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Central Croatia National parks

Our most recommended Central Croatia National parks

From Zagreb: Plitvice Lakes and Rastoke Day Trip

1. From Zagreb: Plitvice Lakes and Rastoke Day Trip

Admire the mesmerizing beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park in the company of a professional guide as you enjoy a memorable hike and boat ride. Start your day with transportation by van. Then, get ready to savor the spectacle of 16 azure lakes surrounded by gushing waterfalls as you explore Plitvice Lakes during an 8.5 km hike and 20-minute boat ride. Immerse yourself in the culture and history of Croatia as you gain fascinating insights from your guide, and experience fantastic views across the Croatian countryside on the journey to and from the park. Marvel at the fairytale village of Rastoke en route to the park, and get snaps of its 17th-century watermills.

Zadar: Kornati and Telašćica National Parks Boat Trip

2. Zadar: Kornati and Telašćica National Parks Boat Trip

Embark on an inclusive boat trip with food and time for swimming. Combine your boat journey up the coast with exploring the National Parks at your leisure. Get ready for a sea adventure on the Croatian coast. Begin the tour at 8:15 AM as you board your ship. Immediately be spoiled with some delicious local Rakija and ham and cheese sandwiches for breakfast. Meet your tour guide and hear fascinating stories. Between 11:30 AM and 1:15 PM, enjoy free time to explore the Natural Park Telašćica on your own. Discover the views of the magnificent cliffs and bathe in the salt waters of Lake Mir. Also, go for a swim either in the sea or the lake. Admire the scenic views of the next stop, the Kornati National Park and Suha Punta Bay, before a delicious lunch of grilled meat, fish, and salad with Croatian wine. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available. Enjoy some juicy watermelon to help you stay hydrated on the journey back, arriving back at the pier at 18:00 PM.

Split: Krka Waterfalls Trip with Boat Cruise and Swimming

3. Split: Krka Waterfalls Trip with Boat Cruise and Swimming

Join a tour of Krka Waterfalls from Split by bus or upgrade your experience to include private transport by car. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the cascading natural wonders that are the waterfalls of the Krka National Park and learn about this natural site from your local guide. After a 90-minute journey away from Split in an air-conditioned tour bus, you will discover this fairytale-like and highly sought-after attraction, which is located in the middle of one of the sunniest areas of Croatia. Your first stop is the quaint little town of Skradin, whose origins date back to ancient times. After a 30-minute panoramic cruise through the magical entrance to the park, you will reach Skradinski Buk, the awe-inspiring highlight of the site. Also, learn about the location, including its history, through a guided tour inside the park. Enjoy a total of 3 hours in the park, allowing you to get the most out of this wondrous experience—from picnicking, snapping artsy photos to simply breathing it all in. Continue to the picturesque town of Primosten, where some of Croatia’s finest beaches can be found. Enjoy 2 hours of free time to go swimming, or explore the quaint cobblestone streets of the old town. You have the option to partake in wine tasting.

Split: Krka Waterfalls Tour with Boat, Swimming, & Free Time

4. Split: Krka Waterfalls Tour with Boat, Swimming, & Free Time

Escape the hustle and bustle of Split's city center on a full-day guided tour of one of Croatia’s most beautiful national parks at Krka. Glide along the Krka River's calm water on a boat cruise and make the most of your free time in the park once you arrive. Meet your guide at the Golden Gate of the Diocletian Palace for a transfer to Krka National Park. Alternatively, drive straight to the park in a private vehicle, depending on the option selected. Upon arrival, go to the small town of Skradin to take a short boat cruise down the Krka River. Disembark at the Skradinski Buk waterfalls, and marvel at Europe’s largest travertine cascade system. Take in the fresh air and wild nature, or go to the Ethno Museum in one of the old mills. See the remains of ancient settlements and small stone houses, along with the first hydroelectric power station in Europe. After the National Park, visit a sandy beach Skradin's sandy beach for a refreshing rest. Visit a local winery and taste local wines and olive oils, not included in the tour price.

From Zadar: Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour

5. From Zadar: Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour

Depart Zadar at 08:30, and journey towards Plitviče Lakes National Park. Drive through the hinterland of the picturesque Lika region for about 2.5 hours, and then enter the park for the start of your 2-hour guided tour. Marvel at the natural scenery of the Upper Lakes area, where 12 of the 16 lakes of Plitvice can be found. Cross Kozjak Lake by boat to experience the largest and deepest of the lakes from a different perspective. Belonging to the Upper Lakes group, Kozjak Lake is the result of 2 smaller lakes merging into one and is the only navigable lake in Plitviče Lakes National Park. Glide across the serene waters, where the travertine Stephanie`s island was named by the Crown Princess Stéphanie of Belgium (wife of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria) after a visit in 1888.  Admire the idyllic scenery of the Lower Lakes region, characterized by small waterfalls, turquoise waters and surrounding greenery. Nearby lies the underground cave of Šupljara, where the conditions have given rise to an abundance of unusual cave fauna. Go to the Great Waterfall within the Lower Lakes and see the water cascade from a height of 78 meters. Soak up the atmosphere with your guide before boarding the van for the trip back to your meeting point in Zadar.

National Park Mljet Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik

6. National Park Mljet Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik

Your excursion starts with a drive from Dubrovnik to the port of Gruz. At Gruz the tour boards a boat (catamaran) for the Island of Mljet. Disembark the boat at Polace for a drive to Pristanište. Next you will take a leisurely hike in the National Park Mljet, taking a tour of Big and Small Lake with a guide who will provide background information about the National park and the island. On this unique inland lake, the tour takes a boat ride to the small island of St. Mary where you will visit the beautiful Benedictine Monastery. You will also tour the island upon arrival. Finally, enjoy lunch followed by free time that you can use for swimming or just a walk on this beautiful island. The tour returns to Dubrovnik in the afternoon.

Rastoke & Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour from Zagreb

7. Rastoke & Plitvice Lakes National Park Tour from Zagreb

Leave Zagreb and head to the Lika region. The first stop on the itinerary is the picturesque watermill village of Rastoke, located at the confluence of the Slunjčica and Korana rivers. Take a stroll through the town to admire the unique rural architecture. The tour continue on to Plitvice Lakes National Park. This is Croatia’s oldest and most visited national park, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. For centuries, water has formed waterfalls and created 16 crystal-clear lakes in this area. Enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of the forest landscape and the lakes that are connected by a series of waterfalls. Board an electric boat to cross Lake Kozjak and learn more about karst formations and the abundant animal life in the park. Become one with nature, enjoy the clean fresh air and marvel at the breathtaking views that surround you. The guide will be with you and your small group throughout the day, and will share some interesting stories about the areas you visit and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Zagreb: Plitvice Lakes National Park and Rastoke Tour

8. Zagreb: Plitvice Lakes National Park and Rastoke Tour

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Zagreb, and then make your way to the 16 lakes of the beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park. Arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site to take a nature walk through the magnificent woodlands of Gornja Jezera (Upper Lakes). Marvel at a system of 12 lakes separated by travertine barriers and take a closer look at the marble formations of the incredible natural phenomenon. Learn how the lakes, karst rivers and streams are an ongoing process that continue to shape the landscape over time. See some of the magnificent waterfalls and stand in front of the 78-meter high Large Waterfall (Veliki slap) to hear the roaring thunder of the water as it hits the ground. If you are looking for a full-day adventure, you have the option to book this experience with a morning city tour. If you book this option, you will meet your local guide at 9 am for a tour of the city before departing for the lakes.

From Zadar: Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour

9. From Zadar: Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour

Take a day outside of the city and enjoy the beauty of Krka NP at your own pace. Simple, Smart and Precise. From Zadar in an air-conditioned van with an tour escort with all the tips and tricks that you need for a relaxing day outdoors around lakes and waterfalls. We will buy you the tickets (Entrance Skradin) so you don`t wait in the line and then at the start of the pathway. Our escort will give you info and directions to enjoy in the best way possible. A total of 4h in the park on two locations. Explore for 3h at the first location - Skradinski Buk. Our escort is then waiting for you at the arranged time next to the boat pier. Amazing boat ride down the Krka river canyon bring us to the area of the town of Skradin, still inside of the NP where you will have 1h to relax, take a swim in the Krka river, take a lunch or coffee, go to the Skradin Oldtimer Museum or just enjoy the surrounding scenery. Then we are going to the vinery. Once there, you will be greeted by a local sommelier. He will take you on a tour of the winery, show you the wine cellar and the procedure of wine-making. After the tour, it's time for the degustation that includes different kinds of wine, aperitif, and local cheese. It`s on you to decide! Explore the waterfalls and walking trails of Krka National Park on a self-guided tour. Admire the beautiful waterfalls in this scenic river area Visit the historic stone workshops and watermills that line the river. Discover the park at your own pace on one of the numerous walking trails. Includes roundtrip transport from Zadar’s city center.

From Split: Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour

10. From Split: Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour

Visit the beautiful Krka National Park on a day tour from Split by air-conditioned bus. Upon arrival at the park, walk the wooden path through the park and discover a green oasis with endemic species of birds, fish, and butterflies. Visit a beautiful ethno-village where you can see traditional costumes and crafts. Also see the Jaruga hydroelectric power plant below the Skradinski buk, the second oldest hydroelectric power plant in the world and the first in Europe. After spending time in the park with your guide, take a boat ride to Skradin. Visit a small village and sample fine Dalmatian wine before returning to Split at around 5:45 PM.

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What people are saying about Central Croatia

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 144 reviews

We had the most awesome, informative tour ever. Our guide Bojan was out of this world and changed my mind about guided tours. He was so polite, respectful, cheeky and overflowing with information that no question stomped him. He had the times right on to the second and perfectly timed all of the stops to make sure we had toilet breaks, food and souvenirs and of course the best spots to take the photos.

Well organized, cool guide, definitely go and see if you come to Croatia.

The trip was worth the money.. The guide was also very informative...

Amazing little park, there was not many people so we really enjoyed.

Amazing trip. My best time during my holdiays in Croatia,