Are you thinking of travelling to the stunning island of Mljet? It is a place of unreal beauty with an ethereal atmosphere. From turquoise saltwater lakes to deep green pine forests, Mljet offers a peaceful experience away from the bustle of cities and the business of life.
I recently spent a couple of days exploring this beautiful Island and completely fell in love with its beauty. Mljet’s National Park is a huge draw for many people, and rightly so. I’ve rarely seen such natural beauty as here.
But with this guide, you’ll discover even more of what Mljet has to offer. Whether you choose to relax on the pebble beaches of Prožurska Luka or dive into the crystal-clear waters of Veliko Jezero, Mljet promises an unforgettable adventure.
So, join me as we get lost in this captivating Croatian island and discover the very best things to do in Mljet.
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Top Things to Do in Miljet
For an island less than 100km², there are many incredible things to do in Mljet. It is a place with immense amounts of natural beauty, and there are many ways for you to explore it. From diving deep into its crystalline waters, climbing high into its mountains, exploring mythical caves and relaxing on sandy beaches.
Today I’ve put together the 12 best things to do in Mljet so you can have a truly magical time on the island:
1. Visit Prožurska Luka
Prožurska Luka sits on the north coast of Mljet, just a short ride away from Sobra. This small bay and village is filled with the boats of local fishermen.
There is a small beach that is perfect for families. Due to its protected waters, the bay is calm and clear. You can spend your day swimming, snorkelling, or even kayaking in the lovely warm water.
If you feel peckish, there are a few restaurants on the bay that overlook the beautiful Adriatic Sea.
2. Paddleboard on Salt Lakes of Mljet National Park
Visiting Mljet National Park is one of the best things to do on the island. It is the main attraction that brings people to the island, and it won’t take you long to see why. You can walk through its lush forests and swim in the ethereal lakes, Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero.
One of the best ways to explore the National Park is by renting a paddleboard. Head to Mali Most, otherwise known as Small Bridge, which sits between the two Lakes. Here, you’ll find a paddleboard rental company.
Take your board out onto the water for a few hours and enjoy the smooth lake water. Or use it to visit Benedictine Monastery at St Mary’s Islet in Veliko Jezero, or the Great Lake.
TOP TIP | If paddleboarding isn’t for you, why not rent a kayak instead? You can get them at exactly the same place and enjoy the lake sitting down instead!
3. Explore Mljet National Park on Bike
Mljet National Park is filled with beautiful trails, ready for you to explore its dense forest areas. However, if you’re short on time, a great way to see the park is by renting a bike. You can get a standard push bike, or in the hotter months, I’d highly recommend investing in an electric bike.
A popular route is around the park’s two lakes: Veliko and Malo Jezero. Whilst walking would take you a few hours, you can do this route in about 1 hour on a bike. If you get too warm, simply find a secluded spot and take a swim in the warm lake waters. Sounds like a dream, right?
You can rent bikes from Pomena and Polače, as well as the car park at Vrbovica.
4. Visit the Benedictine Monastery at St Mary’s Islet
Situated in the Great Lake of Mljet National is the islet of St Mary. Here, you’ll find the 12th-century Benedictine Monastery. A beautiful building inspired by Gothic and Romantic architecture, it has a fairy tale feel, sitting in the middle of the lake surrounded by a beautiful forest.
My favourite thing about the islet is the garden. It travels down to the water’s edge and makes for the perfect swim spot. Protected from any winds with shade from the trees to keep your belongings (and snacks!) cool, it’s a surreal swimming experience.
Shuttle boats travel from Pristanište every half an hour, and you get a return trip included in your entrance fee to the park.
5. Visit the Polače Roman Palace
Built-in the 5th century, this ruin dominates the edge of Polače’s main road. The Roman Palace sits right on the seafront, and whilst now crumbling, you can imagine how grand it once was.
There are a few other ruins in Polače, including a fort from late Antiquity and an early church.
6. Swim in the Odysseus Cave
One of the most mythical tales from Mljet is its role in Odysseus’ journey home from the Battle of Troy. In a story from Homer’s epic poem, told over 3000 years ago, Odysseus spent 7 years trapped in a cave on the Island of Ogygia, or today’s Mljet.
On his journey home, Odysseus would suffer a terrible shipwreck, and seek shelter in this cave, only to be bewitched by Calypso. It was only when Zeus interfered that the goddess was forced to let Odysseus go to continue on his journey.
Today, the impossibly blue waters of the cave make it easy to see why this beautiful place would have inspired a story filled with gods and goddesses.
To visit the cave, head to the town of Babino Polje. Park outside of the supermarket, Tommy, and look for the nearby signpost for the cave. It’s about a 30-minute walk until you reach this beautiful cave, but it’s entirely worth it.
Also Read: Ultimate Guide to 7 days in Croatia
7. Visit Okuklje
Okuklje is a beautiful bay on the northern shore of Mlket. It’s a popular spot for sailors due to the shape of the cove making it a protected area from any strong winds or bad weather.
This small village is the perfect place to get a piece of tranquillity. With a very small population, Okuklje is much quieter than the western villages such as Pomena and Polace.
Spend time swimming in the bay and hiking the surrounding hills to get some excellent viewpoints of Mljet’s coastline.
NOTE | If you choose to rent a small scooter, you won’t be able to visit Okuklje. The road to the village is on a very steep hill which will be a struggle to dive up.
8. Explore the Island on a Scooter
Mljet has one main road that runs from the very east of the island all the way down to the most western village of Saplunara. It is a beautiful drive and is a great experience to do by scooter.
You can rent scooters in Sobra and Pomena for around €40 per day. This is much cheaper than using taxis to get around and gives you a lot more freedom to explore.
I’d highly recommend this if you choose to stay in Sobra. About halfway from the beaches in Saplunara in the east, and the National Park in the west, you’ll need some way of getting around the island.
9. Sunbath on the Beaches of Saplunara
Saplunara is a beautiful bay in the eastern point of Mljet. It’s home to 3 lovely sandy beaches, two with beach bars and small cafes that serve food and refreshments throughout the day.
In the main bay just off Mljet’s main road, you’ll find the beaches of Velika and Mala Saplunara. Velika is a larger beach with sunbeds and parasols available to rent for the day. It has some shady areas thanks to the nearby woodland.
Mala Saplunara is a much smaller beach however it is a popular destination for families. As it is tucked into a more protected area of the coastline, the waters are a lot calmer which is ideal for younger children.
If you don’t mind a short walk, head further around the coast to Blaca. This sandy beach is the largest in Salpunara and is surrounded by dense pine woods. Blaca gets a lot of sunshine but is protected from the coastal winds. This means it can get very warm during the middle of the day, so make sure to take plenty of refreshments with you.
10. Scuba Dive to Mljet Coral Reef
Mljet is surrounded by the beautiful blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. As an island with many curves and caves, it is the perfect place to get below the surface and explore the sea’s natural wonders.
The blue waters of the Odysseus cave and the remains of the antic ship in Goli Rat Cove are popular destinations on the island for divers.
If you want to experience the marine life of Mljet, check out the Diving Centre Aquatica in Pomena. The staff are great at explaining all the equipment, making it the perfect place for both new and experienced divers.
11. Climb Mt. Montokuc
Whilst Mljet National Park is stunning from ground level, it might be even more stunning from above. Mt. Montokuc is the highest point in the national park and makes for the best vantage point.
Here, you’ll get a 360 view of the park, including the two lakes and Pomena Bay. The hike takes around 45 minutes, and there are two paths: one coming from the direction of Polace, and another coming off the Great Lake.
The pathway from the lake doesn’t have a lot of shelter, so make sure to bring lots of water and suncream, and avoid climbing in the middle of the day if you choose to do this in the summer!
12. Camp in Mljet’s beautiful Nature
As an island with an abundance of natural beauty, what better way to experience it than spending your night sleeping under its stars? Camping is a popular activity in Mljet, and many visitors choose to spend their time on the island.
Currently, the island has just 3 campsites. The smallest captive is Campsite Marina, situated in the centre of the island near the south coast. Camping Ground Lovor is about the same distance from the national park but on the north coast of Mljet.
The largest and most popular campsite is Campsite Mungos. This campsite is a 10-minute drive from Sobra Ferry Port, close to the Odysseus Cave. It is open from May to September and can accommodate both caravans and tents. It also has static caravans available to rent.
How to Get to Mljet Island, Croatia
Mljet is an island on the South-West coast of Croatia. The nearest airport is Dubrovnik, however, the only way to get to the island is by ferry.
There are three ferry ports in Mljet: Sobra, Polače, and Pomena. Sobra is on the eastern end of the island, whereas Polače and Pomena sit at the west of the island It will greatly depend on where you’re staying as to which port you’d like to travel to.
TOP TIP | If your main goal is to visit Mljet National Park, stay in either Polače or Pomena.
From Dubrovnik
If you fly into Dubrovnik airport, you can choose to rent a car or get the official airport shuttle bus to the ferry port.
The official shuttle bus is run by Platanus Travel Agency and leaves the airport 30 minutes after every scheduled arrival flight. You can purchase tickets in advance here, or get them on the day from a small kiosk just inside the airport entrance.
The bus will take you to the Dubrovnik bus station, which is next to the ferry port.
Tickets cost €10 for a single journey, or €14 for a return.
To Sobra
If you’re planning on travelling to Sobra, there are 2 ferries running per day, every day of the week during the high summer season. During low season, this is reduced to just 1 journey per day.
Depending on the company, it takes between 1 hour and 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Tickets range from €5.18 – €8.36.
TOP TIP | Sobra is the only car ferry port on the island. If you want to take your car or rent one from Dubrovnik, you must travel to Sobra.
However, there are car rental services on the island in Sobra and Mljet.
To Polače
The ferry to Polače runs once a day, every day during high season. There is no ferry to Polače in the low season. The journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes.
To Pomena
The ferry to Pomena runs 3 times a day, every day during the high season. The ferry does not run during the low season. The journey takes between 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
Tickets cost between €18 to €20.
Also Read: How to Spend the Perfect Day in Dubrovnik
From Split
Whilst Dubrovnik is the closest main city to Mljet, you can also travel to the island from Split. This makes Mljet a perfect stopping point if you’re hopping between the two cities.
NOTE | There are no direct ferries from Split to Mljet during the low season. If you planning to travel during the winter months, you will need to transfer to a nearby island such as Korčula.
To Pomena
The ferry to Pomena from Split runs 3 times a day, every day during the summer high season. This journey does not run during the low season. It takes between 3 hours and 3 hours 45 minutes.
How to Book Your Ferry Tickets
I booked all my ferry tickets through ferryhopper.com. On Ferryhopper, you can see every company that travels the route you’re searching for to easily compare ferry times and prices. The tickets are then sent to you via email so you can choose to print them off or have them on your phone.
Where to Stay in Mljet
Whilst I’ve done an in-depth guide on where to stay in Mljet, here’s a quick overview to get you started.
If you’re planning to stay on Mljet Island, the best options are Pomena and Polače, which are close to the national park. However, Sobra also makes for a great location, especially if travelling on a budget. Here are some great places to stay:
Hotel Odisej
Located in Pomena, this hotel offers luxury and elegantly decorated rooms with stunning scenery. It’s just a short walk away from the national park and has on-site restaurants and bars.
Address | Pomena 16, 20226, Croatia
Amenities | Beachfront restaurant, fitness centre, family rooms, bar, pizzeria
BOOK | Hotel Odisej
Guesthouse Sanela
This budget-friendly option near Mljet National Park is located next to Pomena’s beautiful beach. The apartments come with air conditioning, a balcony, and a kitchenette for your convenience.
Address | Pomena 9A, 20226 Pomena
Amenities | Beachfront, free wifi, air-conditioning, private bathrooms, terrace rooms
BOOK | Guesthouse Sanela
Apartments Palma
Apartments Linda: This family-run apartment is a 25-minute walk from the national park and close to Paljevina Beach. The hosts are attentive, and the rooms come with a private bathroom, kitchenette, and balcony with sea views.
Address | Polače 23, 20226 Polače
Amenities | kitchenette, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, private bathroom, balcony with sea views
BOOK | Apartments Linda
Villa Mungos
Villa Mungos is a budget-friendly guest house located in Sobra, Mljet Island. It provides a peaceful and scenic environment, with a swimming point right into Sobra’s Bay. It offers air-conditioned rooms and apartments with a beautiful sea view and complimentary.
Address | Sobra 35, 20225 Sobra
Amenities | free parking, beachfront, free WiFi, family rooms
BOOK | Villa Mungos
The Wrap-Up: 12 Best Things to Do in Mljet, Croatia
Mljet is the hidden gem of Croatia. It holds so much beauty from sandy beaches to surreal saltwater lakes. From exploring picturesque villages like Sobra, Prožurska Luka, and Okuklje to enjoying the stunning national parks and quiet beaches, there is no shortage of incredible things to do on Mljet.
With this list, you’ll be sure to see all the best things to do in Mljet. So if you’re looking for a peaceful and rejuvenating getaway, make sure to include this beautiful Croatian island on your travel itinerary.
Planning a visit to Croatia? Here’s some more guide to check out!
CROATIA 7-DAY ITINERARY: EXPLORE THE BEST OF CROATIA IN ONE WEEK!
THE PERFECT ONE-DAY IN DUBROVNIK
HOW TO TRAVEL DUBROVNIK ON A BUDGET
DUBROVNIK TO KORČULA DAY TRIP: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
VISITING KORCULA: COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE
22 BEST THINGS TO DO IN KORČULA, CROATIA
WHERE TO STAY IN KORČULA, CROATIA
