Croatia’s largest national park
Learn the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site with a certified guide. Enjoy turquoise lakes and over 90 waterfalls across nearly 300 square kilometers.
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Plitvice Lakes Tour from Zadar
Plitvice Lakes with boat ride & Zadar Old Town tour | Reserve now & pay later
Explore Croatia’s largest national park on a Plitvice Lakes tour from Zadar. Walk trails past Upper and Lower Lakes, relax on a boat and train ride, see Veliki Slap up close — plus an optional Zadar Old Town walking tour.
10 hours Small group · transportation included Meeting point 4.9 / 5
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About Plitvice Lakes Tour from Zadar
Explore Croatia’s largest national park on a Plitvice Lakes tour from Zadar. Walk trails past waterfalls, Upper Lakes and Lower Lakes, then relax on a boat tour and train ride with a local guide leading the way.
See Veliki Slap — Croatia’s tallest waterfall — up close. After returning to Zadar, join an optional guided Old Town walk including Saint Donatus’ Church and the unique Sea Organ.
Reserve now & pay later. Cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund, no questions asked.
Relax on the water
Take a quiet boat tour across the lakes. Sit back as you float past forest and enjoy the calm — you might even see fish below.
Hop on the park train
Enjoy panoramic views as you pass pine forests and clear lakes. Look for rare birds and wildflowers along the way.
Skip-the-line entry
Avoid waiting for tickets. Your guide provides Plitvice Lakes priority tickets so you enter without delay.
Walking tour of Zadar
After the park, take an optional guided tour of Zadar Old Town — Saint Donatus’ Church, the Sea Organ, Roman Forum and Greeting to the Sun. Available every day at 6:00 PM at no extra charge.
Explore Upper Lakes
Quiet forests and clear waters — trails past turquoise lakes like Prošćansko and Galovac, with hidden waterfalls, small caves and springs. Your guide explains how the lakes formed over thousands of years.
Discover Lower Lakes
Steeper cliffs and larger waterfalls. See Šupljara Cave in the Lower Lakes canyon, then Veliki Slap at 78 m (256 ft). Finish with a boat across Kozjak and a scenic electric train back to the entrance.
The birth of Plitvice Lakes
Legend says that during a terrible drought, people prayed at the Spring of Life to the Black Queen. After they confessed their sins (except one selfish man), rain fell and her tears became the Black and White Rivers — filling the valleys and giving life to sixteen lakes.
Tour highlights
- Transportation by air-conditioned bus
- Skip-the-line priority entry
- Boat ride across Kozjak Lake
- Electric train ride
- Tour guide
- Veliki Slap & Upper/Lower Lakes
- Zadar Old Town walking tour (daily 6:00 PM)
- Free cancellation 24h ahead
Languages: English
Itinerary
Drive ~1 h 45 min each way through countryside and villages. Expect around 6 miles (10 km) of walking on gravel, wooden boardwalks and some stairs — mostly easy; wear comfortable non-slip shoes. Meeting point: Ul. Alesandra Paravije 5 (Zadar In & Out office).
- MorningDepart Zadar
Meet at Ul. Alesandra Paravije 5 and travel ~1 h 45 min through rural Croatia toward Plitvice.
- ArriveSkip-the-line entry
Priority tickets from your guide — walk straight into the park.
- WalkUpper Lakes
Prošćansko, Galovac and quiet forest trails with hidden falls and springs.
- WalkLower Lakes & Veliki Slap
Šupljara Cave area and Croatia’s tallest waterfall at 78 m.
- Boat & trainKozjak cruise + electric train
Boat across the largest lake, then panoramic train back toward the entrance.
- EveningReturn to Zadar + optional Old Town
Bus back to Zadar; optional guided Old Town tour at 6:00 PM (Sea Organ, St. Donatus, Forum).
Meeting point
Meet your guide at address: Ul. Alesandra Paravije 5 (Zadar In & Out office).
What's included
- Transportation by air-conditioned bus
- Boat ride
- Electric train ride
- Tour guide
- Skip-the-line / priority park entry
- Zadar Old Town walking tour (available every day at 6:00 PM)
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
Interesting facts about Plitvice Lakes
UNESCO since 1979
Plitvice covers nearly 300 km² with 16 lakes and 90+ waterfalls — some lakes as deep as 47 m (154 ft).
Rare wildlife
Home to rare animals like brown bears and lynxes — though they are hard to spot.
Fish below the boardwalk
Large trout in shallower Lower Lakes sections are unbothered by people — fishing has been banned for decades. Look down at the water’s edge.
Nearest coastal city
From Zadar it’s only about 1 hour 45 minutes — the shortest major-city day trip to Plitvice on the coast.
Good to know before you go
- Plitvice is often cooler than Zadar, even in summer — bring a jacket, especially in spring or autumn.
- Swimming is not allowed — it protects the fragile ecosystem.
- Toilets and food stalls are in the park; still bring water and snacks for a few hours of walking.
- Boardwalk spray can soak feet from below — spare socks help on the bus ride home.
- Children are welcome with an adult; many parents use a child carrier on the trails.
- Most places accept cards, but bring some cash (euros) for smaller kiosks.
- Mosquitoes can appear in summer near water and shade — bring insect repellent.
- If you eat at Poljana – Black River, try škripavac cheese — a traditional Lika ‘squeaky’ cow’s milk cheese.
Why this tour is the best choice
Priority entry
No waiting at the ticket booth. Your guide hands you priority tickets so you walk straight into one of Europe’s most visited natural wonders.
Boat ride and electric train included
Not just a walking tour — scenic boat across Kozjak and panoramic electric train are included at no extra cost.
Expert local guide
A guide handles the route, timing and stories behind the lakes and waterfalls. You just show up and enjoy.
Bonus Zadar Old Town tour
After the park, join a guided Old Town walk including the Sea Organ and Roman Forum — every evening at 6:00 PM at no extra charge.
