Mljet Island Attractions and Pro Tips for the Best Vacation

Is Mljet worth visiting?

Absolutely yes, if you love pristine nature, outdoor activities and relaxation. 

Mljet in Croatia is a exotic paradise island in a Mediterranean climate for nature lovers, those who like to ride bicycles, swim in beautiful calm sea waters, or just want to relax. It’s the green island in Croatia, and it has a blue cave. Breathtaking views are everywhere, but it’s never as crowded as touristy places in Croatia. 

Unlike popular islands in Croatia such as Hvar or Brac, lodging, restaurants, and activities on Mljet are very affordable. And it’s easy to find a hotel or Airbnb with ocean view or private sea access. For some of us, calm sea access is better than an infinity pool. 

Odysseus Cave – a blue cave you can swim in

There are many blue caves across Croatia, as long as there’s a sandy bottom with reflective sunlight. What you’ll find most of the time is a boat tour that takes you to a blue cave, but it’ll be overcrowded with small boats. And you can’t swim in those blue caves. Odysseus Cave on the island of Mljet, however, is a blue cave in Croatia you can actually swim in and see the light beams shining through from underwater.

How to get to Odysseus Cave?

• Route to Tommy on the main road, park across Tommy, follow signs to Odysseus Cave. It’s about a 25 minute hike. Most people do it this way

• Route to Parking Odysseus Cave, park there, follow the sign to Odysseus Cave and then it’s a 10 minute walk to the cave. The road is a dirt road and can be rough. There is very limited parking space too. 

Once you are at Odysseus Cave, there’s a rope anchored on the rock to help you get in and out of the water safely and swim to the cave. Dare devils can also jump off the cliff, dive in, and swim to the cave. 

Climbing down the cave from land inside is dangerous and not recommended, although there is a rope. 

When’s the best time of the day to go to Odysseus Cave?

People start to arrive around 10 o’clock in the morning. The light in the cave is the most beautiful around noon, but it’s also more crowded. The current is usually not strong so it’s safe to swim to the cave most of the time. But factor in the wave and the tide too. Sometimes it can be unsafe.

If you have time to hang around, there’s a bar on the cliff. You can make new friends, chill in a hammock, and then go back to the cave again.

Bring a snorkel mask

The light and color underwater is just marvelous. If you want to see from underwater, bring a snorkel mask. If you know how to free dive, dive down to the bottom for a different perspective.

Mljet National Park is a must

The west part of the island is a national park. It is the oldest protected marine area in the Mediterranean sea, with two fresh saltwater lakes. People go to the National Park to bike, hike, swim, float, relax, rinse, and repeat. Read our Pro Tips Guide to Sensational Mljet National Park in Croatia for the best vacation time possible. 

Mljet is not an island for sandy beaches

Mljet is amazing for swimming in calm sea coves and turquoise fresh saltwater lakes. There are sandy beaches but not the most gorgeous in Croatia. Managing your expectation will lead to a better time in Mljet.

How to get to and around Mljet?

Passenger and car ferry from Prapratno to Sobra

This is the easiest for longer stays around the island. Prapratno is about 5 minutes drive from Ston. Arrive 1 hour before the car ferry departure time to be safe as the car entry is first come first served even if you booked in advanced. Mljet National Park is 30 minutes drive towards west from Sobra port. 

Fast passenger ferry catamaran from Dubrovnik to Sobra and Polace

There is car rental Mini Brum right at the Sobra port. 

Fast passenger ferry catamaran from Split, Hvar, Brac, and Korcula to Pomena or Polace

You don’t really need a car in Pomena or Place because you are already in Mljet National Park. There are plenty of bike or e-bike rentals. 

For more details, check out Croatia Ferries. 

Food and restaurants in Mljet

Caffe pizzeria Komarac is the most loved pizza restaurant in the whole Mljet, by both locals and tourists. The view is also fantastic.

Konoba Gunduliste is the best in Mljet National Park.

Apartments & Konoba Lampalo and Restoran Maestral are the best on the east side of Mljet. They are in the town of Okuklje, where sailors anchor their boats, stay a few nights, enjoy good good and do their laundry. 

Fish market? There is no fishing industry in Mljet, but there is a sea bass fish farm. The fish market sells the sea bass from the farm. The fish market is in a small warehouse next to Konoba Riva.

There is no big grocery store or farmers market on the island of Mljet, but there are small mini mart like stores for basic food. It’s best to food shop in mainland and bring over for long stays.

Are there mosquitoes on Mljet island?

Yes, especially in shaded bushes under trees. But in open breezy areas, mosquito bites are unlikely. Some indoor places have electronic plug-in mosquito repeller, so it’s still manageable even if you are a mosquito magnet. 

Where does the fresh water on Mljet come from?

The fresh water comes from mainland Croatia through underground pipeline between Pelješac peninsula and Mljet, and it’s drinkable. 

Is there EV charging on Mljet island?

There are EV charging stations on Mljet, one in Sobra port, one in Mljet National Park. EV charging is free in Mljet, for now.