National Park Mljet
The National Park Mljet is one of 8 national parks in Croatia and it is situated on the island of Mljet, one of the largest islands in south Dalmatia. Named one of the top Croatia Instagram sights, Mljet is a not-to-miss destination.
It was founded on 11 November 1960 and since then, every year over 100 000 people visit this beautiful park. The national park includes the western part of the island, Veliko Jezero, Malo Jezero (Small Lake and Great Lake), Soline Bay, and a sea belt 500 m wide from the most prominent cape of Mljet covering an area of 54 square kilometers.
The central parts of the park are the Great Lake with the Isle of St. Mary (one of the most popular attractions in the park), Small Lake, and the villages of Goveđari, Polače, and Pomena.
Read on and find out how to get to Mljet, what to do, available transportation options, and where to stay.
Table of Contents
How to get to NP Mljet?
By Boat/Ferry
Since the national park is on the island, it is obvious that the only possible way to get there is by boat. There are currently three boat lines to Mljet:
- Catamaran line from Dubrovnik – check the timetable here
- Ferry from Prapratno (Pelješac peninsula) to Sobra – 4 times a day, to and from Sobra
- Catamaran line from Split (Split-Brač-Hvar-Korčula-Mljet-Dubrovnik) – check the timetable here
Since none of these lines are not boarding any kind of vehicle, you should consider leaving your car on one of the city parking lots or public garages (a daily ticket is about 80 kunas in Split).
The price of a daily parking ticket in Dubrovnik (Gruž port) is about 100 kunas.
By Private Tour from Dubrovnik
No, you are not mistaken, and yes, you have read this correctly- GetByBus now officialy offers tours! Embark on an enchanting day trip from Dubrovnik to explore the untouched paradise of Mljet National Park, one of Croatia’s most beautiful and serene islands. Begin with a convenient hotel pick-up and enjoy a scenic ferry ride to Mljet Island, accompanied by informative commentary from your guide.
Upon arrival, take a guided tour of Mljet National Park, renowned for its stunning saltwater lakes, Veliko and Malo Jezero. Visit the historic Benedictine Monastery on the island of St. Mary, nestled in the middle of Veliko Jezero. Conclude your adventure with a relaxing ferry ride back to Dubrovnik, returning to your pick-up location with wonderful memories of this pristine national park.
Entrance fee
The entrance fees for the National Park Mljet from June to September (2023) are listed below.
- Adults – 25 Euros
- Children (8-18 years) – 8 Euros
- Children (0-7 years) – free
- Check detailed prices for 2023 HERE
NOTE: The ticket includes access to two saltwater lakes and the boat ride to the Benedictine monastery on the Isle of St. Mary, on the Great Lake.
Tickets can be bought in offices in Pomena and Polače.
Things to do at Mljet
Among the activities at the National park Mljet you can choose between:
- Walking or cycling if you want to recreate and explore the island
- If you are coming to the park during the summer, don’t miss the opportunity to swim or scuba dive
- Mljet is full of caves and ground erosions from its location on the Mediterranean sea and the most famous one is the Odyssey’s Cave, which you can access from the sea by a small boat.
- There is also a possibility of renting a canoe/kayak and enjoy paddling around the untouched nature of the lakes. NOTE: the price of rental is 25-30 € / day (spray skirt and life jacket rental included)
A visit to the villages of National park Mljet
A picturesque little village of Goveđari rises on slopes upon a fertile field in National Park – it is the first settlement that had been allowed to be built in Western Mljet by Benedictines and its history only begins in the 18th century.
The name for the village comes from the word ‘goveda’ which means cattle in Croatian and indicates that the first settlers were shepards and farmers.
Like all settlements in the park, Goveđari is now an entirely protected place. No houses are allowed to be built in the village and those existing ones cannot be sold, and they are only allowed to be reconstructed by the original plan.
Many people begin their exploration of Mljet in village Polače, a place which has long and turbulent history. Polače has a small port in the gulf, sheltered behind tiny islands, with dozens of restaurants, a few souvenir shops and apartments to rent from villagers.
You can also find one of the park’s offices in Polače – you can get information here, buy tickets and use an ATM.
Pomena is a small village so the main street is the main shopping ‘quarter’ and the main dining place with restaurants.
How to get around
- If you don’t want to rent a bike, there’s a bus line that passes through all the villages within the National Park Mljet – line nr.18 – goes from Pomena to Sobra (via Goveđari, Pristanište, Polače, Ropa, and Babino Polje)
- The administration of the National Park provides the minibus from Polače to Pristanište and the boat to visit the Isle of St. Mary (check the timetable here)
Accommodation on Mljet
Besides the numerous private rooms and apartments you can rent on the island of Mljet, there are also several hotels and villas at your disposal:
- Hotel Odisej Mljet (3*) – situated in Pomena; free Wi-Fi, scuba centre, excursions
- Villa Lucija – in the centre of Polače; includes a common kitchen
- Boutique Accommodation Mljet – in Goveđari ; free Wi-Fi, free parking
Contact information
If you need more detailed info on National Park Mljet, feel free to contact the administration of the park via e-mail or phone:
Phone: +385 (0)20 744 041
Email: np-mljet@np-mljet.hr
Address:
Pristanište 2
20226 Goveđari – Mljet
Croatia
