Waterfall and Lakes Park Tours in Croatia: Our 13 Favourites

1.Plitvice Lakes National Park Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,002 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $78Our pick

Travel from Split to Plitvice Lakes National Park in an air-conditioned bus or van, with an English-speaking guide, panoramic boat ride, and electric train included. Expect about four hours in the park, roughly 5 kilometers of walking on uneven paths, and a separate €40 entrance fee. Guides such as Sanja, Lovro, Ivana, and Luka are praised for clear explanations and good group management.

“Ivana from Booker travel agency was our guide; she was outstanding, very knowledgeable friendly and provided a lot of recommendations for Split Hi 5 to Ivana”

Check availability →Read our review →

2.Plitvice Lakes National Park Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,355 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $78

Travel from Split or Trogir to Plitvice Lakes National Park with an English-speaking guide such as Ivanka, Mia, or Elena. Expect about four hours in the park, walking beside waterfalls and lakes, a short boat crossing, photo stops, and a long but comfortable coach ride. The entrance fee is extra and paid in cash.

“Had a fabulous time at plitvice Lakes, the lakes were stunning, our tour guide Oliver was fantastic he was friendly and chatty, knowledgeable and organised and offered to take photos for the group at different points which was appreciated by all. The lunch stop served burgers, sandwiches and chips ect, something to note is they are only taking card payments so do bring a bank card. We stopped off at a service station on the way there and on the way back and we was made aware of all toilet facilities when at the park also. We travelled on a full size bus with only 20 of us in the…”

Check availability →Read our review →

3.Plitvice Lakes National Park Guided Day Tour from Split

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,948 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $78

Leave Split at 7 a.m. for a guided visit to Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s famous UNESCO site. Guides such as Mia, Ivanka, Barry, and Mate lead the four-hour park walk through the Upper and Lower Lakes, with time for photos, waterfalls, and optional lunch. Transport, insurance, and selected hotel pickup are included, but park entry is extra and payable in cash.

“This is truly one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. It was a long day to travel from Split but worth it. If your elderly and don’t want/can’t walk it could be too much as 2 in our group we’re very tired.”

Check availability →Read our review →

4.Krka Waterfalls Trip with Boat Cruise and Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,710 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $32

Travel from Split to Krka National Park in an air-conditioned vehicle, walk around Skradinski Buk with an English-speaking guide, and take a short river boat ride. You then get free time in Primošten for swimming, lunch, or wine tasting. Outside swimming season, the second stop changes to Trogir.

“Krka was beautiful but we were not prepared for a cooler day. It was very cool and cloudy and we ended up being cold, but enjoyed the park. The stop afterwards was also great! Ante was a fabulous guide, giving just enough information without hovering like some tours. We appreciated his sarcasm as well!”

Check availability →Read our review →

5.Plitvice Lakes National Park Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 832 reviews · 1 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $15Best value

Book timed admission to Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park, then explore the Lower and Upper Lakes at your own pace. Your ticket includes shuttle buses and the electric boat on Kozjak Lake, plus every marked trail and boardwalk. This is self-guided, though guides such as Leopold, Karlo, and Dalibor are associated with separate guided visits.

“Spectacular scenery and a stunning backdrop. We loved the way the lakes were each lower elevation than the last. Not too crowed today either.”

Check availability →Read our review →

6.Plitvice Lakes National Park Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 672 reviews · 12 hours · from $76

Spend about 4.5 hours exploring Plitvice Lakes with an English-speaking guide such as Sanja, Luka, Ivana, or Richard. Walk roughly 9 km past 16 lakes and waterfalls, then ride a park boat or train. The comfortable coach, planned route, and WhatsApp updates make this a practical, full-day trip from Split.

“The tour was amazing. Not only the park but also our guide, Sanja. She was really nice and always showing how much she loves the park! I recommend 10/10”

Check availability →Read our review →

7.Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour with Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 444 reviews · 10 hours · from $123

Travel from central Zagreb to Rastoke and Plitvice Lakes in an air-conditioned van with Wi-Fi, water, a snack, and a bilingual guide. You get 40 minutes in Rastoke and about four hours on foot among lakes, travertine barriers, and waterfalls. Guides such as Ivan, Patrik, Luka, and Stjepan are praised for clear explanations and thoughtful pacing.

“Fantastic day out! Beautiful views - truly magical. Our guide Nev was amazing, truly knowledgeable and super friendly. Would highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our review →

8.Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 282 reviews · 8 hours · from $53

Travel from Zadar by air-conditioned bus to Plitvice Lakes National Park for a guided walk among terraced lakes, wooden paths, waterfalls, and forested cliffs. You will cross Kozjak Lake by electric boat and ride the park train. Guides speak English and German. Park admission costs extra, and sturdy shoes are essential.

“The limestone rock and crystal clear water make a great partnership for creating the beautiful hues from azure to deep blue. Water cascades over rocky ledges and through gravel races and a variety of fish entertain along the walkways. Just a bit too crowded in mid July for my liking.”

Check availability →Read our review →

9.Krka National Park and Waterfalls Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 255 reviews · 9 hours · from $48

Travel from Zadar by air-conditioned bus or van to Krka National Park, where a licensed English or German-speaking guide introduces you to Skradinski Buk, old water mills, local plants, and wildlife. A boat cruise links Skradin with the waterfalls. Depending on the date, you also visit Šibenik or Skradin. Park admission costs extra.

“The place was beautiful. Wish I done the boat in the lake. Bus was late because people can't get out of bed on time so delayed everyone else. Supprised a company is happy to upset all their customers because of people not honouring their commitment be getting their buts there on time. Mostly Germans on trip so info was mainly for them.”

Check availability →Read our review →

10.Vodice: Krka Waterfalls National Park Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 250 reviews · from $93

Leave Vodice at 9:00 on a traditional boat with Destina Boat Excursions, passing St Nicholas Fortress and Šibenik before collecting fresh mussels from a local farm. After a scenic ride through the Krka estuary and canyon, you get about three hours to explore Skradinski Buk, old watermills, and Jaruga hydroelectric plant. Guide Goran and a multilingual crew help bring the day together.

“Fantastic friendly crew on board. My son recently had his birthday and one of the staff gave him a Coke on the house! A lovely treat. Mussels for brunch were delicious as was the fresh bread. Boat ride was relaxing in the blistering heat. We had plenty of time to explore Krka National Park and get sweet treats before return journey. We were dropped right in front of our hotel too - ideal! Highly recommend 👌”

Check availability →Read our review →

11.Private experience of Rastoke and Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 138 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $205

Leave Zagreb at 8 a.m. for a private, 10 to 12-hour day with English-speaking guide Karlo or another Bespoke Croatia guide. Visit waterfall-filled Rastoke, sample local cheese in Rakovica, then walk Plitvice’s Upper and Lower Lakes with the included boat and bus rides. Homemade charcuterie, snacks, water, and hotel pickup are included. Park admission costs extra.

“Karlo enabled us to have an exceptional day! He provided us with a detailed history of Croatia and the region on the way to Platvice Lakes from Zagreb. The vehicle and drive were highly professional. The tour itself was super organized and Karlo was able to customize based on our interest and crowd control. We really appreciated the charcuterie from his family’s farm and the chocolate snacks that he provided. He even helped us book dinner reservations at a local, authentic Zagreb restaurant.”

Check availability →Read our review →

12.Full-Day Private Tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park from Zadar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $240

Travel from Zadar to Plitvice Lakes in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a guide such as Terezija or Marta. You get about four hours in the park, a packed lunch, and a route adapted to your schedule. Cruise passengers can be collected at the port, while hotel and apartment pickup is available in Zadar. Entrance costs extra.

“What a beautiful National Park! Hard to describe the vibrant color of the water unless you see it in person. Terezia was a wonderful guide driving us to and from the park along with guiding us through the park. This is definitely a must see if you have time while in Croatia.”

Check availability →Read our review →

13.Private Plitvice Lakes National park tour from Split

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 8 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $421

Leave Split at 7:30 a.m. with a private guide such as Ivan, Andrej, Roko, or Tiho for a full day at Plitvice Lakes. Expect a 2.5 to 3 hour drive each way, about four hours in the park, wooden walkways, waterfalls, ferries, and plenty of steps. Lunch is optional and park admission costs extra.

“What a beautiful area to explore. Good exercise too! Andrea was a wonderful driver and guide. We had just the right amount of time with him and then the last portion of the hike we were on our own and met him to drive back Great conversations in the car about Croatia customs and life.”

Check availability →Read our review →