Island of Mljet Travel Guide
The legendary South Dalmatian island Mljet stretches for 37 km along the westernmost Adriatic coast of Croatia and is presented by quiet ancient villages that are lavishly buried in verdure. The greater portion of its flourishing greenery has been a National Park since 1960 and the surrounding magnificent bays, beaches and cliffs are its best framing. A Mljet travel usually starts from the Dubrovnik airport and involves a 1.5 hour's car drive and an hour's boat or ferry transfer.
The island Mljet holidays are always wrapped up in antiquity and legends. The ancient Greeks and Romans, the Slavs and Benedictine priests left behind a good many historical monuments including fortifications, churches and a gun arsenal which can still be found on the island Mljet. As the story goes, Homer's Odysseus was detained in a Mljet cave by the nymph Calipso for 7 years. Now it is known as the Odysseus' cave and can be explored during your Mljet travel from the seacoast or the hill.
Tourist attractions. The man-made and natural attractions go together on the island Mljet. The marvellous National Park with its two unique saltwater lakes, karst caves, many animal and bird species will make your holidays in Mljet a great reposeful experience. The greater lake has a tiny islet with a 12th century Benedictine monastery and a St Mary's church. More churches of that period can be found in Babino Polje and other villages. What your Mljet travel can gain by is a visit to the 2nd century Roman palace and the two 5th century Christian basilicas in the Polace harbour.
Festivals and cultural events. Church feasts to celebrate the days of St John and other saints are a very popular pastime on the island Mljet, with some of them including processions and holy masses like the mid-August St Rocco's feast. During your holidays in Mljet you can participate in a 40-day Summer Mljet event with folklore and famous musicians' performances and picture exhibitions. The summer-time nightlife offers waterfront discos and nightclubs.
Restaurants. There is also a good choice of restaurants such as Galija, Melita, Riva where you can treat yourself to goat's cheese, smoked octopus, Dalmatian wines.
Beaches. Croatia's coastline abounds in cosy sunlit beaches and the island Mljet is no exception. Enrich your island Mljet holidays with sunbathing on the Great and Small Saplunara and Blace Bay sandy beaches. Separated by a 30 minutes' walk along the seashore, these gorgeous 1 km long beaches are screened by centennial pine trees and have a good number of isolated corners that attract nudists.
Active vacations. There are numerous diving sites on the island Mljet including some ancient shipwrecks, the submerged shipyard and the rich undersea flora and fauna. The holidays in Mljet are a perfect opportunity to go canoeing, kayaking, sailing or windsurfing. A good way to variegate your Mljet travel is a hiking or cycling tour down the shady paths of the National Park.