Mljet
Accommodation in Mljet
On Mljet, unusual karst landscapes meet traces of different eras. Veliko jezero and Malo jezero on the northwestern side of the island are flooded karst valleys filled with seawater. Together, they form a rare geological and oceanographic phenomenon within the karst landscape. Anyone looking to include nature and culture in their travel plans will find a variety of ways to explore Mljet—from lakes and hiking trails to the history of its monasteries and settlements.
Lake Landscapes and Protected Nature
Mljet National Park covers the northwestern third of the island and encompasses 5,375 hectares of land and sea. It is the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean region. Veliko jezero is home to the world’s largest recorded bush coral reef of the species Cladocora caespitosa—a remarkable feature of this distinctive lake landscape.
In the southeast, Mljet reveals another side: Saplunara is protected as an area of outstanding landscape value. This area includes the two sandy coves of Velika Saplunara and Mala Saplunara, surrounded by dense pine forest and Mediterranean vegetation. If nature is the main focus of your holiday plans, you can consider this landscape as a separate highlight alongside the karst lakes.
Hiking for Every Itinerary
For longer treks, there is the Mljetska planinarska obilaznica (MPO). It is 43 kilometres long and can be completed in three to four days, making a multi-day hike a standalone part of a trip. The hiking route in Mljet National Park is a separate option: it can be started in Pomena, Polače or Goveđari and completed in full or in sections. For families who want to vary their days, the option of doing the route in stages offers a practical way to plan.
Another destination for hikers is Odysseus’ Cave. A marked hiking trail leads there from Babino Polje. The cave formed when the roof of an underground karst chamber collapsed; a tunnel about 20 metres long connects it to the open sea. Its origins and location make it a different kind of natural attraction from the flooded karst valleys in the northwest of the island.
Monastery, Church and Historic Sites
A Benedictine monastery stands on the island of Sveti Marija in the southern part of Veliko jezero. It was built between 1177 and 1198. The island covers 0.5 hectares. The Church of Saint Mary is a single-nave Romanesque building with Apulian influences. If you are interested in architectural history, you can consider these features a cultural highlight alongside the landscape experiences on a trip to Mljet.
Polače also offers a glimpse into different historical eras: a Roman town developed there in the 1st century, with a palace in the style of a country villa. The remains of three early Christian basilicas have also been preserved in Polače. This creates a clear contrast between nature experiences and the site’s historical traces when choosing a focus for your trip.
Local Traditions and Other Interests
Noć vina, an enogastronomic event, takes place every year in August in Pomena. Eels were caught in Prožurska Blatina for centuries. For anyone interested in local food culture and traditions, these offer two distinct themes to consider when planning a trip. Prožurska Luka is popular with boating enthusiasts, adding a maritime dimension to the range of experiences.
When looking for a holiday apartment on Mljet, you can start by considering which of these aspects you would most like to shape your stay: protected nature and karst lakes, a hike, cultural history or local traditions. The experiences described offer different reasons to explore Mljet without reducing the island to a single holiday theme.
More places to explore: Govedjari, Blato, Ropa, Saplunara, Polace, Kozarica, Prožura, Okuklje.
For the main travel guide: Mljet.
