Veliki Prštavac: The Upper Lakes’ Most Beautiful Waterfall
Veliki Prštavac is the most impressive waterfall in the Upper Lakes section of Plitvice Lakes National Park. It drops approximately 28 metres at the edge of Galovac Lake, flowing into Gradinsko jezero below in a wide, spreading fan of water. Its name comes from the Croatian word prštati (to splash or spray). Unlike Veliki Slap, which is a tall single-drop curtain waterfall, Veliki Prštavac is a broad, cascading falls that fans out as it descends. It is accessed via Entrance 2 and is best seen early in the morning on Routes H or K. Mali Prštavac — a smaller companion waterfall — is located nearby.
Veliki Slap gets most of the attention at Plitvice Lakes, and fairly so — 78 metres is hard to compete with. But Veliki Prštavac, in the Upper Lakes section, offers something different: a wide, spreading waterfall that fans across a broad limestone edge in a way that Veliki Slap’s vertical curtain does not. For many visitors, particularly photographers and those who prefer the quieter Upper Lakes environment, Veliki Prštavac is the park’s finest waterfall experience.
Top Tickets
What Makes Veliki Prštavac Distinctive
Veliki Prštavac is a textbook lake-overflow waterfall — the overflow of Galovac Lake spilling down to Gradinsko jezero below. As the water hits the edge of the travertine barrier, it spreads horizontally across the full width of the lake’s outflow, creating a wide, fanning cascade approximately 28 metres in height. The spray that gives it its name (prštati = to spray or splash) creates a permanent mist cloud visible from the boardwalk approach.
Mali Prštavac (Small Prštavac) is a companion waterfall nearby — smaller but similarly shaped, adding to the visual complexity of the Galovac-Gradinsko section of the Upper Lakes.
Unlike Veliki Slap — which is at its most powerful when the Plitvica Potok river is running high — Veliki Prštavac’s volume is directly controlled by the amount of water in Galovac Lake. This means it is most powerful in spring and after sustained rainfall.
How to Reach Veliki Prštavac
Via Entrance 2 (recommended): Enter through Entrance 2, take the first boat from P1 to P2, then follow the boardwalk trail. Signs lead toward Galovac and the Prštavac falls. This approach gets you to Veliki Prštavac in the morning before most visitors arrive — the ideal window.
Via Entrance 1 (Route C): Following Route C from Entrance 1, you reach Veliki Prštavac after the boat crossing and the Upper Lakes section. This typically means arriving at the falls in late morning or early afternoon — considerably busier.
The consensus among experienced park visitors is that Entrance 2 early in the morning delivers the best Veliki Prštavac experience by a significant margin. At 7:00 AM–7:30 AM, the falls are often empty of other visitors.
Veliki Prštavac vs Veliki Slap
| Veliki Slap | Veliki Prštavac | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 78 metres | ~28 metres |
| Location | Lower Lakes | Upper Lakes |
| Character | Tall, vertical curtain | Wide, spreading fan |
| Water source | Plitvica Potok (separate river) | Galovac Lake overflow |
| Crowds | Very high | Lower (Upper Lakes) |
| Best access | Entrance 1 | Entrance 2 |
The two waterfalls are complementary rather than competing. Most visitors on a full-day route see both. For those who can only prioritise one: Veliki Slap for scale and drama; Veliki Prštavac for intimacy and photographic composition.
Best Time to Visit
Early morning from Entrance 2: The combination of morning light, minimal crowds, and the boat crossing makes this the optimal approach. Aim to be at the Galovac boardwalk by 7:30–8:00 AM.
Spring: April and May deliver maximum water volume as snowmelt feeds the Upper Lakes. Veliki Prštavac in full spring flow is visually extraordinary.
Autumn: October light is excellent — lower, softer, and warmer. The beech forest surrounding the upper lakes is in colour, creating an exceptional photographic context for the waterfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Veliki Prštavac better than Veliki Slap?
Different rather than better. Veliki Slap is taller and more dramatic in vertical scale. Veliki Prštavac is wider and more photogenically complex. Both are essential sights.
Can you see Veliki Prštavac on Route C?
Yes — Route C from Entrance 1 covers the Upper Lakes including the Galovac-Gradinsko section where Veliki Prštavac is located. However, you arrive later in the day than via Entrance 2 (Route H), so expect more company.
