Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia
 

This paradise is located in the mountains of Croatia. 140 waterfalls, 20 caves, a unique beech and pine forest and 16 lakes with beautiful emerald waters countless waterfalls poured into each other. Sometimes they sparkle noisy streams of water falls from a height of 50 meters, and sometimes - babbling brooks form the new lake, located just below the height.

Worth a few hours at most. We overnighted here and regretted it. I suppose it depends on where you come from and your exposure to nature. This was NOT a highlight for us in our almost 3 weeks in Croatia. We have more impressive natural sights less than 10 minutes from our home.

We live near lakes, mountains and waterfalls (in Washington state), but still found Plitvice very beautiful. The color of the water is very striking. I would want at least one full day in the park. We stayed in the park at Hotel Jezero.

IMO, the colorS -- plural -- of the lakes of the Plitvice Lakes are striking! Not only are the lakes connected by a variety of travertine waterfall formations, but each lake has unique microbiota, and as a result, the lakes (and even different parts of the largest lakes) are different colors. IME, the best way to see that is to make a single, long loop through the park -- something on the order of 6 hours or more (including time for the boat that connects the lower and upper lakes). For me, it was a highlight of my month in the area and a highlight of my travels. But to each his or her own!

Plitvice is one of our most memorable stops in all our trips in Europe! Photos can not do justice to its beauty.

((H))

I live close to the Columbia Gorge in Oregon, with amazing waterfalls and natural beauty, surely one of the most scenic areas in the United States - and I still found Plitvice beautiful enough to warrant a second visit. The huge turquoise-colored lakes and waterfalls big and small sometimes at every turn never failed to impress me. Some people are hard to impress, I guess!

Feel free to check out my Plitvice pictures here:

http://portlandbridges.com/00,M25D0I...0-croatia.html

The only reason overnighting at Plitvice is a good idea is to let you enter the park first thing in the morning to avoid the tour groups and crowds that show up by mid-morning and clog the trails. Otherwise, there's nothing to do at night in the area, and most people wouldn't need to spend two days in the park. 5-6 hours to see it is probably enough.

"The only reason overnighting at Plitvice is a good idea is to let you enter the park first thing in the morning to avoid the tour groups and crowds that show up by mid-morning and clog the trails."

I waited until just after 10 a.m., entered from the lower end (so I was facing the falls as I walked), and was BEHIND tour groups for all but the first few minutes of the day. In fact, I was increasingly distant from the crowds as the day wore on, so that's another option. I wasn't looking for any evening activities -- just a nice meal, and I did, indeed, have a thoroughly delicious dinner.

Again, to each his / her own.