Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park lies in the mountains of central Croatia, mainly in Lika-Senj County near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, about two hours by road from Zagreb. It was established on 8 April 1949, making it the oldest and largest national park in Croatia, and UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1979.

The lakes formed where water flowing over limestone and dolomite deposits calcium carbonate, which builds up natural dams of travertine. Moss, algae and bacteria help the process, so the barriers keep growing and the lakes and waterfalls slowly change shape over time.

Sixteen named lakes are arranged in a chain of terraces, split into the Upper Lakes, set in dolomite valleys with forests, and the Lower Lakes, in a deeper limestone canyon. The water changes colour from blue to green and grey depending on minerals and light. At the end of the Lower Lakes, the Great Waterfall, or Veliki slap, drops about 78 metres and is the highest waterfall in Croatia.

Wooden boardwalks and trails run across and beside the water, linked by an electric boat on Kozjak, the largest lake, and by panoramic trains. The surrounding beech and fir forests are home to brown bears, wolves and many bird species. Swimming is not allowed anywhere in the park.

Entry is by ticket, with prices that change by season, and in the busy months tickets are sold online for a set entry time and entrance. Arriving at opening time, or visiting in spring or autumn, avoids the largest crowds. Winter brings snow and ice to the lakes, with a reduced route open.

How much does Plitvice cost? Prices follow the season. On the park's published tariff, an adult one-day ticket costs EUR 40 from June to September for entry before 4pm and EUR 25 after 4pm. In April, May and October it costs EUR 23, and from November to March EUR 10. Students pay EUR 25 in summer, and children aged 7 to 18 pay EUR 15. Children under seven enter free. The ticket covers the electric boat on Kozjak, the panoramic train and visitor insurance.

Daily visitor numbers are capped, so buy online in advance for summer. The park opens all year, from about 7am to 8pm in high season and on shorter winter hours. Car parks at both entrances charge by the hour, EUR 2 an hour from June to September, and fill early in summer.

Choosing an entrance and route. Entrance 1, Rastovača, sits by the Lower Lakes and the Great Waterfall. Entrance 2, Hladovina, is closer to the Upper Lakes and the park hotels. From Entrance 1, Route A covers 3.5 km in two to three hours and suits families, while Route C covers about 8 km of both the Lower and Upper Lakes in four to six hours. Hotels Jezero, Plitvice and Bellevue stand inside the park near Entrance 2.