← Rijeka cruise guide
scenic · Rijeka

Plitvice Lakes National Park: UNESCO Waterfall Wonderland

Croatia's crown jewel — 16 turquoise terraced lakes linked by thundering waterfalls and ancient boardwalks through primeval forest. A UNESCO World Heritage Site so impossibly beautiful it feels painted. A non-negotiable bucket-list experience from Rijeka.

What to expect

After a scenic 2-hour private transfer through the Lika highlands, you step onto the world-famous boardwalks that skim the surface of electric-blue Jezero Prošćansko. An electric boat glides you silently across the Great Lake as waterfalls cascade on all sides. The panoramic train sweeps you through forest between the upper and lower lake clusters. Your private guide reads the ecosystem — pointing out endemic trout hovering in crystal water, the tufa-building algae that creates new waterfalls over decades. Back in Rijeka by early evening.

Book it
Plitvice Lakes Day Tour From Rijeka Simply Guided Tour
$105 per person
Run by Plitvice Lakes National Park
Book it →

Good to know

Approximately 2 hours from Rijeka by private transfer. Full excursion is 10 hours — confirm all-aboard time before booking. Park entry tickets must be booked online in advance (summer slots sell out 2–3 weeks ahead). Wear comfortable walking shoes; some sections involve steps and uneven terrain. The Tripadvisor-listed day tour from Rijeka starts from approx. USD 131/person.

Sail there

Luxury cruises that call at Rijeka — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.

Oceania · Oceania Insignia
10 nights · calls at Rijeka
from $2,899
View sailing →
Oceania · Oceania Sirena
10 nights · calls at Rijeka
from $3,060
View sailing →
Oceania · Oceania Sonata
7 nights · calls at Rijeka
from $3,449
View sailing →
Oceania · Oceania Marina
12 nights · calls at Rijeka
from $3,899
View sailing →
See all cruises to Rijeka →

More to do in Rijeka

← Back to the full Rijeka guide

⚓ Your bucket-list concierge

Doing the whole cruise?

Tell us your sailing and we'll send the bucket list for every port — the operator to call, real prices, and an honest verdict on each ship tour.

We send the plan to your account’s own address — never to one typed into a box. Free, and Google works.