Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Many visitors spend one to two days in Plitvice Lakes National Park during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The national park offers the chance to take in the beautiful scenery and get out into nature.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the top destinations in Croatia. It's a forest reserve that covers almost 300 square kilometers and has a series of terraced lakes that are connected by waterfalls. Visitors can explore the park by an organized route of walkways and hiking trails.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Three days is more than enough time to see everything in the area. Many visitors prefer to spend one to two days here, so you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery and get out into nature at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the region.

How to spend 3 days in Plitvice Lakes National Park

When visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park, you absolutely can't miss the terraced chain of lakes as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Even with the crowds, this is a spectacular destination and a highlight of any trip to Croatia.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Croatia Walking Tour in a Wonderland ($176)

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the national park, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

Known for it's hiking, Plitvice Lakes National Park sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

After you've explored most of Plitvice Lakes National Park, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

Is 4 days enough time in Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Four days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything here. You can move at your own pace spend extra time enjoying the gorgeous scenery and the hiking. You could also use the area as a base for exploring other nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region, too.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia Plitvice National Park, Croatia

How to spend 4 days in Plitvice Lakes National Park

If you have more than 4 days in Plitvice Lakes National Park, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the national park has to offer.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Plitvice Lakes National Park. Plenty of amazing options are available.

Is 5 days enough time in Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Five days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of the national park at your own pace to take in the beautiful scenery and get out into nature. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.

How to spend 5 days in Plitvice Lakes National Park

With 5 days in Plitvice Lakes National Park, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the national park has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time hiking. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this national park looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.


A few trip suggestions:

  • Quad adventure ($79)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Plitvice Lakes National Park, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

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