After a few days in Zagreb, we left the city behind bright and early, 6AM to be exact, for one of Croatia’s most iconic natural wonders: Plitvice Lakes National Park.
We opted for a private transfer with a driver who picked us up from our hotel, dropped us off at the park, waited while we explored, and then drove us straight to Split. Was it pricey? Yes. Was the peace of mind worth every euro? Also yes. We didn’t have to worry about our luggage, buses, or navigating transfers. It was smooth, flexible, and stress free.
Before arriving at the park, we made a stop at the picturesque village of Rastoke known for its mini waterfalls and charming wooden houses built over rushing water. Dating back to the 17th century, this city was historically famous for its water powered mills and many of the original mill houses still stand today. The village looks like it’s straight out of a storybook.
Unfortunately it was raining pretty steadily when we arrived so we didn’t linger long but we still managed to admire the cascading streams.
Entrance 1 of Plitvice Lakes National Park.
One of my best friends visited the national park last year and told us to get there early since tour groups start rolling in around 10AM. We took that tip to heart and trust me, it was a game changer. We arrived at 8AM and miraculously the rain had stopped. The park is an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and it’s known for its 16 interconnected lakes, countless waterfalls, and the way the mineral rich water changes colors from emerald green to turquoise to deep blue depending on the angle and light. One thing to note: Plitvice Lakes National Park is enormous and there are numerous hiking routes ranging from a couple of hours to a full day trek. The trails are labeled A through K each offering a different combination of walking and ferry boat rides. We chose a moderate route (B) that let us see a good portion of the park but didn’t require us to commit an entire day. If you have more time and are staying overnight nearby, the longest trail is worth it so you can fully immerse yourself in the park’s beauty.
One of the main attractions is Veliki Slap, the great waterfall, which is the highest waterfall in the park at 78 meters high. It’s breathtaking and we were lucky enough to catch a rainbow arcing through the mist.
By late morning the paths near the entrance were noticeably busier and actually quite crowded so we felt extra grateful we’d started early. After a few magical hours of exploring, we met back up with our driver and hit the road again. It’s hard to believe a place like this exists as it feels almost otherworldly. If you’re traveling from Croatia, a stop at Plitvice Lakes National Park is an absolute must.