PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK CROATIA
Plitvice Lakes One Day Trip
Come experience with us the Plitvice Lakes – the oldest, largest and most visited National Park in Croatia in a private tour!
Visit the most beautiful complex of Croatian waterfalls, recognized as an UNESCO Heritage site since 1979.
It is a must see for anyone visiting the Adriatic and its 16 lakes and wooden footpaths will dazzle you with its sceneries in any season! You can pick between different routes, making this a tour suitable for any age and physical condition.
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979
16 lakes arranged in cascades
Panoramic boat ride
Breathtaking waterfalls
Distinctive lake colors, ranging from azure to green, grey or blue.
From 110 Euros
Price
7-9 hours
Duration
We will accommodate your schedule and location!
Departure from...
Departure Points
Tell us where you are: Zagreb, Split, Zadar and more
Who Is This Plitvice Lakes Private Tour For?
Anyone who loves nature! There are different routes within the park, making this a tour suitable for any age and physical condition. Even those who are not as interested in nature, but would like to briefly see this “world wonder”, can have a brief stopover to see the main waterfall.
Best Time To Visit
You can’t go wrong here. The park is open all year round and Plitvice will impress you in any season. If you love snow scenery, then January is the best for you, and that’s when the park is least crowded. Spring is for those who love budding nature and milder temperatures. In June through August you should visit Plitvice as part of your Summer vacation. Autumn is all about the amazing colors, and for some people this is the best season to be here.
Plitvice Lakes is located in central Croatia
Where Are You?
The park can be easily reached from several Croatian cities, but the most popular are Zagreb, Zadar or Split. You can also think about a transfer from Zagreb to Zadar or Split, including a tour in the park along the way.
If you are in any other city and would like to visit this attraction, talk to us about your itinerary and we can suggest the best options for you to enjoy your time!
Itinerary
It varies from your selected city of departure, and we can set the pick up time to fit your schedule. But, usually we suggest the following:
08:00 – 09:00 Departure from your accommodation
10:30 – 15:30 Plitvice Lakes guided private tour
17:30 – 18:00 Return to your accommodation
More About Plitvice Lakes Tailored Tour
Plitvice Lakes day tour, one-of-a-kind travel experience, starts in the morning when we pick you up at your accommodation at a time chosen by you. The drive takes place in a comfortable car or minivan with a driver/guide in English or another language of your choice, always ready to give you lots of interesting information about the country, people, culture, etc.
We can add a quick stop along the way, in Skradin, if you are coming from the south of Croatia, or Rastoke, if you are coming from the north.
When we reach the park, we will decide on the best path for the day, taking into account your availability for the day and how much you want to walk. It’s really all up to you! Usually we combine routes that will allow you to walk the famous wooden paths, see the most popular waterfalls and breathtaking panoramic views of the several lakes, go on the electric boat ride across lake Kozjak and panoramic train ride towards the upper lakes.
Finish this incredible tour by returning to your accommodation, or with a stop at one of the many local restaurants in the area, where you can try one of the most popular dishes in Lika: grilled trout with potatoes.
Good To Know
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes to navigate the wooden paths with ease
Check the weather forecast for Plitvice the night before, in case an umbrella, sunscreen or a jacket are advisable
Swimming in Plitvice Lakes is absolutely forbidden in order to protect the ecosystem
Make sure to bring your camera so you can document the park’s beauty
Bring a bottle of water and a few snacks. Shops and restaurants are not readily available and you will need nourishment.
Croatian currency is Kuna. Make sure you have some cash with you as Euros and/or credit cards are not always accepted.
About Plitvice National Park
Plitvice Lakes was declared as Croatia’s first National Park on 8 April 1949, after the end of the Second World War. It is the oldest, largest and most visited national park in Croatia, receiving over 1 million visitors every year.
The park is located in central Croatia, around mountains, and covers an area of just under 300 km2 mostly composed by forest vegetation. The famous and unique group of 16 lakes set in cascades covers just under 1% of the total park area.
The park has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site on 26 October 1979, for its unique travertine formations, karstic rock (mainly dolomite and limestone) with associated lakes and caves.
The lake system is comprised of 16 lakes, divided in 2 groups due to their geological and hydrogeological characteristics:
Upper Lakes: Prošćansko Jezero, Ciginovac, Okrugljak, Batinovac, Veliko Jezero, Malo Jezero, Vir, Galovac, Milino jezero, Gradinsko Jezero, Burgeti and Kozjak.
Those 12 lakes were grouped due to their larger surface and foundation on impermeable dolomite rock. One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the park, the Galovački buk, with its 25 meters of fall is located in the upper lakes.
Lower Lakes: Milanovac, Gavanovac, Kaluđerovac and Novakovića Brod. Those 4 lakes were formed in permeable limestone, cut into a deep canyon with steep cliffs. The lakes end creating the Korana River that serves as a natural barrier between Croatia and Bosnia and flows for 134km until it reaches the river Kupa, in Karlovac. The highest waterfall in the park, Velik Slap, with its 78 meters, is located at the end of the lower lakes.
There are 2 theories as to the origin of the parks famous name. Some say it dates back to 1777 when it was 1st mentoned in documents due to a natural phenomena that have created the lakes as shallow basins. The word shallow translates to pličina or plitvak in Croatian. Other believe the river Plitvica gave origin to the parks name. Plitvica river flows into the Plitvice Lakes at the lower and final part of the lakes and is also the name of the village nearby.
Climate in the region varies from an average of 2.2°C during winter to 27.4°C in the summer, making the annual average around 10°C. Snow falls from November until March, and several lakes usually freeze during December and January. Annual precipitation rate is 1,500 mm (59.06 in), with spring and fall registering the largest rain quantities. Air Humidity is around 82%.
The water temperature at the springs is usually below 10°C and the lakes are home to the brown trout (Salmo trutta fario and Salmo trutta lacustris) that can be found through the 16 lakes.
Plitvice is the most diverse area in Croatia with regard to fauna and flora. Its climate conditions, location away from industrial development and early introduced protection measures made sure the park stayed nearly untouched and well preserved.
Scientists have so far listed 1,267 different plants out of 109 species that can be found within the area of the park, with its 55 different species of orchids being the most popular.
There is a wide variety of animals in the park area, being its most popular the brown European bear, which is also the parks symbol, present in the logo. The park has also cataloged over 50 species of mammals, 321 species of butterflies, 12 amphibian species, and 157 bird species. The lakes are also home to the brown trout that can be found throughout the 16 lakes.
Best of Adriatic Recommends
“Bring a snack to the park, preferably from one of Croatia`s amazing bakeries! There are areas where we can have a picnic and relax! After the tour, I recommend you try a local grilled trout for lunch. Yummy!”
AMANDA
“The entire Lika region is beautiful and has a lot to offer to Nature lovers and adventurers. It’s really zen to stay for more than one day in the Plitvice area and get in touch with your inner animal.”
NATAŠA
“Our trip to Plitvice Lakes with Nataša from Best of Adriatic was just what we needed – someone to take care of us and show us things we would not have found ourselves. We had the space to enjoy every moment without worry.”
INGRID VAN DER VELDEN, THE NETHERLANDS
“Organizing the tour with Best of Adriatic was really easy, they were extremely friendly and helped me out with all my questions! My guide Amanda was amazing, we visited the best spots and I got to know the park and Croatian history throughout the day!”
FAMILY GEARON, AUSTRALIA
Other Popular Private Day Trips
Brac Island Day Trip
Highlights: Vidova Gora mountain peak, Bol beach, Škrip Olive Oil Museum…
Kotor Bay Day Trip
Highlights: Kotor old city, Perast, Boat ride to the island Our Lady of the Rocks…
CONTACT US TODAY