Plitvice Lakes Tour: Wooden Bridges & Turquoise Lakes

Walk wooden bridges over turquoise lakes and waterfalls in Croatia's biggest national park

A day trip from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park with a local English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle transport, and access to the park's trails, wooden boardwalks, boat ride and eco-bus. You walk through forests of pine, spruce and beech, cross extended wooden bridges for photos of the lakes and waterfalls, then ride an eco-friendly bus through rougher terrain and take a boat across the water before returning to Zagreb.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park

• Drive 2 hours from Zagreb
• Explore park trails and biodiversity
• Walk on wooden bridges and take photos
• Ride eco-friendly bus in park
• Boat ride across the lake
• Lunch at own expense
• Free time for personal activities
• Drive back to Zagreb hotel

The experience

The drive from Zagreb takes about two hours each way, leaving you a full day inside Plitvice Lakes National Park. Your local guide leads you through the trails that wind up and down the park (some sections climb as many as 300 steps), but the forest canopy and the sight of turquoise water keep the effort invisible. The extended wooden bridges that cross the park are built for this landscape: they let you stand directly over streams and waterfalls without disturbing the ground, and they're the spots where most people stop to photograph.

The park's trails are mixed terrain, so the tour includes an eco-friendly bus ride through the rougher walking areas and a boat ride across one of the lakes. This breaks up the day and gets you to viewpoints you wouldn't reach on foot alone. After the guided portion, you have free time to rest, explore on your own, or grab lunch at a restaurant in the park (at your own cost). The return drive to Zagreb gives you time to sit back after a full day of walking.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle transport from and to your Zagreb hotel.
• English-speaking local guide throughout the day.
• eco-friendly bus ride through the park's rougher terrain.
• boat ride across one of the lakes.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 45

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Traveljaz

Is this one for you?Pickup from your Zagreb hotel means you don't need a car or local knowledge to reach the park. The guide handles navigation and timing, and the full day fits inside a single departure, so you can spend your time walking and photographing instead of arranging logistics.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

How much walking is involved in the Plitvice Lakes tour?

The trails through the park vary in difficulty, with some sections including as many as 300 steps, but the tour breaks up the walking with an eco-friendly bus ride through rougher terrain and a boat ride across the lake, so you're not on foot the entire time.

What are the wooden bridges in Plitvice Lakes for?

The extended wooden boardwalks cross streams and waterfalls throughout the park, letting you walk directly over the water without disturbing the ground. They're the main photo spots for the turquoise lakes and cascades.

Does the tour include entry to Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Entry fees are not included and must be booked online through the official park website at least 72 hours before your visit. Your guide will direct you to the booking link when you confirm your tour.

What's the full day like, from start to finish?

You're picked up from your Zagreb hotel, driven two hours to the park, then spend the day walking the trails and crossing the wooden bridges with your guide, riding the eco-bus and boat, and having free time for lunch and exploration before the two-hour drive back to Zagreb in the late afternoon.