Split: Plitvice Lakes Private Tour & 78m Waterfall

The walk that changes how you see water

You walk through Croatia's only UNESCO-protected national park with a licensed guide, covering at least 6 kilometers past small and large waterfalls, including a 78-meter drop. The day includes air-conditioned transport from Split, park entry, and a stop at a local restaurant before returning. This is a full-day commitment, not a quick visit. The constant movement is what makes the experience work.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park

• Travel from Split to Plitvice Lakes
• Walk and explore waterfalls and lakes
• See the biggest waterfall, 78 meters tall
• Pass by Diocletian's Palace in Split
• Pass by Krka National Park center city
• Stop at a local restaurant

The experience

You'll probably expect Plitvice Lakes to be a quick photo stop, the kind of place where you spend an hour and move on. That's not what happens here. Your guide picks you up from Split in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the drive itself takes time. You'll pass through Krka, the smaller city that sits at the center of another national park, just to get the sense of what this region holds. But once you're inside Plitvice Lakes, the UNESCO-protected park that's the only one of Croatia's eight national parks with that designation, the day becomes about walking. Not strolling. Walking. At least 6 kilometers of it, moving between waterfalls that range from small cascades to the 78-meter drop that's the tallest in the entire country.

The thing nobody tells you is that you're not standing in one spot admiring a view. You're constantly moving through it. Your guide knows where the crowds thin out and where the light hits the water differently depending on the hour. You'll see both the small waterfalls and the big ones, the lakes that sit between them, the way the water changes color as it falls. It's not a picnic destination, and that's exactly why it works. The constant walking means you're not just looking at Plitvice Lakes. You're inside them, moving through the landscape instead of observing it from a platform.

After the park, there's usually a stop at one of the local restaurants in the area: the kind of place where people who live nearby actually eat, not a tourist trap built into the parking lot. By then you've earned it. The drive back to Split gives you time to sit still, and your guide can point out details you might have missed on the way in, or just let the quiet happen.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle transport from Split.
• professional and licensed guide.
• Plitvice Lakes National Park entry.
• walking access to multiple waterfalls including the 78-meter main waterfall.
• stop at a local restaurant in the area.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Labora Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Croatia's most significant natural park without arranging transport, park tickets, or figuring out which waterfalls are worth the walk: the full-day structure and constant movement are what let you experience the park instead of just viewing it.

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Top questions

How long is the full day tour from Split?

It's a full-day tour. The drive from Split takes time, and you'll spend several hours walking through the park itself, with a restaurant stop included before the return journey.

How much walking is involved?

At least 6 kilometers of walking through the park, moving between waterfalls and lakes. You're constantly exploring different areas, not staying in one spot.

What's the tallest waterfall in Plitvice Lakes?

The biggest waterfall is 78 meters tall. It's not just the tallest in Plitvice Lakes but in all of Croatia.

Is Plitvice Lakes a UNESCO World Heritage site?

Yes, it's the only one of Croatia's eight national parks with UNESCO protection.

What's included in the tour?

Air-conditioned vehicle transport from Split, a professional licensed guide, park entry, and a stop at a local restaurant in the area.

Will we pass other towns on the way?

Yes, you'll pass through Krka, a small city that's the center of Krka National Park, on the route to Plitvice Lakes.

Can I bring young children?

Infants can come but must sit on an adult's lap. The 6+ kilometers of walking means children should be comfortable with extended walking.