Should You Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Are you thinking about visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.


Is Plitvice Lakes National Park worth visiting?

This national park is a good place to visit for one to two days. 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.

Plitvice National Park, Croatia Plitvice National Park, Croatia

Reasons to Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park

Hiking
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.

The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Plitvice Lakes National Park might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Plitvice Lakes National Park here or see if Plitvice Lakes National Park is expensive here.




Is Plitvice Lakes National Park worth visiting in the Summer?

The high season for travel in Plitvice Lakes National Park is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.

The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 22°C (72°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 27°C (81°F).

The gorgeous scenery this time of year is the main attraction. This is the perfect time to hike around the area and take in the amazing scenery. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable national park, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the hiking.


Summer Weather in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
July 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
August 22°C (71°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
September 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)

Is Plitvice Lakes National Park worth visiting in the Autumn?

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 13°C (55°F).

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Plitvice Lakes National Park, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.

This is a great time of year to take in the beautiful scenery and go hiking.


Autumn Weather in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
October 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
November 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
December 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)

Is Plitvice Lakes National Park worth visiting in the Winter?

Winter is the low season for travel in Plitvice Lakes National Park. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.

The weather in Plitvice Lakes National Park can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 1°C (35°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.

You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to .


Winter Weather in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
January 1°C (35°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
February 4°C (39°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
March 8°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)

Is Plitvice Lakes National Park worth visiting in the Spring?

This is the shoulder season for travel in Plitvice Lakes National Park. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 13°C (55°F).

A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Get out into the wilderness to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery.


Spring Weather in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
April 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
June 20°C (69°F) 101 mm (4 in)

Things to Consider Before Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

Food: Plitvice Lakes National Park doesn't top the list for most foodies. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Lots of Tourists
Plitvice Lakes National Park sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.

Related

What is Plitvice Lakes National Park most famous for?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is most famous for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. It is often described as spectacular, scenic, and world-famous.

What is the most famous sight in Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The most popular sight in Plitvice Lakes National Park is the terraced chain of lakes. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Plitvice Lakes National Park on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for the terraced chain of lakes and other attractions here.

How touristy is Plitvice Lakes National Park? Is it a popular national park to visit?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very touristy national park that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

  • Private Guided Fairy Tale Tour in Ogulin: $22
  • Plitvice Guided Tour- Tickets only RESERVED: $43
  • 3,5 hours Guided Buggy Tour in Plitvice lakes: $76
  • Abandoned military airbase Zeljava -2h guided tour: $54
  • Plitvice Countryside Bike Tour with Barac Caves: $76
  • Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour: $35
  • Quad adventure: $78
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park Admission Ticket: $14

How long should I spend in Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park is one to two days. Since Plitvice Lakes National Park has activities such as hiking, many visit for up to two days.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Plitvice Lakes National Park?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Plitvice Lakes National Park?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Plitvice Lakes National Park?.