National park · Croatia
Kornati National ParkNacionalni park Kornati
Visit Kornati National Park: take a day‑trip boat from Zadar or Murter (cost €15‑20 per person, check), hike the crowns early in summer, and camp only at authorized sites.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
270 km² (104 sq mi)104 sq mi (270 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Croatia ↗Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Croatian sources for your passport.
- Croatia ↗Book car ferries and popular catamarans ahead in summer; foot passengers still need to be early for the busiest routes.
- Croatia ↗Split and Dubrovnik fine visitors for walking shirtless or in swimwear away from beaches; carry a cover-up.
At a glance
- Country
- Croatia
- Area
- 270 km² (104 sq mi)104 sq mi (270 km²)
- Land 50 km² + sea 220 km² (source).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Zadar
Kornati National Park, declared in 1980, spans 89 islands and surrounding sea, offering rugged limestone peaks, clear bays, and rich underwater life. Visitors must reach the park by boat, pay a day‑trip fee that includes entry, and can hike marked trails like Magazinova škrila or explore Byzantine ruins, while camping is limited to three authorized sites with permits.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1980.
Size and age
270 km² (104 sq mi)104 sq mi (270 km²) · national park since 1980
Land 50 km² + sea 220 km² (source).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Zadar.
Why go
- Island maze of 89 islands with rugged limestone peaks and clear bays.
- Snorkeling and diving on rich underwater reefs.
- Hiking the flat limestone plateau of Magazinova škrila.
- Exploring Byzantine ruins at Tureta.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold, sea 14 °C (57 °F), limited services.Cold, sea 57 °F (14 °C), limited services.
- FebCold, many facilities closed.
- MarMild, start of tourist season.
- AprPleasant, fewer crowds.
- MayWarm, sea 18 °C (64 °F), full services.Warm, sea 64 °F (18 °C), full services.
- JunWarm, sea 22 °C (72 °F), ideal for swimming.Warm, sea 72 °F (22 °C), ideal for swimming.
- JulHot, sea 24 °C (75 °F), some crowds.Hot, sea 75 °F (24 °C), some crowds.
- AugHot, sea 24 °C (75 °F), peak crowds.Hot, sea 75 °F (24 °C), peak crowds.
- SepWarm, sea 23 °C (73 °F), fewer tourists.Warm, sea 73 °F (23 °C), fewer tourists.
- OctCooler, sea 20 °C (68 °F), services winding down.Cooler, sea 68 °F (20 °C), services winding down.
- NovCool, many restaurants closed.
- DecCold, limited access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seabirds (cormorants, falcons)Apr–Sep · Nesting colonies on cliffs. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Marine life (fish, shellfish, coral)May–Sep · Best visibility in summer. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Zadar
Day‑trip boat from Zadar harbour (operators at the port).
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Murter
Ferry to Kornati or chartered boat from Murter harbour.
1–2 h
From Šibenik
Organised boat from Šibenik harbour.
2–3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main island Kornat | Largest island, hiking trails, crowns, Tureta fortress. | Boat access; hiking allowed on marked paths. |
| Marina Piškera | Small shop, fuel, basic supplies. | Open in season, reachable by boat. |
| Authorized camping sites | Ravno, Žakan, Levrnaka – basic facilities. | Permit required; reachable by boat. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park site and Wikidata; island points approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (boat day‑trip ticket) | EUR 120–200 (≈ US$140–250) | person | Included in organized boat price; check exact rate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Camping
- Only at authorized sites with permit.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
- Boating routes
- Follow designated routes; langur‑free zones not applicable.
Where to stay
Near the park
Murter town
Hotels, hostels, and apartments; 30 min boat ride to park.
Near the park
Zadar
Wide range of accommodation; base for day trips.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Getting lost on islands high
Storms medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boat terminals in Zadar and Murter have wheelchair access; island trails are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at authorized campsites only.
- Use operators that follow park‑approved routes.
- Take reusable water bottles; no single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kornati National Park?
Entry is included in the price of an organised boat day‑trip (≈ €15‑20 per adult); separate park tickets are not sold.
What are the best hikes in Kornati National Park?
Magazinova škrila (2‑3 h, moderate) and the trail to Tureta fortress (1 h, easy) are the most accessible; longer island‑hopping hikes require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Kornati National Park?
May to September offers warm weather, sea temperatures above 22 °C and full services; early summer avoids peak crowds.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
No. Camping is allowed only at the three authorised sites (Ravno, Žakan, Levrnaka) with a permit.
Do I need a boat to get around?
Yes. The islands are reachable only by boat; day‑trip operators provide transport between main points.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kornati National Park
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