If you are thinking of visiting Mljet Croatia, chances are that you love nature and amazing views. Mljet is one of the most relaxed Croatian destinations, and most things to do in Mljet involve total relaxation and basking in the sunlight, or outdoor adventures.
Getting to Mljet from Dubrovnik and More
Mljet is an island… so you can only get here by sea. There are no airports, unfortunately!
Ferry: You can take a direct ferry to various ports on Mljet island from Dubrovnik. Book in advance here.
Day Tour: If you don’t have time to visit Mljet overnight, it’s easy to take as a day tour. This Day trip from Dubrovnik is the most comprehensive
Sailing Tour: Many (if not most) sailing tours of the Croatian coast stop for a night in Mljet – in Pomena, to be exact. If you are thinking of booking a sailing tour to see more destinations in Dalmatia, read my guide about how to book the right Croatia sailing tour.
Quick Mljet Overview
Mljet is a super chilled out, GORGEOUS, wooded island just north of Dubrovnik. More than half the island is taken up by a national park characterized by two salt water lakes, the Malo Jezero (small lake) and the Veliko Jezero (big lake). Creative names, right?!
There’s a little island in the middle of the big lake, called Sveti (saint) Marija (maria) island, and on it is a benedictine monastery that was constructed in the 1190’s. These monks are the reason for the saltwater lakes, which is a rare phenomenon in this day and age. See, the lakes used to be fresh water, until these monks dug a channel between the big lake and the small lake to the ocean.
Why? To harness the power of the tide! Smart monks, they were! These lakes are connected to each other by a small bridge (mali most) and a little channel. Because they’re connected to the sea, the saltwater lakes are tidal.
This means that you can float through the little channel with the tide when it’s moving in or out. Pretty cool! Just watch out for sea urchins 😛
Which Port to Arrive in Mljet?
I recommend arriving into Pomena if you want to visit the National Park. It’s the closest port and also has everything you need from lodging to rental cars/bikes and a sunset view.
Pomena is the tiny little port where most of the larger boat tours arrive, which borders the National Park (10 minute walk). This town has a couple restaurants, one hotel, one ATM, some shops, and a spectacular sunset view.
Polače is a larger port where some ferries arrive, which also borders Mljet national Park but requires a longer uphill walk/bike ride to see. This port has a few options for restaurants and accommodation.
Sobra is where a lot of the Dubrovnik to Mljet ferries arrive into. This is however on the opposite side of the island and you’ll have to rent a car or scooter to visit the National Park. The town itself is tiny with a few apartment buildings, restaurant, and one ATM.
Things to Do in Mljet National Park
To visit Mljet National Park, You’ll need to pay a fee for entry – most recently 25 euros in high season. You can sit back and relax, or there are a number of activities to do in the park as well.
Kayak in the National Park
You can rent kayaks from the small bridge between the two lakes – where most people relax and swim. Take a 1 or 2 person kayak out into the big lake to get a view of Sveti Marija island – it’s stunning!
Rent a Bike and Explore the National Park
Rent a bicycle from the same point in between the two lakes. You’ll want to rent it inside the National Park rather than outside otherwise you’ll have to walk your bike up and down stairs.
You can ride an entire loop around the big lake, which gives you ALL the views! It was only a few years ago they constructed a beautiful round bridge (Veliki most) to connect each side at its thinnest point – you can also jump off this bridge, too!
MY FAVORITE MLJET SECRET
If you can, ride your bike around the big lake and past the big bridge as far as you can go toward the open ocean. On one side (my favorite side, the north side) you can find a hiking trail, and on the other a simply stunning view! Both sides are amazing for swimming and honestly one of my favorite places in this whole world.
Jump off the Big Bridge
As you can see in the map above, the big bridge joins the big lake together. It’s about 10 feet off the ground and looks like a mini-Mostar bridge! You can (carefully) do some fun bridge jumping and swimming here.
Take the Ferry to Sveti Marija Monastery
Your entrance fee to the national park comes with an optional ferry to Sveti Marija island if you would like to check out the monastery and little cafe yourself. It’s interesting to walk around the island and see the monetary – which is still in use.
But, I always say that the view of the island is better from afar – aka from a bike riding around the lake!
The island also has a little restaurant, Melita, which is soooo special as the only restaurant on a monastery island on a lake on an island. It doesn’t have the best reviews but the food is fantastic and I have always had great service. They deserve better and I fully recommend it!
Adventurous Things to Do in Mljet
The national park comprises most of the things to do in Mljet, but here are a few more ideas!
Visit Odysseus Cave (Odisjeva špilja)
If you can get your hands on a scooter or rent a car, one of the coolest and most adventurous things to do in Mljet is to check out the impressive Odysseus cave on the other side of the island. The Cave itself opens up to a walking trail and goes through a dark stretch of rock to open up to the sea.
It’s a massive and amazing cave with some of the clearest water I have seen – your jaw is guaranteed to drop to the floor when you see it. Legend has it that Odysseus himself was held captive on Mljet island by Calypso… hence the name!
You can climb down a precarious rock trail to enter the cave from above, or you can jump in the water and swim into it where it connects to the sea. You can climb up some rocks and cliff jump near the ocean part for a bit of cliff jumping adrenaline rush.
Mars Mljet
If you hike down to Odysseus Cave, you will pass by one of the most unique bars in all of Croatia – Mars Mljet. This little bar has grown a bit each year, with new shades, couches, decor, street signs to all over the world, and even a post box to send ail to your loved ones from a remote corner of the island.
You can get cheap drinks here between dunks in the gorgeous blue water, and absolutely unbeatable views and atmosphere.
Rent a Car or Scooter and ROAD TRIP!
If you can get your hands on a car, you can visit any of a few other amazing places on Mljet island. Sobra is a fairytale-like little town in the middle of the island, and if you make it all the way to the other side (I don’t even know if the town has a name!) you can find a very rare sandy beach!
Find the Blatina Lakes
Funnily enough, the National Park lakes are not the only interesting salty lakes on the island! The Blatina Lakes are quite small and are surrounded by foliage and sediment.
They are comprised of both rainwater and salt water, and their water level depends heavily on the recent rainfall!
Relaxing Things to Do in Mljet
Discover Hidden Coves and Bays
There are lots of hidden coves and beautiful bays in Mljet. Here are some of the best, or find even more beaches of Mljet here.
Kozarica
A beautiful removed spot on the northern part of the island, you can hardly even call this a village! There are a few guest houses here and a rocky beach with wonderful views.
Prozurska Luka
Prozurska Luka is a smaller local port characterized by a few dozen houses and islands off the coast. This is a place to come to slow down, relax on the beach and take in the views.
Okuklje
Okuklje is an even tinier tiny natural inlet a few miles away from Prozurska Luka. It has a restaurant or two, some of themost beautiful water in Mljet, and a lovely slow pace of life.
Stermassi Beach
Stermassi beach is ALL the way on the other side of the long and skinny island – closer to Sobra. This lesser-visited part of Mljet is perfect for a lazy day on the beach! It has a beach bar and a stretch of pebbly beach perfect for relaxing.
Drink Local Wine and Eat Local Goat’s Cheese
Mljet is known in the region for its wine and goat’s cheese! It’s one of the main winemaking regions of the Dubrovnik Riviera and you can taste local wine in most restaurants. You should be on the lookout for Plavac mali (red) and Maraština (white).
Interestingly enough, though, Mljet has always had a mission to protect its nature, so you won’t see any sweeping vineyards on the hills. Most of the vineyards compliment the landscape and produce smaller quantities of (high quality) wine!
Watch the Sunset in Pomena
Pomena has one of the best sunset views in Croatia. The sun sets over the water just behind some dotted islands just outside the port. I’ve never seen a bad one!
Where to Stay in Mljet:
Hostels in Mljet
There are no hostels in Mljet unfortunately! You can opt for a cheaper guest house if on a budget.
Best Hotels in Mljet
Hotel Odisej – This would be my best recommendation for those who want to stay near the national park. This hotel is in the port of Pomena and has the same SPECTACULAR sunset views – and with a pool and swimming area!
Pine Tree Boutique Apartments – These apartments are on the opposite side of Mljet than the national park, And if you want to spend some time near the lovely Saplunara Bay, these apartments are AH-MA-ZING. They’re one of the best known and rated properties on Mljet. They look right over the water and have a pool with a view, too!
More Croatian Destinations to Visit
If you’re visiting Croatia, don’t stop here! I have guides to everywhere you might need to go. Check them out.
- Planning a Trip to Croatia
- All Places to Go in Croatia
- Dubrovnik
- Split
- Hvar
- Korcula
- Vis Island
- And more! Click around and see what other adventure tours and itineraries might help you make the most of your trip to Croatia.
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