Villa Lucija Plitvice Review 2026: Budget-Friendly Stay

Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia

was mentioned in a popular webtoon as a place where fairies might actually live.

Ever since then, it's been on my bucket list of places I had to visit at least once in my lifetime.

During our family trip in June, we visited Plitvice Lakes.

We decided to spend the afternoon strolling through the national park,

stay the night nearby, and then move on. Here is the budget-friendly gem we chose.

Out of the seven different accommodations we stayed at during this European trip,

this was the cheapest, yet it had so many charming details that it became my father-in-law's absolute favorite.

It was packed with lovely little details that we just adored.

✔️ Budget-friendly Plitvice stay for ~$64/night

Room Lucija, Poljanak, 1/28 – 1/293ha.in

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1. Budget-Friendly Stay Near Plitvice

Room Lucija (Villa Lucija)

✔️ Just a 3-minute drive from Plitvice Lakes National Park

Double Room (1 Night): €90 (As of June '25, ~$98)

* Breakfast included + Free parking, No city tax

With a whopping 4.9 rating on Google Maps,

it was packed with incredibly positive reviews. Naturally, I was curious,

but looking at the photos, I honestly didn't have high expectations.

It had a cozy, slanted attic ceiling,

and it was a compact studio-style room with just a bed sitting in it.

Since we were only staying for one night, I didn't expect much anyway,

and figured it would just be a cheap place to crash.

* Amenities included towels, shampoo, and body wash.

The hair dryer was a bit weak (a struggle if you have thick hair!).

But luckily, it did have AC!

So, why did this seemingly ordinary place

steal our hearts? Here are the reasons:

1️⃣ Since there are very few guesthouses around, it was incredibly quiet.

2️⃣ It gets pitch black at night, revealing a spectacular field of stars ⭐️

(My father-in-law even set up his camera at midnight to take photos!)

3️⃣ The crisp morning air and the wonderfully friendly staff.

4️⃣ The delicious meals served at the restaurant on the first floor.

There are only a few similar villas scattered around this area,

making it exceptionally peaceful and free of light pollution at night.

My father-in-law left his camera out for a long exposure shot,

and the resulting star photos were a masterpiece! Seriously, they look professional. 👍🏻

The entire neighborhood has this serene vibe—so secluded and peaceful.

The morning air was so incredibly fresh; I woke up feeling completely rejuvenated.

My father-in-law even wished we could have stayed just one more night! haha

If there's any downside, the rooms are on the second floor

and there's no elevator... (plus, the stairs are quite narrow).

2. Dinner & Breakfast

* Currently temporarily closed as of Jan '26

(It seems to be closed for the winter season, but I will post updates later!)

With limited dining options nearby,

and wanting to enjoy a cold beer with dinner without having to drive,

we decided to have both dinner and breakfast at the on-site restaurant.

And honestly, both meals exceeded our expectations!

They offer both outdoor and indoor seating.

Meals averaged around 10 to 15 Euros per dish.

The prices were super reasonable, and it had that cozy, healthy, home-cooked vibe,

so we ordered a nice variety of salads, soups, and mains to share.

After dealing with Europe's skyrocketing prices,

this warm, rustic countryside restaurant and its clean, comforting food

were absolute healing 💚

Breakfast is served buffet-style with plenty of options,

and let me tell you, this place is a total bakery heaven! The crepes and French toast

were so delicious that we went back for seconds (and thirds!).

Since it's a cozy, small-scale stay with fewer guests,

and the sweet grandmother who runs it is so incredibly kind, it felt even warmer.

3. The Hidden Viewpoint

When we checked in, the host let us in on a little secret—

there's a stunning viewpoint overlooking the Plitvice waterfalls

just a 10-minute drive from the guesthouse!

So, we made sure to stop by before heading to our next destination.

We parked the car nearby and followed a quiet little path down,

where we found a small, rustic observation deck.

From here, you get a panoramic view of the Plitvice waterfalls 💚

It's a secret spot where you can enjoy this breathtaking view without paying the national park admission fee,

so I highly recommend it! (I've linked the Google Maps location below.)

We arrived early around 8:00 AM, so there was no one else around.

Being able to take photos all by ourselves was just perfect 👍🏻

Plitvicka jezera Waterfall Viewpoint · 53231, Korana, Croatiamaps.app.goo.gl

During our busy 12-night, 14-day European itinerary,

Rooms Lucija was a place where we could truly slow down and unwind.

If you're looking for a place to stay near Plitvice Lakes National Park,

this warm, cozy spot will absolutely melt your heart!

* Highly recommended for those who want to spend a night near Plitvice

* Great for travelers seeking a warm, rustic countryside vibe

* Honestly, it's not an "Instagram-aesthetic" spot / Not highly recommended for families with young children

Rooms Lucija, Poljanak, 1/26 – 1/273ha.in