5 reasons to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park /

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s most beautiful natural wonders and there are several reasons why you should visit it. From the awards the park has won and its commitment to sustainability and the health-promoting role of recreation to the educational aspects and natural beauty it offers, it has much to offer visitors. In this blog we reveal five reasons why you should visit this natural treasure.

Enchanting natural beauty

Plitvice Lakes National Park is the largest and oldest national park in Croatia, and the exceptional natural beauty of this location has always attracted nature lovers. The process of tuff formation, which creates tuff barriers and lakes, is a unique universal value. That is why the National Park received international recognition by being included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Although water bodies make up only 1% of the total area, these parts are the most visited and most attractive in the entire National Park.

Located in the heart of Lika, the park enchants its visitors with crystal clear lakes, spectacular waterfalls and lush vegetation, making for an unforgettable experience. The crystal clear lakes are an amazing visual experience, with their stunning colors, which range from blue to emerald green, leaving any visitor breathless. From the largest lake, Kozjak, to the smaller but equally impressive lakes, each of them has its own unique charm.

One of the most striking features of the park are the waterfalls that fall from different heights, creating stunning scenes. The most famous among them is the Great Waterfall, created by the fall of the Plitvice Stream. It is 62 meters high if you measure to the first pond at the bottom and 87 meters high if you measure to the beginning of the flow of the Korana River, making it the highest waterfall in the entire National Park and in Croatia . Together with the Sastavci Waterfalls it is the source of the Korana River.

The diversity of flora and fauna is one of the characteristics of this protected area. A walk through the park is an opportunity to discover the diversity of flora, from beautiful beech, pine and spruce trees to rare plant species. The proportion of endemic species in the park is relatively low (about 1.7%), but still significant given the presence of a variety of plants such as the early green hellebore, the giant pink, the Corydalis plant, etc. Interestingly, the park is the only location where the globally endangered species is found Ligularia sibirica can be found not only in Croatia, but also in the wider area of ​​Southeastern Europe. The National Park is also home to an abundance of animal species. The presence of large carnivores such as bears, wolves and lynxes, which are strictly protected and globally endangered species, confirms the high quality and conservation status of this habitat.

Whether you are a nature lover, an adventurer eager to explore or simply looking for peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is a place that will surely win you over with its unique beauty and spectacular scenery. Visit us and enjoy the charm of untouched nature.

Awards and recognition

Plitvice Lakes National Park has won numerous prestigious awards over the past year, confirming its status as one of the most impressive natural destinations in Croatia and the world. These awards not only recognize the beauty of the park, but also highlight its commitment to sustainable tourism and high-quality services.

The park became the first national park in Croatia with the Green Destinations Certificate for Sustainability, which recognizes the efforts of destinations and tourism stakeholders in promoting sustainable practices and addressing the challenges of sustainable tourism. This award is a testament to the commitment of Plitvice Lakes National Park and other award-winning destinations to preserving the environment and promoting sustainable tourism. We are proud of the recognition we have received and we will continue our efforts on priority activities including climate change adaptation and mitigation, monitoring local community satisfaction, encouraging the business and tourism sectors to achieve sustainability and improve the visiting system in conditions of availability. The park was also recognized by Tripadvisor® as part of the 2023 Travellers’ Choice® Best of the Best award for Croatia, where it ranked second out of 10 ranked attractions as a result of exceptional visitor reviews and ratings, making it one of the best among top destinations in Croatia.

As part of the National Park, the Lička Kuća restaurant was awarded the 2023 Travelers’ Choice® award by Tripadvisor®, placing it among the top 10% of restaurants worldwide. In addition, this restaurant received the Sunflower Award from Croatian Rural Tourism, winning a bronze charter in the category ‘Traditional (rural) gastronomy’, highlighting the authenticity and quality of the gastronomic offer in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. With these awards, visitors can be assured of an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

In addition to these awards, the park appears on many lists of the most beautiful destinations and tourist attractions, confirming its status as an unavoidable destination for visitors from all over the world. Given these numerous recognitions and awards, it certainly deserves the attention of every nature lover and traveler looking for authentic and unforgettable experiences, and has recently made its way onto the list of 11 exciting locations and all-inclusive destinations to visit this year .

As one of Croatia’s most famous natural wonders, the park not only takes your breath away with its incredible beauty, but also offers a unique experience that has a beneficial effect on physical and mental health. Spending time outdoors and in nature in general has long been known to be an important factor in maintaining health. Fresh air, sunlight and nature sounds have a remarkably positive impact on health, and the park provides a perfect environment to enjoy all these benefits of nature.

One of the main benefits of visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park is the connection to nature it provides. Spending time in this pristine environment promotes a sense of peace and tranquility, reduces stress levels and restores energy. The health benefits of spending time in the fresh air can even be felt in the long term. Regular outdoor exercise can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of several diseases.

A walk through the lush forest to the sound of water and past beautiful waterfalls offers a unique opportunity to relax the mind and revitalize the body. The park offers a variety of tour programs that follow all fitness levels, giving visitors the opportunity to tailor their activities to their own abilities. So if you are looking for a way to improve your health and experience the beauty of nature, a visit to our park may be just what you need. Enjoy the fresh air, beautiful lakes and lush vegetation and do something good for your body and mind at the same time.

Educational aspects of the visit

A visit to the Plitvice Lakes National Park is an unforgettable experience of natural beauty, but it also has an educational component. Before visiting the park, visitors can learn more about the park’s unique features on the official website, which provides detailed information about the park’s various trails, lakes, local plant and animal life, and history. While strolling through the park, visitors will see information boards along the trails providing important information about the park and important individuals who participated in the proclamation, organization and protection of the National Park. These provide an additional educational experience and allow visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the natural and cultural values ​​of the park.

In our souvenir shops, in addition to educational books and guides, visitors can also find educational children’s picture books about flora and fauna, with additional information about the plant and animal species that can be seen in the park. A visit to our National Park is not only an opportunity to enjoy the natural wonders, but also to enrich your knowledge of environmental protection, biodiversity and the history and culture of this remarkable location.

In addition, a visit to the park provides an excellent opportunity to educate children and talk about nature, science, conservation and history, while having a fun time in the fresh air. Nature inspires and stimulates creative thinking, so a walk through the park will make it easier to learn and remember all the interesting information about this natural treasure.

Sustainable entrepreneurship

Nature, with its immeasurable value, requires constant care and respect. It is crucial to understand that ecosystems such as forests and lakes are just as important as our own homes. Recognizing the importance of preserving the environment, Plitvice Lakes National Park has joined the Plastic Free initiative and is actively working to achieve the set goals. The process of eliminating plastic from daily activities started back in 2015. At Jezero Hotel, all waste material is carefully sorted and organic waste is used to produce fuel and animal feed. In addition, promotional materials are printed on environmentally friendly paper and we systematically strive to implement the ‘zero waste’ strategy, further reducing the negative impact on the environment.

Promoting awareness of the importance of reducing waste can bring about broader social change and encourage others to take responsibility for their actions and contribute to protecting the environment. Through joint efforts and rational management of resources, we can ensure that the park’s natural beauty remains intact and available for both current and future generations to enjoy and admire.