Entrance 1 vs 2 at Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia

Plitvice Lakes Entrance 1 vs Entrance 2: Which One Should You Choose?

by Nichole | Last updated Mar 14, 2026 | Croatia, Best Hiking Europe

When my husband and I started researching Plitvice Lakes National Park while planning our 9-day Croatia and Slovenia itinerary, we quickly realized there are two main entrances:

Entrance 1
Entrance 2

Both take you into the same park, but they offer very different starting experiences depending on how you want to explore the lakes. We spent quite a bit of time trying to decide which entrance made the most sense for our hike.

In the end, we chose Entrance 1, and it turned out to be a fantastic way to start the day. Walking down toward the Lower Lakes and seeing the waterfalls appear below us right away was an incredible first impression.

Here’s how the two entrances compare so you can decide which one works best for your visit.

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Quick Comparison: Entrance 1 vs. Entrance 2

Entrance 1

Located near the Lower Lakes
Open year-round
Best for dramatic waterfall views right away
Usually busier earlier in the day

Entrance 2

Located near the Upper Lakes
Closed during winter months
Slightly calmer starting point
Better if you want to start with quieter trails

Both entrances eventually connect through the park’s trail system, so you will still be able to see the main highlights no matter where you start.

Entrance 1 Overview

Lower Lakes at Plitvice Lakes National Park near Entrance 1

Entrance 1 is located near the Lower Lakes, which is where some of the park’s most famous waterfalls are found.

These include:

Veliki Slap (the Great Waterfall)
Sastavci Waterfalls
Velike Kaskade Waterfall

Starting here means you descend along a zigzag trail into the canyon where the waterfalls come into view almost immediately.

This is exactly how my husband and I started our hike, and it was an incredible first impression of the park.

As we walked down the path toward the Lower Lakes, we could already hear the roar of the waterfalls echoing through the canyon.

Veliki slap at Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia

Veliki Slap in the Lower Lakes section near Entrance 1

Pros of Entrance 1

Best first views of the waterfalls
Access to the most famous Lower Lakes scenery
Open year-round
Great for photography early in the day

Cons of Entrance 1

Lower Lakes can become crowded later in the morning
Many tour groups start here

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Entrance 2 Overview

Veliki Prstavac Waterfall in the Upper Lakes at Plitvice Lakes National Park

Veliki Prstavac Waterfall in the Upper Lakes near Entrance 2

Entrance 2 sits closer to the Upper Lakes section of the park.

The Upper Lakes are known for their calm emerald pools and a series of smaller waterfalls surrounded by lush forest.

While they may not be quite as dramatic as the Lower Lakes, I felt this area was more peaceful and less crowded, especially earlier in the day.

Entrance 2 is also near the electric boat crossing at Lake Kozjak, which connects the Upper and Lower Lakes.

Boat ride across at Kozjak Lake at Plitvice Lakes National Park

Boat ride across at Kozjak Lake near Entrance 2

Pros of Entrance 2

Often slightly less crowded early in the day
Quieter starting point
Closer to the Upper Lakes
Easy access to the boat crossing

Cons of Entrance 2

Closed during winter months
You may reach the Lower Lakes later in the day when crowds increase

Which Entrance Did We Choose?

birds eye view of Velike Kaskade Waterfall at Plitvice Lakes National Park

Bird’s-eye view of Velike Kaskade Waterfall near Entrance 1

My husband and I chose Entrance 1 because we wanted to experience the Lower Lakes first while the crowds were still manageable.

Since we were hiking Route C, starting at Entrance 1 made the most sense. It allowed us to begin with the dramatic Lower Lakes before continuing on to the Upper Lakes later in the hike.

Walking down the zigzag path and seeing the waterfalls slowly appear below us was an incredible way to start the day.

By the time we finished our hike in the early afternoon, though, the Lower Lakes area had become noticeably busier.

Seeing the crowds forming reinforced why arriving right when the park opens is so important, especially if you plan to start at Entrance 1.

Which Entrance is Best?

Upper Lakes at Plitvice Lakes National Park near Entrance 2

The best entrance really depends on your priorities.

Choose Entrance 1 if:

You want the most dramatic first views
You plan to explore the Lower Lakes early
You want to visit during any season

Choose Entrance 2 if:

You want a quieter start to your hike
You prefer beginning in the Upper Lakes
You want easier access to the boat crossing

Final Thoughts

No matter which entrance you choose, you’ll still experience the incredible lakes and waterfalls that make Plitvice one of the most beautiful national parks in Europe.

The key is simply arriving early and planning your route ahead of time.

My husband and I actually used Zagreb as our base and visited Plitvice as a day trip, which worked out really well.

If you’re planning to stay in the city too, I shared some of my favorite experiences in my guide to the Best Things to Do in Zagreb.

And if you’re still organizing the logistics for your visit, I recommend reading my guide on How to Visit Plitvice Lakes: Routes, Tickets + Planning Tips, where I walk through everything from the best time to visit and how to avoid the biggest crowds.

I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky discerning travel friend who dives deep (Google Page 20, forums, travel groups deep!) to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.

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