Plitvice Lakes Entrance: Which One Should You Choose?
Plitvice Lakes Entrance: Which One Should You Choose?
When planning a visit to Croatia’s most famous national park, knowing which Plitvice Lakes entrance to use is essential. The park has two main visitor entrances located about 3 km apart along the D429 road. Each offers a different starting point, perspective of the lakes, and level of convenience.
Choosing between Plitvice Lakes Entrance 1 and Plitvice Lakes Entrance 2 depends on your travel style, the trails you want to take, and whether you arrive by car or bus.
Plitvice Lakes Entrance 1
Plitvice Lakes Entrance 1 is located at the northern end of the park and is the most popular choice for first-time visitors. From here, you immediately descend into the dramatic scenery of the Lower Lakes and get a direct view of Veliki Slap (Big Waterfall), the tallest waterfall in Croatia. This entrance is ideal if you want to see the most iconic spots right away and take shorter routes that showcase the park’s highlights.
Entrance 1
Coordinations: 44°54’17.9”N 15°36’40.3”E
Best for: Iconic views, shorter routes, quick access to Veliki Slap.
What you’ll see: Lower Lakes, Veliki Slap, canyon boardwalks, and Sastavci waterfall.
Good to know: Trails from Entrance 1 can be steep at first, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Bus stops and paid parking are located directly nearby.
Plitvice Lakes Entrance 2
Plitvice Lakes Entrance 2 is located further south, closer to the Upper Lakes. It is generally less crowded than Entrance 1 and provides access to longer hiking trails and the scenic electric boat ride across Lake Kozjak. Starting from this entrance gives you a more gradual and immersive experience, ideal if you want to spend a full day in the park and explore at a slower pace.
Entrance 2
Coordinations: 44°52’58.5”N 15°37’25.2”E
Best for: Fewer crowds, full-day routes, Upper Lakes access.
What you’ll see: Upper Lakes, Lake Kozjak, panoramic train rides, and connections to longer routes.
Good to know: Bus stops and paid parking are available at the entrance. Many guided tours also use Entrance 2 as a starting point.
Facilities at Plitvice Lakes Entrances
Both Plitvice Lakes Entrance 1 and Entrance 2 offer useful facilities to make your visit easier:
Which Plitvice Lakes Entrance Should You Choose?
If you want to see the most famous views quickly, Entrance 1 is your best option. If you prefer a more relaxed experience with longer trails and fewer crowds, Entrance 2 is the better choice. Since the two entrances are only 3 km apart, you can easily combine them if you plan a full-day visit.
Plitvice Lakes Entrances and Trails
The two main entrances connect to different hiking routes inside the park. From Entrance 1, popular options include shorter routes such as Program A and B, which focus on the Lower Lakes and Veliki Slap.
From Entrance 2, longer trails like Programs C and H begin, covering both the Upper and Lower Lakes with the boat ride across Kozjak and panoramic train included. Your choice of entrance often determines the trail program available, so it’s worth planning in advance based on how much time you have.
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]
