Programme A: Lower Lakes and the Great Waterfall
2 h 30 · 3.5 kmAll agesDog-friendlyAll year
A 3.5 km, 2–3 h circuit from Entrance 1 through the lower-lakes canyon to the 78 m Great Waterfall, with no boat or train.
TicketWith a time slot
Summer price€40 adult before 16:00
SwimmingBanned
Minimum time1 day
Overall difficultyEasy
The car park fills up. In summer, by mid-morning. Do not leave the car on the D1 or on the grass: arrive at the time of your slot or sleep nearby.
What to do
What to do in Plitvice Lakes
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
Programme C: From the Lower to the Upper Lakes
4 h 30 · 8 kmSome habit of walkingDog-friendlySpring to autumn · the upper lakes usually close in winter
An 8 km, 4–6 h crossing from Entrance 1: lower lakes on foot, boat across the Kozjak, upper lakes and return by panoramic train.
Programme H: the Full Loop from Entrance 2
5 h · 8.9 kmSome habit of walkingDog-friendlySpring to autumn · the upper lakes usually close in winter
An 8.9 km, 4–6 h full loop from Entrance 2: train, upper lakes, boat across the Kozjak, lower lakes and the Great Waterfall.
Plan the trip
Plitvice Lakes, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Plitvice Lakes
May and June bring the waterfalls with the most water; September and October, fewer people and a colourful forest. July and August are expensive and full. In winter the ticket costs €10 and the park, with snow, is seen almost alone, but there are fewer boats and closed stretches.
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How you travel
Plitvice Lakes your way
Choose how you're travelling and we'll tell you where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and which services you'll need. We only show the ways of travelling that make sense here.
The usual: a car and a night next door
Most arrive by car from Zagreb or on the way to the coast. Sleeping ten minutes from an entrance lets you take the first slot and see Rastoke or the Barać caves in the afternoon.
90–140 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHotel Jezero, next to Entrance…
- Getting aroundTolled A1 from Zagreb to…
- Where to eatLička kuća, at Entrance 1…
- ServicesEntrance car park, €2/h in…
Where to sleep
- Hotel Jezero, next to Entrance 2, with free parking
- Hotel Degenija and houses in Mukinje and Selište Drežničko
- Slunj, if you want to have dinner next to Rastoke
Getting around
- Tolled A1 from Zagreb to Karlovac, then the free D1
- About 130 km and a little under two hours from Zagreb or Zadar
- Park at the entrance for your slot: it is paid on leaving
Where to eat
- Lička kuća, at Entrance 1, for Lika cooking
- Roadside restaurants on the D1, without queues
- Your own sandwich for the route: inside there are few places
Services
- Entrance car park, €2/h in summer
- Electric charging at the Hotel Jezero, for guests
Easy, if you sleep at a campsite
The motorhome enters without problem along the D1 and parks at the entrances for €18 a day in summer. For sleeping, the park's own campsites and the one at Grabovac.
50–80 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepCamp Korana, 6 km from…
- Getting aroundLeave the motorhome at the…
- Where to eatCampsite shops for the basics
- ServicesLaundry at Korana and Borje
Where to sleep
- Camp Korana, 6 km from Entrance 1, from April to October
- Camp Borje, to the south, 16 km from Entrance 2
- Plitvice Holiday Resort, in Grabovac, with pitches with electricity and water
Getting around
- Leave the motorhome at the campsite and use its bus to the park
- In the entrance car park you pay per day, not per hour
- Do not wait for a space stopped on the D1: it is forbidden
Where to eat
- Campsite shops for the basics
- Restaurants at the Korana and Borje campsites
Services
- Laundry at Korana and Borje
- Ask about waste disposal when booking: not all advertise it
Three campsites and no wild camping
In Croatia it is forbidden to camp outside campsites, and inside the park you cannot even light a fire. The park's campsites have shade, a bus to the entrance and, with two nights, the park ticket included.
35–60 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepCamp Korana, above the Korana…
- Getting aroundCampsite bus to the park…
- Where to eatKorana and Borje restaurants, with…
- ServicesLaundry at the park campsites
Where to sleep
- Camp Korana, above the Korana canyon, up to 2,500 campers
- Camp Borje, smaller and under pines
- Plitvice Holiday Resort, with tipis and tree houses
Getting around
- Campsite bus to the park entrance
- On foot, from the station to the lake, inside the park
Where to eat
- Korana and Borje restaurants, with self-service
- Shops to prepare the sandwich
Services
- Laundry at the park campsites
- Korana and Borje open from April to October; in winter, ask at Grabovac
It can be done, and with a suitcase
The buses between Zagreb and Zadar or Split stop on the D1 next to both entrances, and the park keeps luggage free. Inside you get around on foot, by panoramic train and by boat, all included in the ticket.
80–130 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHotel Jezero, at Entrance 2
- Getting aroundBus from Zagreb, about two…
- Where to eatLička kuća and Black River…
- ServicesFree left-luggage at entrances 1…
Where to sleep
- Hotel Jezero, at Entrance 2
- Guesthouse Bor, in Mukinje, 15 minutes' walk
Getting around
- Bus from Zagreb, about two hours
- Continue by bus to Zadar or Split the same day
- Rastoke and Barać are out of reach: without a car, only on an excursion
Where to eat
- Lička kuća and Black River, next to the entrances
- The park café for breakfast
Services
- Free left-luggage at entrances 1 and 2 and at Flora
- Buy the return bus ticket in advance in summer
Flight to Zagreb or Zadar and a Car to Plitvice
Plitvice lies between Zagreb and the coast. Croatia Airlines flies direct to Zagreb from Madrid and Barcelona and Ryanair from several Spanish airports; Zadar and Split, on the coast, receive seasonal flights. From Zagreb or Zadar it is about two hours by car to the park entrances, and the buses between Zagreb and the coast stop next to both entrances.
- Getting thereZagreb airport (ZAG), with direct…
- Getting aroundHire car at the airport…
- Where to sleepHotel Jezero, next to Entrance…
- ServicesZagreb – Zadar bus
Getting there
- Zagreb airport (ZAG), with direct flights from Spain
- Zadar airport (ZAD), on the coast, with seasonal flights
- Zagreb – Zadar scheduled bus, with stops on the D1 next to the entrances
Getting around
- Hire car at the airport, for Rastoke and to combine with the coast
- The park's train and boat, included in the ticket
- Campsite bus to the entrances, if you sleep at Korana or Borje
Where to sleep
- Hotel Jezero, next to Entrance 2, to enter first thing
- Rastoke or Slunj, if you arrive late from Zagreb
Services
- Zagreb – Zadar bus
- Entrance car park
How much does it cost?
People2
Nights3
Who you're with
Plitvice Lakes for whoever you're with
A trip with a toddler is not the same as one with a teenager. Pick yours to see what works and what to bear in mind.
Routes shortened by boat and train
With children of different ages it works to choose a half-day programme and let the boat and train do the long stretches. Entry is free up to age 7 and costs €15 for ages 7 to 18 in summer.
- What works bestProgramme E, from Entrance 2…
- Where to sleepHotel Jezero, next to the…
- Where to eatLička kuća, with trout and…
- Keep in mindYou cannot swim: tell them…
What works best
- Programme E, from Entrance 2: upper lakes, boat and train back, 2–3 h
- The rowing boat on the Kozjak: €15 an hour and up to four people
- The Rastoke mills in the afternoon, with water running between the houses
- The Barać cave, at 9 °C, when the heat bites
Where to sleep
- Hotel Jezero, next to the entrance, to start without a car
- Plitvice Holiday Resort, with a pool and playground
- Camp Korana, with simple bungalows
Where to eat
- Lička kuća, with trout and štrudla
- Your own sandwich: inside the queues are long at midday
Keep in mind
- You cannot swim: tell them beforehand, because the water is tempting
- With the two-day ticket you split the park into two mornings
- C and H are 8–9 km: only with children who already walk
What to do as a family
With a baby carrier, not a pushchair
For children up to age six the park works in short doses: a two- or three-hour programme, the boat, which they love, and a stop for a snack. They enter free.
- What works bestProgramme A, from Entrance 1…
- Where to sleepHotel Jezero, to go back…
- Where to eatKozjak Caffe & Pastry, for…
- Keep in mindThe boardwalks have no handrail…
What works best
- Programme A, from Entrance 1: the Great Waterfall and the lower lakes in 3.5 km
- Programme E, with train and boat to rest the legs
- The rowing boat, with a life jacket, on the calm shores of the Kozjak
- Rastoke: a short walk among mills and small waterfalls
Where to sleep
- Hotel Jezero, to go back to the room at midday
- Plitvice Holiday Resort, with a playground and pool
Where to eat
- Kozjak Caffe & Pastry, for a quick snack
- Bring water and food: the park stalls have queues
Keep in mind
- The boardwalks have no handrail in many stretches: always hold hands
- There are steps and wet wood: the pushchair gets stuck
- In summer, the first slot avoids heat and crowds
What to do with young children
A long day and a bit of vertigo
A teenager gets bored on the boardwalks at midday, among queues. They get hooked on the long route, on rowing on their own or on the zip line over the Korana.
- What works bestProgramme K: 17 km and…
- Where to sleepCamp Korana, with space and…
- Where to eatBlack River, for anyone who…
- Keep in mindThe zip line closes in…
What works best
- Programme K: 17 km and the whole park in one day
- The 300 m zip line over the Korana canyon, at 70 km/h
- Rowing on the Kozjak and taking turns at the oars
- The Barać cave, with a guide and at 9 °C
Where to sleep
- Camp Korana, with space and bungalows
- Plitvice Holiday Resort, with a pool and sports area
Where to eat
- Black River, for anyone who wants meat and pasta
- Sandwiches for the long route: you eat when you stop
Keep in mind
- The zip line closes in rain
- Programme K requires setting out in the first slot
- Up to age 18 they pay a reduced entry: bring their ID card
What to do with teenagers
The Plitvice Lakes with a Dog on a Lead
Plitvice park admits dogs on all its routes, always on a lead, and two of its accommodations, the Hotel Jezero and Camp Korana, accept them too. Outside the park, the Plitvice Holiday Resort makes it easy, with an agility area and a dog shower. What it cannot do is swim: it is banned in all the lakes.
- RoutesProgramme A, lower lakes and…
- Where to sleepHotel Jezero, next to Entrance…
- Keep in mindSwimming is banned in the…
Routes
- Programme A, lower lakes and Great Waterfall: short, always on a lead
- Programme E, upper lakes: with boat and train
- Programmes C, H and K: long crossings, on a lead the whole route
Where to sleep
- Hotel Jezero, next to Entrance 2: accepts dogs
- Camp Korana, above the Korana canyon: accepts dogs
- Plitvice Holiday Resort: €20 per dog per night, telling them beforehand; on a lead and not at the pool
Keep in mind
- Swimming is banned in the whole park, also for the dog
- Dogs do not enter the Barać caves
- The Holiday Resort shuttle to the park does not accept dogs
- The Guesthouse Bor does not accept pets
What to do with a dog
Programme A: Lower Lakes and the Great Waterfall
Programme C: From the Lower to the Upper Lakes
Programme H: the Full Loop from Entrance 2
Programme E: Upper Lakes from Entrance 2
Programmes K1 and K2: the Whole Park on Foot
Where to stay with a dog
Where to stay
Where to stay if you're drivingin a campervanif you're campingwithout a carif you're flying
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
Hotel Jezero
Why we like it: The park hotel, next to Lake Kozjak and open all year. You walk down to Entrance 2 at opening time, and with two nights the park ticket is valid for the whole stay. The price is…
From €132
View details
Small hotel
Guesthouse Bor
Why we like it: A guesthouse in Mukinje, the village of the park's workers, about fifteen minutes' walk from Entrance 2. Without a car, it is the cheapest alternative to the park hotel. Pets are not accepted.
Hotel Degenija
Why we like it: A four-star hotel on the D1, with its own parking and a restaurant next door. It puts you five minutes by car from Entrance 1 and is open all year, even when almost everything else closes.
Plitvice Holiday Resort
Why we like it: A large campsite on the D1, with 99 pitches, bungalows, tree houses and rooms. It has a pool, playground and shop, and accepts dogs. Useful if you travel as a family and want a place with…
Camp Korana
Why we like it: The park's campsite, on 35 hectares above the Korana canyon. You choose your pitch, there are 47 simple bungalows, a laundry, shop and restaurant, and a bus takes you to the entrance. With two nights, the…
Hotel Mirjana & Rastoke
Why we like it: For those combining the lakes with the Rastoke mills who want to have dinner in Slunj. It is half an hour from Entrance 1 along the D1, and at night the town is free of excursionists.
Camp Borje
Why we like it: The park's other campsite, smaller and to the south, under pines. It has a laundry, restaurant and playground, and a bus to the entrance. It is the option if you arrive from Split or Zadar and…
Services for this trip
Where to eat
Where to eat in Plitvice Lakes
From set lunch menus to Michelin stars. We mark the price level and what to order at each place.
Lička kuća
What to order: lamb under the bell (peka), trout and local cheeses, with štrudla for dessert.
Run by the park itself · opposite Entrance 1
Black River – Steak & Pasta House
What to order: an aged steak or handmade pasta.
Next to Entrance 2 · for dinner if you sleep at the Jezero
Degenija Restaurant
What to order: the traditional Croatian dishes on the menu.
Next to the hotel · 5 km from Entrance 1
Kozjak Caffe & Pastry
What to order: a coffee and a slice of cake before going in.
Run by the park itself · for a short stop
Takeaway and markets
Plitvice Holiday Resort Shop, Grabovac
Map
Everything on the map
The places to stay and services on the map are the ones for the way you travel. Turn on the layers you want and tap a point to see its details.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Buy the first slot
First thing, the boardwalks of the lower lakes can still be walked. From eleven there is a queue on the narrow stretches.
- 2Choose the entrance by the route, not by proximity
The Entrance 2 routes go down more than up, because the train takes you up to the upper lakes. From Entrance 1 you begin with the Great Waterfall.
- 3Left-luggage is free
At entrances 1 and 2 and at Flora they keep your suitcases. Useful if you arrive by bus on the way to the coast.
- 4Wear shoes with grip
The wood is wet from the waterfalls' spray. In the rain, it is slippery.
- 5Check the winter hours
From November to March the entrances open from 8:00 to 15:00 and ticket sales close at 13:00. The train and the boat run less often.
Local tip
If you sleep next to the park, buy the two-day ticket: in summer it costs €60 and lets you see half the lakes each morning, without hurry and without crowds.
The Great Waterfall at midday in August
It is the highest waterfall, 78 m, and everyone sees it at the same time. Go first thing or last thing, with the afternoon rate.
Do you need to buy the ticket in advance?
In season, yes. The ticket is bought on the park's official website for one day, one entry (1 or 2) and a time slot. You cannot enter before your time and only an hour's delay is allowed. The online purchase cannot be changed or refunded. At the ticket office there are tickets if they have not sold out, but in summer do not count on it.
2026 prices for an adult: €10 from November to March, €23 in April, May and October, and €40 from June to September. In summer it falls to €25 if you enter after 16:00 (after 15:00 in September). Under-7s do not pay and ages 7 to 18 pay between €4 and €15. The ticket includes the electric boat on Lake Kozjak and the panoramic vehicles. Croatia has used the euro since 2023: you do not need to change money, and the exchange offices at the entrances are closed.
Can you swim in the lakes?
No. Swimming is banned throughout the park, including in the lower lakes and in summer. Drones are not allowed either. Dogs may enter, always on a lead. If you want water, there are rowing boats on the Kozjak, and half an hour away, in Rastoke, the Korana river.
Which route should I choose?
The park marks its programmes with letters. From Entrance 1, A (3.5 km, 2–3 h) sees the lower lakes and the Great Waterfall; C (8 km, 4–5 h) covers almost everything. From Entrance 2, E (5.1 km, 2–3 h) goes to the upper lakes and H (8.9 km, 4–6 h) is the most comfortable full loop. The K routes, of 16.5 and 17.5 km, are for a whole day on foot.
How do you get there from Spain?
By plane to Zagreb, Zadar or Split. From Zagreb it is about 130 km: the tolled A1 motorway to Karlovac and then the free D1 road to Entrance 1. From Zadar it is about two hours. Croatia has been in the Schengen area since 2023, so an ID card is enough. The buses between Zagreb and Zadar or Split stop at both entrances, on the D1.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need?
One day. With 3–4 hours you see the lower or the upper lakes; with 6 hours, almost everything. Two half-days, with the two-day ticket, is the most relaxed way.
Can you go with small children?
Yes. Programmes A and E last 2–3 hours and the boat and train shorten the walk. A baby carrier is better than a pushchair: there are steps and narrow boardwalks without a handrail.
Can you take a dog?
Yes, on a lead along the whole route.
What happens if I'm late for my slot?
You have an hour's margin. Before your time they do not let you in and the online ticket cannot be changed or refunded.
Is it worth it in winter?
Yes, if you don't mind the cold. The ticket costs €10, the lakes partly freeze and there are hardly any people. Some stretches and the boat may close because of snow or ice.
Can you go without a car?
Yes. The Zagreb to Zadar and Split buses stop at both entrances and there is free left-luggage. The Hotel Jezero is next to Entrance 2.