The Plitvice lakes

If you are spending the day in Krk, you just have to visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park – an ideal one day trip from Krk island and the third in our series of One Day Trips from the Island of Krk. Deemed one of the most beautiful parks worldwide, Plitvice is the top tourist destination throughout all of Croatia.

Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979 and is located between Zagreb and Zadar. It features sixteen glorious lakes separated by mountains and connected to each other by a network of waterfalls. Surrounded by thick deep forests, the Lakes are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna that make for an adventurous and exhilarating day’s hiking and exploring.

You’ll find that every day is in season at Plitvice Lakes with summer finding the park open later due to the extended amount of sunlight. Dusk usually falls at 7:00 p.m. and the park opens at 8:00 a.m. Children can enjoy the park for free, with adults paying roughly £10 entrance fee. There are also special tours available which may be booked in advance and can cater for larger groups of visitors.

Panoramic view of the Plitvice Lakes courtesy of Bernard Custard Gascó dD-Multimedia.com

The secret to the beauty and magnificence of the Plitvice Lakes is the underlying limestone and dolomite formations. These combine and form into a substance known as karst or karstic rock. This rock creates the foundation that connects underwater streams and because of the high mineral content in the water, the beautiful Plitvice Lakes appear to change color in the sun. They show hues ranging from azure, blue-gray, and deep turquoise - truly a beauty and wonder to behold.

The Park’s forests consist of a rich variety of spruce, beech, and fir trees, together with distinctive plant-life that is both Mediterranean and Alpine. Some of the animals that call Plitvice Lakes home include lynx, eagles, owls, brown bears and wolves. There are also areas completely untouched by humans and you will need to use caution when hiking through these parts. You can also explore kilometers of paths and trails, connected by a number of small wooden bridges.

In addition to the adventurous nature hikes you can enjoy at Plitvice Lakes National Park, you can also explore the park by boat or train. A tour by boat is an excellent way to explore the full majesty of the turquoise lakes and waterfalls, whilst the Park’s mini-train allows you to reach more distant areas of this world heritage site.

All-in-all a great day out for small groups, nature lovers, or couples that are simply looking for romance and excitement! If you’re planning on visiting Krk Island and would like to make the most of a day trip to the Plitvice Lakes, then you might be interested in having all the arrangements made for you by an experienced local company specialising in excursions from Krk.

» Browse the full list of 15 one-day trips from Krk Island …