Discover the Beauty of Mljet

Where Is Mljet Located?

Mljet sits just northwest of Dubrovnik, tucked in between Korcula and the Peljesac Peninsula, stretching 37km long but only a few kilometres wide. It’s part of the southern Dalmatian island chain and feels a world away from the busier tourist hubs.

There are a handful of small villages scattered across the island, one main road that snakes through the hills, and a coastline that’s mostly untouched. You won’t find packed beaches or busy beach bars here, but if you’re drawn to nature, swimming in calm water, and discovering a more peaceful side of Croatia island hopping, this place will be exactly what you’re looking for. 

A Natural Haven for Sea and Nature Lovers

Top Things To Do in Mljet

Walk Through Pomena

Pomena is small and sleepy, with a few seafront cafés, local konobas (traditional restaurants), a hotel, and shops to grab snacks or souvenirs. 

Mljet National Park

From Pomena, it’s just a short walk or bike ride into Mljet National Park, the real drawcard of the island. Our team will organise your entry ticket, show you the best place to hire a bike and direct you into the park. 

Inside Mljet National Park, you’ll find two connected saltwater lakes: Veliko Jezero (the big lake) and Malo Jezero (the small lake). You can walk or cycle around the lakes, swim in them, kayak across them, or catch a tiny boat to the island in the middle of Veliko Jezero, where an old Benedictine monastery sits.

Hire a Bike or Kayak

If you’re up for it, we recommend hiring a bike (or an e-bike) and doing the 7km full loop around Veliko Jezero. It’s flat, easy-going, and unbelievably scenic, with little piers can stop for a swim or just dangle your feet in the water, or natural rock platforms for you to jump in from. If you feel like expending a little more energy, you can hire a kayak from where the two lakes meet. 

Swim, Relax, Swim 

The lakes are great for swimming with calm, clear, and warm water. Most people spend the afternoon cycling a bit, stopping for a swim, laying up under a shady spot for a break, then finishing with a cold drink back in town.

Grab a Drink at the Beach Bar

Afterwards, we usually keep things low-key: maybe a drink by the harbour, sunset photos from the breakwater, or we jump back onto the boat and spend the night on anchor in a nearby bay. 

What Makes Mljet It So Special?

The Beauty of Mljet

Mljet National Park covers the entire western end of the island, and it’s been a protected area since 1960, making it one of the oldest national parks in Croatia. The park was created to preserve the island’s unique ecosystems, rare plants, and wildlife. 

The park’s saltwater lakes are its most famous and prominent feature. They’re technically connected to the sea via narrow channels, so they rise and fall with the tide, but they stay warmer and calmer than the open ocean making them perfect for a relaxed swim or paddle.

In the middle of Veliko Jezero, you’ll find St. Mary’s Island (Otok Sveta Marija), home to a 12th-century Benedictine monastery. The monastery has been a church, a noble estate, and even a hotel over the years. You can still walk through its stone courtyards and take in views across the lake. The boat ride there takes just a few minutes and is worth it for the peace and atmosphere alone.

A Little Bit of Greek Mythology & History

Mljet Island Facts

Mljet has been inspiring stories for thousands of years. Some say it was the island of Ogygia from Homer’s Odyssey, where the nymph Calypso kept Odysseus captive in for seven years. There’s even a sea cave on the southern coast called Odysseus Cave by the locals, and while it’s not always part of our route, it’s worth a visit if you’re ever back on the island.

The Romans left ruins (including a palace in the village of Polače), and the Benedictine monks arrived in the 1100s, building the monastery in the lake and managing large parts of the island for centuries. Later, the island came under the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) control, then the Venetians, and eventually Mljet became part of Yugoslavia.

Because of its rugged terrain and isolated location, much of the island’s interior has remained unchanged for generations. Farming, fishing, and beekeeping were, and still are, common ways of life here. 

A Personal Yacht Club Favourite

Why We Love Mljet

Mljet is a place that sneaks up on people. It’s the ideal way to break up your Croatian island sailing week with Yacht Club Croatia, counterbalancing the high energy stops like Hvar, Dubrovnik and Split. 

It’s where we go to recharge, take in the natural beauty and switch off. Our guests often say it’s one of the most memorable parts of the trip and we definitely agree agree.

Tips for Visiting Mljet with Us

• Bring sneakers or sandals that are good for walking or biking. You’ll want them for walking into the park and the lakeside trails.
• Swimsuit is a must — expect to spend a lot of time in or around the lakes. 
• Water, snacks, sunscreen – it can get hot out there, so stay hydrated, eat and keep applying sunscreen 
• Cash helps — there are limited ATMs in Pomena, and some places prefer euros over card.

How to Get to Mljet

The Best Time to Visit Mjlet

If you’re travelling independently, there are ferries from Dubrovnik and Korčula that connect to Pomena and Sobra, depending on the route and season. Keep in mind that ferry services are less frequent than the more touristy islands, so it’s worth checking the schedule in advance if you’re planning your own trip.

Mljet is at its best from late May through September, when the weather is warm, the lakes are perfect for swimming. July and August are peak season, but even then, Mljet stays quieter than most Croatian islands. If you’re looking for sunshine without the summer crowds, June and early September are ideal.