PLITVICE LAKES
Tucked away in the mountainous region of Lika, only a few hours north from the port of Split, half-way between the coast and the capital Zagreb, is the amazing Plitvice Lakes National Park. One of the most visited sites in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes became a protected national park back in 1949, and since 1979 the lakes have also been listed as UNESCO World Heritage.
This amazing natural phenomenon consists of 16 interconnected lakes and over 90 waterfalls of different sizes.
What's to see?
Consisting of 16 lakes with over 90 waterfalls, the National Park covers an area of almost 73000 acres with many caves, caverns, and forest.
The lakes are divided in two groups with 12 in the Upper section and 4 at the Lower. The Upper lakes are larger than the Lower Lakes.
You can get around the park on foot via dirt paths and picturesque boardwalks alongside the lakes. There are shuttle buses that run every 20 min throughout the park helping you cover the large distance. Your entry ticket also includes a boat ride across the main lake.
Plitvice Lakes park is definitely one of the most wonderful places you will ever visit. The colour of the crystal clear water, changing from emerald green to aqua blue, is just magical! The water is so clear that you can easily see the many small (and some large!) fish in there. Defs one for the bucketlist!
Check out more of our pics here
TRAVEL TIPS
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There are 2 entrances to the park. We suggest entering through Gate #2, as there are usually less people in the queue and it is easier to find a car park if you drive.
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Parking costs 7kn (approx €1) pr/hr.
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Buy your tickets from the little booth just across the wooden bridge, not in the car park as the queues there are longer.
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There's a lot of walking if you want to see everything, so make sure you take plenty of water and enjoy it at your own pace.
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Take a look at the boards on entry and pick your route. Expect it to take a little longer than stated as no doubt you will be stopping for a million photos along the way.
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To do it all and at a comfortable pace, allow yourself 5-6hrs. Get there early to avoid crowds and heat.
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Sadly, you can't swim in any of the lakes here. If you do want to get close to the water though, you can hire a small row boat for only 50 kn per hour.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
Thankfully, getting to the lakes is pretty easy. You can get away with visiting the lakes for a day either from Zagreb or from the port of Split before or after your tour. As easy as this is to do in a day trip, you might want to consider staying in the nearby villages for easier and early access to the lakes. You can find many rooms close by on Airbnb.com at a reasonable rate.
The quickest way to get there would be to rent a car. Picking up from the airport will be your easiest and cheapest option for car rental. Driving in Croatia is easy, the roads to the lakes are well signed and very easy to follow.
If driving isn't your thing, there is a public bus, or you can join one of the many
organized day tours available from Split.
If you'd like to visit the Lakes before your Koda Sail adventure with us, simply email us and we'll put you in contact with our local suppliers.
Check out the Dalmatian Voyager and start planning your road trip today!