This park far surpassed even my wildest dreams of the beauty that is possible to experience. Stunning. Be sure to get there as they open at 8am. It gets crowded around 10. Also, if you can, try to avoid the summer months. It is a most gorgeous place and anyone considering going to Croatia must go there.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia's largest (8,000 acres) and oldest (1949) national park. It's very popular, so it can be a little crowded, especially along the paths near the entrance of the park and the Lower Lakes. Paths along the Upper Lakes are comparatively empty. In both sections you'll be awed by the park's beauty.

It took me about five hours to make the loop around the park, during which time I saw crystal-clear lakes and hundreds of waterfalls. In the lakes you'll spot fish and tufa formations. You'll hear choruses of frogs in the reeds and may spot some of the wildlife (birds, bears, butterflies, and bats). You can cross one of the lakes via boat, and it's like sailing on glass. DO NOT forget to bring your camera--this park is truly stunning.

It's easy to get to without a car, too. I took a bus from the main bus station in Zagreb right to the entrance of the park (a two-hour ride). After I walked for all of two minutes, I was staring at a 254-foot-high waterfall and the first of 16 interconnected turqoise lakes throughout the park. The return bus is just across the road from the entrance. You may want to save your visit for a sunny day, when the color of the lakes will really pop.

This beautiful National Park is easily accessible by public transport from Zagreb. You could also organise a day tour via one of the many tour companies in Zagreb. Entrance fee is approx 20 Euro for adults.
Why do millions of people visit this park each year?
The lakes are an amazing deep acqua colour due to the type of rock there. There are multiple waterfalls, which range from gorgeous to spectacular. These are all easily accessible via walkways that have been constructed to prevent tourists trampling and damaging the environment, but also, to enable most able bodied persons to view these amazing sights without needing to be super hikers. However, there are a number of stairs at various locations, but these can be taken at ones own place.

Just gorgeous. Plan at least 2 hours to enjoy the series of lakes & waterfalls.
Good weather would be nice, but not necessary (we were hit with some rain during our visit and it was still phenomenal).

- Ori Blum