The Plitvice Lakes National Park is the perfect destination for an early spring getaway. The gloomy and cold winter gives way to an abundance of flora and fauna. The water and waterfalls swell and reveal their full splendour. Enjoy spending time outside the high season and feel the joy of spring at the Plitvice Lakes.
Nature’s awakening
The gloomy winter days give way to the awakening of nature. The flowers are in full bloom, the birds chirp, while the trees are becoming ever greener. On your walk along the lakes you will enjoy the company of snowdrops whose white colour will enchant any visitor. Along with the sound of waterfalls, you will often hear birds calling for a new age with their song – the age of new generations they will bring up in their nests. While walking in the Upper Lakes, you will have the chance to see a mother duck with her little fluffy ducklings. Their fluff makes them so cute and successful in putting a smile on the visitors’ faces. Sometimes you will need to try a bit harder to spot them because the mother duck is very skilful when it comes to hiding her ducklings in bushes. Their colour is the perfect camouflage and protects the ducklings from other animals. Everything is brimming with action, bumblebees and bees buzz, and flutter from flower to flower in the company of butterflies. The plant and animal worlds are always playful…
Spring is best spent in nature
Winter is usually followed by warmer and longer days that we can’t wait to spend in nature and going on trips is always a great idea. Spring, with its splendour and warm rays of the sun, never fails to awaken a new adventurous spirit in us. For many, spring is their favourite season, and what could be better after gloomy days than going for a walk where you are surrounded by greenery and an infinite number of waterfalls?
One of the main reasons why we spend time in nature is to relax, especially nowadays when we want to get away from everyday stress. Nature is always a powerful source of inspiration for those who love and appreciate it as it stimulates and plays with the imagination. Spring at the Plitvice Lakes will definitely fill your memory and your camera roll.
Lake tour programmes
Spring is the ideal time to enjoy the beauty of the waterfalls. Winter usually brings colder days with precipitation and the Upper Lakes are closed for safety reasons. Warmer weather and longer days usually speed up the opening of the Upper Lakes and extend working hours.
Did you know that there are eight tour programmes at the Park? Depending on how much you are willing to walk, i.e. spend time at the Park, you can opt to visit only the Upper or the Lower Lakes. As always, you can spend the entire day at the Park as well – it is up to you. Whichever option you choose, you won’t regret it. You can experience the beauty of nature at every step. The Lower Lakes are located in a canyon, and a sight definitely worth seeing is the Veliki slap Waterfall – the perfect place to freshen up with its water spray. The Upper Lakes consist of twelve lakes spread out in a magical wooded area. You will be pleasantly surprised by the murmur of an infinite number of waterfalls. All the lakes boast crystal clear and clean water set in an enchanting landscape.
The smells of Spring
What is the first thought that comes to mind when you think about a sunny spring day at Plitvice Lakes and can you just imagine the smell of spring there? After nature awakens from its slumber and sheds its winter blanket, the waterfalls and lakes get the leading roles at Plitvice Lakes. After the rains and snow, the magnificent and powerful waterfalls flow with their full force – precisely why spring is the ideal period to catch them at play. Everything smells like “spring”. The water from the waterfalls splashes the water lilies that are just beginning to open their beautiful green leaves. Walk along the wooden paths and bridges, relax and enjoy the scents of nature! The irresistible smell of clean, clear water, freshness in the air and the smell of buds waking up will remain in your memory. So, if you enjoy the spring feeling, don’t miss out on enjoying it in all its beauty at the Plitvice Lakes National Park and inhale the scent of fresh treetops and emerald lakes.
Spring flowers in full bloom
Spring flowers are plants that bloom in spring and that bring a smile to everyone’s face as soon as we see them. Warmer and longer days are the first sign that a fragrant spring is coming. They are very important in the ecosystem because they provide nourishment to various insects with their pollen and nectar, most often diverse species of butterflies and bees that come out of their hiding places so that they can survive until other plants start to bloom. The first spring flowers bloom primarily in the Lower Lakes canyon because its rocks attract more heat and light from the sun, and the snow melts faster. Spring flowers in the Lower Lakes canyon sometimes bloom up to several weeks earlier than in other parts of the National Park. While walking along the paths surrounded by pristine nature in spring at Plitvice Lakes, you will come across several types of spring flowers, of which the first to appear are primroses, snowdrops and cornflowers, as well as numerous other species. Enjoy their exceptional beauty and variety of colours, take in everything this short spell offers, but remember that you must not pick a single flower, so as not to disturb the harmony and beauty of their habitats.
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Colourful plates
The arrival of spring means we also look forward to the arrival of delicious vegetable delicacies on our plates. All food lovers, chefs and other nature foragers have smiles on their faces and look forward to that part of the year. As the season is upon us, make sure you welcome spring in a well-deserved way and let its green shoots become a party for your plate and palate.
Try some of our fresh dishes and enjoy the flavours of spring on your plate.
Rowing on Kozjak Lake
You can also go rowing on Kozjak Lake, the largest of Plitvice’s 16 lakes. When you walk down the path from Station 2 to Boat Pier P1, the size and beauty of the lake and the sound of the waterfalls will take your breath away. At the pier itself, you can rent a wooden rowing boat and go exploring. This wonderful physical activity will allow you to soak up the first spring sun, as well as enjoy the fresh spring air. Taking photos of interesting and fun moments is an experience to remember. Can you already imagine all the wonders of this adventure? We recommend you take the time to rest between the Lower and Upper Lakes and take in the peace of this spectacular lake, from which you can see the numerous waterfalls flowing from the Upper Lakes. For an even better experience, say hello to the many fish, ducks and birds that will accompany you on this adventure.
Coffee time at Labudovac
Proš?ansko Lake is the first and highest lake into which the mainstream flows and from which the network of lakes and waterfalls begins. In the immediate vicinity of Proš?ansko Lake, the first lake in a series of 16 pears that are the Plitvice lakes, is the Labudovac café, nestled in a spacious meadow and surrounded by a fragrant forest. If you are arriving from the Upper Lakes, this place is ideal for waking up before your tour, and if you are arriving from the Lower Lakes, you will look forward to refreshments after a long walk and resting on the benches. The open green meadow houses benches, actually an open summer terrace where you can enjoy your coffee with a view. For most people, coffee is a ritual they want to enjoy in peace, it is the perfect me-time, a moment in the day to reflect and rest. Sitting on a bench in the peace of the forest and admiring the timeless view and being revitalized by the fresh air is something priceless. Here you can also find light refreshments such as chocolate or blueberry muffins. From Labudovac, you can also go on some of our interesting hiking trails, where you can get to know the nature of the Park better.
A postcard perfect view awaits you in Labudovac!
Wellness and massages
At the very heart of the National Park, there is a wellness oasis at the Jezero Hotel. After a day spent walking in the fresh air, it is time to relax in an ideal wellness environment. You can enjoy a deep rest that renews the soul and body and visit the sauna and the swimming pool. Massages are also a part of the offer. After a mental rest in the greenery of newly awakened nature and discovering the hiking and walking trails of the Park, wellness will definitely relax you. Massages have many benefits and they are more than just relaxation because they also improve health, relieve pain, and have a beneficial effect on insomnia and stress. Spending the whole day in the pleasant spring air will have a healing effect on the whole body, from the respiratory tract to the skin, and wellness will combine it into one phenomenal pleasure.
Spring at the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Is there a better place to spend it in?
Tomislav Kova?evi? is General Manager at Plitvice Lakes National Park. Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest and biggest national park in Croatia.
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