Trails, Coves and Island Cuisine

Mljet National Park is the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean. The park has trails for hiking and cycling. Check trail conditions before your trip if you plan to explore the area.

Saplunara also defines Mljet, with its two sandy coves: Velika Saplunara and Mala Saplunara. The area was protected as a significant landscape in 1965. The island therefore brings together two distinct natural features: a marine protected area with hiking and cycling trails, and a protected landscape with two named coves.

Mljet is also known for its white and red wines, goat’s cheese and honey. These culinary highlights can be part of your travel plans alongside nature and landscapes. If you’re looking for a hotel on Mljet, consider which of these themes you’d most like to shape your trip.

Getting There and Regional Contrasts

Mljet has a daily ferry connection with Dubrovnik; in summer, there are also ferry connections with Korčula and Lastovo. Since schedules vary by season, check them before your trip. This will help you plan your journey using the connections available during your travel dates.

The wider Dubrovnik-Neretva County region includes a coastal zone with islands such as Korčula, Mljet and Lastovo, as well as the Lower Neretva Valley and its coastline. This regional setting therefore encompasses both islands and a valley area. Lastovo offers different specific highlights from Mljet: the island has more than 200 kilometers of hiking trails, and hiking and mountain trails are marked with wooden signposts.

The nature of the Lastovo Archipelago can also be described in specific figures: the nature park comprises 46 islands, islets and reefs, including Lastovo and Sušac. Lastovo also has one of the darkest night skies in Europe. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye, and other galaxies can be seen with a low-power telescope. If you’re comparing nature experiences, you’ll find a special perspective on the night sky here, alongside hiking.

Lastovo also has cultural and historical highlights. Lučica is a preserved Baroque fishing village and an important medieval cultural and historical site; it is a ten-minute walk from the village of Lastovo. Rača Cave lies on the island’s southern coast. Protected since 1965, it is an archaeological site with traces of Illyrian and Roman presence.

The Neretva offers another contrast in the wider region. Traditional boat trips pass through its narrow canals and side channels. Along the way, local hosts show how people fish and grow citrus fruit along the Neretva. In the Neretva Delta, mandarin-picking packages may include a traditional boat ride, picking fruit directly in the plantations and tasting freshly harvested mandarins. Since this experience is seasonal, check dates and providers before your trip.

More Destinations

Explore also: Mljet, Istria County, Pašman, Lika-Senj, Krk, Zadar County, Karlovac County, Bjelovar-Bilogora.

Return to the main travel overview: Croatia.