Plitvice Lakes – The ultimate guide for independent and responsible travellers

Page 1

PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK Your ultimate guide to independent and responsible exploration


CONTENT Why is Plitvice Lakes National Park so popular? Plitvice Lakes or Krka? Best time to visit Getting there Getting around the park How much time do I need? Entrance fees and tickets Eating and sleeping Recommended routes and itineraries What many people don’t know Contact details and further information

Š 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


WHY IS PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK SO POPULAR?

Š 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited

Waterfalls connect the 12 upper and 4 lower lakes Amazing emerald green to turquoise colour (depending on the time of year and day) Croatia’s largest and oldest National Park Over 1.5 million visitors a year Tour operators offer day tours from pretty much anywhere in Croatia (although we strongly advise against it)


PLITVICE LAKES OR KRKA? Both parks are very different, and we don’t think they are comparable. Recommend to start with Plitvice Lakes. It is easier to explore. Visitors can use special road trains and electric boats to explore the park. However you can’t swim in any of the Plitvice Lakes and cycling is not allowed. There is a surprising lack of sustainable and affordable food options in Plitvice Lakes National Park. All this said, our recommendation if you had to choose one - Plitvice. © 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT? Avoid the busy summer months, especially July and August. Entry prices are also the highest between June and September. Entry tickets are cheapest in the winter months between November and March. For more pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds, go during the shoulder season, April/May and October. Š 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


HOW TO GET TO PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK (WITHOUT A CAR)? Š 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited

Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in the centre of Croatia. Buses from Zagreb or Zadar take about 2-2.5 hours. Buses stop at both entrance 1 and 2. You can buy your onward/return bus ticket/s from the little huts at either bus stop.


GETTING AROUND THE PARK More than 20 kilometres of well-maintained board walks and hiking trails Hiking trails connect all 16 lakes Board walks allow visitors to see the fascinating waterfalls close up. Board walks have (largely) no side barriers. Hiking trails lead through forest and are narrow and can be uneven and muddy during rainy periods.

Š 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO VISIT? Recommend you stay at least one night to experience the park in the early morning. That’s when you have the park almost to yourself and may even get to see some local wildlife.

© 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


ENTRANCE FEES AND TICKETS Park management restricts the number of visitors allowed in the park at any given time. Entry tickets are therefore valid only for a specific day (or days) AND for a specific entry time (on the first day of your visit if you bought a ticket for multiple days). For online purchases, your booking confirmation is not a ticket. You still have to exchange the confirmation for the actual ticket at the entrance. Š 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


EATING/SLEEPING OPTIONS IN PARK There are three hotels within the perimeters of the park. All are situated at entrance 2. Dining options are limited to the three hotel restaurants and Restaurant Poljana. The park lacks decent food options and water fountains. Bring your own snacks and water bottle.

Š 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


EATING AND SLEEPING NEAR ENTRANCE 1 Guest houses and apartments in the settlement of Rastovača. Dining options are limited to a small restaurant at House Katrina (Rastovača 14), Restaurant Lička Kuća, and Restaurant Petar. There is no supermarket nearby. © 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


EATING AND SLEEPING NEAR ENTRANCE 2 20 minutes’ walk from Entrance 2, are the guest houses and apartments in the settlement of Plitvička Jezera. Dining options again are limited, with Bistro Vučnica the only viable option. However, there is a small supermarket for those who want to self-cater. © 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


EATING AND SLEEPING IN PLITVICA SELO There is a small settlement to the south-west of the Great Waterfall. We do not recommended staying in Plitvica Selo if you don’t have a car. It is more cumbersome to get to/from and more expensive. Dining options there are also limited, with the Etno Garden Restaurant and Restaurant Kozjak the most viable options. Š 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


HOW TO SEE MOST OF THE PLITVICE LAKES WITHOUT THE BIG TOURIST CROWDS? © 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited

Our website has a complete breakdown of the recommended routes: Best route from entrance 1 Full day Two half days Best route from entrance 2 Full day Two half days


WHAT MANY PEOPLE DON’T KNOW Plitvice Lakes National Park, due to its importance as a tourist attraction was heavily fought over during the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s. The first victims of the war died at Plitvice Lakes on 31 March 1991. A monument near entrance two commemorates the event.

Š 2019 Minimalist Journeys Limited


CONTACT INFO & FURTHER DETAILS Author Sandra Rosenau

Email address Sandra@MinimalistJourneys.com

Website https://minimalistjourneys.com/plitvice-lakes-sustainable-travelguide/


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.