Day trips · Day trips
Plitvice Lakes: the back story
The back story
About Plitvice Lakes: the back story
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s oldest and best-known national park: a chain of sixteen lakes, linked by waterfalls and cascades, stepping down a forested valley in shades of turquoise and green.
Lakes that build themselves
Plitvice’s lakes are separated by natural dams of travertine, a soft rock formed as mosses and algae trap minerals from the water. The dams grow year by year, so the lakes and waterfalls are still changing.
A national treasure
Plitvice became a national park in 1949, Croatia’s first, and in 1979 it was among the first natural sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Wooden boardwalks lead over the water and past the falls, including Veliki slap, the tallest waterfall in Croatia.
The lakes are still building themselves, as water deposits new travertine every year.
How to visit
Walking routes of different lengths start from the two main entrances, combining boardwalks, forest paths, an electric boat across Lake Kozjak and a panoramic train. Stay on the paths, as swimming is not allowed.
Our advice: Plitvice is about two hours from Zagreb by car or bus. Buy tickets online in advance in summer, arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds, and consider staying overnight nearby to see the lakes at their quietest.
Why it's on our list
- Lakes built by moss and water
- Croatia’s oldest national park
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Boardwalks and boats
- How to visit
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Plitvice Lakes: the back story before you go.