One of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia, with good reason, is the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Because of the natural beauty of the Park it was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. The Park is situated in the heart of the country in between the gorgeous coastal city of Zadar and the nation’s capital, Zagreb.

The main reason the Park is so beautiful is the 16 lakes. The lakes in the Park are connected by many waterfalls and set in a lush forest. The total area of Plitvice Lakes National Park is around 300 square kilometers, while the lakes cover a distance of around 8 kilometres. The highest point in the Park is 1,280 metres and the lowest point is 380 meters. The largest waterfall in the Park is 70 metres high (Veliki Slap).

Plitvice Lakes National Park is open year round and there are different prices for entrance depending on when you visit. The summertime is the most popular time at the Park and that is when the most tourists are there. There are discount for bigger groups and there are guided tours available in Italian, German, and English.

There are many trails throughout the park to walk around and take a nice hike and check out the gorgeous blue water and all the waterfalls. The water is clear and there is wildlife in the forest that can sometimes be seen. If you do not feel like walking around the Park there is also a train that can take you around. There is no swimming in the lakes, which was a disappointment to me seeing it was hot and the water looked oh so inviting. There is a ferryboat on one of the lakes, which takes you to the other side, where there is a food stand and souvenir shop. In the Park itself there are 2 restaurants, as well as many smaller snack shops and places to get a drink. There are a few café’s in the Park and some are located at scenic areas, where it is great to get a beer or cold drink and take in all the scenery.

There are 3 hotels in the Park, which are very close together near Entrance #2. There is also a nearby campsite, which has both bungalows and 500 spaces for camping. The campground is located 7 km outside the Park. I would suggest looking for private accommodations in the small surrounding towns. Slunj is a small town where it is easy to find accommodations. During the summer accommodations can be hard to find, so it is best to book early. I visited the Park in the spring and found a quaint little country house and me, my girlfriend, and a couple of friends stayed there for 50 Euros total for all 4 of us.

If you are in the mood for a relaxing time in nature then be sure to check out Plitvice Lakes National Park, as it is one of the highlights of Croatia.

The website of Plitvice Lakes National Park can give you more information.