Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Plitvice Lakes

Lika-Senj CountyCroatia

naturewaterfallsnational parkoutdoors

Why You'll Love Plitvice Lakes

Yo, have you ever heard of Plitvice Lakes in Croatia? It's freakin' beautiful. It's basically a group of sixteen lakes that are connected by a series of waterfalls and cascades. Like seriously, the waterfalls are insane. They're all different sizes and some of them are like three stories high.

The water is crystal-clear and super blue. It's like something out of a movie. And there's all this lush green forest surrounding the lakes, which makes for a really peaceful and serene vibe. The whole thing is a national park, so you're surrounded by nature and wildlife.

There's a ton of walking paths and hiking trails throughout the park, so you can explore all of the different lakes and waterfalls. Some of the paths take you right over the water, like on a wooden floating bridge, which is pretty wild. And there's also boats and ferries you can take to see the lakes from a different perspective.

The park is open all year round, but the scenery changes with the seasons. In the summer, everything is lush and green, and the water is perfect for swimming. In the fall, the leaves change colors and it's just breathtaking. And in the winter, everything is covered in snow and it's like a winter wonderland.

If you're looking for a unique and stunning vacation destination, Plitvice Lakes is definitely worth checking out. It's like a fairytale come to life, and it's one of those places that will make your Instagram lit.

Getting to Plitvice Lakes

The nearest airport to Plitvice Lakes is the Zagreb Airport (ZAG), which is approximately 140 km away. From there, visitors can take a shuttle bus, rent a car, or hire a private transfer to reach Plitvice Lakes. If arriving by car or bus, Plitvice Lakes is accessible from the A1 motorway, which connects Zagreb and Split.

The closest city to Plitvice Lakes is Zagreb, in Lika-Senj County.

Travelling from Zagreb Airport to Plitvice Lakes

When to Visit

The best time to visit Plitvice Lakes, Croatia is during the months of May, June, September, and October when the weather is mild and the crowds are fewer.

Weather and Climate

In the spring (March to May), the weather is mild with temperatures around 10-20°C (50-68°F) and occasional rainfall. Summers (June to August) are hot and sunny with highs reaching 30°C (86°F) and occasional thunderstorms. Fall (September to November) sees cooler temperatures around 10-20°C (50-68°F) and beautiful autumn foliage. Winter (December to February) can be cold with occasional snow, with temperatures averaging around 0-5°C (32-41°F).

Costs When Visiting

In Croatia, the currency is the Croatian kuna.
Some sample costs when travelling around Plitvice Lakes are:

1. Budget accommodation: hostels or guesthouses starting from €15-20 per night.
2. Mid-range accommodation: 3-star hotels starting from €50-70 per night.
3. Luxury accommodation: 4-5 star hotels starting from €100-200 per night.
4. Food and drink: basic meals starting from €5-10 per meal, but can increase to €20-30 at upscale restaurants.
5. Transportation: public transport such as buses and trains are reasonable starting from €2 per ride, while hiring a private chauffeur can cost €150 per day.

Safety Rating

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia is generally considered a safe destination with low crime rates. Women can feel safe traveling alone or in a group. Croatia is generally tolerant towards different races and LGBTQ individuals, but it's important to note that conservative attitudes may still exist in some areas. Overall, Plitvice Lakes is a popular tourist destination and safety is generally not a major concern.

Local Population

The population of Plitvice Lakes is relatively small, with only around 200 permanent residents in the nearby villages. The majority of visitors to the area are tourists, who come to explore the stunning natural beauty of the national park. The demographics of these visitors vary widely, but many come from nearby European countries such as Germany, Italy, and Austria. The official language of Croatia is Croatian, but English is widely spoken in the tourism industry. The gender breakdown of visitors is fairly equal, with both men and women enjoying the park's offerings. Croatia has a primarily white population, but visitors to Plitvice Lakes come from a diverse range of racial backgrounds.

Things to Do

Some common activities for tourists at Plitvice Lakes include hiking, sightseeing, exploring the waterfalls, taking boat tours, birdwatching, and photography.