Island in Dalmatia – Dubrovnik
Mljet
- Best time to go
- May, June, Sept
- Part of
- Dalmatia – Dubrovnik
Mljet is a long, forested island west of Dubrovnik and south of the Pelješac peninsula, one of the greenest islands in Croatia.
Its western end is Mljet National Park, with two saltwater lakes and a Benedictine monastery on an islet in the larger lake; the park has its own guide. The rest of the island is quiet villages, vineyards and coves, with sandy beaches around Saplunara at the eastern end. Legend says Mljet is where the nymph Calypso kept Odysseus, and a sea cave near Babino Polje carries his name.
Things to do
Don't miss in Mljet
- Spend a day in Mljet National Park, walking or cycling around the lakes and taking the boat to St Mary's islet.
- Swim at the sandy beaches around Saplunara at the island's eastern tip.
- Walk down to Odysseus Cave near Babino Polje, a sea cave you can swim into on calm days.
- Wander Polače, a harbour village built around the ruins of a large Roman palace.
- Eat at a konoba in one of the small north-coast bays, such as Okuklje or Prožurska Luka.
- Drive the island's single main road through the villages, vineyards and forest from end to end.
Where to stay
Pick your neighbourhood
Polače and Pomena
people who want the national park, its lakes and restaurants on their doorstep
Sobra
a central village by the ferry port, handy for both ends of the island
Saplunara
beach lovers who want sandy bays and real quiet at the eastern tip
Okuklje
couples and sailors in a tiny, sheltered bay on the north coast
Tours and getting around
Day trips from Mljet
Mljet is a popular day trip from Dubrovnik and Korčula, usually by catamaran or boat tour to the national park. On the island, you can rent kayaks and bikes inside the park, and boats explore the coves and Odysseus Cave. Diving trips visit the clear water and wrecks around the island.
If you stay in Pomena or Polače, you can manage on foot and by bike in the national park. To see the rest of the island, you will need a car or scooter, which you can bring on the ferry or rent in Sobra, Polače and Pomena. Small boats can be rented for the coves.
Getting there
How to get to Mljet
Jadrolinija's car ferry crosses from Prapratno, on the Pelješac peninsula, to Sobra in the middle of the island. TP Line catamarans from Dubrovnik call at Sobra and at Polače, the port closest to the national park; check tp-line.hr for which stops run in which season. Dubrovnik Airport is the nearest. Sailings are few, so plan your return before you go.