Kornati National Park covers 218 km² and includes 89 islands, islets and rocks. Together, the islands have a coastline of 238 km. Area, composition and coastline length each offer a different measure of the landscape. Alongside the rocky shores, marine life, interpretive trails and historic sites are among the themes that can shape a trip through Kornati.
Rocky Coast and Marine Life
Kornati’s “crowns” are seaward-facing cliffs that descend more than 90 m below sea level in some places. Another geological feature is Magazinova škrila, the largest layered limestone slab in the Adriatic. Nature also shapes the archipelago underwater: the seagrass Posidonia oceanica is well developed and common in Kornati. Marine life in the Kornati area also includes bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). However, a sighting is not guaranteed.
Trails and Water Activities
Visitors hiking in the national park may use only paths and trails specifically marked for this purpose. Two interpretive trails focus on different topics: the 1.4 km Trtuša trail explores Kornati’s geological foundations and human presence. The 165 m Vela Panitula trail at ACI Marina Piškera presents the park’s natural and cultural features through eight information panels. The marina may be accessible seasonally, so factor this into your plans.
Swimming and snorkeling should also be considered separately. No special permit is required for snorkeling. Swimming is allowed throughout the national park except in strictly protected zones. If you plan to do both activities, take the exclusion zones into account when choosing where to swim.
Dry-Stone Walls and Historic Sites
Around 330 km of dry-stone walls within the national park are considered a major cultural attraction. The area’s history also includes several structures from different periods. Tureta Fortress on Kornat was probably built in the 6th century. It is the only fortress from this period in the Adriatic that has not been destroyed. At the foot of Tureta lies an early Christian three-aisled basilica; a large part of its apse and sections of its former foundations remain.
On the islet of Vela Panitula stands a Venetian fortress, built in the early 16th century to collect fishing taxes from Kornati’s fishermen. At low tide on Lavsa, the submerged remains of a 14th-century saltworks emerge from the sea. These sites reveal different traces of history: from an early Christian basilica and a fortress from the Venetian period to a salt-production facility.
Gospe od Tarca is also associated with an annual celebration: every first Sunday in July, a Mass is held there, along with a blessing of the fields and the sea; this is followed by a boat procession to Tarac. Details may vary, so it is worth checking the event information before your trip.
Plan Your Journey and Accommodation
Murter is the closest departure port for Kornati National Park; the park can only be reached by boat from there. Depending on your plans, you can travel by private, rented or excursion boat. Operators and schedules may change, so check which boat connection is suitable for your travel dates. This way, you can coordinate your search for a hotel for a trip focused on Kornati with your actual travel arrangements.
Discover more destinations: Murter
Go to the main travel overview: Murter.
