Plitvice Lakes National Park Day Trip with Tickets Zadar
- Duration10 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
This full-day Plitvice Lakes tour from Zadar takes you by air-conditioned transport to Croatia's best-known national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of turquoise lakes joined by waterfalls. The park entry ticket, a local guide, the electric boat and the scenic train are included. It is a guided group trip that suits first-time visitors, families and photographers who want the lakes without driving the mountain roads. You can pick the shared bus or the small group option with pickup, depending on the option you choose.
Highlights
- Walk the wooden boardwalks between the terraced lakes of a UNESCO-listed national park
- See Veliki Slap, the tallest waterfall in the park, plunging into the canyon
- Glide across Lake Kozjak on the panoramic electric boat
- Ride the scenic electric train through the forest
- Park entry ticket and a knowledgeable local guide are included
- Comfortable air-conditioned transport from Zadar, so there is no mountain driving
- Choose the shared bus or a small group with pickup, depending on the option you choose
Full Description
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia's most famous park
Plitvice Lakes National Park was created in 1949 and joined the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979. Sixteen lakes step down a forested valley, each held back by a natural dam of travertine that keeps growing as moss and minerals build up. The water changes from emerald to deep blue depending on the light and minerals, which is why a Plitvice Lakes day trip from Zadar is on so many travel lists.
Many visitors ask whether Plitvice is worth visiting on a day trip. For the colours, the sound of falling water and the walkways that cross right over the lakes, the answer is yes. Your Plitvice Lakes tickets are included, so you walk straight in with your guide, who explains how the lakes formed and where to find the best viewpoints.
The Upper Lakes and the Lower Lakes
The park is split into the Upper Lakes, larger and set in forest, and the Lower Lakes, smaller and carved into a limestone canyon. Boardwalks and gravel paths link them, and your guide picks a route that fits the day. Expect many steps, gentle slopes and lots of photo stops, so plan on several hours of easy hiking.
Most people want to know the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes. Spring brings full waterfalls, summer gives warm light and long days, and autumn adds red and gold to the beech forest. Early starts help, because the boardwalks are quietest in the morning, and this tour leaves early for that reason. Swimming is not allowed, so bring a camera instead.
Veliki Slap and the waterfalls of Plitvice
Veliki Slap, the Big Waterfall, is the tallest in the park, dropping about 78 metres into the canyon at the end of the Lower Lakes. A viewpoint above and a boardwalk near the base show it from two angles, and spray from the water cools the air on a hot day. Smaller cascades such as Sastavci, where the river Plitvica meets the Korana, add to the show.
Photographers love the waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes for the layered mist and turquoise pools. Your guide will point out where the light is best and how long to allow at each viewpoint, so you do not miss the highlights while keeping to the schedule.
The electric boat on Lake Kozjak and the panoramic train
Lake Kozjak is the largest and deepest lake in the park, and the quiet electric boat is the easiest way to cross it. The ride gives a calm break for your legs and a different view of the forested shore. Your Plitvice Lakes boat ride is included in the tour, together with the scenic electric train that links parts of the park through the trees.
Boat and train timetables follow the season, water level and weather, so the order of your visit is decided on the day. In winter or after heavy rain a service can be limited, and the guide will then adjust the route and keep the best sections in the plan.
The road from Zadar through Velebit and Lika
Anyone wondering how to get from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes will find the drive takes roughly two hours each way. The route climbs from the Dalmatian coast over the Velebit range and across the green plateau of Lika, with views that change as you go. Choosing a guided day trip from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes means you can watch the scenery instead of the road.
You can also choose a small group option with pickup. The shared bus option does not include hotel pickup and uses a meeting point in Zadar, so check the option you choose in the booking panel.
Itinerary
- Meet in ZadarGather for the early departure at around 7:30; the exact place and time are confirmed after booking.
- Drive to the parkTravel by air-conditioned transport over Velebit and across Lika, about two hours.
- Entrance and briefingEnter with your ticket and hear the guide explain the lakes and the route.
- Lower Lakes and Veliki SlapFollow the boardwalks past the waterfalls to the biggest one in the park, with photo stops.
- Electric boat on Lake KozjakCross the largest lake in the park on a quiet panoramic boat.
- Scenic train and free timeRide the electric train through the forest and use the remaining time for your own favourite viewpoints.
- Return to ZadarDrive back through Lika and Velebit and arrive in the evening.
What's included
- Entry ticket to Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Knowledgeable local guide
- Panoramic electric boat ride
- Scenic electric train ride through the forest
- Transport by air-conditioned bus
- Optional Zadar Old Town walking tour at 6:00 PM
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.9/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes about 10 hours
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Travellers with limited mobility, as the trails include steps and slopes
- Anyone who cannot spend several hours on foot
- Visitors who want a short trip, as the day is long, around 10 hours
Meeting point
Depending on the option you choose, the shared bus tour meets at a point in Zadar and the small group option starts with pickup in Zadar. The departure is early, around 7:30, and the exact place and time are confirmed after booking. The shared bus option does not include hotel pickup.
Important information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, as boardwalks and paths can be wet and slippery.
- Bring a light rain jacket and layers, because mountain weather changes quickly, even in summer.
- Food and drinks are not included, so bring water, snacks and sun protection.
- Swimming in the lakes is not allowed, and drones and picking plants are not permitted in the park.
- Boat and train services depend on season and weather, and the route may be adjusted on the day.
- Arrive at the meeting point a few minutes early, as the group leaves on time.
- Tips are not included.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Plitvice Lakes day trip from Zadar cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, the shared bus tour or the small group tour with pickup. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child.
Are Plitvice Lakes tickets included?
Yes. The park entry ticket is included in both options, along with the local guide, the panoramic electric boat ride and the scenic train ride.
Is hotel pickup included?
It depends on the option you choose. The shared bus option has a meeting point in Zadar and does not include hotel pickup. The small group option includes pickup and drop-off in Zadar.
How long is the Plitvice Lakes tour from Zadar?
The day lasts around 10 hours, including the drive of about two hours each way and several hours inside the park.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children can join if they are comfortable walking on boardwalks and steps. The booking panel shows the age ranges and prices for children.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable shoes with grip and bring a rain jacket, water, snacks, sun protection and a camera. Food and drinks are not included.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
You can select the nearest available date in the booking panel. Availability depends on the day and the season, so booking a few days ahead is safer in summer.
What is the difference between the options?
Both options visit the same park with the same ticket, guide, boat and train. The shared bus tour has a meeting point in Zadar, while the small group option adds pickup and a more intimate group.
When is the best time to visit Plitvice Lakes?
Spring has the strongest waterfalls, summer the longest days and autumn the richest colours. Mornings are quieter on the boardwalks, which is why this trip leaves early.
Can I swim in the lakes?
No. Swimming is not allowed in the park, which protects the travertine barriers and the water. Wear walking shoes instead of swimwear.
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