April 29, 2025 – Part One – Plitvice National Park
An Early Start to a Day in the Wild: Plitvice National Park
Our alarm rang way too early—5:00 AM—but with a long day ahead, we rolled out of bed and hit the road by six. The plan? Drive from Pula to Plitvice Lakes National Park, soak in its beauty for a few hours, and then continue on to Zadar before nightfall. It was going to be a full day of driving, hiking, and sightseeing, but we were up for it.
We said a reluctant goodbye to Pula, a place we both agreed deserved a longer stay. After some back-and-forth about whether to visit Krka or Plitvice, the scales tipped in Plitvice’s favor. Everyone we spoke to insisted it was the more epic experience—larger, more dramatic, and less crowded in early summer. So we booked our tickets on their mobile site, queued up some music, and hit the highway.
A Little History of Plitvice National Park:
Established in 1949, Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia’s oldest and largest national park. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 for its stunning limestone canyon landscapes, terraced lakes, and cascading waterfalls formed through centuries of natural sedimentation. The park spans nearly 300 square kilometers and features 16 lakes connected by waterfalls, with unique tufa formations that are still evolving today.
Three hours later, we pulled into the parking lot, which was already packed even though it was only 9:00 AM. We made a quick stop at the information desk, grabbed a ham and cheese sandwich to split later, and set out for Trail A. This one is shorter, perfect for a half-day trip, but still winds past many of the iconic spots. There are longer hikes and even boat rides if you’ve got the whole day. We didn’t, so we kept things simple.
Finding the actual start of our trail was a bit confusing. The signage isn’t great, but eventually, we figured out that we needed to hop on one of the park’s shuttle buses. The bus was huge and rugged, pulling along two more cars behind it like a land train. After a ten-minute ride, we were off and hiking.
The trail starts on a downhill, and right away we got our first glimpse of Plitvice’s magic. Waterfalls poured into turquoise pools, and tiny people on boardwalks below gave everything a sense of scale. Unlike our visit to Vintgar Gorge, the weather was perfect—blue skies, warm sun, and sparkling water all around us. The boardwalk wound through the lakes, close enough that you could feel the mist from the falls on your face.
What makes this park special is how close it brings you to nature. The paths are mostly floating walkways or low wooden planks, right on top of the water. There are no guardrails around the lakes, which makes it feel wild and real, though there are some where things get steep or slippery. The waterfalls themselves? Absolutely stunning. Whether you’re standing beneath them or taking in the view from afar, it’s hard not to be in awe.
We spent about two hours wandering the trail and easily could have spent the whole day. Even the uphill trek back couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces. Entry cost us €20 each, and honestly, we would have paid double. It’s one of those places that makes you feel small in the best way.
If you’re visiting Croatia and want to see its natural side—this is it. No filters. No gimmicks. Just raw, beautiful nature.
Next stop: Zadar!
🗺️ Book with Viator If planning everything yourself feels a bit overwhelming, our friends at Viator have some great options to take the pressure off. We’ve booked through Viator many times and have always had a great experience. It’s a solid choice if you prefer a bit more structure in your travel days, without the hassle of sorting out every little detail on your own.
