Uncover all the things it’s essential to learn about Mljet Nationwide Park on the Croatian island of Mljet. Discover out the most effective highlights together with the highest issues to do and see!
Mljet Nationwide Park is a stupendous park overlaying the vast majority of the northwest a part of Mljet Island in Croatia.
Though principally recognized for its two picturesque saltwater lakes, Mljet Nationwide Park has lots to supply, together with exploring its lakeside paths by bike, mountain climbing, and cave exploring.
On this journey information, I’ll disclose to you the highest issues to do in Mljet Nationwide Park, in addition to some helpful suggestions and knowledge on the way to get right here, what to anticipate, and the place to remain.
What’s on this Croatia Nationwide Park Information?
About Mljet Nationwide Park (Croatia)
The Island of Mljet is situated close to the Pelješac peninsula, which is a part of the southern part of the Dalmatian Coast. Referred to as Croatia’s greenest and one of many largest islands, Mljet harbors a various vary of Mediterranean vegetation and Aleppo Pine forests overlaying an space of roughly 5300 hectares.
To entry the park, native authorities require an entrance ticket, which you should purchase at a kiosk in Sobra, Pomena, or Polače.
Mljet Nationwide Park Entrance Payment: 70 Kuna (roughly 9.2 euros)
Opening Hours: 8 am to eight pm (excessive season) & 9 am to five pm (off-season)
The first pure points of interest of this nature park are the 2 saltwater lakes Veliko Jezero (Large Lake or Nice Lake), and Malo Jazero (Small Lake). These lakes cowl a big space of roughly 4 kilometers.
Moreover, throughout the Veliko Jezero, guests will discover a small island known as Sveta Marija, or Islet Melita, which comprises a stupendous former twelfth Century Benedictine monastery known as Crkva Sveta Marije.
get to Nationwide Park Mljet
Being the southernmost of the bigger Croatian islands, vacationers might want to take a ship to get to Mljet.
The preferred methods to get listed below are on one of many fashionable Croatia cruise and crusing routes, chartering your personal boat, or taking a day journey from Dubrovnik or the close by islands.
There isn’t an official entrance to the park. As a substitute, guests can enter the Nationwide Park by taking a motorbike or taxi from the principle port in Sobra, or by way of the doorway factors at Pomena and Polače.
Under I’ll go into a little bit extra element relating to every of those choices.
1. On a Croatia Crusing Cruise
By far, the easiest way to see the entire superb Dalmatian highlights is to ebook a Croatia crusing cruise.
Whereas there are a lot of to select from, I’ve had an important expertise with Sail Croatia. This firm is very considered top-of-the-line within the Adriatic Sea and affords a number of ship and sail choices together with Navigator (for partying), Explorer (for journey), and Magnificence (for luxurious).
To see probably the most I might in per week of crusing, I opted for the Explorer cruise from Dubrovnik to Cut up, stopping by Mljet on day two.
2. Day Journey from Dubrovnik, Korčula, or Hvar
One other nice choice for attending to Mljet is to take a day journey from Dubrovnik or one of many different fashionable islands.
Because of the distance, most of those excursions are a complete day affair, which is nice because you’ll additionally get to see a whole lot of the Croatian shoreline on the way in which.
Guide: NP Day Journey from Dubrovnik
Guide: NP Day Journey from Korčula
Journey tip: If you end up in Dubrovnik, Robert from Hidden Marine runs one of many top-rated speed-boat excursions with the choice of together with Nationwide Park Mljet and the well-known Odysseus Cave.
3. Public Ferry
One of many nice issues about touring within the Croatian Islands is the intensive community of public ferries accessible.
You’ll discover a number of ferry choices to Mljet from locations like Bol (Brac), Dubrovnik, Hvar, Cut up, and Stari Grad.
Mljet Nationwide Park Map
The inexperienced island of Mljet covers fairly a big space, with a number of paved foot and bike paths, in addition to quite a lot of mountain climbing trails.
Under is the Mljet Nationwide Park map that you just’ll discover close to the doorway. This covers all the Nationwide Park, which makes up the highest third of the island. You’ll discover that the mountain climbing trails are additionally nicely marked on this map.
Issues to do in Mljet Nationwide Park
So, with the logistics out of the way in which, let’s dive into this listing of issues to do in Mljet Nationwide Park, Croatia!
As you’ll discover out, Mljet NP is without doubt one of the most lovely nationwide parks in Croatia and are a little bit completely different from different fashionable locations like Plitvice and Krka.
To go to many of the fashionable points of interest, vantage factors, and areas, I like to recommend spending a complete day right here.
1. Lease a Bike to Discover the Nationwide Park
By far, top-of-the-line methods to discover Mljet Nationwide Park is to lease a bicycle.
That’s as a result of there are many footpaths that are excellent for driving and exploring. That is how we acquired across the park, and I’d think about it important if you wish to go to extra than simply the principle lakes.
You’ll discover bike rental locations in the principle port and throughout the park itself. Price is round 200 Kuna per day.
2. Malo Jezero (the Small Lake)
Malo Jezero is the smaller of the 2 saltwater lakes at Mljet Nationwide Park. Nevertheless, this lake is arguably probably the most lovely, as a consequence of its shiny, turquoise waters that just about jogged my memory of Sugba Lagoon within the Philippines.
You may trip across the exterior perimeter of this small lake and swimming is permitted.
3. Veliko Jezero (The Large Lake)
Veliko Jezero is the massive lake in Mljet NP. Linked by way of a slim channel, Veliko Jezero is way bigger and deeper than Malo Jezero. Alongside the sting, you’ll discover loads of good, secluded swim spots which can be very inviting.
4. Benedictine Monastery on St Mary Island (Crkva Sv. Marija)
Probably the greatest issues to do in Mljet Nationwide Park is to go to St Mary Island (Sveta Marija).
It is a small island located in a cove part of Veiko Jezero (the massive lake).
To get right here, you’ll must take a brief boat trip from the bike path or from the Pristaniste ferry port, crossing over the center of the big lake.
For these on the footpath, look out for a crimson flag, which you’ll be able to choose up and wave to sign the boat drivers to select you up. This ferry is included in your entrance ticket and subsequently you don’t must pay any extra value.
When you arrive on the small island, you might be free to discover the previous monastery and the connected restaurant. That is additionally an important spot for swimming!
5. Mali Most (The Small Bridge)
On the japanese finish of the massive lake you’ll discover Mali Most (interprets to small bridge), an previous bridge crossing a slim channel.
Now solely does Mali Most function an important a part of the route circling the lakes, however it additionally an important place to swim. Because of the slim passage of water, the tidal currents get very robust, which means you’ll be able to drift out and in of the lake.
6. Hike up the Hills
Mountain climbing is without doubt one of the primary actions on supply at Mljet Nationwide Park. For those who scroll as much as the map above, you’ll see many marked routes, specifically A, B, C, D, & E. These are well-maintained tracks with noticeable markers, making it straightforward to observe for all ability ranges.
Since we solely had in the future within the park, we determined to hike as much as the tallest hill closest to the salt lakes. This path is named Mt. Montokuc, and its a inexperienced hill coated in Aleppo Pine forest reaching a peak of 256 meters above sea degree.
From the highest, we have been gifted with wonderful views throughout all the northeastern a part of the island, together with Veliko Jezero and Malo Jazero. To the south, the secluded bays of Blace have been seen, in addition to the 2 rocky outcrops named Utrnji Školj and Vrjanji Školj.
Tip: Scroll to the highest of this put up to see the mountain climbing path map.
7. Spilice Cave
Whereas we have been driving round Nationwide Park Mljet, we found a big cave that even Google doesn’t appear to concentrate on but.
This cave is named and it reaches all the way down to a depth of a minimum of 70 meters. To get right here, observe the paved path to the appropriate after crossing Mali Most on an anti-clockwise route of the lake.
Proceed for roughly 300 meters and also you’ll see a small path main up and into the forest. In lower than 3 minutes you’ll arrive on the entrance to the cave, which you’ll be able to enter and discover at your will.
Tip: The deeper sections of the cave get very darkish, so I’d suggest bringing a headlamp when you’ve got one!
8. Go to Govedari, Pomena, Polače, and Soline
There are a number of small villages in Mljet Nationwide Park. Likelihood is, you’ll go a number of of those alongside the trail when driving your bicycle. Probably the most notable villages throughout the park and surrounds are Govedari, Pomena, and Soline.
Right here, you’ll discover many native eating places, memento retailers, and native homes.
Polače is the oldest settlement on Mljet Island, courting again to the Greek and Illyrian interval, and at the moment options a number of Roman-era buildings.
It’s additionally doable to ebook sports activities actions, together with kayak leases (or excursions), a mountain climbing tour, or a ship tour from Pomena.
9. Odysseys Cave
Whereas not technically a part of Mljet Nationwide Park, the Odyssey’s Cave is without doubt one of the greatest points of interest on the island.
This cave is steeped in Greek mythology, as informed by one in all their biggest historic poets, Homer. Actually, the title comes from the traditional story of Odysseus and Calypso.
You’ll discover Odyssey’s sea cave on the southern Mljet shoreline close to Babino Polje. There are additionally many sandy seashores within the space, so it’s value looking!
10. Benefit from the Sundown
I believe it’s protected to say that Mljet attracts the kind of crowd who need to get away and revel in nature.
After an extended day of mountain climbing, biking, kayaking, or crusing, top-of-the-line issues to do in NP Mljet is to easily benefit from the Dalmatian island sunsets. Sadly, the Nationwide Park is often closed within the evenings.
Nevertheless, I like to recommend heading all the way down to the pier at Pomena for superb sunsets.
The place to Keep at Mljet Nationwide Park
Whereas there are many locations to remain on Mljet Island, if you’re visiting to discover the Nationwide Park, I like to recommend staying in Pomena, Polače, or Goveđari. Under are the highest lodging choices of NP Mljet.
- Lodge Odisej – situated on the waterfront close to Pomena, this lodge affords superb views in arguably the most effective location on the island.
- Flats Slavica – superb flats only a 2-minutes stroll from the seashore in Pomena.
- Villa Klacina – superb villa with pool overlooking the massive lake in Mljet!
Extra Croatia Journey Guides & Journey Inspiration
I hope you’ve loved this fast journey information that includes 10 unmissable issues to do in Mljet Nationwide Park, Croatia!
Take a look at a few of my different guides and Croatia journey inspiration posts under.
