Island Mljet

Island Mljet, Travel Guide with travel tips for holidays in Island Mljet, Croatia

Mljet National Park is rare and beautiful experience. It is located on Mljet Island and was first instituted as a national park on November 11th, 1960. Mljet National Park was the first attempt at protecting the original ecosystem in the Adriatic area. With its unique landscape and plethora of wildlife and ancient ruins, it is a wonderland that you don’t want to miss.

Mljet National Park has many different types of landscape. Within the park you’ll find coastlines, cliffs, reefs and islands within the lakes. Most notable is the Isle of St. Mary, which is located within the Great Lake. On the isle you’ll find ruins, including a Benedictine Monastery and a church dating back to the 12th century. Great Lake spans an area of 145 ha and measures 46 m at it deepest point. The park also boasts an additional lake, Small Lake, which is 24 ha in area and 29 m in depth. There are also many underground landscapes including half caves, caves, pits and “blatine” brackish lakes.

Within the wondrous landscape you’ll find many different types of wildlife. There is the Indian Mongoose, which has removed the poisonous snake population from the island. You can also find five species of non-poisonous snakes, and six species of lizards. If you look to the sky, you’ll find the Snake eagle, which is the largest daylight bird predator, and many different types of song birds. In the fields you can find wild boar and the Grey Dormouse. In the past, you could find the Mediterranean Seal, but it has left the coast line for now.

History

When it comes to activities and attractions, there is much to do in Mljet National Park. With swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, hiking and sightseeing, there's never a dull moment. Sightseeing will take you to many of the great ruins offered on the island, including the stone villages and graves that were built by the Illyrian tribe. There are also 1st century ruins of a Roman settlement which include many basilicas and fortifications. While the great forest was harmed by a large forest fire in 1917, much hard work has helped restore the great forest to its original beauty. If you take a walk to Montokuc or other peaks, you'll have an awe inspiring view of the entire park, Peljesac, and part of the open Adriatic Sea.

How to reach us

Visitors are welcome to stay on the Island in Pomena’s harbor at the gorgeous Hotel Odisej. You can join a day tour, or wander through the park at your own leisure. Take a ferry out of Dubrovnik or charter a boat from Hvar or Split and come over to Pomena’s harbor. Forest paths are waiting to take you to Polace and the lakes.
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