HR · Lika-Senj County · 44.88°N 15.62°E
plitvice lakes
Wooden paths over clear lakes, forest trails and waterfalls dropping from one terrace to the next.
- Best time
- May–June has the fullest waterfalls and fresh green forest; September–October is cooler, with autumn colour. July–August is crowded; in winter, snow and ice often close the upper lakes.
- How long
- 1 full day, ideally with a night nearby
- Getting there
- Fly with one stop to Zagreb, usually via Dubai or Istanbul, about 15–17 hours all in. The park is about 2–2.5 hours from Zagreb by car or coach. Croatia is 6 hours behind KL in summer and 7 in winter.
plitvice lakes
Dear group chat,— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPlitvice LakesHR, Lika-Senj County
Photo: Minestrone · Public domain Photo: Zysko serhii · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Markus Bernet · CC BY-SA 2.0 Photo: Raffaello · CC BY-SA 3.0 Photo: Minestrone · Public domain
Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.
Sixteen terraced lakes spill into each other through waterfalls in Croatia's oldest national park. Wooden boardwalks run right over the water and a boat crosses the biggest lake, so a day here is a long, easy walk rather than a swim.
Makan
Things to do
- The Lower LakesBoardwalks under limestone cliffs, past waterfalls and caves, close to Entrance 1.Map ↗
- Veliki SlapCroatia's tallest waterfall, a 78 m drop at the end of the lower lakes.Map ↗
- The Upper LakesA string of bigger lakes and cascades through beech forest, quieter than the lower end.Map ↗
- Lake KozjakThe largest lake, crossed by electric boats that link the upper and lower walks.Map ↗
Good to know
- Tickets are sold for a set entrance and time slot; Entrance 1 is closest to the big waterfall.
- Routes C and H cover both the upper and lower lakes in a day when everything is open. Swimming isn't allowed anywhere in the park.
- Halal food is hard to find around the park, so bring a packed lunch from Zagreb.
Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.