Choosing where to stay near Plitvice Lakes National Park can make a big difference to your visit. Although you can visit Plitvice on a day trip from Zagreb, Zadar or Split, I recommend staying nearby for at least one night; we actually stayed for two nights.
Plitvice is a huge national park, and the surrounding area is much bigger than you might expect. There are plenty of walks, viewpoints and fun outdoor activities to enjoy beyond the lakes themselves. Staying nearby gives you time to explore more of the area, while also giving you the chance to enter the park early, beat the crowds and enjoy your visit without rushing.
We stayed at B&B Plitvica Lodge in Plitvica Selo, and we loved the area. It was peaceful, surrounded by nature and within walking distance of the national park.
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Why stay near Plitvice Lakes instead of taking a day trip?
Plitvice Lakes is one of Croatia’s most popular attractions, and it can become very busy during the day, particularly in summer. Staying nearby means you can book an early entrance time and enter before many of the organised tours arrive.
You will also avoid spending hours travelling before or after your visit. Even with the park’s electric boats and panoramic vehicles, you will still do plenty of walking. The last thing you may want afterwards is a long drive to your next destination.
There is also more to do around Plitvice than visit the national park. During our stay, we went on a buggy tour and tried zip-lining, which made the area feel like a proper adventure destination rather than simply an overnight stop.
You can also find forest walks, cycling routes, horse riding and kayaking in the wider region. Rastoke, a picturesque village known for its rivers, small waterfalls and traditional watermills, is another place you can combine with your visit.
Where to stay near Plitvice Lakes
The best place to stay depends on how you are travelling and which part of the park you want to access.
Plitvica Selo is ideal if you have a car and want a peaceful stay surrounded by nature. Entrance 1 is convenient for the Lower Lakes and Veliki Slap, while Entrance 2 is usually the most practical area for travellers arriving by bus.
Why stay in Plitvica Selo?
Plitvica Selo is where we stayed, and it would be my first choice for travellers visiting Plitvice as part of a road trip.
The village is quiet, green and surrounded by the landscape of the national park. It feels much more rural than the accommodation beside the main road, and staying here made our visit feel like a proper escape into nature.
Plitvica Selo is close to an access point commonly referred to by local accommodation providers as Entrance 3. However, Entrance 1 and Entrance 2 remain the park’s two main official visitor entrances, so I recommend checking the latest access arrangements with your accommodation before your visit.
The village is best suited to people with a car. Although you may be able to walk into the park from some properties, getting to Plitvica Selo by public transport is less straightforward.
B&B Plitvica Lodge: Where we stayed
During our Croatia road trip, we stayed at B&B Plitvica Lodge, a small family-run property in the heart of Plitvica Selo.
The traditional wooden style fits perfectly with the surroundings, and our room was comfortable. There was parking available, which was important for us because we were travelling by car.
The lodge also has an on-site restaurant. This is useful because Plitvica Selo is a small village and does not have the same choice of restaurants and shops as larger areas nearby.
The best part for us was the location. We felt surrounded by nature, but we were still close to the park. The lodge is also within walking distance of the area around Veliki Slap, the highest waterfall at Plitvice.
Fenomen Plitvice Resort
For something more luxurious, consider Fenomen Plitvice Resort.
The resort has stylish houses and suites surrounded by forest, as well as an on-site restaurant and wellness facilities. It is a good option for couples, special occasions or anyone who wants the accommodation itself to be part of the experience.
Plitvice Lower Lakes Rooms
Plitvice Lower Lakes Rooms is another excellent option in Plitvica Selo, and it is actually just opposite B&B Plitvica Lodge where we stayed.
It has an exceptional 9.7 rating on Booking.com, with guests particularly praising the location, cleanliness and friendly host. The rooms are modern and comfortable, and the property has free parking and breakfast available.
Like our accommodation, it is also within walking distance of the access point commonly called Entrance 3, which makes it a great option if you want to stay somewhere peaceful and close to the park without driving in every morning.
Book Plitvice Lower Lakes Rooms
Why stay near Entrance 1?
Entrance 1 is a good choice if you want to begin your visit at the Lower Lakes.
From this side of the park, you can access Veliki Slap and some of the most recognisable viewpoints looking down over the lakes, waterfalls and boardwalks.
The small village of Rastovača is close to Entrance 1 and has several family-run guesthouses. Some properties are within walking distance, allowing you to leave your car at your accommodation and avoid finding a parking space at the park.
Staying here can also help you get an early start before the entrance becomes busier.
Pansion Danica
Pansion Danica is one of the most convenient choices near Entrance 1. It is in Rastovača and is approximately a ten-minute walk from both the entrance and the nearby bus stop.
It is a good option if you want a simple and comfortable place to stay without needing to drive to the park in the morning.
Antemurale Luxury Rooms
Antemurale Luxury Rooms is a more modern option in Rastovača, around 600 metres from Entrance 1. It offers private parking and suits travellers who prefer contemporary accommodation while remaining close to the park.
Plitvice Nature Resort
Plitvice Nature Resort is a great option if you want to stay near Entrance 1 but prefer something more spacious than a traditional guesthouse.
The resort is in Rastovača, around 1.7 km from Entrance 1, and has chalet-style accommodation surrounded by nature. Guests particularly like the location, which has a 9.4 rating on Booking.com.
The chalets come with private bathrooms, terraces and free parking, and some also have a hot tub. There are wellness facilities too, including a sauna, making this a nice option if you want somewhere comfortable to relax after a full day of walking around Plitvice Lakes.
Why stay near Entrance 2?
Entrance 2 is a convenient choice for exploring the Upper Lakes and Kozjak Lake.
It is also one of the easiest areas to stay without a car. The Jezerce–Mukinje bus station and several intercity bus stops are close to this side of the park, although routes and stopping points can change seasonally.
The nearby areas of Mukinje and Jezerce have hotels, guesthouses and apartments, and some can be reached on foot from Entrance 2.
Hotel Jezero
Hotel Jezero is one of the most convenient hotels near Plitvice Lakes because it is located inside the national park area, close to Entrance 2 and Kozjak Lake.
It has restaurants, parking and wellness facilities, although its biggest selling point is the location. You can walk to the park rather than driving and trying to find parking in the morning.
This is probably the easiest option for first-time visitors who prioritise convenience over staying in a small boutique property.
Entrance 2 Stay
Entrance 2 Stay is a self-catering apartment around a 14-minute walk from Entrance 2 and less than one kilometre from the Jezerce–Mukinje bus station.
It has two bedrooms and a living room, making it particularly useful for families, small groups or travellers who want more space than a standard hotel room.
Villa Mukinja
Villa Mukinja is in the small village of Mukinje, surrounded by forest and only around a 10-minute walk from Entrance 2.
It is a good alternative to Hotel Jezero if you prefer a smaller, more intimate place to stay while still being very close to the national park. The property also has a spa and wellness area, which is a nice bonus after a long day of walking around Plitvice Lakes.
How many nights should you stay near Plitvice Lakes?
One night is enough if Plitvice is simply a stop on a longer Croatia road trip. You can arrive during the afternoon, stay close to the park and enter early the following morning.
However, I highly recommend staying for two nights if your itinerary allows it.
That gave us time to spend a full day exploring the lakes without worrying about checking out or driving to another destination immediately afterwards. It also meant we could try to explore the area and take a buggy tour to the historic parts.