In Croatia, we traveled on our own, slowly moving from place to place. One of the attractions that we definitely wanted to visit was Plitvice Lakes. They are located in the center of the country, quite far from the resort coast. The neighborhood was removed through glass, which they did not have time to wash off from any flying muck, which broke and stuck tightly about it. I put this garbage just to show you a little road scenery.
The lakes are located in Northern Dalmatia, and this is quite far, for example, from West Istria and Dubrovnik, the road to Plitvice Lakes will take at least 5 hours one way. Nevertheless, thousands of travel agencies and travel agencies, both in Croatia and in other countries, drive excursions from them to the Plitvice Lakes.
Travel agents advise you to set aside about 8 hours for a walk in the park, that is, take the longest route laid in the park, route K. This time will be enough to make up your own picture of the reserve, but you should keep in mind that in this situation you will have to stay in Plitvice for the night. In the vicinity there are three hotels that offer rooms at very serious, by Croatian standards, prices, from 70 EUR per night. Cheaper to stay overnight in the apartment.
Here we stopped and walked around the neighborhood. This place is located near the town of Slun. This city, according to legend, was founded by the Croatian king Zvonimir.
The first time Slun was mentioned as a feudal fortification in the 12th century. In Sluny, we visit the ruins of an old Francopan fortress, built in the 15th century along with a Franciscan monastery during the war with the Turkish kingdom.
In the 16th century, the city was destroyed by the Turkish army and turned into an outpost of the military border. At the end of the 17th century, this place began to look like Slun now. The village of Rastoke, where we stayed, is part of the city of Slunya.
This is an amazing place. The village itself is located at the confluence of the Koran and Slunitsa rivers, due to which a large number of waterfalls are formed. Here houses, many of which were once water mills, stand directly on the water. The noise is incredible. And how the locals manage to sleep here at night is not clear.
This area is often called "Small Plitvice Lakes" because of its similarity to the national park.
People settled in these places for a long time, according to some reports, the first houses appeared in the XVII century, but the most active period of construction fell on the XIX-XX century. The village is located on the main road connecting southern and northern Croatia, and thanks to this, there has never been a problem with trade. Unfortunately, where there is a person, there are often conflicts: here, in the 1990s, war got to Rastoke. The village was completely destroyed and subsequently reconstructed.
Since there is nothing else here besides beautiful landscapes and several houses, I photographed everything that fell into the lens.
Plitvice Lakes - a national park in Croatia, located in the central part of the country, in the Licko Seni County (90.7%) and Karlovac County (9.3%). For thousands of years, the waters of the Korana River flowing through limestone have placed travertine barriers, forming natural dams, which, in turn, have created a number of picturesque lakes, waterfalls and caves.
The name “Plitvice Lakes” was first written down by a priest from Otočac Dominic Vukasovic in 1777.
On April 8, 1949, Plitvice Lakes received the status of a national park, and since 1979 the Plitvice Lakes National Park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Register.
Until 1958, the park was inaccessible to tourists, only clearings were laid in it. In 1958, Josip Movchan, director of the park, began the construction of pedestrian walkways, and now, in addition to a wide network of flooring, diesel and environmentally friendly electric road trains, ferries and electric pleasure boats are operating. It is strictly forbidden to swim in the lakes of the park, and in the park as a whole - to have picnics, make fires, walk dogs without a leash. This strict order is due to the preservation of the natural balance, which for many years has been carefully guarded by local ecologists.
In 1979, Plitvice Lakes were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the spring of 1991, the park became the site of events called Plitvice Bloody Easter - the first armed clash of the war in Croatia, which led to casualties. During the Yugoslav Wars, Plitvice Lakes more than once became the scene of battles. To date, the park itself has been completely cleared of mines, and the tourist infrastructure has been restored and is developing intensively, but mines are still sometimes found in the vicinity of the park.
The territory of the Plitvice Lakes National Park is 29,482 ha (19,479 ha according to UNESCO), includes 16 large and several smaller karst cascade lakes, 140 waterfalls, 20 caves and a unique beech and coniferous forest, preserved from ancient times and possessing self-healing ability. On its territory live bears, wolves, many species of rare birds and other animals.
The total difference between the level of the upper and lower lakes is 133 meters. The highest lake of the cascade is fed by two small rivers, bearing the names Crna and Biela ("Black" and "White"). Plitvice Lakes is one of the few places on our planet where new waterfalls appear every year, due to the limestone origin of the local mountains. Foliage and branches falling into the water from nearby trees quickly become covered with calcephiles (the so-called "chalk plants"), which, when they die, become stony and form hard deposits that overlap rivers. Water, gradually eroding such "dams", forms new waterfalls.
The park is located in a mountainous area, the highest point is Mount Mala Kapela (1280 m).
The lakes of the park are divided into two groups: Upper and Lower. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe lakes is 217 ha. Five rivers feed them: the Koran, Tsrna, Biela, Plitvice and Riechitsa. Waterfalls about 30; Due to the erosion of the rock and the formation of new sediments, lakes and waterfalls are gradually changing their configuration. Most of the lakes are named after people who drowned in them. In 2008, it was still allowed to swim in Lake Koziak, but a large number of drowned people led to a complete ban on swimming.
The biggest Upper lakes:
Proshchansko Lake, Proshche, 68 ha, depth 37 m, length 2.5 km;
Tsiginovac, 7.5 ha;
Okruglyak, 4.1 ha;
Batinovac, 1.5 ha;
Vir, 0.6 ha;
Veliki Jovinovac, or Big Lake, 2 ha;
Mali Jovinovac, or Small Lake, 2 ha;
Galovac, 12.5 ha;
Milino Lake;
Gradinsko Lake, 8.1 ha;
Veliki Burget, 0.6 ha;
Koziak, 81.5 ha, depth 46 m, length over 3 km;
The largest Lower lakes:
Milanovac, 3.2 ha;
Havanovac, 0.7 ha;
Kalujerovac, 2.1 ha;
Novakovich-ford, 0.4 ha.
The main waterfalls on the Upper Lakes - Batinovachki, Galovachki, Kozochki; in the Lower - Milanovachki, Milke Turnin, Velika Cascade. The most beautiful and rightfully known is the Sastavtsi waterfall, which overthrows the water of the Koran and Plitvice rivers from a height of 72 meters.
The park has two entrances and are connected by two routes - long and short. You can park from any direction, go along the chosen route and return back by bus or train or vice versa, go and get back in the car.
The national park amazes, first of all, with a riot of colors and shades. The lakes themselves, which are arranged in steps, demonstrate all conceivable shades of blue, cyan and turquoise. The foliage of trees has all kinds of shades of green. Having come to the observation deck for the first time over the valley of the Qur'an River, not a single person could resist the admiration for this color scheme created by nature. Going down to the lakes, you can see how the shade of water changes. But the most surprising thing is to find that the water has a serious depth near the shore, although this depth is not felt at all by eye, the water is so clear and transparent.
We go along such wooden paths. Water is striking in its purity and all shades of blue and green.
In order not to be fooled by replacing the lenses, I took two cameras and simultaneously took everything I saw, and when I dropped everything into a computer, there were so many photos and everything so similar that it was simply impossible to remember what and where was taken. The only thing I did was partially separate the photos of the waterfalls from the photos of the lakes.
Attraction of tourists to the Plitvice Lakes began in 1983. Specialists have developed a development program focused on attracting European tourists to these most beautiful places in the country. Within the framework of this program, steamboats and boats for water excursions were purchased, trails for tourists were laid, leisure places were arranged, the first hotel was built, and advertisements were published in the press of different countries. This approach turned out to be correct, interest in the lakes flared up, even the Austrian imperial family, headed by Emperor Franz I and Empress Augusta Carolina, visited the park.
In 1991, Plitvice Lakes experienced one of the most tragic events in its history - the national park became the site of repeated armed clashes during the Yugoslav war. One of these clashes is called Bloody Easter, it has become one of the tragic pages of the modern history of Croatia. There is nothing special to write about lakes, I will tell you about what happened on this territory.
And so, what is the Yugoslav war and, in particular, the war in Croatia. Don’t ask anyone, nor anyone really knows, and all thanks to how these events were covered in our press, at that time we had our own problems. The war in Croatia lasted from March 1991 to November 1995, it was a military conflict in the territory of the former Socialist Republic of Croatia caused by the withdrawal of Croatia from Yugoslavia. After Croatia declared independence, the Serbian population of Croatia tried to create their own state in order not to leave Yugoslavia . This was seen by Croatia as an attempt to incorporate Croatia into Serbia.
Initially, the war was fought between the forces of the Yugoslav People's Army, Croatian Serbs and Croatian police. The leadership of Yugoslavia by the forces of the federal army tried to keep Croatia within the country. During the collapse of the country on the territory of Croatia, a self-proclaimed state of the Serbs was created - the Republika Srpska Krajina. Then the struggle between the Croatian army and the army of the Krajina Serbs began.
In 1992, a ceasefire was signed, and Croatia was recognized as a sovereign state and UN peacekeeping troops were introduced, as a result of which the conflict took on a sluggish, focal character.
In 1995, the Croatian army carried out two major offensive operations, as a result of which a significant part of the territory of the Republika Srpska Krajina came under Croatian control. The conflict was accompanied by mutual ethnic cleansing of the Serbian and Croatian populations.
As a result of the war, Croatia achieved independence and maintained its territorial integrity, but during the hostilities many cities and villages were badly damaged or completely destroyed. The damage to the Croatian national economy as a result of this conflict is estimated at about $ 37 billion, and the total death toll during this war exceeds 20,000.
With the onset of the conflict, problems began for residents, in 1991-1992, Croats were expelled from territories controlled by Serbs, and Serbs were expelled from territories controlled by Croats. By 1993, 251,000 Serbs were expelled from territories under the control of Zagreb alone. The second major flow of Serbian refugees, about 230,000 people, was recorded in 1995 after Operation Storm. Many of them settled in European countries; after the war ended, only 115,000 Serbian refugees returned to Croatia.
In Croatia, the term "Patriotic War" is used to refer to a conflict; in Serbia, this conflict is most often called the "War in Croatia" or "The War in Krajina". In Russia, this conflict was combined with the Bosnian war and the faceless term "Yugoslav crisis" was used.
At present, relations between Serbia and Croatia are generally of a partnership nature, but they regularly file lawsuits against each other in international courts.
In general, the conflict between the Serbs and Croats is a very bloody and difficult story, not without the “wise leadership” of the USSR. More than 20 years have passed and this story repeated itself, only in other decorations.
And this is a monument to the first Croatian victim of the war - Josip Jović, who died in clashes on the Plitvice Lakes, found this photo.
What happened here ...
On March 29, Croatian policemen suddenly met with a serious rebuff from the Serbian territorial defense forces, which were stationed in the park.
Therefore, on the night of March 31, I had to urgently convene a meeting of the Presidium of the Union Government of Yugoslavia and discuss the situation on the Plitvice Lakes. Discussed and the Yugoslav People’s Army was ordered to intervene in order to create a buffer zone between the two sides, and thereby put an end to fighting.
On March 31, Easter Sunday, Croatian police entered the national park to expel the Serbs. But Serbian troops ambushed a bus transporting Croatian police on the road north of Korenice, resulting in a shootout. During this clash, two people were killed, one Croat and one Serbian policeman, 20 were injured, 29 Serbian militias and police were captured by Croatian forces. Among the prisoners was, in particular, Goran Hadzic, who later became president of the Republika Srpska Krajina.
Then on April 2, the command of the Yugoslav People’s Army ordered the special units of the Croatian police to leave the national park, which they did.
They fought, what they achieved except that they put people - it is not clear.
These are the things that happened here.
The park is located at an altitude of 400-1200 meters above sea level, so the air here is clean, fresh, transparent and saturated with the scent of a virgin forest. There are many different routes along the park: the shortest for 2 hours, and the longest of them is designed for a 7-8-hour walk, that is, it requires good physical shape. Some of the routes can be reached on a tourist electric train. It is impossible to get lost on the route, at each turn of each path there is a sign or a navigation poster.
In total, on the territory of the reserve park, you can see 16 very beautiful lakes, 140 waterfalls, the true beauty of which even the best photographs can not convey, more than two dozen caves, beech and coniferous forests.
The park is a unique, self-healing ecosystem. Every year, old trees, dying, sink to the bottom of the lakes, turn into white fine-grained silt.
Every year new waterfalls arise here, which fill the lakes with pure water. Scientists are still arguing about the nature of the origin of these lakes, they have not come to a consensus.
Unfortunately for all tourists, swimming in the lakes is prohibited here, but this has its advantages, for many years the lakes have remained unsurpassed in purity, brightness and beauty - despite the fact that many thousands of tourists come to their shores daily. In addition, you can’t put up tents, make bonfires, fish, tear plants, the administration is doing everything to preserve this natural beauty for future generations. But you can take pictures as much as you like.
Well, that’s all that can be said and shown. It’s good that we didn’t take the long route, the impressions were quite enough here too. Beautiful nature here is beyond doubt, but you start to get tired of some monotony.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia ... Of course, almost everyone had heard about this place more than once. What attracts tourists from all over the world here? Amazing nature? Great service? And maybe a combination of both factors? Let's try to figure it out together.
Plitvice Lakes. Croatia - the cleanest and most picturesque corner of the globe
This is beloved both by local residents and guests of the country geographically located in the center of Croatia, mainly in Licko Senj County. Only an insignificant part of it, about 9%, is attributed to the neighboring region - Karlovac.
Geologists claim that Plitvice Lakes (Croatia) were formed due to the waters of the Koran River. They, flowing through limestone for hundreds of years, applied barriers and formed natural dams. As a result of all these processes, after a certain time period, a picturesque system of lakes, mysterious caves and mesmerizing waterfalls arose.
Let us take a look at the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Croatia is rightfully considered to be one of the most visited places, and since 1979 the mentioned park is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Register.
How to get to your destination
Of course, the answer to this question depends on what type of transport the traveler was going to use. Although, probably, it’s worth immediately warning that planes do not fly here, and hardly anyone will ever decide to build an airport amid such a riot of pristine nature. The railway is also not laid. Only the usual buses and cars remain.
Note that the attraction is located in a very remote corner of the country, and therefore it is worth preparing in advance for a long journey from coastal resorts. For example, to get to the lakes from Dubrovnik or Western Istria, it will take at least 5 hours (of course, one way).
The ideal option is to use a rental car. Then, in the presence of a modern navigator, there is a chance to be in place after 3-4 hours. If this is not possible, you just need to book an excursion directly to the coast, at a hotel or at any travel agency in a vacation spot. Fortunately, recently, more and more often there is a staff who speaks, if not Russian, then at least English. In general, you can agree.
An excursion into history: how it all began
In general, the idea of \u200b\u200battracting foreign tourists to this part of the country arose relatively recently, in 1983. And immediately there was not only a mass of people who wanted to enjoy the waterfalls of the Plitvice Lakes (Croatia, of course, is famous not only for waterfalls, but the spectacle is still fascinating), but also for numerous philanthropists who are ready to invest huge sums in the development of the region.
In a short time, even had to develop a special program for the development of the reserve. Within the framework of the project, swimming facilities were purchased for organizing water recreation, trails were laid for tourists eager to walk on foot and unaccompanied by a guide, campfires and picnic places were equipped, and a new modern hotel was built. In the press, after a large-scale campaign, they gave extensive advertising.
This approach turned out to be very profitable, and the results were not long in coming. Not only ordinary travelers, but also important people rushed into the park. For example, Ivo Josipovic, the current president of the Republic of Croatia, Plitvice Lakes considers a great place not only for relaxation, but also for various kinds of business meetings, conferences and meetings.
The tragic milestones of history
Now, few doubt that one of the most pleasant and inexpensive types of recreation in Europe can offer exactly Croatia. The Plitvice Lakes Nature Reserve and its immense popularity is another confirmation of this statement. However, this amazing place had to endure a real tragedy.
Just over 20 years ago, in 1991, the reserve more than once became the site of armed clashes of those who took an active part in the Yugoslav war. Here the blood was shed of both national heroes and ordinary citizens of this small but amazing country.
Anyone, even the smallest Croat, can tell a tourist about the so-called Bloody Easter.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Croatia worth a visit. Tips & Tricks
First of all, we note that the park is multilevel, that is, it starts at an altitude of 400 meters above sea level, but gradually the tourist, without suspecting it, climbs up to 1200. What follows from this? According to experienced travelers, it is recommended to take care of comfortable shoes in advance: ballet shoes and heels will surely ruin the walk.
Plitvice Lakes National Park offers many hiking trails. However, before you go on a trip, you should try to adequately calculate your own physical capabilities. For example, for older travelers or young parents with young children, a short path, which can be overcome in 2 hours, or even use the services of an electric train, is suitable. Strong and hardy will certainly go on a 7-8-hour walk.
Do not be afraid to get lost. Even if a tourist accidentally ends up in a park without a map or an experienced escort, they still won’t be lost. Why? Everything is extremely simple: a pointer or a special navigation shield is installed on each fork.
Dangers
Local residents warn against thoughtless movement through the park. The thing is that, in addition to the presence of poisonous plants, many wild animals live in the park, some of which can be very aggressive during the breeding season or during the breeding of offspring.
Often, in an effort to see trout or just admire the clear blue water, tourists come very close to the edge of the reservoir. It’s definitely not worth doing without compliance with at least basic safety rules: Croatia is not only cold, but also very deep.
What you should pay attention to
We are all accustomed to the fact that the presence of a reservoir, as it were, implies further water procedures, which means that when going on an excursion, you definitely need to bring some bathing accessories with you. However, swimming is prohibited here.
It's a shame, of course, but there are positive aspects to this. Agree, this is actually almost the only way to preserve nature in its original form.
In addition, you should not count on the fact that having chosen to rest in such a park, you will set up a tent, light a fire, set up a barbecue and start the long-awaited preparation of barbecue. Of course, you can try, but a fine for such a gross violation of the rules will be set a considerable.
A gift for a true amateur photographer
Have you ever seen pictures taken on Plitvice Lakes? Experts say that even beginners are able to click on great shots. And all thanks to a very successful and soft light. Moreover, this phenomenon is observed at any time of the year and in completely different weather.
So, even if you do not have professional skills, and the quality of the camera leaves much to be desired, still replenish your collection with memorable pictures with the inscription: “Plitvice Lakes. Croatia". The photo will surely become a decoration of any family album.
How to plan a day on the lakes
To get acquainted with the reserve, as recommended by the guides, for a couple of hours is generally unrealistic. It is worth to find yourself among this magnificence, as almost immediately there is a desire to spend as much time as possible here, or even not to leave at all. Experienced travelers say: if some place on the planet can surprise you, it's Croatia! Plitvice Lakes ... Rest here requires regularity, leisurely and complete immersion in nature. But in the seaside resorts there is always fun and bustle.
Most likely, a traveler who wants to get to know the reserve better needs to spend a night on its territory. However, this fact should in no case be alarming or repulsive. In the vicinity, three hotels were built at once, each of which expects its visitors throughout the year. However, those who are going to visit the reservoirs in the so-called high season should take care of their lodging in advance, otherwise in any of the hotels there may simply not be available rooms.
Pricing policy is very, very acceptable. A night will cost the guest about 70 euros. Agree, taking into account European prices, this is not so expensive.
Actually, I don’t like such places: how many times I wrote that there’s no point in going to some nature reserve, the same nature is around. But the Plitvice Lakes National Park struck in the heart. Now, sitting in the cold icy Moscow, I even want to return there again. And again walk those six hours of your route.
Meet one of the most beautiful places in already beautiful Croatia!
1. It is very simple to find the road to the lakes if you travel by car, drive the name of the settlement Plitvička jezera into the navigator, and if using public transport, you will probably be offered sightseeing tours in the city where you stayed. For cars, paid parking is provided, it costs all the pleasure of 40 rubles per hour. 
2. A ticket is not cheap, compared to other Croatian museums, and costs about 600 rubles. The ticket is valid throughout the day and gives the right to use a bus that runs in the national park (without restrictions) or a boat (once). 
3. The walk will be a long one, stock up on food in advance. Before entering, you can buy delicious pies for 80 rubles apiece, in the middle of the route there is an open-air cafe, but there you will not have lunch for cheaper than 400 rubles. 
4. For those who want to save, I’ll say that you can park for free, and entering the park without a ticket is also easy. I learned about this when I left the park, and initially wanted to tell you about this little secret. But still I won’t: the whole European system is built on trust in people, let’s not violate it. Although cheating this system in this case is very easy. 
5. There are signs at the entrance, which should not be done in the park. The most severe ban is bathing. You can’t even touch the water, for it is a big fine, and in some cases even imprisonment. Soon I will tell you why. 
6. Entrance to the park. Here is another box office, for those who entered from the other side. 
7. There are six different walking routes in the park, you can choose any one for yourself, depending on how much time you have, how strong your legs are, and what exactly you want to see. The first three routes start the same way. To get to the pedestrian trail - take this train here. If there are a lot of people - you can wait, they go regularly. 
8. I chose a medium-length route. The beauty of the area begins as soon as you get off the bus. 
9. In the park, everything has been done for the convenience of people: not a centimeter of a dirt road, everywhere boardwalks. Only when you get inside do you realize that the price of 600 rubles is justified. 
10. On the way there will be waterfalls, large and small. 
11. Throughout the walk I was accompanied by gurgling waters. 
12. So why can’t you swim here? 
13. There is a rule in the park: what has fallen into the water remains there. No one pulls out snags or fallen leaves, so the microflora is not disturbed and nature remains untouched. So the Croatian authorities keep the park for future generations. 
14. If a person bathes in this clear water - he will upset the natural balance with his microbes, and many plants will die. 
15. To be honest - I wanted to swim VERY !!! 
16. Almost everywhere in the water teeming with fish. If you reach out, you will catch several at once. But then again, it’s impossible. 
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20. There are many places on Plitvice Lakes where you can relax, read a book or enjoy the unspoilt nature. 
21. There are many tourists, near the most “interesting” types and waterfalls, a line is about to be photographed against the background. 
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23. A lot of older people. European retirees love hiking. 
24. A huge bald German ebashit bow on the background of a waterfall. 
25. Bul-bul! 
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27. The color of water depends on underwater plants, they are different everywhere. This is the miracle of Plitvice Lakes, on one small territory - a huge variety of flora. 
28. It seems to me that this girl is somewhat similar to the ducks she feeds. 
29. In the middle of the route you can catch a boat: just at this point, most people get tired of walking. 
30. In the boat everyone is sitting like sprats in a jar - only there is not enough oil. No one runs, does not take pictures on the background of the lake, does not yell "Tagil". 
31. On the top shelf are life vests, exactly in terms of the number of passengers. True, they did not tell us how to use them. 
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34. You go ashore - and immediately a large open-air cafe, with a bunch of tables. You can rest and have lunch. I even drank beer - there was still a few hours to go, in addition, in Croatia, the permissible dose of alcohol in the driver’s blood was 0.5 ppm. 
35. Some tourists are so tired that they prefer a healthy sleep to food. 
36. Another half an hour's journey - and we come to the largest waterfall in the national park. 
37. In order to photograph the waterfall without wanting to capture themselves as a souvenir, I had to break the rule a bit and come closer. 
38. Nobody noticed me, but it was worth it! 
39. You can go even higher, to the observation deck, and look at the waterfall from above. I do not recommend anyone - in ten minutes of climbing a steep road (though with hollowed-out steps) you will get tired more than in three hours of a leisurely walk on wooden floors. 
40. But when you go back to the bus that will bring you to the starting point, to the first parking lot (we left the car there) - the views will please you much more.
41. If, after the Plitvice Lakes, you want to go to the cities of Pula or Rijeka, there are two roads. One is picturesque, leads through many Croatian villages, and then winds along the sea coast, the second - a paid highway. Interesting in the first, but keep in mind - for 300 kilometers you will meet only one gas station. Therefore, I had to turn onto the autobahn without reaching hundreds of kilometers to the coastal beauties. Refuel in advance :) 
Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the most picturesque and attractive places in Europe.
General information about Plitvice Lakes
- Full name: National Croatian Park Plitvice Lakes (Croatian Plitvicka jezera).
- Region: Lika Seni District, Croatia.
- IUCN Category: II (is).
- Established: April 8, 1949
- Area: 296.85 km2.
- Relief: mountain.
- Climate: the border of a pair of climatic zones passes through the park: continental and marine.
- Official website of the park: //www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr
- Purpose of creation: preservation of a unique cascade of lakes formed in travertine saucers in the basin of the Dinar Highlands in the valley of the Koran River.
- Visit - paid
Plitvice Lakes - map
Information for visitors to protected lakes
There are two entrances to the Plitvice Lakes National Park, but one of them is closed in winter.
A visit to the national park is paid: at the box office near the entrances you can pay a one-time visit or buy a two-day ticket. The price includes a train ride on a panoramic road and two boat trips on short and long routes. Guided tours are available for groups of more than 15 people and upon prior notice in English, Spanish, Italian, German, French or Croatian.
There is nothing nicer than a walk (or drive) through the park, admire the beauty of the surrounding nature, amazing waterfalls, lakes and wildlife.
The park has excursion routes of varying complexity and length for experienced travelers and beginners who are ready to master an eight-hour walk. There are bus excursions that offer part of the route to walk, then again take the bus and return to one of its entrances.
For lovers of cycling in the park provides comfortable bike paths. On a pleasure boat you can get from one shore of a large lake to the other. Boat and boat rental is available all year round.
Plitvice Lakes is not only good in summer. This amazing place is interesting in any month of the year. It, like the sea, has various shades. Even in winter, the national park, wrapped in a snowy fluffy shawl, is fascinating. During this period, mountain boarding and skiing are organized here.
For lovers of a comfortable stay near the park there are four hotels, several convenient campsites. In the restaurant “Dom Lika” near the first entrance you can try traditional food of the Croatian region of Lika - this is where the park is located.
Any housekeeping, dog walking, independent tourism, picking berries and mushrooms, plants, fishing, hunting, and even swimming in the lakes in the park is prohibited.
You can get to the Plitvice Lakes themselves and return back to your place of residence by car or bus from the city of Zagreb on the D1 highway. The distance is about 141 km, travel time is 2.5 hours.
History of Plitvice Lakes and the region
Plitvice Lakes has become a major attraction since the end of the 19th century, and from the middle of the 20th century. it is one of the most popular tourist spots of the then Yugoslavia.
In 1949, the government of Yugoslavia declared Plitvice Lakes a national park, and in 1979 they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to the exceptional natural beauty of the area and the sparing production of tuff (travertine).
In 1991, Plitvice Lakes became the site of the first armed confrontation in the Croatian Revolutionary War. In connection with these events, UNESCO has made the park in the category of “endangered”. After the war ended, the Croatian government, recognizing the economic and environmental importance of this territory, cleared its mines, and in 1998 UNESCO removed it from the list.
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Plitvice Lakes Alone - How to Get, What to See
Plitvice Lakes became a national park of Croatia a little less than 70 years ago, almost immediately after the Second World War, in 1949. And after 30 years, they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. My husband and I arrived at Plitvice Lakes in Croatia on our own during our road trip to the Balkan Peninsula, and made sure that this is a really wonderful place.
Croatia attracts a modern tourist primarily with the seaside resorts of the azure Adriatic. But although the Plitvice Lakes are quite far from the coast - about a 2-3 hour drive away - many are eager to come here. For tourists, the distance is not an obstacle, since public transport in the country is well developed and quite affordable. Therefore, many tourists come off for a day or two from the gentle sea and go to take a look at this famous national park located in the central part of Croatia.
How to get to Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes is easily accessible from different parts of the country - from Porec, Zagreb, Trogir, Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar. This is possible both by car and by bus.
From Zagreb
The schedule of buses Zagreb - Plitvice Lakes is convenient to see on the website of the Central Bus Station of Zagreb. This is the country's dynamic and largest bus station, from where 10 to 20 flights depart daily in the direction of the reserve, depending on the time of year. The road takes 2-2.5 hours.
Depending on which city near the reserve you want to drive to, the ticket price will change. The average ticket price is from 46 kunas to 91 kunas, that is, from about 6 € to 12 €.
Not so long ago, a new service appeared at the bus station - ordering and paying for tickets via the Internet. In this case, the driver needs to present a printout of the electronic ticket. But this does not apply to all flights. The carrier is Autotrans, it is on the official website of this company that you can see the current prices and buy a ticket.
From Split
From Split to Plitvice Lakes can also be reached by regular buses. The timetable in English is in the section Timetables, Departures - schedule of departures, Arrivals - schedule of arrivals. There are always more flights in summer than at other times of the year. The distance from Split is 256 km, and the road often runs along serpentines.
In autumn there are only 3 buses. First 2 from for 22 €, travel time 4.5 hours.
The third bus of the day is from a local carrier, the cost of the trip is 20.60 €, but the journey takes 5.5 hours, the bus goes at night. You can buy a ticket.
From Trogir
It is more convenient to get from this popular seaside resort to the reserve by car or by the intercity bus that goes through it from Split or other major cities. Trogir itself is located about 20 km from Split, which can be reached by regular city bus, as these cities are connected by a single public transport.
The schedule of the only bus for the day confirms this - this is the same bus that leaves from Split at 20:15. Drive 250 km, the cost of the trip is approximately 18.50 €.
From Dubrovnik
The longest trip to Plitvice Lakes is from Dubrovnik - the road takes 5 hours by car, 450 km to go. By bus, a direct flight to Plitvice is not very convenient. Therefore, it is better to go there with a change through Zadar. However, the unique, virgin beauty of the reserve more than covers some of the road inconvenience.
As for the route, there is one bus from Dubrovnik that goes to Zagreb and passes through our destination, but it will take you 9.5 hours to get there. A ticket costs about 38 €, you can buy it online.
From Porec
Public transport from Porec (260 km) is not very convenient to get to - a transplant will be required, and in some cases not even one. It is better to rent a car, and the trip should be immediately planned with an overnight stay. The road goes through the A1 Zagreb-Split expressway.
Our car trip experience
Our route to the reserve went through A1. This track is very convenient, but paid, and costs about 11 € from the same Split to Plitvice Lakes. Another of its inconveniences is the rather large queues at paid points, especially on weekends.
As for the roads, the Croats are very prudent and provide a lot of information on the situation on the tracks. For English-speaking tourists traveling by car, there is a convenient site Croatia Traffic Info. If you have Internet on the same phone, it’s easy to get information about traffic jams, repairs, the presence of strong winds and their directions, fog and other things that can make it difficult and slow down.
The National Park website also has recommendations - for example, the beautiful Hotel Plitvice, where an economy room with breakfast for 1 person costs 74 €, and for two - 98 €. In principle, given that it is actually located in the park itself, for many tourists this is quite an affordable price.
Those who come here by car often stop 20-40 km from the reserve - the prices there are much cheaper, and you can get to the Plitvice Lakes in 10-20 minutes.
Practical information
Those who know English, German, French or Italian, before visiting the Plitvice Lakes, should look at the website of the National Park. Information on prices and various events is regularly updated here; You can find advice on accommodation in hotels nearby and on restaurants; various routes to visit the park are offered; and, of course, there is a detailed description of attractions and even interactive maps of routes and environs. Here you will find the address, time and mode of operation, ticket prices.
Admission price
It varies depending on the season and how many days you buy a ticket. Plitvice Lakes are huge! Therefore, if you have time, you should buy a ticket for 2 days. For an adult it costs 280 kunas or 37 Euros, for a child - 140 kunas or 18.5 €. This includes a ferry ride on Lake Kozjak, a ride on a panoramic electric car and, surprisingly, visitor insurance. 1 day ticket is cheaper: 180 kunas or 24 € and 70 kunas or 9 €, respectively.
Working hours
The reserve is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, including holidays. In winter, it closes earlier. This information is best clarified on the site.
Routes
First of all, you need to decide on the route. It does not affect the cost. And the choice depends only on how many kilometers you are ready to go. Total routes 8. The length of the smallest is 3.5 km. The largest is 18.3 km. A route map with the necessary explanations is issued at the information desk.
Surprisingly, the lakes themselves occupy a little more than 1% of the park. There are 16 in total, and they are mainly concentrated in the central part, where they smoothly flow into one another for about 5 km. Therefore? in our opinion, the best route is route C, 8 km long. It might seem like a lot. In fact, it is optimal. You can go the route in 4-6 hours - there are many shops along it, there is a cafe where you can relax.
Moreover, this walk is not only on foot. It includes a trip around the lake to electric ferry and return to the place of departure on a huge panoramic electric bus (Environmental issues are given a lot of attention, so gasoline and diesel fuel are strictly prohibited!). That is, the route itself is circular, but it starts from Entrance No. 1.
The main thing is that you can see the main attractions on it and even a little more - the canyons of the Upper and Lower Lakes, the most famous and beautiful waterfalls, including the Great Waterfall, Veliki Prštavac and Mali Prštavac, the largest lake Kozjak, the mysterious Šupljara cave where a constant temperature of 10.5 degrees is held.
Waterfalls on Plitvice Lakes
They deserve special mention. There are about 140 of them. The largest - "Great Falls" - is located in the system of canyons of the Lower Lakes, near Lake Novakovića Brod and falls down from a height of 78 meters. It is at its foot that the Korana River begins - another local attraction that intricately wanders around Croatia for 143 km, even on its way to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
And at the other end of the same lake there is a whole collection of smaller waterfalls that form a real cascade 25 meters high. There are also waterfalls on the Upper Lakes, united by the common name Prštavac, which means “sparkling, sparkling” - even in rainy weather you can see a rainbow in their waters. But the most amazing thing is that almost every year new waterfalls appear in the reserve!
Something is impossible!
You can not swim
Like many tourists, we were worried about the question of whether it is possible to swim in the Plitvice Lakes. Unfortunately, it turned out that it was impossible. But, in general, this is for the better. I can’t imagine what this virgin nature reserve would have turned into if all of the hundreds of thousands of visitors who visit the park every year had a swim in its lakes and waterfalls. 
You can not fish
In addition to this prohibition, there are others. At the entrance to the reserve and on its territory, much to the dismay of the fishermen, there are signs “Don’t fish”. At the same time, fish are found in large numbers - trout, carps, and crucian carp. Tourists actively feed her, and the size of most individuals sometimes inspire respectful awe. In this fishing paradise, except for the fishermen, only beautiful ducks and drakes are sad - well-fed fish often take away from them the goodies that their visitors are trying to treat. Lucky for those birds who dare to go ashore and take food directly from the hands of tourists - the shots, by the way, are wonderful!
General rules
You still can not burn bonfires, arrange campsites, scare and feed animals, listen to loud music, leave the trail and tear plants. To tell you the truth, we slightly violated the last rule by plucking several branches of fragrant mint for evening tea. By the way, there is an incredible amount of mint growing there! It rises directly from the lakes, covers the shores, and you can find it even if you go deep into the forest.
In August, there are a lot of blackberries and blueberries. Collecting in small quantities is not forbidden. But if someone did not notice her or was interested in creating a photo story, you can buy berries at the entrance / exit - for about 1-2 € a glass.
Throughout all routes, along the lakes and waterfalls, wooden floorings are laid along which tourists go. They are quite wide, but in some places there are no barriers, and in the rain in some areas it is very slippery. Therefore, it is better to choose sports or tourist from shoes for such an excursion.
Coming here, of course, is better on a weekday. On weekends, even in rainy weather, visitors - the sea! Therefore, it is worthwhile to be ready to stand for 10-20 minutes - with any luck - in line for a ticket to one of the ticket offices, which work somewhat randomly. In addition to their native language, most of the reserve’s employees are quite fluent in English and German, and some speak Russian well. However, with a certain effort the Croatian understand, in general, is not difficult. The reserve has two entrances. From each of them there are 4 tourist routes.
Plitvice Lakes are characterized by special weather. It is constantly changing here, and rain is a frequent guest here. In addition, compared to the coast, this part of Croatia is significantly cooler. So the batch file and raincoat will not hurt. We got here in August, and on the day of visiting the national park the weather was very contrasting - the rain was replaced by the bright sun, which allowed us to take great photos, but the rain cover was useful no less than the camera.
A panoramic bus runs along the routes every half an hour, so do not worry that you will not be in time for it. It is better to have a snack in the cafe, which is located next to the stop. An electric boat along the long line P2-P3 also leaves every half hour. While waiting, you can feed fish or ducks - so grab some bread.
Croatia is already a real Europe with its slightly lazy weekend routine. Therefore, it is worth considering that on Sundays there are almost no shops in the Plitvice Lakes region - we hardly found one small supermarket in the area of \u200b\u200bour camping and a good bakery with excellent pastries. But fish lovers should look around - there are private farms where you can buy fine trout very inexpensively any day. By the way, in the national park in the shops, delicious honey and excellent natural cosmetics are sold.