Plitvice Lakes National Park at a glance
The park lies in the mountain region of Croatia between Mala Kapela and LiΔka PljeΕ‘ivica. It is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sixteen named lakes, plus smaller unnamed ones, are linked by travertine barriers and waterfalls, and wooden boardwalks lead you across and along the water.
This guide covers what you need to plan a visit: tickets and time slots, opening hours, entrances 1 and 2, the hiking programs, the Big Waterfall (Veliki slap), winter visits, facts and history, the mill village of Rastoke and the way here from Zagreb, Split and Zadar. Prices are in euros, as listed for 2026, and they change. The boat and the panoramic vehicle inside the park belong to the program you choose.
Our picks: a day at Plitvice
Our take: from Zagreb the Rastoke day trip comes with ticket and guide; from Split the guided tour includes entry, boat and train; from Zadar the day tour adds a walk through the old town.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Plitvice guided tour from Split with entry tickets
- Transport from Split
- Park entry ticket
- Guide, boat and train
A long day from Split with transport, a guide, park entry, the panoramic boat and the electric train.
Check availability βPlitvice and Rastoke day trip from Zagreb with ticket
- Park entry ticket
- Licensed guide
- Boat and train in the park
Return transport, park entry, a licensed guide in the park, the boat and train, and a stop in the mill village of Rastoke.
Check availability β
Plitvice guided day tour from Zadar with tickets
- Park entry ticket
- Local guide
- Boat and panoramic train
Park entry, a local guide, the electric boat and panoramic train, plus a walking tour of Zadar's old town on one of your days in the city.
Check availability βPlitvice Lakes tours and day trips
Guided visits and day trips to Plitvice Lakes, with live prices and availability. Check whether the park entrance ticket is included before you book.
Plitvice Lakes tickets at a glance
One-day tickets per person, price list 2026. The full tables are on the tickets page.
| Season | Adult | Student | Child 7 to 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| January to March, November to December | β¬10 | β¬6 | β¬4 |
| April to May, October | β¬23 | β¬14 | β¬6 |
| June to September, rate A | β¬40 | β¬25 | β¬15 |
| June to September, rate B (later slots) | β¬25 | β¬15 | β¬9 |
Children up to 7 enter free. The ticket includes the electric boat and the panoramic vehicle as set by the program, accident insurance for visitors and VAT. For most visitors, a one-day ticket booked online for the slot they want is the simplest choice.
Plan your visit
Start with tickets and the choice of entrance, then pick a route.
Plitvice Lakes tickets 2026
Day and two-day prices, time slots, free entry and group rules.
Guided visits and day trips
The park guide for groups, what to check on a day trip, and self-guided visits.
Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb
Bus route, time and price, and the way by car.
Plitvice Lakes from Split
Bus times and fares from Split and Zadar.
Opening hours
Entrances, ticket desks, parking, boats and panoramic vehicles.
Entrance 1 or 2
Which entrance fits which program, and what parking costs.
Hiking routes
Programs A, B, C, E, F, H, K1 and K2 with length and duration.
The Big Waterfall
Veliki slap, its viewpoints and the routes that lead there.
Seasons, background and practical pages
When to go, how to arrive, where to sleep and what the lakes are made of.
Plitvice Lakes in winter
Lower lakes, closed upper lakes, winter prices and snow chains.
Best time to visit
Seasons compared, with a monthly climate table.
How to get to Plitvice Lakes
Bus stops, roads and the way by car.
Where to stay
The park hotel and the villages around the park.
Plitvice Lakes facts
Lakes, travertine and the UNESCO listing.
History of the park
Founding in 1949, the 1991 events and the Winnetou films.
Rastoke
A mill village at Slunj, around 32 km from the lakes.
A few things to know before you go
Details that decide how a visit runs.
Book online, keep the slot
Booking online ahead of time is recommended. The entrances sell tickets only while availability remains. Your ticket is tied to a time slot: activate it at the chosen entrance, not earlier than the slot and at most 1 hour late.
Tickets and time slots βPrograms, not a lettered series
The park offers programs A, B, C, E, F, H, K1 and K2. The big walk K comes in two versions: K1 with 16.5 km from Entrance 1 and K2 with 17.5 km from Entrance 2.
Hiking routes βThe height of the Big Waterfall
The height depends on where you measure: 62 m to the first pool, 87 m including the cascades below, or 78 m. Plan for the view, not for one number.
The Big Waterfall βOne park hotel is on offer
Hotel Jezero is the park hotel on offer. Hotel Plitvice and Hotel Bellevue are in renovation, with completion planned for 2027, so do not count on them for 2026.
Where to stay βOpen all year, hours by season
The park runs 365 days a year, with hours that change by season. The upper lakes are normally closed in winter, so long programs are shorter then.
Opening hours βPlitvice Lakes: frequently asked questions
How much is a ticket for Plitvice Lakes in 2026?
A one-day adult ticket costs β¬10 from January to March and in November and December, β¬23 in April, May and October, and β¬40 or β¬25 from June to September, depending on the time slot. Students and children 7 to 18 pay less. See the tickets page for every category.
Do I have to book tickets online?
Booking online is recommended, and tickets at the entrances are sold only while availability remains. For special promotion periods the park can require online purchase, so check the conditions when you book.
How long does a visit take?
The programs range from 2 to 3 hours for the short ones to 6 to 8 hours for the big walk K. Programs A, B and F take 2 to 4 hours and include the Lower Lakes and the Big Waterfall. See hiking routes.
Can I swim in the lakes?
No. Swimming is banned, as is feeding animals. Stay on the marked paths and keep dogs on a leash. Drones for aerial photos and bicycles are not allowed either.
Is a guide required?
No. You can walk the programs on your own and follow the markings. A guide is optional, and the park offers one for organized groups. See guided visits and day trips.
Is this the official website of Plitvice Lakes National Park?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the national park administration, the Croatian National Tourist Board, any hotel or any tour operator. For entry conditions, the park itself decides.