Plitvice Lakes Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
Plitvice Lakes Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
Plitvice Lakes opening hours vary depending on the season, but the park welcomes visitors year-round. Each season offers a different atmosphere, from rushing spring waterfalls to frozen winter cascades. Knowing the opening times, best visiting hours/days, and ideal seasons will help you plan your trip for a smooth, crowd-free experience.
Plitvice Lakes Opening Hours
The park has fixed entry times that change slightly depending on daylight hours. Here are the official Plitvice Lakes opening hours:
January – March
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
April – May
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
June – August
7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
September – October
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
November – December
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tip: Last entry is generally two hours before closing. Opening times for the electric boat and panoramic train follow the same schedule as the park and stop operating earlier in winter.
Note: The Upper Lakes are closed from winter until April, while the Lower Lakes remain accessible (weather permitting).
Best Time to Visit Plitvice Lakes
The best times to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park are considered spring and autumn. In spring, melting snow makes the waterfalls most powerful, trails are lush, and temperatures are mild. Autumn brings vibrant foliage, fewer crowds, and pleasant weather, making it an equally ideal season.
Spring (March–May)
Strongest waterfalls, fresh greenery, comfortable temperatures.
Autumn (September–October)
Stunning fall colors, smaller crowds, great light for photography.
Summer (June–August)
Long days and full services, but also peak crowds and higher prices.
Winter (November–February)
Quiet atmosphere with frozen waterfalls, but shorter opening hours and limited services.
Best Time of Day to Visit Plitvice Lakes
Crowds at Plitvice Lakes build steadily during the day, peaking around 1:00 PM, when most tour buses arrive. To avoid the busiest hours, consider these tips:
Plitvice Lakes Weather
The climate is continental with mountain influences, meaning the Plitvice Lakes weather can shift quickly. Mornings are often cool, afternoons warmer, and evenings chilly.
→ See here the Plitvice Lakes weather forecast.
Daytime highs in summer (July–August) typically reach around 25-28 °C (77-82 °F), while in winter (January) daytime temperatures may only climb to about 4-5 °C (39-41 °F) and drop below freezing at night. In spring and autumn, you’ll see mild days around 15-20 °C (59-68 °F), but mornings and evenings can be quite cool.
How Many Hours Do You Need at Plitvice Lakes?
Most visitors spend 5–7 hours exploring the park, which is enough to see both the Upper and Lower Lakes at a comfortable pace. A full-day visit allows you to walk several trails, take the boat ride across Lake Kozjak, and enjoy the panoramic train.
For travelers short on time, a 3–4 hour visit still covers the highlights of the Lower Lakes and Veliki Slap. Multi-day visits are rarely necessary unless you want to hike all available routes.
Find more about the Plitvice Lakes tickets & tours options here.
How Do You Plan a Visit to Plitvice Lakes?
Plitvice Lakes National Park Tickets
Explore below our curated selection of Plitvice Lakes tickets and guided tours:
Bestseller Plitvice Lakes Ticket
Plitvice Lakes National Park Entry with Panoramic Train & Boat Ride
5.3K+ reviews
€23
Headout
Everything from buying the tickets to entering the National Park was a breeze. The National park is exquisite and the boat ride was a lovely experience and a rest for my husband…
Top-Value Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour
Plitvice Lakes National Park Guided Tour
50+ reviews
€35
Headout
Our guide was excellent. He was personable & knowledgeable. He was very approachable & amazing with multiple languages.
Top-Rated Day Plitvice Lakes Day Trip from Split
From Split: Plitvice Lakes National Park Guided Tour
2.8K+ reviews
€65
Viator
Absolutely stunning lakes and a great tour out from Split. It’s a bit of a drive but the bus is lovely and comfortable so it’s an easy trip. The day in the park itself is spectacular and worth the drive…
Top-Rated Day Plitvice Lakes Day Trip from Zadar
Zadar: Plitvice Lakes Guided Day Tour with Tickets
2.8K+ reviews
€58
GetYourGuide
had a truly wonderful experience with Bojan! The tour was comfortable, well-organized, and fun […] I wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Croatia.
Top-Rated Day Plitvice Lakes Day Trip from Zagreb
From Zagreb: Plitvice & Rastoke Guided Day Trip with Ticket
2.7K+ reviews
€85
GetYourGuide
It was a great trip from Zagreb to see Plitvice. Included a short stop at Rastoke Village where you can explore and take a break on the way to Plitvice. […] The locations themselves are amazing, highly recommended to take this tour.
Top-Rated Day Plitvice Lakes Day Trip from Trogir
Bestseller Plitvice Lakes Ticket
Plitvice Lakes National Park Entry with Panoramic Train & Boat Ride
This Plitvice Lakes Ticket offers comprehensive access to Plitvice Lakes National Park, granting entry at either the North or South entrance. Immerse yourself in the park’s beauty with included perks, such as a panoramic train ride and an electric boat excursion on Kozjak, Plitvice’s largest lake.
“Everything from buying the tickets to entering the National Park was a breeze. The National park is exquisite and the boat ride was a lovely experience and a rest for my husband…” Katharine, Oct. 2023 [Source: Headout]
Top-Value Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour
Plitvice Lakes National Park Guided Tour
With this Plitvice Lakes ticket, you’ll join a fully guided tour of the park with skip-the-line entry. Explore the waterfalls, lakes, and woodland walks with ease. Along the way you’ll also enjoy a panoramic train ride and a relaxing electric boat trip across one of the largest lakes, for added scenery and serenity.
“Our guide was excellent. He was personable & knowledgeable. He was very approachable & amazing with multiple languages.” James, Sep. 2025 [Source: Headout]
Top-Rated Day Plitvice Lakes Day Trip from Split
From Split: Plitvice Lakes National Park Guided Tour
Travel in comfort from Split with this Plitvice Lakes Guided Tour that covers round-trip transportation, and expert guide narration. You’ll get to walk through upper and lower lake trails, ride a scenic boat, and experience the park’s highlights — all while the drive is taken care of.
“Absolutely stunning lakes and a great tour out from Split. It’s a bit of a drive but the bus is lovely and comfortable so it’s an easy trip. The day in the park itself is spectacular and worth the drive…” Elizabeth, Sep. 2025 [Source: Viator]
Top-Rated Day Plitvice Lakes Day Trip from Zadar
Zadar: Plitvice Lakes Guided Day Tour with Tickets
Departing from Zadar, this guided tour provides everything you need for a seamless Plitvice Lakes adventure — transport, admission, and a knowledgeable guide. Walk the wooden paths, admire the iconic waterfalls, and relax on a tranquil boat ride before heading back to the city.
“I had a truly wonderful experience with Bojan! The tour was comfortable, well-organized, and fun […] I wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Croatia.” Yuliia, Sep. 2025 [Source: GetYourGuide]
Top-Rated Day Plitvice Lakes Day Trip from Zagreb
From Zagreb: Plitvice & Rastoke Guided Day Trip with Ticket
Embark on a 10-hour day trip to Plitvice National Park with a seasoned English-speaking guide and convenient van transportation from Zagreb. The package covers the entry ticket to Plitvice National Park and includes a visit to the charming Rastoke Village for an enriched experience.
“It was a great trip from Zagreb to see Plitvice. Included a short stop at Rastoke Village where you can explore and take a break on the way to Plitvice. […] The locations themselves are amazing, highly recommended to take this tour.” Ella, Sep. 2025 [Source: GetYourGuide]
Top-Rated Day Plitvice Lakes Day Trip from Trogir
From Split or Trogir: Plitvice Lakes Tour with Entry Tickets
Experience a 12-hour guided Plitvice Lakes Tour with entry tickets to Plitvice Lakes National Park included. Enjoy convenient pickup and drop-off, transportation by minivan or tour bus, departing from either Split or Trogir.
“I recommend this tour! A well-thought-out route: it was interesting, beautiful, not boring and not too tiring. […] Our transport was very comfortable, with air conditioning.” Анастасия, Aug. 2025 [Source: GetYourGuide]
