collection of Plitvice waterfalls. Thus, if you want to stay on a budget, you will have to walk 4-5 km, or have a car. Yep check out the book, its got A LOT of cool places. Sunset there must be stunning! It is a historical coastal town that is a famous tourist destination in Croatia. 4. Unique waterfallsguarantee spectacular sights, twelve thousand acres that comprise Plitvice National Park, The colors are astounding spectrums of teal, greys, deep blues, and greens, and this is thanks to the mineral composition of the area, 20 Gorgeous Photos Of Croatia Taken By Real Tourists, 10 Amazing Reasons Why Dubrovnik, Croatia Needs To Be On Your Bucket List, 20 Photos Of The Plitvice Lakes In Croatia That Will Have Us Booking Flights Tomorrow. I recommend calling the park directly and asking them about this, hopefully they will be able to help! . Plitvika Jezera National Park is located in the middle of the country and is about 130 km from the capital of Zagreb which is great, because it is an easy day trip from Zagreb or from Split. I hope they will fix it as soon as possible. If so, Plitvice Lakes National Park should be on your Croatian bucket list for sure! My answer is: both, if you have the time! Thank you so much for supporting this project! You can visit Slovenia and Croatia together! I will update the post and I hope that change is temporary, The stairway to the secret spot was damaged in the recent mudslides and is closed. Yes, please check my other posts on Croatia. Crazy! I would definitely recommend Split and Istria region, both are so beautiful! hehewell done Yulia. There is a sign by the stairs saying wrong way but if you go up the stairs anyway then you can find the spot but I couldnt have found it without your instructions once I was at the top of the stairs so thank you for that. There are ferries and a small train that will take you from one side of the park to the other. 8 charming towns in Istria you should visit! The Lake tours programs (A, B, C programs and so on) are guided or you can do it by your own? Turquoise water and pretty lakes are so overrated, am I right? You are welcome to bring your own snacks in, just be sure to deposit trash in the appropriate spaces. Veliki Slap is a 78 meters (256 feet) high waterfall, but you cant just walk there. It is 130 km (or about 2 hours driving) from Zagreb to Plitvice. The best time of the year to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park depends on what youre looking for: The best time of the day to visit Plitvice Lakes Croatia is when the park opens at 7am; youll have the park for yourself for a couple of hours. The country of Croatia is one of the most spectacular spaces in the world, full of natural beauty and wonder. You can always book an organised tour if . Being a National Park, you can't hunker down and sleep there, but thankfully there are several charming towns nearby where people can get a bite to eat and a bed to lay their heads down. All I wanted to do afterwards was to melt in the Jacuzzi and relax in the sauna, which is free of charge for all Villa Mukinja guests. If you are heading to the Istrian coast,start with this post, as it is my favorite region in Croatia simply amazing! That is why there is a special transfer service that will take you from point A to point B either by ferry or by train. I just typed in Veliki Slap as I was leaving the car park. Other than the secret spot, you can pretty much follow your heart and propose when you feel you have found the perfect place there are many wonderful spots at the lakes! Now lets see why you should undeniably visit at least once in your life. If you really want to swim, then you should add Krka to your itinerary as well , UPDATE:In case you are searching for hotels near Plitvice Lakes, I have written a blog post about the Best hotels to stay at around Plitvice Lakes they are all hand-picked, have fabulous reviews are sorted by price for your convenience enjoy! , Powered by Pinboard Theme by One Designs and WordPress. Any idea of the closing time? But remember, as Plitvice National Park is located in a mountain area, it gets pretty cold in the evening, so dont forget to take warm clothes! Bathing and swimming in the lakes was hence prohibited in 2006 to protect this fragile environment from further human impact and to ensure the long-term creation of tufa (porous rock), making Plitvice Lakes National Park a forerunner in this field (in Krka National Park for example, swimming was only banned in 2021). An electrical boat trip on Lake Kozjak and train rides with a panoramic view are included in the tickets. Hi. Mosses are a substrate(surface for an organism to grow on)for sedimentation. Share it with your friends! According to Wikipedia, the Plitvice Lakes are different because they donotrepresent separated, stationary waters. We make our trips by van, could You tell me about our possibilities to enjoy that beautiful place by driving? Dinner is an extra option, but you will miss so much if you opt out since local food is a part of the Plitvice experience! However in this case the Lower Lakes are in the North as is Entrance 1 and the Upper Lakes are in the South as is Entrance 2. It is 31 October today and I am staying at Plitvice Hotel. This way you will be staying in the same place, even though you will have different rooms. Opening Hours: 07:00 - 19:00. The colors are astounding spectrums of teal, greys, deep blues, and greens, and this is thanks to the mineral composition of the area. I wrote a great post about how to avoid lines in Paris). Come on, chasing waterfalls DOES sound amazing! If you need help planning your Croatian vacation, you can read more about that here. Save How to Get to Plitvice Lakes Many people visit Plitvice Lakes on a day trip from either Zagreb or Zadar. Anyone got an update about the secret spot? To be honest, we're more of city dwellers. Unlike Plitvice, you can swim here. This park is only 2 hours away from Plitvice and you can soak there for however long you please, although you cant actually swim under the waterfalls. Did you think you could just walk around and see the best places in the national park? Just to give you an example me alone, I had 5 pitchers of different types of drinks a pitcher of milk, tea, coffee, water and juice. I loved the location! https://goo.gl/maps/vHoEqUGp7Sk5nyrw6. Firstly the Great Waterfall is in the Lower Lakes area of the park not the Upper Lakes There are 4 lakes that make up the lower lakes section and 12 lakes that make up the upper lakes section. Hi, Carol! Pivotal for the sedimentation is the deceleration, aeration and spraying of the water. Our bus left on time but hit . Thanks for what youre doing to help all of us . Hello David, Guest House Nenad is also located minutes away from the park entrance and offers a quiet setting and clean rooms! Whatever the season, hiking shoes are not necessary because the road is nicely done and you will be just fine wearing regular shoes. One could spend days exploring this large and magnificent national park and still not see everything it has to offer. There are two other hotels inside the park right next to Hotel Jezera. A rapid increase in tourism in the 1990's as well as water contamination from nearby hotels and agricultural operations resulted in increased concentrations of organic substances within the water, which posed a threat to the natural balance of the park. Hi Kevin! The roads are great and you get to see some truly breathtaking coastal views! Yulia, I am so grateful for all your hard work putting together these amazing guides to Croatia. I am not 100% sure, but I think there is, there are many people stopping by, like you, for one day. before the masses of tourists arrive (this is less of a problem now with the automated ticket system). In village Seliste Dreznicko you can find great places for swimming! Thus, new waterfalls are being formed while others run dry. Float and row around the pools on a sunny day! You know these destinations where you can go once, explore the area, and tick off your bucket list? Dont forget to take your student ID if you are a student (your entrance fee is 160 HRK or 22 EUR in this case). Plitvice Park has several waterfalls, but the biggie is called Veliki Slap, and it extends some seventy-eight meters high. Anytime you can because seriously, as Plitvice weather is almost always nice and welcoming. . Thank you! According to UNESCO, the waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls.