Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s best-known national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site: a chain of sixteen terraced lakes in shades of turquoise and green, connected by waterfalls and cascades. The Veliki Slap, or Great Waterfall, is the tallest in Croatia.

Wooden boardwalks thread across the water and along the shores, and an electric boat across Lake Kozjak and a panoramic road train link the upper and lower lakes, so the walking can be tailored to any age group.

Swimming is not allowed. Arrive at opening time, especially in summer, and wear good walking shoes as the boardwalks can be wet. Plitvice sits roughly between Zagreb and Zadar, so it fits neatly on the drive down to the coast. The lower lakes, with the Great Waterfall, are the most dramatic, while the upper lakes are quieter and greener.