Croatia is not only summer and beaches, but also unspoiled nature and beautiful parks: this is what to expect when visiting Plitvice Lakes.
If I tell you Croatia what do you think? The beaches and the sea are the first things that come to mind. Usually the most comfortable destination for us Italians is theIstria. But I found that this beautiful country has a lot more to offer. Such as i lakes. And not simple fresh water mirrors, but the wonderful and uncontaminated ones Plitvice lakes. So let's find out together.
Where they are and how to reach them
Plitvice Lakes are enclosed in a wonderful National Park. In 1979 they were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, due to the war, from '91 to '96 there were no visitors in the park and the area was completely abandoned. Only in 2001 the park began to live again and was thus literally stormed.
The park is located approximately just over 200 km from Trieste and you can easily reach it with your own vehicle. But also by bus it is possible to go to the lakes and also the stops are located near the two park entrances.
Paths
The park consists of 16 lakes which are connected to each other by paths and 18 kilometers of piers. To visit it there are different routes, more or less long, it's up to you to choose the one you prefer based on the time and the desire you have to walk. Obviously, various paths overlap. So if you have chosen, for example, the 9 km one and you are tired you can easily change direction and shorten it.
To access the park there are two entrances where, in addition to buying the ticket, you will be provided with all the maps and information necessary to enjoy the visit of this wonderful place.
Where to sleep and eat
Being one very touristic area there is no problem finding a place to sleep. Obviously the more you are in the park area, the more expensive the accommodations will be.
Inside there are three hotels. But, if you want to save a little, you can find excellent ones within a radius of about fifteen kilometers guesthouse.
For those who travel by camper there is no problem as there are various campsites in the surroundings or even equipped rest areas.
As for eating during the visit, you can choose either to have a packed lunch or to enjoy a good meal in the various refreshment points scattered around it.
When to visit the lakes and prices
The park is open all year round. In the winter season some routes may be closed due to possible snowfalls. In any case, admire the frozen waterfalls and the whole snow covered park is a truly incredible sight. The entrance ticket costs 55 HRK, approximately € 8.
In the summer season, however, admission costs 200 kuna, more or less € 27. In both seasons, all means of transport are included in the ticket price that are inside the park or boats and trains.
In this period all the routes are open but we must take into account the large crowd of people who visit the lakes. For this reason a good time to visit is spring: mild, long and not overcrowded days. In addition, the waterfalls and lakes are loaded with water.
