Plitvice Lakes National Park is a photographer’s paradise – imagine stepping on wooden boardwalks above emerald pools, with dozens of waterfalls all around. Its crown jewel is Veliki Slap (the Great Waterfall), along with beautiful cascades like Veliki and Mali Prštavac. To see all the highlights in one go, we recommend Program C (more on that below). Just be sure to set aside a good half-day – Program C is about 8 km long and takes roughly 4–5 hours. Pack comfortable shoes, bring water and snacks, and get ready to explore!
Choose the C Tour for the Best Views
For a one-day visit, Program C is hard to beat. This circular route (starting at Entrance 1) covers both the Lower and Upper Lakes, so you’ll see every major waterfall and lake. In fact, one blogger says it’s “absolutely worth it” to visit both sections of the park and recommends Program C (from Entrance 1) to do so. The trick is that Program C has you hiking uphill toward the falls, rather than away from them, so each cascade stays in front of you on the trail. In short, with Program C you hit all the scenic spots – Veliki Slap, the Prštavac falls, Kozjak Lake, and plenty of smaller cascades – without backtracking.
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Full-loop route: Program C (Entrance 1) is about 8 km and 4–5 hours long, covering all the upper and lower lakes. You’ll end at the Great Waterfall and then return by shuttle.
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Walk toward the falls: Starting at Entrance 1 means you hike uphill toward the waterfalls. This way “you always get to see them in front of you,” rather than having to turn around to admire them.
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Scenic breaks: Along the way the route includes a boat ride across Lake Kozjak and a shuttle (panoramic bus) back to the start, so you get a nice mix of gentle transport and walking.
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Key sights: As you hike, you’ll pass Veliki Slap (Great Waterfall), Veliki Prštavac, Mali Prštavac, and countless smaller falls cascading down the limestone – Plitvice truly lives up to its nickname as a waterfall wonderland.
Beat the Crowds: Start Early
Plitvice Lakes are stunning but very popular, especially in summer. To avoid the crowds and have a peaceful experience, plan to arrive when the park opens. In peak season the entances often open around 7:00–8:00 AM, so try to be there at opening time. The trails really start to get busy by 10–11 AM, so early risers have a 2–3 hour window of relative solitude. If you’re driving, even better – having your own car means you can show up on your own schedule (for example, 15–30 minutes before official opening) and “arrive early or late once the crowds have dissipated”. Alternatively, visiting in the late afternoon (a few hours before closing) can also be quieter once the midday tour buses leave.
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Get there at opening: In summer the park’s entrance typically opens by 7–8 AM. Aim to be first in line so you can enjoy empty trails.
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Run on Plitvice time: By arriving early, you’ll walk the Lower Lakes boardwalks alone for a while. (The most crowded period is usually 10AM–2PM.)
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Midday or late visits: If mornings aren’t your thing, know that late afternoon visits can be quieter too – many day-trippers leave by mid-afternoon. Still, planning for an early start is safest to see everything.
Book Tickets Online in Advance
Plitvice uses timed-entry tickets, so it’s important to reserve your spot ahead of time. The park now requires online booking: tickets “can only be purchased in advance, at least 2 days prior to arrival”. In practice, go to the official Plitvice ticketing website and pick a date, entrance and one-hour entry slot. After payment you’ll get a ticket on your email. Buying online ensures you get the date/time you want. Note that capacity is capped so popular dates can sell out. Check the entry hour: Once booked, you may only enter during the hour you selected. Plan to arrive a few minutes before your slot, or if there’s a big crowd entering at the same time, just hang back for 30 minutes so they go in first and you don’t get stuck in the rush. Bring your ticket: Print or save the e-ticket from your email. You’ll show this at the turnstile to be admitted. Keep it handy! In short: book early, online. Waiting to buy on-site is a gamble – tickets can sometimes be purchased at the gate if slots remain, but there’s a risk of missing out without an advance reservation.
Explore Around Plitvice
Photo: Josip Durdov, Barac Caves
Once you’ve conquered the park, the surrounding area offers even more adventures. For instance, the village of Rastoke (about 20 min north of Plitvice) is called “Little Plitvice” – a cluster of old watermills, bridges and tiny waterfalls on the Slunjčica River. It’s a charming stop for photos and a snack. A short drive away are the Barac Caves, where you can take a guided tour underground.
For active fun, head to the Mrežnica River (south of Plitvice) for kayaking or rafting – it has a series of green pools and small cascades that you can paddle through. If you have extra time, consider looping to the coast: the historic city of Zadar or the hiking trails of Paklenica National Park are only 2–3 hours away by car, making for a great multi-day trip.
