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 a bowling alley, as well as a spa area where all guests can relax free of charge. 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.
