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Last updated: 10 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Jane Foster

For those in search of peace and pristine nature, this stunning national park covers one-third of the remote island of Mljet. Besides hiking and mountain biking through magnificent forests of Aleppo pines and holm oaks, you can swim or kayak in two emerald-blue saltwater lakes; one is home to a picturesque islet crowned by a 12th-century monastery.

Unusually, there’s great food too – there are plenty of small waterside restaurants and cafés within the park (most are in Pomena), serving up the famous Mljet lobster, renowned throughout Croatia.

There is only one hotel on the island (the comfortable, three-star Hotel Odisej), but many locals rent out private rooms and apartments to visitors during the summer.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 6+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

There are organised tours to the park, but it is just as easy (and much cheaper) to visit independently. Catch the high-speed catamaran from Dubrovnik’s Gruz harbour, Korcula or Lastovo to Polace on Mljet (June-September).

Day trips by ferry give you up to five hours, or you can stay overnight. Pick up a map at one of the National Park kiosks in Polače or Pomena, where bikes can be hired too; within the park there are marked hiking paths. Kayaks can be hired on the spot at Mali Most, where the two lakes are joined by a narrow channel.

When to do it

The park gets packed out in high season (July to August) with tours from Dubrovnik and Korčula, but most have left by mid-afternoon. Stay overnight and savour a few hours to yourself.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Boat Tour to Mljet National Park & 3 Islands

Boat Tour to Mljet National Park & 3 Islands

Dubrovnik

Join an American owned company and Sea Breeze crew while we travel to our favorite southern Dalmatian islands in our 9hour tour. These bre...

€150 | Rating 4.97 / 5 [147 ratings]

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8 hours Mljet Island Private Tour by Quicksilver 675

8 hours Mljet Island Private Tour by Quicksilver 675

Dubrovnik

The Mljet Island is northwest of Dubrovnik. Approximately 45 min by speedboat to reach the South part of the Island where are amazing sandy ...

€990 | Rating 5 / 5 [16 ratings]

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