Plitvice Lakes National Park

Croatia's major and most visited National Park

The most well-known of all Croatia's national parks, Plitvice offers 16 pristine lakes to explore, all interconnected by sparkling waterfalls. There are panoramic views in the park, with rich woodlands.

You'll find waterfalls and streams flowing over beautiful travertine, one of the most beautiful types of limestone. You'll be able to explore caves and meadows, hike the hills or simply enjoy the wonder and beauty of the area. Bear, deer and many other creatures call this area home.

At the 16th lake the waters converge into river Korana, which officially starts at the 16th lake and runs through central Croatia, through to west Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is based on 16 sparkling lakes emanating from Korana River, all interconnected via beautiful waterfalls, in the midst of virgin forests.

Exploring the lakes

Surrounding the lakes, you'll find virgin forests of beech, spruce and fir, as well as the sparkling waters of the Korana River, which flows though the area. If you're feeling adventurous, enjoy a kayaking trip down the river, or whitewater rafting.

There are wooden walkways snaking through the park, suspended above the water, making it a hiking dream for the visitors. For added pleasure and first-hand experience, hop on the silent electrical boat to further explore the lakes.

The park is open year round, though visitors will find winter to be cold and icy; however, the lakes rarely freeze over. Nature lovers, hikers, kayakers and rafters will all find much enjoyment in this incredible area.

Every year Plitvice lakes and waterfalls are visited by numerous visitors coming from countries around the world, attracted to this natural wonder in Croatia.

Natural wonder

In July 2018 theculturetrip.com listed Plitivice Lakes National Park in the 2nd spot among "23 Natural Wonders in Europe That Will Take Your Breath Away", right after The Tuscan Countryside. It called the Lakes as 'a standout attraction in Croatia and well worth a day trip from the capital'.

The internet magaine Travel and Leisure in May 2017 has placed Plitivice Lakes National Park on the list of the world's most beautiful spots with the most turquoise-blue waters, calling it a natural hidden gem.

Plitvice Lakes National Park now visits more than one million visitors annually. It is the most visited national park in Croatia. Tourism started at Plitvice Lakes in the distant 1861, when the first guest house was built in the park. It had 3 guest rooms.

In 2010 there were 750,000 visitors by the end of August. That was an increase of 5% on 2009 visitor numbers. In 2013 that number had grown to one million visitors per year. Most of those visitors come from Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Israel, and Japan.

One of the most often asked questions by the visitors to the park's staff is what they do, or how they make the lakes' waters so turquoise? The answer of course is that they do nothing - the emerald green colour of the lakes' waters is all nature by itself.

One of the ways to explore Plitvice Lakes is via silent-running electrical boats, which tour one of the largest lakes, without disrupting much the fish and wildlife.

Winter's idyl in park

The Japanese tourists especially like the park, visiting it throughout the year, even in the Winter time, when the park gets covered in the snow, making for an idyllic and spectacular winter sight.

The snow is not cleared from the park's pathways, to give park's nature a break. So, visitors have to make their own way through the snow on the pathways, which they don't seem to mind at all.

Plitivice National Park was created in 1949 and has been churning out happy hikers ever since. It is officially recognized by UNESCO as a National Park since 1979.

Croatia's National Parks
Brijuni National Park	Kornati National Park	Krka National Park	Mljet National Park
North Velebit National Park	Paklenica National Park	Plitvice National Park	Risnjak National Park