Short Guide to Plitvice Lakes National Park

As promised in one of our previous articles, we are now back with more details about Plitvice Lakes National Park – one of the most popular destinations in Croatia, located near the border between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and visited by approximately 1 million tourists every year.

Why Should You Visit Croatia?

If you have not yet visited Croatia, then you should definitely find the time to spend a few days in this Central European country. Why? Because it has over 1,700 kilometers of beach (although you will not find here the fine sand of the Caribbean, the Croatian beaches are among the most famous in Europe), more than 1,000 islands (with just as many beaches!), the incredibly clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, mountains with dense forests, well preserved natural landscapes, hospitable people, delicious food and plenty of accommodation deals at prices suited for all budgets.

Attractions in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Of all the attractions of Croatia, one that can be visited all year round is Plitvice Lakes National Park (an area of approximately 300 square kilometers, including lakes, waterfalls, mountains and a rich variety of species of plants and animals) founded in 1949 and named UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

The park includes sixteen lakes grouped into two categories, according to their geographical location (the Upper Lakes and the Lower Lakes), with the Kozjak Lake being the largest and the deepest. The lakes change color based on the intensity of sunlight (which means different colors on different times of the day, as well as on different times of the year) and are linked by a series of waterfalls, of which the largest is nearly 80 meters high.

In order to protect the natural ecosystem of the lakes, swimming is prohibited, but there is a choice for those who want to see the crystal clear waters and watch the various species of fish at close range: the park organizes boat tours (not available during winter season though) and rowing is also allowed.

Other activities available for tourists are: hiking, cycling, bus tours and skiing.

Nearby Accommodation and Ticket Prices

If you look for a place to stay inside the park, you will find several hotels with prices that vary depending on the season – however, you should not expect low rates for this type of accommodation.
Instead, if you’re on a short budget, you can stay at one of the bungalows in the camping area of the park, or you can search for hotels and private pensions outside the park – the rates are considerably lower here.
Park entry prices also vary according to season, from 80 to110 Kunas (the national currency of Croatia) for adults and from 40 to 55 Kunas for children between 7 and 18 years old. Children under 7 years old have free admission.