Plitvice Lakes in Autumn: 2-Day Itinerary

After many trips to Croatia over the years, it’s hard to believe that we’d never made it to Plitvice Lakes National Park. We’d explored the Dalmatian Coast, hiked the islands and the waterfalls at Krka National Park, wandered through countless historic towns and capital, and somehow always saved Croatia’s most famous national park for “next time.” When we finally decided to visit, we deliberately chose to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park in autumn. We hoped the cooler weather, changing leaves, and smaller crowds would make for a better experience than the busy summer months. It turned out to be one of the best travel decisions we’ve made in Croatia.

Not only did Plitvice live up to its reputation, it exceeded our expectations. The waterfalls were flowing strongly, the turquoise lakes looked almost unreal against the changing leaves, and the park felt surprisingly peaceful once we moved beyond the busiest areas. We even found ourselves sitting on a quiet boardwalk beside the Upper Lakes, watching leaves drift across the water and listening to nothing but the waterfalls while we ate our lunch.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park in autumn, our answer is an emphatic yes. In this guide, we’ll share exactly how we’d plan the trip again, including when to visit for peak fall colors, where to stay, how to avoid the crowds, and the two-day itinerary we think offers the best experience.

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Plitvice Lakes National Park in Autumn Quick Planning Guide

Pro Tip: The train is surprisingly fast and winds through dense forest, so there are very few views along the way. Avoid sitting in the closest train car to the front if you are prone to motion sickness. Between the exhaust fumes and not being able to see out front, many people (including us) felt somewhat car-sick by the end.

Why Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park in Autumn?

Autumn offers the perfect combination of beautiful scenery and comfortable hiking conditions.

Summer’s crowds have begun to thin, temperatures are ideal for walking all day, and the waterfalls often flow strongly after seasonal rains. Best of all, the surrounding beech, maple, and oak forests explode with color, creating reflections that make the famous turquoise lakes even more striking.

Photography is also at its best. Soft morning light, occasional mist, and calm water create ideal conditions throughout much of October.

Autumn is arguably one of the best seasons to experience Plitvice Lakes National Park.

When Are the Fall Colors at Their Best?

Peak foliage changes slightly each year depending on rainfall and temperatures, so these are general guidelines:

Target mid-October for the best chance of seeing peaking foliage, though the exact dates depend on the year.

Where to Stay

Rastoke (Our Top Recommendation)

Rather than staying immediately outside the park, consider spending your nights in Rastoke, a picturesque historic mill village about 30 minutes north of Plitvice.

Built around a network of waterfalls and rushing streams, Rastoke feels like a destination in its own right. After a full day exploring the national park, it’s a wonderful place for an evening walk and dinner without the crowds that gather around the park entrances.

We stayed at a quaint apartment that was surrounded by waterfalls. The picture below was taken just steps from our door. Most visitors have to pay to access the property’s grounds to see the many surrounding falls, while we could access it 24/7 at no additional cost. Doing yoga by these falls in the morning was an incredible experience!

For travelers on a Croatian road trip, it also makes an excellent overnight stop between Zagreb and Plitvice.

Near Plitvice Lakes National Park Entrance 2

If your priority is maximizing time inside the park, staying near Entrance 2 makes the most sense for this itinerary. It provides quick access to the quieter Upper Lakes first thing in the morning. The primary hotel in this area is the Hotel Jezero – Plitvice Lakes National Park, which has a restaurant, spa and wellness, and children’s area.

Pro Tip: For those looking for a quieter getaway next to the parks, another option is to stay in Plitvica Selo, which is near Entrance 3. This is a very quiet area with a more local feel. We’d recommend having a car to get around if you choose to stay here.

The Perfect Two-Day Plitvice Lakes National Park Autumn Itinerary

Although it's possible to see Plitvice in one day, two days allows you to experience the park at its best. You'll enjoy peaceful mornings before the tour buses arrive, have time to hike to panoramic viewpoints, take photography breaks, and simply soak in the atmosphere. It's fairly easy to access the park, so you could also visit in the morning, take a break during the middle of the day, and then return to the park late afternoon/evening.

Day 1: Autumn Colors at the Upper Lakes on Route E

Begin your visit at Entrance 2 when the park opens and follow Route E, the official route that explores the tranquil Upper Lakes. This shorter route (5.5 km or 3.4 miles) is perfect for a first day, allowing you to slow down and appreciate one of the most peaceful sections of the park without feeling rushed.

Start with a short ride on the panoramic train to the Upper Lakes stop. From here, begin exploring following route E signs. This will take you on wooden boardwalks, winding between emerald pools and waterfalls beneath colorful beech, maple, and oak forests.

This is one of the quietest parts of the park, especially early in the morning before the larger tour groups arrive. Allow yourself time to simply enjoy the scenery. One of our favorite memories from Plitvice was sitting on an empty boardwalk beside the Upper Lakes, listening to the waterfalls and watching colorful leaves drift across the crystal-clear water.

Along Route E, don't skip the short uphill detours to the panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Upper Lakes. These elevated lookouts provide sweeping views across the forest canopy, where vibrant autumn foliage contrasts beautifully with the park's famous turquoise lakes. They're among the best photography spots in this section of the park and well worth the extra climb.

Only have 1 day? Follow Route H, which combines both the Upper and Lower Lakes, the electric boat across Kozjak Lake, and the panoramic train into one comprehensive route. It's the best option for seeing Plitvice's highlights in a single day.

Day 1: Afternoon

Around lunchtime, consider stopping at one of the park's restaurants near Kozjak Lake or Entrance 2. They offer sandwiches, grilled dishes, soups, and drinks if you'd rather not carry food all day.

If the weather is pleasant, however, we'd recommend bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the designated picnic areas near Kozjak Lake or on a quiet bench overlooking the water. Taking time to sit and appreciate the scenery is one of the greatest advantages of visiting in autumn.

Take one of the electric boats back to Entrance 2 (wrapping up Route E). Return to your accommodation and enjoy a relaxed evening.

If you're staying in Rastoke, spend the evening wandering through the historic watermill village as the crowds disappear and the waterfalls are beautifully lit by the late afternoon sun. Restaurant Ambar offers farm to table dining in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Day 2: Discover the Lower Lakes & Revisit Your Favorite Corners of the Park

Return to the park early once again, this time entering through Entrance 1 to explore the dramatic Lower Lakes before the day-trip crowds arrive. From Entrance 1, follow signs for Route B, which focuses on the highlights of the lower lakes area.

The Lower Lakes are home to some of Plitvice's most iconic scenery. Wooden boardwalks wind beneath towering limestone cliffs, crossing brilliantly turquoise pools and passing some of the park's largest waterfalls.

Early morning is the perfect time to visit Veliki Slap, Croatia's tallest waterfall. The softer autumn light creates beautiful conditions for photography before the busiest tour groups arrive. This is the only place in the park that we ran into a crowd of people, even around 9 am.

From there, continue past the Lower Lakes, taking your time along the wooden walkways and stopping at the many viewpoints overlooking the waterfalls. Be sure to climb to the famous overlook above the canyon—it's one of Plitvice's classic postcard views, where you'll see the boardwalks weaving through vivid turquoise lakes surrounded by brilliant autumn foliage.

Day 2: Afternoon

Around midday, take the electric boat across Kozjak Lake, one of the most scenic parts of the visit. The short ride offers a different perspective of the park, with colorful forests reflected in the calm water.

Pro Tip: If you'd like some variety, consider renting a rowing boat on Kozjak Lake. You can typically rent these on site with no reservation.

By early afternoon, many of the large day-trip groups begin arriving from Zagreb, Zadar, and Split, making this an ideal time to conclude your visit and continue your Croatian road trip. Or, venture back into the less crowded Upper Lakes area.

One of the greatest advantages of spreading your visit over two days is that there's no pressure to rush. Instead of trying to check off every viewpoint, you can return to your favorite waterfall, enjoy another quiet section of trail, or simply find a bench overlooking the lakes and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

Is One Day Enough?

Yes—one day can be enough to explore Plitvice Lakes National Park, but you'll need an early start and need to do plenty of walking. If you only have one day, Route H provides an excellent introduction to the park and includes the Lower Lakes, Upper Lakes, electric boat, panoramic train, and Veliki Slap.

However, if your schedule allows, spending two days creates a completely different experience. You can enjoy the quietest hours of the day, have time for photography and short viewpoint hikes, and won't feel pressured to rush through one of Europe's most beautiful national parks.

If you prefer to leave the driving to others, there are many day tours available from Zagreb and Split.

Tips for Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park in Autumn

• Visit on weekdays whenever possible.
• Arrive when the park opens or plan to explore late in the day, before the park closes.
• Reserve tickets well in advance for October weekends. We had no issue reserving the night before for weekday visits.
• Dress in layers as mornings can be cool. We wore hat and gloves and lighter winter jackets in the mornings.
• Wear hiking shoes with good grip—the boardwalks can become slippery after rain (be extra careful if temperatures dropped below freezing the night before).
• Bring a rain jacket just in case.
• Pack a picnic lunch.
• Allow time to simply sit beside the lakes—some of the best moments aren't spent walking.

Plitvice Lakes Park Entry & Tickets

The national park uses timed-entry tickets, and you'll choose either Entrance 1 or Entrance 2 when booking. We recommend reserving your tickets online in advance, especially if you're visiting in October or on weekends, as popular entry times can sell out.

Your ticket includes access to the park's boardwalks and hiking trails, along with the electric boat across Kozjak Lake and the panoramic train (shuttle) used on several official routes. Because ticket prices vary by season, we'd recommend checking the Plitvice website for the latest pricing corresponding to your dates.

If you're following our two-day itinerary, consider booking Entrance 2 for your first day to begin in the quieter Upper Lakes and Entrance 1 for your second day.

Is Autumn the Best Time to Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park?

For many travelers, absolutely.

Autumn combines vibrant foliage, comfortable hiking temperatures, active waterfalls, and fewer crowds than summer. Spending two days allows you to experience the peaceful atmosphere that makes Plitvice so special. If you're planning a Croatian road trip between late September and early November, few destinations capture the beauty of the season quite like Plitvice Lakes National Park.

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