Plitvice Inland Croatia
3
Day Itinerary •
Croatia
Three days in Plitvice and Inland Croatia take you from the most extraordinary natural wonder in Croatia through the remarkable waterfall village of Rastoke to the fine Habsburg capital of Zagreb. Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where 16 terraced lakes connected by 92 waterfalls in extraordinary turquoise water form the finest natural landscape in the country. This route connects inland Croatia's finest highlights. Plitvice Lakes with its extraordinary boardwalk waterfalls, the remarkable hidden waterfall village of Rastoke, the fine Renaissance star-city of Karlovac and the extraordinary Zagreb with its remarkable Upper Town, the colourful St Mark's Church and the finest Dolac market in Croatia.
Best Time To Visit
Apr to Jun and Sep to Oct. Waterfalls fullest in spring. Autumn colours extraordinary.
Getting There
Fly to Zagreb Airport (ZAG). Plitvice is 2 hours south by car or bus.
Getting Around
Car essential for Plitvice and Rastoke. Zagreb excellent on foot and tram.
Budget Per Day
Approx EUR 80 to EUR 180 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate. Plitvice walks are on boardwalks and paths.
DAY 1
PLITVICE LAKES
MORNING
PLITVICE LAKES UPPER LAKES WALK
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the most extraordinary UNESCO natural heritage site in Croatia, its remarkable 16 terraced lakes connected by 92 waterfalls in extraordinary turquoise-green water formed by travertine limestone barriers giving the finest single natural landscape in the country. The Upper Lakes circuit gives the finest introduction to the park, the remarkable Veliki Slap waterfall at 78 metres the highest in Croatia, the extraordinary wooden boardwalks threading beside and between the falls and the fine lake boat crossing outstanding. Entry approx EUR 20 to EUR 40 by season. Travel: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
PLITVICE LAKES LOWER LAKES AND BOARDWALKS
The Lower Lakes at Plitvice give the most extraordinary boardwalk experience in Europe, the remarkable wooden pathways running directly over and beside the extraordinary cascading travertine waterfalls and the vivid turquoise pools giving the finest close-up natural wonder encounter in Croatia. The extraordinary Milanovac and Gavanovac lakes with their remarkable fish visible through the crystal-clear water and the fine electric boat across Great Lake are outstanding. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
RASTOKE WATERFALL VILLAGE
Rastoke near Slunj is the most extraordinary waterfall village in Croatia, the remarkable small settlement where the Slunjcica River flows over a series of extraordinary travertine waterfalls directly between and beneath the old stone mill houses giving the finest hidden natural village in inland Croatia. The remarkable working watermills, the extraordinary swimming in the natural pools and the fine local restaurants give the finest afternoon stop between Plitvice and Zagreb.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Barac Caves near Rakovica between Plitvice and Zagreb are the most extraordinary accessible cave system in inland Croatia, remarkable stalactite and stalagmite formations in an extraordinary series of connected chambers giving the finest cave experience near Plitvice. Entry approx EUR 10. 20 minutes from Plitvice.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel near Plitvice before opening Early arrival at Plitvice for the finest light and fewest people. | Lunch: Restaurant in Mukinje near Plitvice Outstanding local Croatian food near the park. | Dinner: Konoba in Rastoke or Slunj Outstanding Lika region food. Local lamb and freshwater fish.
DAY 2
RASTOKE VILLAGE
MORNING
PLITVICE SECOND FULL MORNING
A second morning at Plitvice Lakes gives the extraordinary opportunity to explore the routes not completed the previous day, the remarkable Programme C covering both upper and lower lakes in full giving the finest complete Plitvice experience. The extraordinary early morning light on the falls before the main visitor groups arrive and the remarkable wildlife including brown bears occasionally spotted in the forested areas around the park are outstanding. Travel: 2 hour drive
MIDDAY
KARLOVAC BEER CITY AND THE QUADANGLE
Karlovac between Plitvice and Zagreb is the most extraordinary Renaissance-planned city in Croatia, its remarkable star-shaped fortification designed in 1579 visible in the street pattern and the fine riverside promenade along the Korana River giving the finest city stop on the drive to Zagreb. The remarkable Karlovac Museum and the extraordinary local brewery tour at the Karlovacko brewery, one of Croatia's most celebrated, give the finest urban stop in inland Croatia. Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
ZAGREB UPPER TOWN AND DOLAC MARKET
Zagreb's extraordinary Upper Town on the hill above the modern city gives the finest historic urban experience in Croatia, the remarkable St Mark's Church with its extraordinary colourful tiled roof showing the Croatian and Zagreb coats of arms, the fine Lotrscak Tower and the remarkable Stone Gate with its beloved Madonna icon giving the finest heritage afternoon in the Croatian capital. The extraordinary Dolac market below the upper town is the finest open-air market in Croatia.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb Upper Town is the most extraordinary concept museum in Croatia, the remarkable collection of objects donated by people from broken relationships worldwide giving the finest and most moving single museum afternoon in Zagreb. Entry approx EUR 7. The finest hidden museum in Zagreb.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast near Plitvice Before the second morning at the park. | Lunch: Restaurant in Karlovac Outstanding local Croatian lunch. Karlovac beer and local fish. | Dinner: Bistro Apetit, Zagreb Outstanding Zagreb restaurant. Local Croatian cuisine and continental wines.
DAY 3
ZAGREB CITY
MORNING
ZAGREB LOWER TOWN AND BAN JELACIC SQUARE
Zagreb's extraordinary Lower Town gives the finest Austro-Hungarian city experience in the Balkans, the remarkable Ban Jelacic Square as the vibrant heart of the city, the fine Art Nouveau and historicist architecture of the 19th-century grid plan and the extraordinary Museum of Arts and Crafts and the fine Archaeological Museum giving the finest heritage morning in the Croatian capital. The remarkable Green Horseshoe of parks and museums gives the finest city walk. Travel: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
ZAGREB CATHEDRAL AND KAPTOL
Zagreb Cathedral is the most extraordinary Gothic building in Croatia, the remarkable twin neo-Gothic spires rising above the Kaptol hill and the fine interior with its extraordinary treasury containing the famous golden cloak of St Blaise and the remarkable 11th-century sacristy with its extraordinary Romanesque fresco giving the finest single monument in Zagreb. The fine Kaptol neighbourhood of baroque canon houses and the extraordinary Archbishop's Palace are outstanding. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
MIROGOJ CEMETERY AND ZAGREB FAREWELL
Mirogoj Cemetery north of Zagreb centre is the most extraordinary cemetery in Croatia and among the finest in Europe, the remarkable arcaded entrance designed by Herman Bolle in 1876 and the extraordinary collection of sculptures, mausoleums and the fine monumental portal giving the finest cultural afternoon in Zagreb. The remarkable democratic tradition of the cemetery uniting all faiths and the extraordinary public art makes it the finest hidden attraction in the Croatian capital. Free entry.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Zagreb 80s Museum in the Lower Town is the most extraordinary nostalgia museum in Croatia, the remarkable recreation of a 1980s Zagreb apartment and lifestyle giving the finest single humorous and touching museum experience in the city. Entry approx EUR 7. The finest hidden museum in Zagreb Lower Town.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Zagreb Outstanding Zagreb coffee culture. The finest espresso in continental Croatia. | Lunch: Vinodol, Zagreb Outstanding Zagreb restaurant since 1990. Local lamb peka and continental cuisine. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Zagreb Outstanding final Croatian dinner. Local truffle pasta and local wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Plitvice area, Night 1 Hotel Jezero or Plitvice Holiday Resort. Park entrance. Approx EUR 80 to EUR 180. Zagreb, Night 2 Hotel Esplanade or Palace Hotel. City centre. Approx EUR 100 to EUR 280.
Top Tips
1. Book Plitvice tickets online at np-plitvicka-jezera.hr well in advance. They sell out in summer.
2. Arrive at Plitvice at 8am opening for the finest light and fewest visitors on the boardwalks.
3. Rastoke waterfall village is entirely free to visit and walk around. Local restaurants serve excellent food.
4. Zagreb's Dolac market is open mornings only, closing by 1pm. Best on Saturday for the finest atmosphere.
5. The Zagreb Upper Town funicular is the shortest in the world. Ride it once for the experience. EUR
1.
6. Plitvice autumn colours in October are extraordinary. The park receives far fewer visitors than in July.
Total Budget
Approx EUR 80 to EUR 180 per person per day