Mljet National Park

Mljet is Croatia's greenest and most peaceful island — a national park covering its entire western third, where two saltwater lakes sit surrounded by ancient pine forest, connected to the open sea by a narrow channel. It's a rare place in peak-season Dalmatia that still feels genuinely quiet.

Saltwater LakesSt Mary's MonasteryGreenest IslandDay Trip from Dubrovnik

Park Facts

Distance from Dubrovnik
2 hrs by catamaran
Island
Mljet — southern Dalmatia
Park Area
54 km² (western third)
Season
April–October
Lakes
Malo Jezero & Veliko Jezero
Monastery
St Mary's Island, 12th century
2
Saltwater lakes inside the national park
54km²
National park area on Mljet Island
12th C
Century — age of St Mary's Island monastery
About This Destination

Croatia's Most Tranquil Island National Park

Mljet is one of Croatia's most beautiful secrets — an island so densely covered in Aleppo pine that it appears almost impossibly green from the ferry. The national park covers the entire western tip of the island and protects two saltwater lakes — Malo Jezero (Small Lake) and Veliko Jezero (Great Lake) — connected to the open sea by a narrow tidal channel. Swimming in water this clear, surrounded by pine forest with no roads and almost no noise, feels like a completely different Croatia from the busy Dalmatian coast.

At the centre of Veliko Jezero sits a tiny island — Sveta Marija (St Mary's Island) — with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery that has been standing since 1151. The boat from the shore takes four minutes. The monastery's church and cloister are still in excellent condition, and the island's terrace café serves local wine with extraordinary views across the lake. It's one of the most quietly beautiful spots in all of Dalmatia.

Our Mljet day trips depart from Dubrovnik by catamaran, arriving in the village of Polače (inside the national park) with 6–7 hours on the island before the return crossing. The itinerary includes swimming in both lakes, the boat to St Mary's monastery, and a long lunch in one of the village restaurants with local seafood and wine. An extraordinary contrast to a busy Dubrovnik day — peaceful, beautiful and completely unhurried.

Two saltwater lakes with extraordinary clarity — swimming feels otherworldly
St Mary's Island monastery — 12th-century Benedictine complex on a lake island
Pine forest so dense the island looks dark green from the sea — complete tranquillity
Far fewer visitors than the Dalmatian island hotspots — genuinely peaceful
Long local lunch in Polače — seafood and wine with lake views

What's Included

Return catamaran or private boat from Dubrovnik
National park entry ticket
Licensed guide for island walk and monastery visit
Boat to St Mary's Island monastery
Swimming time at both lakes
Lunch reservation at lakeside restaurant

Book in Advance

National park entry is limited in summer. Pre-booking is essential June–August. Contact us and we'll secure your spot.

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