Holiday in Plitvice Lakes

What makes Plitvice Lakes special as a destination?

The Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia's number one natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. 16 emerald green and turquoise lakes are interconnected by a system of waterfalls and cascades, creating a landscape of overwhelming beauty. The lakes stretch over eight kilometers amidst dense beech forests, where bears, wolves, and lynxes still live. The upper lakes (Gornja Jezera) are nestled in dolomite rock and feature larger, calmer water surfaces, while the lower lakes (Donja Jezera) impress with steep gorges and dramatic waterfalls. The Veliki Slap (Great Waterfall) plunges 78 meters down and is the highest waterfall in Croatia. Wooden walkways lead visitors over the turquoise lakes — an experience reminiscent of fairy tale worlds. What makes Plitvice special is the travertine process: limestone deposits continuously change the landscape, creating new barriers, basins, and cascades — the lakes are a living, changing ecosystem. Depending on the season and light conditions, the water colors shift between deep blue, bright green, and milky turquoise. The park offers several circular routes (2 to 8 hours) and is open year-round, with winter revealing a special magic with frozen waterfalls. The drive from Zagreb takes about two hours, and from the coast (Zadar or Split) also about two hours. Early mornings or from September onwards, the park is significantly quieter.