Much of the island of Mlet is covered by a carefully protected nature reserve. There are plenty of quiet walks, beautiful beaches and small bays to explore, and visitors come here to kayak, surf and fish, thanks to the abundance of marine life. About 48km long, the island can be traversed by car, bike or even donkey.

There are plenty of sand and pebble beaches and the salt lakes (the big one and the little one) are great for swimming.

How to reach Mljet

The first option is by plane to Dubrovnik.

From Dubrovnik Airport, you'll need to travel into the city to get to the port. Get there by Croatia Airlines bus (40 HRK and a 35-minute journey), public buses 11, 27 and 38 of the municipal carrier Libertas Dubrovnik with tickets for 28 HRK, or by taxi (200-280 HRK and a 20-minute journey).

The port is a 5-8 minute walk from the main bus station in Dubrovnik. City buses number 1abc, 3, 7, and 8 pass through the port. Ferries to nearby islands are operated by Kapetan Luka and G&V-line. During the high season, both carriers sail twice a day and take approximately 1.5 hours to reach the islands. The ferries stop on the island of Mljet at the pier of Sobra and on the western tip of Mljet at the village of Pomena or the neighbouring village of Polace. Tickets start at HRK 35 in winter and HRK 60-80 in summer.

A bit of history

Long ago, in ancient times, the nymph Calypso kept Odysseus captive in her cave on the island of Mljet for 7 years. Perhaps it was her charms, or her natural intelligence, or something else... But anyone who has visited this island, with certainty, will say that Odysseus, most likely, was fascinated not so much by the nymph, as by the island itself. Indeed, no one can remain indifferent to the neat little houses, typical of the villages of this island, picturesque bays with intricately indented coastline, the cliffs overhanging the sea.

The beaches of Mljet

It is on Mljet that the Croatian sandy beaches, so rare on the Adriatic coast, are located. And both are in the same village, the idyllic heaven of Saplunara. The local sandy beach is above all praise - with a gentle entrance to the water, in a semi-enclosed sheltered bay, with fragrant and picturesque coniferous trees around the edges where you can hide from the sun. Another sandy beach is about a 15-minute walk away, in the remote and truly protected area of Blace Bay. You can sunbathe and swim on the island by the sea and the beaches around the two inland lakes, where the reserve is located, are also very attractive. In addition, the water is usually a few degrees warmer than the sea, which makes all the difference in the early and late season.

Hotels and apartments

There are not too many hotels and the majority of accommodation consists of various guesthouses, villas and apartments. Accommodation is comfortable and cheap, but reservations, like hotels, must be made well in advance.

Food can be found in the numerous local restaurants, which are not only cheap but also very close to the sea.

Mljet is an island in the Adriatic Sea and a part of Croatia. It is well known for its natural parks, Mediterranean vegetation and therapeutic climate. There are many Mljet Hotels to choose from when visiting and each have their own benefits and appeal. The Hotel Odisej Mijet is a top pick for many visitors to the island. It is situated in the National Park and overlooks the beautiful lake. Many of the rooms have balconies with stunning views. The hotel offers a range of activities such as sailing, fishing, cycling and hiking. It also has a spa and a restaurant serving traditional Croatian cuisine. Another popular mljet hotel is the Dalamar Apartments. It is located in the heart of the National Park and has beautiful gardens and private access to the beach. It offers a wide range of activities such as cycling, kayaking, fishing and diving. There is also a spa and a restaurant serving international cuisine. If you are looking for a more affordable option, the Hotel Argus is a great choice. It is located in the town of Sobra and is only a few minutes walk from the beach. It has a swimming pool, a bar and a restaurant serving Croatian cuisine.

Mljet's entertainment and attractions

The northwestern part of the island is a national park, founded in 1960. Its main attractions are the two salt lakes, the Big Lake and the Small Lake. Unique species of animals and birds live on their shores, numerous karst caves, which are the subject of interest of both professionals and caving enthusiasts, untouched tranquil nature - this is an incomplete list of what is the goal of travellers from all over the world. Today the island's ecosystem functions harmoniously, but it has survived two disasters. The first was caused by Benedictine monks who linked the Great Lake to the sea. This caused the salinization of the originally fresh lake with irreversible consequences for the lake's flora and fauna. The second occurred in the Middle Ages, when numerous mongooses were introduced to the island to control the many snakes. The little animals not only reduced the number of snakes but also the numbers of many bird species by eating their eggs. Now the effects of both catastrophes have been mitigated and the mongooses have become full-fledged residents and one of the park's attractions.

In the middle of the Great Lake is St Mary's Island, which is entirely occupied by the Benedictine monastery, founded in the 12th century. On the same island is the tiny Church of St. Mary. These are probably the most interesting historical sites on the island, very picturesque and attractive. Medieval churches, carefully preserved by the inhabitants, can also be found in the island's villages. Polač Bay has a well-preserved early Christian basilica from the 5th century and a Romanesque palace from the second century AD. Polac bay is the biggest harbour on Mljet, and it is from here that most of the excursions in the national park begin (the price of the tour for individuals and groups is 80-100 EUR, and the price includes the excursion itself and the transfer to the island by boat).

Diving and outdoor activities

For some reason, many ships wrecked around the island at various times. This attracts professional divers to Mljet. The ancient ships harbour many surprises, and perhaps even treasures... In any case, diving here is fraught with risk: the dilapidated shipwrecks can cause injury and it is especially dangerous underwater.

Apart from diving, the island offers windsurfing, canoeing, cycling and hiking in the shade of the protected paths.