Plitvice Lakes National Park is a gorgeous place and a stunning destination for nature lovers. The park is home to sixteen lakes and over 200 natural springs and waterfalls, all of which have been incorporated into the park's hiking trails. 

While there are hundreds of hikes in the park that centre on different sights, there are also several hidden gems that only get visited by locals and visitors who take advantage of them – especially in peak season when parking can be scarce and crowds heavy. 

If you're looking for a quick overview before exploring further or just want to leave with some tips on the park and how to get there, keep reading!

What Are the Plitvice Lakes?

The Plitvice Lakes are a utopian setting in the mountainous region of Croatia, between the Mala Kapela mountain range in the west and northwest, and the Lička Plješivica mountain range to the southeast. 

The lakes themselves are home to an amazing landscape that includes more than 200 natural springs and waterfalls and sixteen interconnected lakes. If you combine this with the fact that there are more than 1,500 species living in the park (over 50 of which are mammals), then you have something pretty spectacular. 

Where Is Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The best way to get to the park is to drive from Zagreb, Croatia. However, the highway system in Croatia is great, and the park is easily accessible from all major towns and cities, including Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik. 

I advise hiring a car so you can get there early to beat the crowds, but there are also bus tours and private tours (check out Airbnb for smaller tours with locals instead of large bus tours) again from all major tourist towns and cities.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Park?

The best time to visit the park is in the morning when it's less crowded. The number of hikers on trails increases right after sunrise and peaks around 11 am through to 4pm. 

If you're planning a fall trip, be sure to visit in October or November when it's still cool enough to go hiking but not freezing. 

If you're looking for a more scenic experience, going during the summer season will give you the best view of nature without all the mud - come in late summer or early fall so that you don't have to deal with wet rocks and slippery paths.

What to Bring With You to Plitvice Lakes National Park

A pair of comfortable walking shoes is one of the best things to bring with you when visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park. These specialised, durable shoes will help make your hike more enjoyable. 

Additionally, bring a water bottle – it's important to stay hydrated during your time in the park and carrying one will be helpful while on your hike. 

I highly recommend using Lifestraw bottles, especially if you're an avid traveller or hiker. The LifeStraw bottle is unique because it allows you to hydrate with quality drinking water anywhere in the world, making it the perfect hiking and travel accessory. 

Pack some snacks. While there are a few vending machines and kiosks around the park, they can get expensive and are not particularly vegan-friendly. Bringing some extra cash for these machines and kiosks – along with your healthy snacks – will help keep your budget on track and ensure you don't go hungry!.

Accommodation in the Plitvice Lakes

There are several options for accommodation both in and around the park. While there are only three hotels inside the Plitvice national park, there are plenty of accommodation options extremely close by and the nearby town of Plitvice offers plenty of shops to explore. 

The main features to keep in mind when deciding where to stay are proximity to the main sights and parking availability. Check out the variety of options available through sites like Airbnb and Booking.

My Photos from Plitvice Lakes National Park

The first time I visited the park, I was there for about 12 hours. This was because I wanted to explore all the sights! 

Here are some of my favourite photos from our experience in the park: