Among the latests Moravia's compositions things to see in Croatia Almost always a natural space of great beauty is named, which leaves no one indifferent. We refer to the well-known Plitvice Lakes, a natural formation in which you can find a forest, waterfalls and lakes. Today it is a protected area that has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
The Plitvice Lakes they make up a natural park that is located about 400 kilometers from Dubrovnik. However, it is one of the essential places to visit if we travel to Croatia, so it will be easy to find transport and accommodation. It is located in the Lika region and a couple of days are recommended to be able to see them calmly.
Lakes data
These lakes have already been declared as Natural Park in 1949 by those who ruled the former Yugoslavia. Already then the great natural value of this Croatian space was recognized. The current park is made up of about 30.000 hectares, of which about 20.000 are forests. The main tree that can be found in this park are beech trees, although there are also firs and some pines.
The best time to visit the lakes is in the week and also first thing in the morning. Although it is not necessary to book, unless we go in a group, for which it is necessary, this place is very famous and is usually full of tourists who end up disturbing the peace of those who come looking for a place in the middle of nature. If you arrive first thing in the morning or during the week it is possible to enjoy the landscapes in complete tranquility.
As for the time to visit the lakes, both fall and spring these are perfect times. During the summer there can be a very large influx of people, so much so that it can destroy the peace of the natural spaces. During winter it snows many times, which makes walking through the park difficult, as there are entrances that are closed. In addition, the trips on the ship are much more widely spaced.
This park has all kinds of services, such as several pay parkings. There are also more than ten restaurants where you can stop for a delicious dish. It is certainly designed to spend the whole day in this place. If we want to see the natural park in more than one day there is nearby accommodation that can be arranged. Another important fact is that they allow visits with pets, although dogs must be on a leash at all times to control them.
How to get
The easiest way to get to Plitvice Lakes is go from Zagreb. Renting a car is one of the best options, although there are those who decide to take a BusCroatia bus. The problem with the bus is that we will have to stick to a few schedules and a few days. So we must think carefully if we want to spend a day or two to see the lakes.
Parts of lakes
The lake is divided naturally, in the Top and Bottom. In the upper zone there are up to twelve lakes, Proscansko, Ciginovac, Okrugljak, Batinovac, Big Lake, a small lake, Vir, Galovac, Milino, Gradinsko Lake, Big burget and Kozjak. This part is also called Parque de la Cueva because there are many natural caves. In some of them there are stairs created to access its interior from the waterfalls, but currently it is not possible to enter because access is not allowed.
In the bottom there are four lakes, Milanovac, Gavanova, Kaluderovac and Novakovic Brod. There are paths that border some of the lakes, such as the Milanovac, from which you can see the waterfalls. Another of the curiosities that we will be able to know in this system of lakes is the fact that each one has a legend of someone who drowned in it, which gives the lake its name. If we translate the names we will see that there is a lake of Abuelo or that of Goats. And each one has its own story.
What to visit
In the lakes there are several trails already prepared and marked from which you can see the different lakes and waterfalls, as well as the wooded area. If we look closely, you may even be able to see some animals, such as deer or yellow toads. The entrance to the park allows us access to both parts of the lakes and also includes a ride on the electric boat on the lake. In addition, you can buy a ticket for two days. In the park it is possible to do guided tours, or also to do a free tour, always using a map of the area to get around. Another thing that is included in the ticket is a ride on the train bus, which takes tourists on a panoramic tour of the lakes. The tickets are undoubtedly very complete and allow you to see everything in detail.