Plitvice Lakes & Rastoke Day Trip from Zagreb: Private Guide

Walk between jewel-colored lakes and ride an electric boat through forest and karst cliffs

A private day trip from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park with a professional English-speaking guide who tailors the route to your fitness level and interests. Start in the watermill village of Rastoke with a coffee break by the rivers, then spend the afternoon on the park's walkways and hiking trails between the lakes, linked by waterfalls, and finish with an electric boat ride across Kozjak Lake before returning to Zagreb.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Rastoke and Plitvice Lakes

• Visit watermill village Rastoke
• Enjoy coffee by the river
• Arrive at Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Walk trails between lakes and waterfalls
• Take electric boat across Kozjak Lake
• Return to Zagreb

What’s included

• Skip-the-line admission to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
• a coffee break in Rastoke.
• transportation by air-conditioned vehicle.
• an English-speaking professional guide for the full day.
• and hotel pickup and drop-off at participating accommodations.

Times

• Every day 06:00 08:00

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Before you book

Group Private 1 group tour ›

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Book up to 12h before

Ages Adult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available Public transport nearby

Operated by Petros d.o.o

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 7 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

The drive from Zagreb takes two hours each way, so the full day runs eleven hours door-to-door. Your guide meets you at your hotel and shapes the itinerary around what you want to see and how much walking suits you. Rastoke comes first: a small village built where the Slunjčica and Korana rivers meet, with working watermills you walk past while your guide explains the area's history. You'll have time to sit with coffee and listen to the water before heading to Plitvice Lakes.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the reason becomes clear as soon as you arrive: a chain of sixteen lakes connected by waterfalls, with walkways and hiking trails winding between them. Your guide chooses which trails and which lakes based on your group's pace and energy. The water is jewel-colored (turquoise, emerald, deep blue), and the paths take you close enough to see the waterfalls drop between levels. After the walking portion, you board an electric boat for a crossing of Kozjak Lake, where the shoreline is thick forest and karst rock formations that rise straight from the water.

From November through March, the electric boats and panoramic vehicle don't run due to weather, so the tour operates on foot and covers only the Lower Lakes. Depending on conditions, some sections of the park may close. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The terrain includes uneven surfaces and some steep slopes, though the tour suits all fitness levels. The guide is with you the entire day and speaks English throughout.

Top questions

What's the village of Rastoke like, and how much time do we spend there?

Rastoke sits at the confluence of two rivers and is known for its old watermills built into the landscape. You'll walk through the village while your guide shares its history, then have time to relax with a coffee break surrounded by the sound of water before moving on to Plitvice Lakes.

How much walking is involved at Plitvice Lakes, and can I choose an easier route?

The tour includes a moderate amount of walking on trails and walkways between the lakes, with some steep slopes. Your guide designs the specific route based on your fitness level and interests, so you can adjust the difficulty of your day.

What happens on the electric boat ride across Kozjak Lake?

Kozjak Lake is lined with thick forest and karst rock formations that drop to the water's edge. The electric boat takes you across the lake so you experience the park from the water and see the landscape from a different angle.

Does this tour operate in winter, and what changes?

From November through March, the electric boats and panoramic vehicle don't operate due to weather conditions. During these months, the tour runs on foot and covers only the Lower Lakes section of the park. Some areas may also close depending on weather on the day of your visit.

Is hotel pickup included, and which hotels are covered?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in Zagreb. Confirm your accommodation is on the list when you book, or public transportation options are available nearby.