Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While spectacular, Plitvice has a long history of poor management by government
bureaucrats and is not as user-friendly for visitors as it could be. The trails can be
confusingly marked. Here's a decoder for the symbols you'll see on signs:
Boat icons
point you to one of the park's three boat docks:
P-1
is the dock that's a steep hike below the park's three hotels.
P-2
is just across the water from the P-1 dock, at the bottom of the Upper Lakes.
P-3
is all the way across the biggest lake, at the top of the Lower Lakes.
Train icons
directyoutooneofthethreestopsfortheshuttlebuses(notactualtrains)
that move visitors around the park:
ST-1
is a 10-minute walk below Entrance 1, just above the Lower Lakes.
ST-2
isbelowEntrance 2andthepark'sthreehotels(andabovetheP-1boatdock).
ST-3
is at the top of the Upper Lakes.
Letters
denote various recommended hiking routes. These are largely nonsensical;
while I mention these letters occasionally to help you find your way, don't get too
hung up on them.
Plitvice's 16 lakes are divided into the Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera) and the Lower Lakes
(Donja Jezera). The park officially has two entrances
(ulaz),
each with ticket windows and
snack and gift shops. Entrance 1 overlooks the bottom of the Lower Lakes. Entrance 2 is
about 1.5 miles south, near the cluster of Plitvice's three hotels (Jezero, Plitvice, and Bel-
levue; see “Sleeping in and near Plitvice,” later). There is no town at Plitvice. The nearest
village, Mukinje, is a residential community mostly for park workers.
Cost:
The price to enter the park varies by season: 180 kn July-Aug, 110 kn April-June
and Sept-Oct, and 55 kn Nov-March. This price covers park entry, boat, and shuttle bus.
Park hotel guests pay the entry fee only once for their entire stay; if you're staying off-site
and want to visit the park on several days, you'll have to buy separate tickets each day.
Hours:
The park is open every day, but the hours vary by season. In summer, it's gen-
erally open 7:00-20:00; in spring and fall, 8:00-18:00; and in winter, 8:00-16:00. The last
boats and shuttle buses depart earlier (generally 30-60 minutes before the park closes—if
hiking late in the day, ask about this before you head out). The quick boat ride between
