- Ticket prices change by season, from about €10 in winter to €40 in summer
- Book a timed entry online from June to September
- Arrive at opening or after mid-afternoon to avoid the tour coaches
- Swimming is not allowed anywhere in the park
- Type
- Nature
- Where
- Croatia
- Time needed
- half a day to a full day
- Admission
- from about €10 in winter to €40 in summer (2026), check current prices
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia's most famous natural wonder. Sixteen terraced lakes step down a forested valley, spilling into one another over travertine barriers in dozens of waterfalls, and the water shifts from emerald to sapphire depending on the light and the season. Founded in 1949, it is Croatia's oldest national park and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
What you'll see
The lakes divide into two groups, both linked by a network of wooden boardwalks that run right over the water.
- The Lower Lakes sit in a limestone canyon and end at Veliki slap, the Great Waterfall, which drops about 78m and is the highest in Croatia. The viewpoints above it give the postcard shot.
- The Upper Lakes are larger, greener and more open, with a long chain of cascades between them.
- Lake Kozjak, the largest lake, connects the two halves. An electric boat crosses it, and a panoramic train links points along the eastern shore; both are included in your ticket.
In autumn the beech forests turn gold and red, and in winter the waterfalls can freeze into icicles, with only part of the trail network open.
Practical information
- Tickets (2026): adults pay about €40 from June to September (with a lower rate of about €25 for late-afternoon entry), about €23 in April, May and October, and about €10 from November to March. Children and students pay less, and under-7s are free. The park runs occasional promotional weeks with reduced prices. Check current prices on the official park website.
- Booking: buy online in advance for a specific entrance and arrival hour, especially in summer, when daily numbers are managed.
- Entrances and routes: Entrance 1 is closest to the Lower Lakes and Veliki slap; Entrance 2 suits the Upper Lakes. Signposted programmes range from about 2-3 hours to a full day. A loop of the Lower Lakes plus the boat and the Upper Lakes takes around 4-6 hours.
- Getting there: the park is about 2 hours 15 minutes by road from Zagreb, around 2 hours from Zadar and roughly 3 hours from Split. Buses run from all three, and day tours are widely available. Car hire gives you the most flexibility.
Stay overnight nearby and walk in when the gates open. You'll have the boardwalks almost to yourself for the first hour, before the day-trip coaches arrive from the coast.
Wear shoes with good grip, as the boardwalks can be wet and have no railings in places. Bring water and snacks; food options inside the park are limited. Drones and swimming are forbidden, and you should stay on the marked paths.
Plitvice pairs well with a road trip along the Dalmatian coast. Our Croatia guide covers the routes, and Split is the most popular coastal base for a day trip.
Where is Plitvice Lakes?
Open in OpenStreetMap · 44.88056, 15.61611
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Plitvice Lakes as a day trip from Split?
Yes, but it's a long day, with about 6 hours of driving in total. Zadar or Zagreb are closer, and an overnight stay near the park is more relaxing.
When is the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes?
Late spring, for the strongest waterfalls, and autumn, for the colours and fewer people. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months.
Can you swim at Plitvice Lakes?
No. Swimming is banned throughout the park to protect the fragile travertine formations.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
More from ThomasOpening times and ticket prices change often; check the official website shortly before you visit.