Romina Banu 
Looking for where to stay in Plitvice Lakes National Park? Then hop on!
I visited Plitvice Lakes (Plitvička Jezera) a while ago and instantly fell in love but I know how confusing it is to visit it! So today I’ll help you find the best accommodations inside and outside of the park and also give you lots of tips, so you can easily decide which option to pick.
Don’t worry, you’re in very good hands! I’ve looked through all the lists and hand-picked only the most amazing types of accommodations from luxury hotels, guesthouses, apartments and others that will make your holiday in this Croatian corner of heaven, an unforgettable one!
This forest is so beautiful with its ever-changing emerald or blue lakes and terraced waterfalls that will make you feel that you’ve left Europe and reached another continent!
Yep, the Plitvice Lakes area is very popular these days, so I recommend booking everything in advance!
Are you ready? Let’s go!
Should you stay inside or outside of Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Before we get too excited about visiting this gorgeous park, we need to decide if it’s better to stay inside or outside the park. This will depend on your preference, budget and all the other things. That’s why I made this table with pros and cons so you can easily take everything into consideration.
And make your choice, so let’s check it out:
| Pros | Cons | |
| Inside the park | Proximity: staying inside the park means you can get to the park before the crowds Time efficient: you won’t waste time on transport Gorgeous surroundings: you’ll get to be surrounded by the parks natural beauty all day long Transportation: you don’t need a car Free 2nd visit: if you book a hotel inside the park, you will still need to buy an entrance ticket, but the admission is free for the subsequent day | Not many options: there are only 4 hotels inside the park Convenience: only 1 hotel is opened during the December, Jan & Feb Costs: prices are a bit higher compared with the hotels near the park and start at €70 per night and can get up to €150 |
| Outside the park | Lower costs: Cheaper hotels prices Convenience: A wider range of options from hotels, apartments guesthouses and B&Bs | Transportation: can be hard to get to the park, you may need your own car Time: you’ll waste some time on the road depending on how far the hotel is Costs: you could spend more money on renting a car or public transport Crowds: the park could already be crowded by the time you arrive there |
If you are in a hurry…
If you are ready to book the best hotel in Plitvice Lakes National Park, in central Croatia, here are the best of the best:
- Best hotel inside Plitvice Lakes National Park: Hotel Plitvice
- Best luxury hotel outside Plitvice Park: Hotel Degenija
- Best mid-range hotel outside Plitvice Park: Lyra Hotel Plitvice
- Best budget hotel outside Plitvice Lake Park: Hotel Palcich Plitvice
- Best apartment near Plitvice Lakes: Apartment I&M
- Best camping at Plitvice National Park: Camping Korana
Contents
Watch my video, it will give you a visual explanation of all the areas:
Here is a map to help you visualize the location of each of the hotels inside the park as well as the different entrances and neighborhoods nearby!
1. Best Hotels in Plitvice Park and nearby
Below you’ll find the best hotels inside and outside of Plitvice Lakes National Park. For both categories I added some sort of price range and where possible I categorized them by budget:
1.1 Inside Plitvice Lakes National Park
There are only 4 hotels inside Plitvice Lakes National Park but only Hotel Jezero stays open all year round. The other three hotels – Hotel Bellevue , Hotel Plitvice, and Hotel Grabovac, are closed in December, January, February and March.
The prices are more or less the same for all of them. During the winter time, it costs around €50 to spend a night at Hotel Jezero and then as it gets warmer and closer to the high season (June, July and August) the prices can get up to €100 per night for all the hotels.
PRO TIP: If you book your hotel inside the park you will get the option of buying a ticket just for 1-day and have the option of visiting the park for free for all the other days you’re going there. So for example, if you’re staying for 2 or 3 days, you’ll pay to visit the park for the first day and then for the second and/or third you’ll visit it for free! You just need to tell the staff when you’re checking in, that you want a ticket extension (for the number of days that you plan to visit the park, could be 2, 3 or more). You can check this on their official website.
But if you want to secure your spot here and stay in Plitvice Lakes National Park, make sure to book your room super in advance because these popular hotels sell out so fast!
- Hotel Plitvice (€€€) – in case you’re looking for a Plitvice hotel right near Lake Kozjak and the Plitvice falls, then this place is for you! Perfect for those who want to be the first visitors in the park, this Plitvice Lakes accommodation boasts free Wi-Fi, free parking, an on-site restaurant, and double and triple rooms.
- Hotel Jezero (€€€) – this Plitvice Lakes accommodation is conveniently located within walking distance of the Kozjak Lake. The hotel comes with interconnecting rooms, 2 on-site restaurants, a wellness center and a play area for the kids.
- Hotel Bellevue (€) – built in the 1960s, Hotel Bellevue is located near Lake Kozjak and it offers an on-site bar, a complimentary breakfast and rooms with free Wi-Fiand an amazing proximity to the park’s natural beauty!
- Hotel Grabovac (€) – looking where to stay in Plitvice Lakes without a car? Then check out this 3-star hotel that offers a cozy and warm atmosphere! Among the facilities, the hotel offers a free shuttle bus to the heart of the park, a children’s playroom and park with picnic tables and benches perfect for a quick lunch before heading to explore the park!
1.2 Outside Plitvice Lakes National Park
You’ll find lots of amazing hotels in the surrounding villages and near Plitvice Lakes National Park, all catering to different budgets and preferences!
Note: If you’re thinking of whether to visit a park with a car or without a car, I recommend looking at how far the accommodation is from the park entrance. If it’s within walking distance then you probably won’t need one. However if it’s way too far then you can either check if you have a bus stop right near your accommodation or just rent the car.
I stayed in Villa Mukinja – just a bit outside of the park but within walking distance of the park and it was pretty easy to get there. You can read more about my experience in this post that also includes a lot of information on how to get the best of your visit and also a secret spot where you can snap some iconic pics of the lakes!
I’ve included a list of hotels below but before we check them out, have a look at this list of areas near Plitvice Lakes National Park that are closer to the entrances.
- Plitvica Selo & Rastovaca – very close to/near Entrance 1 & auxiliary Entrance 3
- Grabovac & Plitvicka Jezera – close to Entrance 2
- Jezerce – a bit more to the south
- Korana – northern part of the park
Luxury (€150 and up)
- Lakeside Hotel Plitvice – sleep like a baby in the modern rooms with a rustic touch of this hotel located 10 km away from the Plitvice Lakes entrance 1. The accommodation has an on-site restaurant that serves a buffet breakfast, a playground for the little ones and billiards, a table tennis and darts! They also offer an airport shuttle.
- Hotel Degenija – you’re going to love the room that has a hot tub on its patio! What better way to relax after a day of exploring the gorgeous Plitvice Lakes. Set 4 km (3 miles) away from the Park entrance, the hotel offers Croatian dishes as well as international ones, an outdoor swimming pool and bar.
Mid-range (€90 – €150)
- Plitvice Holiday Resort – enjoy a relaxing holiday at this hotel set 8 km (5 miles) from Plitvice Lakes National Park, that offers a swimming pool, a spa center and quadruple rooms which are perfect for families!
- Lyra Hotel Plitvice – surrounded by beautiful Croatian trees, this hotel boasts rooms with a balcony where you can enjoy your coffee, a complimentary breakfast and free parking! The hotel is located 15 km (9 miles) away from the Plitvice Lakes Entrance 2.
Budget (up to €90)
- Hotel Palcich Plitvice – looking for something more affordable? Then check out this hotel which has spacious rooms with mountain views, a spa center and an indoor swimming pool. The hotel is located near Plitvice National Park just 7 km (4 miles) away from Park entrance 1.
- Hotel Lobby – although a bit further away from Plitvice National Park than the other options, around 30-min drive to be more exact, this affordable hotel comes with free parking, family rooms with mountain views and an on-site restaurant.
2. Top Guest Houses near Plitvice Lakes
You’ll find there are many guest houses near Plitvice Lakes National Park! These are pretty affordable and as you’ll see there are only places with mid-range and budget options (no luxury).
NOTE: Below you’ll find some B&Bs as well. Just FYI – the main difference between bnb and a guesthouse is that usually guesthouses are bigger and not managed by the owner.
Mid-range (€60 – €100)
- Grand Lakes Rooms – set only 2 km (1 mile) away from the Park boundaries, this gorgeous guest house has rooms with an elegant design and some even come with a hot tub (love it)! You’ll also find free parking here and a restaurant where you can indulge in the yummy local food.
- Guesthouse Loncar – drink your coffee while enjoying the incredible views of the Croatian woods, at this cozy guest house that’s 4 km (3 miles) away from the Plitvice Lakes that also offers free parking.
Budget (up to €60)
- Guest House Končar – feel at home in this super cozy accommodation that has double rooms with some lovely mountain views and free Wi-Fi. The guesthouse is set a 40 min drive away from the National Park Plitvice Lakes.
- House Angie – here’s a great guest house, located 5 km (3 miles) away from the park, that has family rooms with a flat-screen Tv and air-conditioning.
3. The best Bed & Breakfasts near Plitvice Lakes
Since Croatia’s oldest National Park is located in a rural area, you’ll find many B&Bs (which are super affordable) here! As I mentioned, bed & breakfasts are different from guesthouses.
Usually these are smaller and the owner lives there as well. The B&Bs in this area have only mid-range and budget prices.
Mid-range (€60 – €100)
- B&B Plitvice Lakes Villa Irene – the best place to stay near Plitvice Lakes National Park! This fabulous Plitvice villa is perfect for those of you who want to relax! Here you can chill in the outdoor hot tubs while sipping on some wine and enjoy the views on the sun terrace. The B&B also has spacious rooms and it is set 5 km (3 miles) away from the Park.
- B&B Green Serenity Plitvice Lakes – tucked away between the trees, 5 km (3 miles) away from National Park Plitvice Lakes, this B&B offers rooms with a private hot tub, a yummy breakfast and free parking.
Budget (up to €60)
- B&B Villa Angy – this Plitvice villa is super affordable and although it’s set 30 min away by car (a bit further away than the other accommodations) it has some amazing facilities! Here you’ll find free parking, an airport shuttle and an on-site restaurant.
- Lake House 1 – you’re going to love these lake houses that offer a sun terrace where you can enjoy the fresh air in the morning, a yummy breakfast and a bar. The B&B is 7 km (4 miles) away from Plitvice Lakes National Park and within walking distance of the Jezerce – Mukinje bus station.
4. Top apartments near Plitvice Lakes
Looking for some spacious apartments near the National Park? I got you covered! Below you’ll find some of the best ones listed from most to least expensive:
Luxury (€150 and up)
- Apartment I&M – how amazing are these apartments? They have such a cool design, a lot of space and a small kitchen. The accommodation is set a 30 min drive away from the Plitvice Lakes National Park and it has a garden as well.
- Etno Garden Apartments – this place has an incredible location, just 1 km away from entrance 1 of the park. The apartments have a homey feel to them and have a kitchenette. You’ll also find an on-site restaurant and free parking.
Mid-range (€80 – €150)
- Apartments Nada & Yoya – get ready for an unmissable trip to Plitvice National Park while staying in this apartment which is located a 30 min drive away from it. It comes with so much space, a kitchen and air-conditioning.
- Timber Valley – such a beautiful accommodation! Its design is amazing and it boasts apartments with a lounge area where you can chill after visiting the park, a terrace and some amazing mountain views. The accommodation is set a 30 min drive away from the park.
Budget (up to €80)
- Apartment Satori – visiting Plitvice Lakes will feel like a dream, especially after staying in a super homey and cozy apartment like this one which is perfect for familiar or friend groups. The accommodation has a dining area and it’s located a 40 min drive away from Plitvice National Park.
- Apartment Vito – perfect for those who want to visit Plitvice Lakes and its park on a tight, this place offers apartments equipped with all you need including free parking. From here it takes around 30 min to get to the park.
5. Camping
If you love camping then this section is for you! I’ve gathered up the best and closest campgrounds to Plitvice Lakes National Park!
NOTE: There is a bus from Korana Camp and Borje Camp to the National Park entrance organized specially for campers. This transportation service is also provided for the return journey from the National Park to the camps. For details on bus departure and arrival times, please ask at the reception of your camp.
The places below are super affordable with prices starting at €7 per day and can go up to €50. I’ve already ordered them from most to least expensive, so let’s check them out:
- Camping Korana (€€) – a great campsite located 8 km (5 miles) away from the Plitvice Lakes National Park, that offers bungalows with a shared bathroom.
- Camping Slapić (€) – this family-run camping site is 1h and 20 min away from the park by car and it offers wooden tents, mobile homes and Rv sites. You’ll find lots of facilities here from a bar, a restaurant, an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi.
- Camping Radonja (€) – this campground is pretty simple and so affordable! It’s located 1h away from the park and it offers room for tents and barbecue facilities.
- Camping Borje (€) – set 16 km away from Entrance 2 of Plitvice Lakes National Park, this campsite offers tent and Rv sites, shared bathrooms, a restaurant and a playground.
You can find more details about each camping site by accessing this website.
| 👑 Luxury price: | €150 |
| 💵 Mid-range: | €90 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | €40 |
| 🌳 Best hotel inside Plitvice Lakes NP: | Hotel Plitvice |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Hotel Degenija |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Lyra Hotel Plitvice |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Hotel Palcich Plitvice |
FAQs about where to stay in Plitvice Lakes
🏞️ Should I stay inside or outside the Plitvice Park?
Both options are okay! I recommend staying inside if you don’t have a car or if that’s too expensive you can book a hotel outside the park.
🚗 How to move around Plitvice lakes?
The easiest way to get around Plitvice is to rent a car, but there are also many bus connections!
📅 How long should I stay in Plitvice?
2 days is more than enough time to explore the area – plus the 2-day ticket is a much better value!
🏊♀️ Can I swim in the Plitvice lakes?
No, you can’t. But you can swim outside of the national park, to the north of the park in the Korana River.
🚶🏻♀️ Where should I start my hiking adventure?
All the tour groups start at the Lower Lakes, but I highly recommend to actually start in the Upper Lakes, you will have them mostly to yourself during the first hours in the morning!
🗺️ How do I get to Plitvice Lakes National Park?
You can get to Plitvice Lakes by renting a car from the place you land in Croatia, or you can use public transport, as there are many bus connections to the park from Zadar, Karlovac and Zagreb to Plitvice.
🤔 Where should I stay in Plitvice Lakes National Park?
You can stay at one of the hotels in Plitvice Lakes, Jezero Hotel is a great choice as it’s open all year round or you can stay at one of the many accommodations near the park entrances, Hotel Degenija is a great place with amazing facilities.
💶 How much is the entrance fee to Plitvice Lakes National Park?
At the moment it costs €10 to visit the park during the low season (Jan, Feb, March, Nov & December), €23 in the shoulder season (April, May and October) and €40 in the high season (June, July, August and September).
💰 Is it expensive to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park?
No, it’s not expensive to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, especially if you opt for a hotel outside of the park, which are generally much cheaper and you can also visit during the low season or shoulder season when the entrance fee is lower.
🧭 What is the closest town to Plitvice Lakes National Park?
Plitvica is the gateway town to the park and it’s set around a 7 min drive away from the park.
🌿 What else can I do in the Plitvice Lakes area?
Some really cool places that you can visit near this area are the Rastoke village and the caves of Barac.
☀️ When is the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes?
The best time to visit Plitvice Lakes is probably from May to October. That’s when the weather is at its best but you can also visit the park during winter-time as it’s just as gorgeous!
Conclusion
As you can see, Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of those unique places you should add to your must-do list for your trip to Croatia!
I hope this guide on where to stay in Plitvice Lakes accommodation, helped you find the best accommodation for your holiday!
The post has a wide range of options from the hotels inside the park, to the hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, apartments and camping grounds in the nearby villages.
I highly recommend booking your vacation rental in advance, especially if you want to stay in one of the park hotels. All these accommodations sell out so fast.
For those who are still debating which hotel to pick, I thought I’d help you out by offering my 2 favorite accommodations:
- Hotel Plitvice – one of the best Park hotels that offers a restaurant and rooms with a shared terrace
- Hotel Degenija – relax in your private hot tub after a day of exploring the Park at this hotel that has a swimming pool and a bar
Are you traveling to Plitvice Lakes park soon? If you have any more questions, don’t be shy and tell me in the comments below! Since I’ve already visited Plitvice I have lots of tips for making the best of your trip!
Yulia
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We will be staying at Guest House Plitvice Villa Verde in June 2019. We will be driving from Karlovac to the hotel. Is there any place you can suggest for the day of the drive to stop along the way and recommend a place for dinner. We will be spending the night at the hotel then going the next morning to Plitvice
Hi, Tony!
You can stop at 16 Lakes Restaurant in Grabovac along the way and have dinner there – I heard the food is good and the atmosphere very nice. Another suggestion would be Caffe & Bistro Plum in Rakovica (for the truffle pasta). Either one of these should be good for dinner! 🙂
Hi Yulia,
Very much interested to go Plitvice National park second week of May 2019. However, I am having difficulty planning the itinerary.
Me and my hubby will be flying from Amsterdam. Is there a direct flight to Plitvice? Or should we stay in Zagreb or Split then go over to Plitvice? Would like to spend 2-3 days in Plitvice actually to have the full experience..Any help/ advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
There are no flights to Plitivice as they dont have an airport. I went there from Zagreb, you can rent a car (recommended as the coast is really beautiful) or go by bus from Zagreb.
You could also go from Split, there is an airport there probably direct from Amsterdam but i am not sure, you would need to double check that.
Have a great trip! 🙂
Hello!
Thank you for your post. Croatia is an amazing place and I think it will be more famous after World Cup 2018.
Greetings!
It is quite popular already, but I also hope so, it is such a beautiful country!