Veliko jezero lake framed by forested hills, looking towards the wooded Isle of St Mary and its building

National park · Mljet, Dubrovnik-Neretva County

Mljet National Park

Forested western Mljet with two saltwater lakes and a 12th-century monastery on an islet

Ambient sound · similar settingFootsteps on a Mediterranean trail among cicadas

Photo: Aron Marinelli (@aronmarinelli) / Unsplash

Discover Mljet National Park

Mljet is one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic, and its western end is protected as a national park. The heart of the park is a pair of saltwater lakes, Veliko jezero and Malo jezero, linked to the sea by a narrow channel and surrounded by thick forest. In the middle of the larger lake, the tiny Isle of St Mary holds a medieval church and former monastery.

The pace here is slow. Paths and quiet roads follow the shores of the lakes, inviting walks and bike rides under the trees, and small boats carry visitors across to St Mary's. The park's villages, Pomena, Polače and Goveđari, are small and peaceful, making Mljet a calm contrast to busier spots along the Dubrovnik coast.

Don’t miss

01Veliko jezero and Malo jezero, two saltwater lakes connected to the sea
02The Isle of St Mary, with its 12th-century church and former Benedictine monastery
03Shoreline paths and roads around the lakes for walking and cycling
04Roman ruins at Polače, the park's main northern harbour
05Dense forest covering most of the island

History & culture

The story of Mljet National Park

Ancient Greek writers called the island Melita. In 1151 Benedictine monks became the island's feudal lords, and between 1187 and 1198 a church and monastery dedicated to St Mary were built on the islet in the larger lake. The island later passed to the Republic of Ragusa in 1410, and the monastery was dissolved in 1809 under Napoleonic rule. Roman ruins survive at Polače, the park's main northern harbour.

A long-standing local tradition, first proposed by the Byzantine emperor Constantine VII in the 10th century, identifies Mljet as the island where St Paul was shipwrecked, though most scholars place that event on Malta. The western part of the island was proclaimed a national park in November 1960, protecting its lakes, forests and coast.

Local life & traditions

Mljet is sparsely populated, with around a thousand residents across the whole island, and life follows the rhythm of the seasons, fishing, olive growing and small-scale tourism. Over four-fifths of the island is forest. Small Indian mongooses, introduced in the early 20th century to control snakes, still live on the island. The St Paul shipwreck tradition and the medieval monastery give Mljet a strong spiritual history.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Walk or cycle the paths around the lakes, stopping at viewpoints and shady spots along the shore, and take a boat across to the Isle of St Mary to see the church and former monastery. Where permitted by the park, paddling on the lakes is a peaceful way to explore. The surrounding coast offers coves for swimming, and the village of Polače has Roman remains near the harbour.

Many travellers visit on a day trip by fast catamaran from Dubrovnik, but staying overnight in Pomena or Polače lets you enjoy the lakes in the quiet of early morning and evening.

When to go

May, June and September are the most pleasant months, with warm weather for swimming and walking and fewer day-trippers than in midsummer. July and August are hot and the lakes area is at its busiest. Ferry and catamaran services are reduced outside the summer season, and some facilities close, so plan carefully if visiting between November and March.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Visitor ticket includes (2026 price list): One return boat trip to St Mary's Island, access to the park's inland sites and marked trails around the Great and Small Lakes (including Montokuc and Veliki gradac lookouts), parking at Vrbovica, visitor insurance and electric train rides according to the timetable. Source: np-mljet.hr ↗
Afternoon reduction (as published, Oct 2026): Single-day adult, child (7-18) and student tickets bought in the park are reduced by 25% after 4 pm. Source: np-mljet.hr ↗
Extra boat trip (as published, Oct 2026): An additional return boat trip to St Mary's Island costs 5 EUR. Source: np-mljet.hr ↗
Groups: Groups of nine or more must notify the park's Department for Tourism and Marketing by email in advance; unannounced groups may not be accepted. Source: np-mljet.hr ↗
Managing authority: Public Institution Mljet National Park. Source: np-mljet.hr ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Check the national park's current ticket prices and season on its official website; the standard visitor ticket includes the boat to St Mary's Island.
Arrive early or stay overnight to enjoy the lakes before day-trip groups arrive.
Hiring a bicycle is an easy way to get around the lake shores.
Bring water, sun protection and snacks: services inside the park are limited.
Check catamaran return times carefully if visiting on a day trip from Dubrovnik.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Mljet National Park: food, markets & places to stay

Sobra is the island's main port, with car ferries to Dubrovnik-Gruž and to the Ston area on Pelješac; the crossing to Dubrovnik takes about two and a half hours, while a faster catamaran takes around 90 minutes. Polače, inside the park, is the main northern harbour used by tourist boats. The park villages of Pomena, Polače and Goveđari have small shops, cafés and private accommodation, and Babino Polje further east is the island's largest settlement.