Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Croatia was one of those places that had beauty beyond the hype. Not many people think of Croatia when it comes to European vacations. It certainly isn't the first place you think of when hearing about crystal blue waters and cascading waterfalls. Plitvice offers both! The national park is an amazing place with great hikes sure to fill you with awe.

How To Get Here

Plitvice lies outside of large cities in Croatia, but it is really easy to get here. Depending on your travel situation and where you stay there are a couple options.

• If you are driving, it is a totally doable drive from Split or Zagreb to get here, although Zagreb is closer. Dubrovnik might be a little far for a day trip, but it is possible if you plan on staying overnight.
• Buses drop off literally right outside the gate. The easiest place to come from is Zagreb and the route takes about 2 hours. Multiple bus companies run this route with impressive regularity. It's perfect to start in Zagreb if you want to do a day trip to the park. Buses do run from Split, but they are not very frequent. 

To Have the Best Experience

The hikes in Plitvice build in length off of each other. The park gets better the further you go in my opinion. Get there early so you beat the crowds, but also are able to actually see most of the park. The hikes are not really that strenuous, and should be manageable for people who don't hike much. I recommend doing the 6 or 8 hour hike. This will include utilizing the free boat across one of the larger lakes, although you do have the opportunity to walk around the lake instead. 

There is food available in the park, although the amount open depends on the time of year. During the peak season, more will be open, but as you come into winter less is available. I recommend packing a lunch so you don't have to worry about timing your appetite perfectly when you see food. There is a coffee shop right outside the gate, which is good place to get a snack before catching a bus home!

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