Plitvice Lakes day trip from Zadar: Guided tour with boat ride
Four hours among the waterfalls, then a train and boat to rest your feet
A guided day trip from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes National Park includes park entry, 4 hours of walking the upper and lower waterfalls, a train ride through the park, and a scenic boat trip on the turquoise water. Your guide provides live commentary on the drive and during the day, and the tour returns to Zadar with an optional evening walking tour of the Old Town available separately.
Step-by-step itinerary
Plitvice Lakes day trip from Zadar
- Meet guide and group in morning
- Drive to Plitvice Lakes with commentary
- Explore upper and lower waterfalls
- Take photos and discover nature
- Ride train and boat on lakes
- Return to Zadar
- Optional evening walking tour in Old Town
What’s included
- Tour guide with live English commentary.
- entry tickets to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- air-conditioned vehicle transport from and to Zadar.
- electric train ride through the park.
- panoramic boat ride on the lakes.
- optional guided walking tour of Zadar's Old Town at 6:00 PM on any evening during your stay.
Times
Next departure: 1 Jun 2027
2 departing soon ›Before you book
Operated by Zadar In And Out
Prices and times updated 5 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
How do you fit a UNESCO World Heritage Site into one day from the coast? The drive from Zadar takes you inland through the Croatian countryside with live commentary from your guide, then deposits you at the park entrance with 4 hours to walk the network of paths around the upper and lower waterfalls. You'll pass flowing springs, flowering meadows and the mouths of caves as you move between the lakes. The turquoise water and the volume of water falling make it worth stopping often for photographs.
After four hours on foot, a small electric train carries you deeper into the park, then a panoramic boat glides across the water with banks of lush green trees on either side. The boat passes under waterfalls and gives your legs a break before the drive back to Zadar. The whole outing runs nine hours door to door, with the park itself taking up the middle of the day.
Once you return to Zadar, an optional guided walking tour of the Old Town departs at 6:00 PM any evening during your stay, so you can add it on a different night if the timing works better. Air-conditioned transport, park entry and the train and boat rides are all included. Bring your own lunch or plan to eat in the park.
Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see both upper and lower lakes in one day with built-in boat breaks: the shared schedule and fixed route keep the pace steady so you cover the main waterfalls without deciding where to go next.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 17 years); Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What are the upper and lower waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes like when you get there?
Plitvice Lakes is a chain of 16 interconnected lakes fed by underground springs and connected by a series of waterfalls. The upper lakes cascade down to the lower lakes through a network of falls ranging from small drops to dramatic plunges. You walk paths that cross between them on wooden boardwalks and bridges, so you move through the water system rather than viewing it from a distance. The volume and the color of the water (turquoise in the lakes, white where it falls) are what make it worth the walk.
How much of the day do I actually spend walking around the lakes?
You have 4 hours to explore the upper and lower waterfalls on foot. The paths are well-marked and suitable for all fitness levels, though there are steps and uneven ground. After that, the train ride and boat trip let you see more of the park without walking.
Does the tour include lunch?
Lunch is not provided, so you'll need to bring your own or buy food in the park. There are cafés and small restaurants at the park entrance and scattered through the grounds.
What happens after you return to Zadar?
The tour ends back in Zadar after nine hours. An optional guided walking tour of the Old Town is available at 6:00 PM on any evening during your stay, so you can add it another night if you prefer to rest after the full day at the lakes.
Is the boat ride included in the tour price?
Yes, the scenic boat trip on the turquoise water is included, along with the electric train ride through the park. Both are part of the day and help break up the walking.
Plitvice Lakes day trip from Zadar: Guided tour with boat ride
9h · EN
from US$ 86 per person
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