Plitvice Lakes Entrance 1 vs Entrance 2: Which to Choose
Entrance 1 (Rastovača) is the north entrance, closest to the Lower Lakes and Veliki Slap waterfall — Croatia’s tallest at 78 metres. It is the most popular starting point and recommended for first-time visitors and those on shorter visits. Entrance 2 (Hladovina) is the south entrance, closer to the Upper Lakes. It is quieter at opening time, better for longer full-day routes starting from the top, and has shorter parking queues. Routes A, B, C, and K start from Entrance 1; routes E, F, H, and K start from Entrance 2. Both are approximately 3 km apart on the D1 national road.
Choosing your entrance before you book your Plitvice Lakes ticket is not optional — your ticket is issued for a specific entrance and you must enter there. Making the wrong choice does not ruin your visit (both entrances lead to an extraordinary park), but making the right one for your circumstances will meaningfully improve it. Here is a complete, honest comparison.
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The Key Difference at a Glance
| Entrance 1 (Rastovača) | Entrance 2 (Hladovina) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | North entrance | South entrance |
| Nearest to | Lower Lakes, Veliki Slap | Upper Lakes |
| GPS | 44°54’17.9″N 15°36’40.3″E | 44°52’58.5″N 15°37’21.1″E |
| Routes starting here | A, B, C, K | E, F, H, K |
| First impression | Dramatic — immediate canyon and waterfall views | Tranquil — forested Upper Lakes |
| Crowd level at opening | Higher | Lower |
| Parking | P1: busiest lot, can queue in summer | P2/P3: quieter, shorter queues |
| Best for | First-time visitors, shorter visits, dramatic first impressions | Full-day routes, fewer opening crowds, Upper Lakes first |
Entrance 1 (Rastovača) — The North Entrance
Entrance 1 at Plitvice Lakes is the north entrance, located above the Lower Lakes. Upon entering, visitors immediately descend a zigzag path into the canyon where the first views of the turquoise Lower Lakes and cascading waterfalls appear within minutes. Veliki Slap — Croatia’s tallest waterfall at 78 metres — is accessible within the first hour of walking from Entrance 1. It is the most popular entrance and the starting point for Routes A, B, C, and K. The P1 car park adjacent to Entrance 1 is the park’s largest but also its busiest.
What you experience first: Entering through Entrance 1, you descend a series of zigzag switchbacks into the Lower Lakes canyon. Within the first 15–20 minutes, the first views of the turquoise lakes appear below you and the sound of waterfalls begins. This is the “wow moment” that most Plitvice visitors describe — the canyon walls, the vivid colour of the water, and the sheer vertical drama of the landscape. Veliki Slap is the park’s signature sight and is reached relatively early on all routes from Entrance 1.
Walking direction: From Entrance 1, you walk generally towards the waterfalls — facing them as you descend. This is considered the more photogenic direction on the Lower Lakes section, as you approach cascades head-on rather than following the flow of water away from them.
Best routes from Entrance 1: Route C is the most popular — covering both Lower and Upper Lakes in approximately 4–5 hours, including the Kozjak boat ride and the panoramic train return. Route A and Route B are shorter options for those with less time.
Parking: The P1 car park at Entrance 1 is large but fills quickly. In peak summer, it can be full by 8:30–9:00 AM, with queues backing onto the D1. If you are driving and want Entrance 1, arrive before 8:00 AM.
Entrance 2 (Hladovina) — The South Entrance
Entrance 2 at Plitvice Lakes is the south entrance, located near the Upper Lakes. It is typically quieter than Entrance 1 at opening time, with shorter queues at both the parking and gate. Entering here, visitors begin at the top of the park and walk downhill through the Upper Lakes — 12 of the 16 named lakes are in this section, with gentler waterfalls and more forested, reflective pools. Route H (8.9 km) starts from Entrance 2 and is highly recommended for full-day visitors who want a top-down experience ending at the dramatic Lower Lakes.
What you experience first: From Entrance 2, you start at the Upper Lakes — a completely different character from the Lower Lakes. The Upper Lakes are wider, shallower, and more serene, with forest reflections on the water and gentler waterfalls. The trail descends gradually through the 12 upper lake sections before reaching Lake Kozjak and the boat crossing to the Lower Lakes.
Walking direction: From Entrance 2 on Route H, you walk in the direction of water flow — away from the waterfalls, which means you are often looking back rather than ahead at cascade viewpoints. The Lower Lakes section is reached later in the walk, after the boat crossing — but when you arrive there, it is typically mid-afternoon when crowds are beginning to thin.
Best routes from Entrance 2: Route H is the flagship — 8.9 km covering the full park from top to bottom, with the boat ride mid-route and the panoramic train return. Route E and Route F are shorter Upper Lakes options. Route H from Entrance 2 is frequently recommended by experienced guides as the most logistically sensible route for full-day visitors, as the top-down direction makes the walking easier (mostly downhill) and the Lower Lakes are enjoyed at a quieter time of day.
Parking: The P2 and P3 car parks at Entrance 2 are smaller than P1 but typically have shorter queues. In peak summer, they are significantly easier to access before 9:00 AM.
Which Entrance Is Right for You?
Choose Entrance 1 if:
- You are a first-time visitor and want the most dramatic immediate introduction to the park
- You have 3–5 hours and want to see the highlights (Veliki Slap, Lower Lakes, boat, train) efficiently via Route C
- You are visiting in the morning and can arrive at or before the 7:00 AM summer opening
- You are on a guided day tour — most tour groups use Entrance 1 as the standard start
Choose Entrance 2 if:
- You want a quieter start with fewer crowds at opening time
- You are doing a full-day visit (6+ hours) and prefer the top-down Route H structure
- You are staying overnight near the park and want to begin exploring the less-visited Upper Lakes at your own pace
- You have mobility considerations — the Upper Lakes section has flatter, more accessible trails than the steeper descent into the Lower Lakes canyon from Entrance 1
The Flora Auxiliary Entrance
There is a third, smaller entrance — the Flora auxiliary entrance — located near Entrance 2. It does not have a car park or a ticket office. It is used primarily by visitors staying at nearby hotels and guesthouses who walk to the park. Tickets for Flora must be purchased online in advance. If you are arriving by car or bus, use Entrance 1 or Entrance 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter at one entrance and exit at another?
All routes are circular — they begin and end at the same entrance. You cannot validly exit at a different entrance from where you entered, as your ticket is entrance-specific. If you want to see both entrances, you would need a separate ticket for each, which is not cost-effective for a single-day visit. The circular routes take you through both sections of the park regardless of which entrance you use.
Which entrance has the best parking?
Entrance 1’s P1 lot is larger but fills first. Entrance 2’s P2/P3 lots are smaller but have shorter queues at opening time. In peak summer, neither entrance offers relaxed parking after 9:00 AM. Arriving before 8:00 AM at either entrance is strongly advisable if driving. See our parking guide for full details.
Do guided tours use Entrance 1 or 2?
Most guided tours from Croatian cities use Entrance 1 as their standard starting point, as it delivers the most impactful opening sequence of the park. Some independent on-site guides (including the Route H walking tour) prefer Entrance 2 for the top-down structure.
Is the ticket price the same at both entrances?
Yes — the admission price is identical regardless of which entrance you choose.
