Where To Stay Near Plitvice Lakes National Park (2025)
Are you looking for a list of the best places to stay near Plitvice Lakes? You’ve come to the right article.
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s largest national park, and in my opinion, the most beautiful place in the country. It’s nestled in the forest, and has everything from cozy b&bs to spa hotels.
With there being three entrances and limited public transportation, however, it can be difficult to decide where to stay.
This article will cover all of the best hotels near the park, tips for getting around, and clear up any confusion you may have on the different entrances.
Here’s everything to know before booking your stay near Plitvice Lakes.
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Where To Stay Near Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes is nestled in the mountainous region of central Croatia, and around a 2 hour drive from the cities Zadar and Zagreb. There’s no hotels located inside of the park, but a variety of hotels and B&Bs within walking distance to one of the park’s entrances.
The park has two official entrances, and a third auxiliary entrance. Entrance 1 is the main ticket office, and where Flixbus will drop you if you’re arriving by bus. Entrance 2 is less than a 10 minute drive down the highway, and near the popular Hotel Jezero (Plitvicka Jezera).
The auxiliary entrance 3 is used only for those staying in a nearby hotel (Plitvica Selo), and has no official ticket office.
If you’re arriving by bus, I recommend staying near Entrance 1, as it’s by far the most convenient. I got there by Flixbus, and our bus driver dropped us off at Entrance 1.
There’s a train within the park that connects all three entrances, so it doesn’t matter as long as you get inside of the park. Additionally, Plitvice Lakes has free luggage lockers you can store your stuff at, so you can explore the park as soon as you arrive.
View the full details on the three entrances at the end of the article.
If you have a car, there’s dozens of budget-friendly guesthouses within a 15 minute drive from the park’s entrance. Keep in mind that most of these places are not within walking distance to the park, as the park’s located off of a high-speed highway.
I made the mistake of booking a cheap guesthouse nearby, which ended up being over an hour walk to either entrance! There’s no public buses in the area, so it’s especially important to book a place within walking distance to the park if you don’t have a car.
Here are the best places to stay near all three entrances.
Best Hotels Near Entrance 1 (Main Entrance)
Guest House Ljubo & Ana
- Distance: 17 min walk/3 min drive
- Cost: ~€45(50 USD)/night
Less than a 20 minute walk from the park’s main entrance, guesthouse Ljubo & Ana is a budget-friendly B&B with free parking.
It’s tucked in the forest, and has suites equipped with balconies, a shared kitchen, and a children’s playground. This is one of the cheapest places to stay near the park, and they serve guests a breakfast for a small additional fee.
Integralni Hotel Antemurale
- Distance: 10 min walk/2 min drive
- Cost: ~€85(100 USD)/night
Hotel Antemurale is less than a 10 minute walk from Entrance 1, and the closest hotel you’ll find near the park.
If you’re arriving in Plitvice by bus, you’ll be steps away from the bus terminal, and the main ticket office. It’s a comfortable clean hotel with free parking, and an onsite restaurant that offers a continental buffet breakfast.
House Biba & Leona
- Distance: 19 min walk/3 min drive
- Cost: ~€75(90 USD)/night
House Biba & Leona is a budget-friendly guesthouse less than a 20 minute walk from the park’s main entrance.
It has free parking, comfortable suites equipped with coffee makers, a children’s playground, and an outdoor terrace with lounge chairs. This is one of the most affordable places to stay, and they serve guests breakfast for an additional fee.
Best Hotels Near Entrance 2
Hotel Jezero
- Distance: 18 min walk (3 min drive), offers FREE shuttle to both entrances
- Cost: ~€170(200 USD)/night
Hotel Jezero is a spa hotel less than a 20 minute walk from Entrance 2, and one of the most convenient places to stay.
It has free parking, free breakfast, a gym, sauna, hot tubs, and a free shuttle to the park. If you’re arriving at the park by bus, you can call the hotel for them to bring you to the hotel, at no additional charge.
Guesthouse Bor
- Distance: 30 min walk (4 min drive)
- Cost: ~€60(70 USD)/night
Guesthouse Bor is a budget-friendly hotel within a half hour walk from Entrance 2, with free parking. It has clean cozy rooms with everything you need for a comfortable stay, and is near a few restaurants.
If you’re arriving by bus, keep in mind that Flixbus will drop you off at Entrance 1, and you would have to hire a taxi to get to the hotel. I recommend exploring the park once you arrive, and then exiting the park via Entrance 2.
Plitvice Lakes has free luggage lockers at both entrances that you can drop your stuff at, and a train inside of the park that will take you to Entrance 2!
Best Hotels Near Entrance 3 (Plitvica Selo)
These hotels are located in Plitvica Selo, a small town less than a 15 minute walk from entrance 3. This is one of the most beautiful areas to stay in, and it has a few good restaurants to choose from.
Entrance 3 has no official ticket office, but you can enter it as long as you purchase your park tickets online. For your convenience, I’ve pinned it’s location on the entrance map at the end of the article.
Pansion Breza
- Distance: 50 min walk/(20 min drive) from both entrances
- Cost: ~€100(120 USD)/night
Pansion Breza is a charming hotel nestled in the forest, less than a 15 minute walk from Entrance 3. It has free parking, comfortable clean suites, and an onsite restaurant that serves a hearty breakfast for a fee.
It’s worth staying here for breakfast alone, as they’ll provide you with a bag to pack leftovers for lunch in the park!
B&B Plitvica Lodge
- Distance: 15 min walk/5 min drive
- Cost: ~€130(150 USD)/night
Plitvica Lodge is a cozy bed and breakfast within a 15 minute walk of entrance 3. It has free parking, suites equipped with king size beds and fridges, and an onsite restaurant that serves both breakfast and dinner.
Plitvice Falls Cottage
- Distance: 15 min walk/5 min drive
- Cost: ~€130(150 USD)/night
Plitvice Falls Cottage is a luxurious cottage style hotel, less than a 15 minute walk from entrance 3. It has free parking, spacious suites equipped with coffee makers, and an onsite restaurant that serves a buffet breakfast and dinner.
Entrance 1 vs Entrance 2 & 3
Plitvice Lakes has three entrances. Entrance 1 is the main entrance to use, and gives you easy access to the park’s most scenic viewpoints.
It’s where the Flixbus bus stop is located, and where you can begin the park’s most popular trails, Routes B or C.
These routes start at the lower lakes, take you to to the most scenic waterfalls, and include a 30 minute boat ride along the park’s largest lake.
Entrance 2 is a 20 minute drive from Entrance 1, and has a dedicated ticketing office.
Entrance 3 is an unofficial auxiliary entrance without a ticket office, that people use if they’re staying in a hotel in Plitvica Selo. If you’re entering here, you’ll need to purchase tickets online beforehand, and it’s less than a 15 minute walk from the hotels.
Many people enter at Entrance 1, hike Route C, then hop on the train back to the main entrance. This is the most convenient and direct way to see the park within a few hours.
The upper and lower lakes are connected by a short electric boat ride (included in your tickets), and there’s a train connecting the entrances throughout the park.
If you’re entering from Entrance 2, you can easily hop on the train to Entrance 1, and begin hiking Route C. The train operates every 30 minutes from around 8am-6:30pm, and you can view its working schedule here.
Plitvice Lakes Hotels + Entrances Map
See a full list of hotels near the park below.
How To Get To Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes is a 2-2.5 hour drive from the cities Zagreb and Zadar, or a 2.5-3 hour drive from Split. The national park is well connected to these cities by bus, as well as group tours. I took a Flixbus from Zadar, and they dropped me right outside of Entrance 1.
The next day I hopped on a Flixbus from Entrance 1 back to Split. Bus tickets cost around 20-30€/each way, and are by far the cheapest option if you’re not driving there yourself. You can book your tickets online at Flixbus, and they also have ticket offices located inside of the bus terminals in the cities.
Group tours are a similar price to buying roundtrip bus tickets (~70€/person), and a great alternative if you have limited vacation time. They’ll allow you to see the park within a day, and they include a guided hike in the park so you won’t have to worry about transportation.
Here are the top-rated group tours from the nearby cities.
- Pltivice Lakes from Split: Guided hike in the park with roundtrip transportation
- Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb: Guided day trip to Plitvice and historic village of Rastoke with roundtrip transportation
- Plitvice Lakes from Zadar: Guided hike in the park, and walking tour of Old Town Zadar, with roundtrip transportation
If you plan on using the bus, make sure to book a hotel within walking distance to one of the two entrances. You can easily double check this by putting the hotel address to “Plitvice Entrance 1 Ticket Office” or “Plitvice Ticket Office 2”, and choosing the walking route.
Plitvice Lakes FAQs
Are there buses in the area?
No, there are unfortunately not any public buses in the area. The ticketing offices are tucked in the forest, off of a high-speed highway, and it can be over a 30 minute walk to walk from Entrance 1 to Entrance 2.
There are taxis available at the bus stops, but they are very expensive. If you’re arriving by bus and staying near Entrance 2, I recommend purchasing the 2 day park pass. Then, you can explore the park upon arriving, exit at entrance 2, and walk to your hotel.
The next day you can enter at entrance 2, explore the park again, and hop on the train back to entrance 1 to catch the bus (Flixbus Bus Stop North).
Note: The park has free storage lockers, in case you need somewhere to store your luggage before checking into your hotel on the first day.
Do any hotels offer free shuttles to the park?
Hotel Jezero (near Entrance 2) offers a free shuttle to both park entrances, and provides pickup if you’re arriving by bus. You can arrange a pickup by calling the hotel, or asking a park ranger at the bus stop.
Are there Uber and taxis in the area?
There are taxis in the area, but likely no Uber. I visited during peak season in August, and tried booking an Uber, but there were no drivers available.
The taxis are readily available outside of the entrances, but are extremely expensive. I was quoted 30€ for a taxi ride to my hotel that was only 10 minutes away.
Instead, opt for a hotel within walking distance to the park, and near Entrance 2 if you want to have more restaurant options.
When’s the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes?
The best time to visit Plitvice Lakes is in the spring or fall so you can enjoy the park with lesser crowds. If you’re visiting during summer, it’s best to visit early in the morning (~7am) to avoid crowds, or later in the afternoon (after 4pm) to get a discount on entrance tickets.
The park’s working hours vary by season, and you can view them here.
How long do you need at the park?
You only need 3-4 hours at the park to see all of the highlights. The park’s most popular hiking trail (Route C) takes around 2-3 hours depending on your speed, and there are a few cafes/restaurants in the park to dine at.
What is the best route at the park?
The best route at the park is Route C, which starts at entrance 1, and will take you from the lower to upper lakes, facing all of the waterfalls. It includes a free boat transfer from the lower to upper lakes, and once you reach the end of the hike, you can hop on a train back to entrance 1.
How do the boats and train rides work in the park?
The electric boat rides in the park provide transfers between the lakes, while the panoramic train rides connect three different stations in the park. They allow you to see all of the park within a few hours, and are fully included in your entrance tickets!
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