The Plitvice Lakes are often visited as a single-day destination, but you have to give the Park more time in order to truly experience it. Three days are enough for you to discover the various faces of the Park – from captivating waterfalls of the Lower Lakes to the more open Upper Lakes, where numerous waterfalls and lakes fill the air with sounds which follow you every step of the way. The Plitvice Lakes are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Croatia, so the number of available tickets per hour and entrance is limited. Visitors are therefore advised to purchase their tickets online at the official National Park website.

Select Hotel Jezero for you stay – it is located at the best location in the Plitvice Lakes, right next to the entrance to the National Park. Cozy and convenient, it is an excellent choice for those who want to be as closer to nature as possible, with no need for driving. The accommodation comes with an extended park ticket, meaning more time to explore and less hassle. In the hotel, you will find a fitness room and relax in the SPA zone, which is completely free for all guests. If you do not know where to start, consider our suggestion for three days of exploring the Plitvice Lakes.

Day 1: The canyon, Lower Lakes waterfalls and rowing

It is best to spend the first day of your stay exploring the Lower Lakes – the part of the Park whose mighty waterfalls, crystal-clear water and stunning canyon leave a strong first impression. Depending on the chosen trail, you can set off on your tour from Entrance 1 or Entrance 2, and the 78-meter high Great Waterfall – highest in Croatia – is undoubtedly worth the time. Neither visitors nor their cameras can remain indifferent to its strength and beauty.

After walking along waterfalls and lakes, you can rest a bit and have a meal at Restaurant Lička kuća, with a tradition spanning over 50 years, located at Entrance 1 to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Decorated in the manner of traditional Lika architecture, Lička kuća resembles an ethnographic museum, combining the aromas of local meals with the warmth of wood. On the menu, you will find authentic Lika flavors, prepared with local ingredients, the traditional way.

After lunch, the ideal way to spend the rest of the relaxing day is to visit Lake Kozjak, located in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, just a few steps away. It is the largest of the 16 lakes in Plitvice, a quiet expanse where it is easy to slow down, let go and enjoy the moment. You can rent a wooden paddle boat, ideal for a light exploration of the lake from a completely new perspective, at the boat dock P1.

Day 2: Sightseeing around the Upper Lakes and relaxing in the spa area of Hotel Jezero

Start your day off with a breakfast at Hotel Jezero, and then go and explore the Upper Lakes – the more open part of the National Park famous for its numerous lakes and waterfalls. Walking trails wind through densely forested areas, with emerald green lakes and waterfalls descending into other lakes and creating a breathtaking scene. The Veliki and Mali Prštavac waterfalls are some of the most attractive ones, refreshing you with their splashing and water mist while you are walking along them.

The Tomićevo pogledalo overlook, opened in 2024 and located at an altitude of 684.82 meters, also offers a special experience. The overlook, which is designed to blend in with nature, presents an exceptional panoramic view of five Upper Lakes – Prošćansko, Ciginovac, Okrugljak, Veliko i Malo jezero. Other than serving as a favorite photoshoot spot, Tomićevo pogledalo gives you the opportunity for silence and reflection, while discovering the Plitvice Lakes from a completely new perspective, as if the nature were unfolding in all its breadth and complexity.

For lunch, we would recommend Black River – steak & pasta house, located not far from the hotel, at Entrance 2. Carefully prepared steaks and pasta inspired by Mediterranean cuisine are served in a modern, cozy lounge ambience. The dishes that make Black River stand out are steaks made with premium cuts of meat from our own butchery, cured for up to 55 days in special dry aging cabinets. The variety of cuts, careful preparation and presentation of steaks in the immediate vicinity of Plitvice Lakes create an authentic experience for lovers of top-quality meat and natural beauty.

Finish your day off at Hotel Jezero relaxing on the terrace or the wellness area, which includes a Finish sauna, a Turkish steam bath and a hydromassage pool – the ideal way to round out a day bursting with unforgettable sights, sounds, and tastes which will stay with you for a long time.

Day 3: Exploring the area surrounding the National Park

After two days of walking along waterfalls and lakes, the plan for the third day is more relaxed. After sightseeing, it is worth exploring the area surrounding the Park by engaging in activities which give you a different view of the Lika destination area.

If you wish to enjoy nature, choose some of the numerous other activities in the area surrounding the Park and try your hand at kayaking on the Gacka river, find out about the life of Nikola Tesla at the Memorial Center or explore Barać caves and the Speleon center. Animal lovers will be delighted by the bear sanctuary, the deer ranch or the horseback riding through the forests bordering the National Park.

At the end of the day, relax at the Kozjak Café Bar and enjoy rich-tasting, elegant desserts with your favorite drink. The Kozjak Café Bar serves as the perfect conclusion to your trip, with the calm atmosphere and the charming views of nature blending into a moment of perfect relaxation.

Do not miss the opportunity to experience all that the Plitvice Lakes and their surroundings have to offer. Spend three days exploring their immeasurable beauty and enjoy every moment spent in nature.

Objava Why one day at the Plitvice Lakes is not enough? pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

Hotel accommodation inside the National Park

Jezero Hotel, in the immediate vicinity of the largest lake in Plitvice – Kozjak Lake – is the ideal starting point for exploring the wonders waiting in the Park. In addition to its unique location and proximity to natural attractions, the hotel also offers numerous facilities for relaxation and recreation. Guests of Jezero Hotel can relax in the wellness area featuring a hydromassage pool, Finnish sauna and Turkish steam bath, as well as use the fitness zone. Whether you are traveling as a couple, with family or friends, you will have a pleasant and relaxing stay in the hotel.

Until the end of June 2025, you can use the promo code JUNE20 for the spring package to get a 20% discount on your stay in the Standard double room, park side, at Jezero Hotel. The price includes a ticket for the National Park during your entire stay.

Camping near Plitvice Lakes

All camping enthusiasts can stay at the Korana and Borje campsites, located on the outskirts of the Park.

Every visitor can hide away in their own quiet corner of Korana Campsite, one of the most beautiful campsites in continental Croatia with an area of ​​35 hectares, and enjoy a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Guests have access to a shop and a restaurant serving local dishes at an attractive location above the Korana River canyon.

Borje Campsite is located in a pine forest, which provides natural shade during hot summer days. In addition to spacious camping spots, perfect for guests looking for a simple but comfortable stay outdoors, the campsite also features a restaurant, a children’s playground, and various sports facilities.

There is organized transport to the Park and back for campers who decide to stay at the Korana and Borje campsites, as well as an additional benefit for all those who stay for two or more nights – an extended ticket for the National Park.

Gastronomic experience

You can enjoy the diverse gastronomic offer in the Park, whether you prefer à la carte specialties or fast food. The Lička kuća Restaurant, with a tradition spanning over 50 years, definitely deserves a mention with its combination of authentic Lika flavors and a unique rustic atmosphere. Be sure to visit the Black River Restaurant – Steak & Pasta House, at Entrance 2 to the National Park, and discover its innovative menu and relaxing lounge atmosphere.

Both have been featured in Gault & Millau Croatia 2025, an international restaurant guide – a testament to their exceptional quality. The Park’s offer grew in 2025 with the opening of the Kozjak Café, where you can take a break, drink some coffee and enjoy a dessert,

Active vacation – hiking and rowing

In addition to the usual tour of the Park along hiking trails, by a panoramic vehicle and an electric boat, visitors can enjoy other activities as well, such as trekking and rowing, and experience Plitvice Lakes from a different perspective. Hiking trails wind through forested areas providing pleasant shade, and you can take a shorter or – if you are physically ready for it – a longer trail. The clearly marked trails connect the main Park locations.

Did you know you can explore Lake Kozjak on a rowing boat? Visitors can go to the boat dock P1, near Entrance 2 to the National Park, and take a wooden boat for a relaxing exploration of the lake at their own pace.

Discover the surrounding areas of the Park with discounts

There are several ways to get discounts on various activities in Plitvice Lakes National Park in 2025. The special accommodation offers for Hotel Jezero or Korana Campsite include discounts on massages and tourist attractions in the surrounding areas, depending on the length of your stay.

Even if you are not staying at the accommodation, you can use your ticket for Plitvice Lakes National Park to get discounts at 7 attractive locations in the Lika destination until the end of the year. This way, you can enjoy the Plitvice Lakes waterfalls, as well as discover other Lika attractions at a more affordable ticket price, as early as this extended weekend. You can find out more at the link.

“Come for the lakes, stay for nature and adventure” is more than the slogan of Plitvice Lakes National Park – it is the experience you will have if you take this offer.

Objava An extended weekend at Plitvice Lakes as an introduction to summer pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".