How to Spend 1 day in Plitvice Lake
Hey guys, this guide is Plitvice is more a travel story of what happened to us in our first day in Plitvice Lakes. You will be following our day with some quick information and pictures to lead you around this beautiful nature wonder.
We did the Program C, so the upper and lower lakes. We took the boat and the train within the park, visited the cave, the big waterfalls, and the upper cliff viewpoints.
We will finish with our recommendation to help you avoid doing the same mistakes we did.
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
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1 day in Plitvice Lake – Step by Step
Getting there
The day before our arrival in Plitvice, we bought our tickets online. As we were in the high season, we didn’t know if we would be able to buy it directly there and at the time we wanted to. Plus, after buying it online, we got an e-ticket which was super convenient as we will enter more than once the park.
We wanted to arrive there as early as possible, so we woke up around 5:45am to get our breakfast and prepare our lunch boxes. At that time there were lots of thunderbolts outside and really heavy showers.
We then left a bit before 7am when the rain stopped for a while. We drove to the entrance 1, park on the main parking opposite of the entrance. It was empty at this time. (There are 2 parking lots, once you have turn on the left, one of the right side, only for cars, and the other one on the left, much bigger, for cars, campers…)
We were at the entrance 1 by 7:10am and it was empty.
Start of the day
We didn’t really know which program to follow as we got a bit confused with all the options possible, so we started following the board with all the program on them 😊
There wasn’t lots of people at that time, and actually the rain was giving an amazing effect and ambiance to the park. It was so peaceful!
Great Waterfall
After a little while, there was a viewpoint to see, the great waterfall. It is a 5min walk to there and it is quite nice to see, especially with that little people around.
The Caves
And then at the next intersection, there was a sign to go to the cave. At this point, it wasn’t clear were to go. So, we went to the cave and all the way up. Which actually gave us an amazing view of a super famous picture of the Plitvice national park.
We then went back and forth not knowing where to go but finally ended up back at the entrance 1. We asked some people around but there were as confused as us.
We would recommend going up there in the morning, if you want a shot without people and then back down the caves.
Program C
As we were back at the entrance 1, we then just opted to follow program C. So, we walked again the same path as before, but once at the intersection with the caves, we went left toward P3.
At this time, the rain had stopped, the sun started to come out and more and more people were slowly showing up.
Lower lake
The first part we followed was actually the lower lakes. And honestly it was pretty easy. You really don’t need to be in good shape to do it.
As we followed the C program, we went along beautiful scenery and arrived at another intersection. At this one, if you follow the left side, you can actually go back to the entrance (Program A) or even keep walking all along the lake toward the entrance 2. But we just crossed the bridge toward program C.
Port 3
Once the bridge passed, another intersection quickly arrived giving us the choice to go see the upper cliff viewpoints or to keep on with Program C. followed C and decided to see the viewpoint later.
Once we arrived at the P3, we waited and then took the electric boat.
Boat
We hoped on the boat around 9:35am. We noticed that most people are taking the boat actually and not walking around the lake (Program K)
The boat ride last for 20min or so, and once out, we just kept on toward C program.
Upper lakes
Following up the C program, we then walked all around the upper lakes. The rain started again but this part was truly wonderful.
Station 1
At the end of the trail, we arrived at station 1. we took the train (kinda bus) back to the entrance 1. The made one stop along the way but we stayed in till the end. It was around 11:45am when we left.
Mid-day
It was crowded now, so, we decided to go back to our accommodation to have lunch. We read that it should be less crowded end of the afternoon, so we opted to make a break and then go back there.Â
2nd Visit
Return to the park
We were back at the park entrance at 3pm; but it was the same as when we left before noon. So, we went toward the upper cliff viewpoint.
The first part of the trail is quite the same. It was actually our 4th time doing this part of the trail. We followed Program C all along, only this time we followed the big waterfalls sign.
Big waterfalls & Viewpoints
While walking up in the forest, we passed a viewpoint where it seems we exited the park. The guard there told us that we can actually get back in the park using stairs at the end and that we will arrive at the foot of the big waterfalls.
We then enter the forest on the right and followed a small trail that leaded us toward many amazing viewpoints.
Last viewpoint
To reach the last viewpoint, we passed a bridge and arrived at the big waterfall viewpoint. From there, we just went back till a little hut a bit before where the stairs go get back down in the park were. From there we walked back to the bridge and then followed Program A to get back to the entrance.
It took us around 2h for all of it. And even when we finished around 5pm, it was still crowded.
Feedback
In the end, we still had some time in the park, but we felt it was enough. Even though the weather was better now, and we wanted to see the upper lakes again it would have been too much.
One amazing thing is that you can feel the warmth from the water coming up. That was so cool in the morning as the air was fresh due to the rain
Also, if you only have one day, we recommend doing so:
- Program C (before taking the boat)
- Small detour to the big waterfall
- Small detour up and down to the cave for the viewpoint (empty in the morning)
- Small detour to the upper cliff Viewpoints
- Program C
Where to Stay
There are both options to stay in the park and outside of it. We were by car, so we opted for a guesthouse north of the parc located 10min driving. You also have lots of campsite nearby.
- (€): House Nada
- (€€): Studio Apartments Eagle
- (€€€): B&B Lower Lakes Plitvica Selo
Kad na vrbi rodi grožđe
‘When the willow bears grapes’: When pigs fly.
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