Ivana
|6 May 2026
Kornati National Park, a unique part of the Adriatic Sea
Kornati National Park is one of the most special places in Croatia and definitely something worth experiencing at least once. When the boat sails between the rocky islands and crystal clear sea, it becomes immediately clear why many people consider Kornati one of the most beautiful parts of the Adriatic Sea.
National Park surrounded by untouched nature
Kornati National Park was declared a national park in 1980 and today includes as many as 89 islands, islets and reefs. The park covers around 220 square kilometers, with most of its area actually belonging to the sea. What makes Kornati so special is the fact that most of the islands are completely uninhabited. Because of that, the entire archipelago still looks almost untouched, without large settlements, traffic or city noise.
A landscape that looks unreal
Kornati is known for its unique rocky landscape. There are almost no large forests or thick vegetation, and it is exactly this combination of stone and sea that creates the scenery Kornati is famous for around the world.
Especially impressive are the famous Kornati cliffs, also called the “crowns”. In some places they rise more than 80 meters above the sea, while below the surface they continue even deeper. Watching them from the boat feels almost unreal.
The largest island in the National Park
The largest island in the park is Kornat, after which the entire national park got its name. Around it there are many smaller islands and reefs that create the unique Kornati archipelago.
Interestingly, Kornati used to be much greener in the past, but over the centuries people cleared the forests because of sheep grazing and agriculture. Today, this bare rocky landscape has become one of the park’s most recognizable symbols.
Kornati is especially popular among sailors and nature lovers from all around the world today. Quiet bays, crystal clear sea and the feeling of being far away from city crowds are the reasons why so many people keep returning here.
Kornati dry stone walls
One of the interesting things about Kornati are the many dry stone walls built by local people throughout history. These stone walls stretch for kilometers across the islands and today they are one of the most recognizable symbols of the Kornati landscape.
Church of Our Lady of Tarac and the famous “flying saucer”
One of the most famous places in Kornati is the Church of Our Lady of Tarac located on the island of Kornat. This small stone church surrounded by the sea and nature catches the attention of almost every visitor.
Not far from it there is also a small island nearby that is so round and flat that locals call it the “Tanjurić”, which means “plate” in Croatian. Because of its unusual appearance, it often attracts the attention of tourists and gives this part of the island a very special atmosphere.
A lighthouse in the middle of the open sea
Among the most recognizable sights of Kornati is definitely the lighthouse Vela Sestrica located on the islet of the same name. It was built back in 1876 and is one of the most famous lighthouses on the Croatian coast.
The view of the lighthouse surrounded by the open sea leaves a special impression during the boat ride, especially around sunset when the entire landscape gets a completely different atmosphere.
Why people always return to Kornati
What makes Kornati so special is not only its beauty, but also the feeling of peace that can be found there. No big crowds, no traffic and no rush, only the sea, islands and silence.
That is why boat excursions to Kornati are considered one of the best ways to experience Croatia and the Adriatic Sea from a completely different perspective. Many visitors say that Kornati becomes the part of their holiday they remember the most.