On a solo trip along the Croatian coast, I found myself arriving in Dubrovnik from Makarska, not quite ready for the city crowds just yet. Honestly, nature was calling me, and a visit to Mljet National Park from Dubrovnik felt like the perfect choice. And it really was.
I visited many amazing places in Croatia, but there really was something special about Mljet National Park. I loved waking up to waterfront views in Polače (which was surprisingly affordable even as a solo budget traveller!), having hiking trails on my doorstep, discovering quiet swimming spots and just enjoying the idyllic island life.
The unspoilt nature of Mljet was my idea of a dreamy island escape. After spending two days exploring the island myself, I want to share everything you need to know about visiting Mljet National Park from Dubrovnik, from taking the ferry independently to joining an organised tour and deciding whether a day trip is enough.
Is Mljet National Park Worth Visiting from Dubrovnik?
Mljet National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Croatia and is absolutely worth visiting from Dubrovnik, whether you’re planning a day trip or staying overnight like I did.
If you’re a nature lover who enjoys staying active through hiking or cycling, it’s perfect for you. Even if you’re simply looking for somewhere to relax, enjoy beautiful swimming spots (especially the saltwater lakes!) and embrace a slower-paced island vibe, I think you’ll love it.
It’s a popular place to visit, yet somehow still feels off-the-beaten-path thanks to its serenity, unspoilt nature and the fact that even at its busiest, the crowds feel nothing like those in Dubrovnik.
I personally love discovering places that still feel a little under the radar, and Mljet National Park definitely gave me that feeling. At least it did in mid-September – even at the busiest times of day, it felt so peaceful. I loved that it’s so easy to simply walk or cycle a little further and find quiet trails, viewpoints and swimming spots.
If you’re only visiting Dubrovnik, Mljet is the perfect way to experience a different side of Croatia. While Dubrovnik is full of history, culture and energy, Mljet offers the chance to slow down and enjoy the peaceful island landscapes that make Croatia so special.
The best part is that despite feeling worlds away from Dubrovnik, Mljet National Park is surprisingly easy to visit during the warmer months when ferries are running.
The Best Ways to Visit Mljet National Park from Dubrovnik
Visiting Mljet National Park from Dubrovnik is straightforward, with options to suit different travel styles, budgets and timeframes. You can either take the ferry independently or join an organised tour, depending on whether you prefer flexibility or a more hassle-free experience.
Good to know: You need an entrance ticket for Mljet National Park. This is not usually included in ferry tickets, and if you’re joining an organised tour, you’ll need to check whether park entry is included or needs to be purchased separately. Entrance tickets can be bought online or at the ticket kiosks on arrival.
Option 1: DIY Ferry to Mljet (What I Did)
Ferries from Dubrovnik to Mljet depart from Gruž Port, with high-speed catamarans generally running from April to October to both Pomena and Polače – the two gateways to Mljet National Park. The journey to Pomena takes around 1 hour 15 minutes, while the ferry to Polače takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes as it also stops at Mljet’s main port, Sobra, along the way.
You can check the latest ferry timetables, compare ticket prices and book your tickets online in advance.
Should you take the ferry to Pomena or Polače?
Whether you should take the ferry to Pomena or Polače depends on what you want to do in Mljet National Park, how long you’re staying and the ferry timetable. If you’re only visiting for the day, you may even wish to arrive into one port and depart from the other depending on your plans – for example, hiking across the national park from Polače to Pomena before catching the ferry back to Dubrovnik.
Pomena is the closest ferry port to Mljet National Park’s famous saltwater lakes, Veliko Jezero (Large Lake) and Malo Jezero (Small Lake), making it the most convenient base if these are your priority. Polače, meanwhile, offers easy access to hiking trails leading to Mount Montokuc, the park’s highest viewpoint – it’s well worth the climb for the views over the lakes and beyond!
I chose Polače for both my arrival and departure. It was the cheapest ferry option available, the sailing times suited my itinerary and, as I was staying for two nights, I found the most budget-friendly accommodation there. Guest House Busurelo made for an excellent base with waterfront views! I caught the 9:15am ferry from Dubrovnik on a Sunday and returned on the 4pm catamaran on Tuesday, which felt like the perfect amount of time to experience the national park without feeling rushed.
Why I Recommend Taking the Ferry Independently
Booking your ferry independently also gives you more flexibility than joining an organised tour, including the option to spend a night or two on Mljet. Personally, I think staying overnight is the best way to experience the national park. This gives you enough time to hike, cycle, swim in the lakes and enjoy the island’s peaceful atmosphere once the day-trippers have returned to Dubrovnik. Plus, it’s so beautiful that once you arrive, you probably won’t want to leave (I didn’t anyway)!
✨ If you’re considering spending longer than a day on Mljet, I’ve also written a guide comparing Pomena and Polače to help you choose the best base for your trip.
Option 2: Mljet National Park Tours from Dubrovnik
If you’re visiting Mljet National Park from Dubrovnik and only have one day available, joining an organised tour can be a convenient alternative if you prefer to have all the logistics planned for you. Depending on the tour you choose, you may also visit additional spots around Mljet or nearby islands, making it a great option if you want to experience more of the region in a single day.
There are a couple of highly rated options worth considering depending on whether you want to maximise your time seeing different islands or focus mainly on Mljet National Park.
Tour Option 1: Mljet National Park & Elaphiti Islands Trip
One very popular option on GetYourGuide is the Mljet National Park & Elaphiti Islands Trip. This 10.5-hour tour leaves from Dubrovnik’s Gruž Port, taking you to Mljet by speedboat and giving you around 3 hours free time to explore Mljet National Park however you choose. It also includes a stop at Odysseus Cave, which is considered a must-visit and is best experienced from the water (something I didn’t get to experience on my DIY visit!)
Beyond Mljet, the tour also visits Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, as well as the Blue Cave on Koločep. If you were already considering an Elaphiti Islands trip and are short on time, combining both experiences into one day could be a great way to make the most of your time in Dubrovnik.
Best for: Travellers short on time who want to combine Mljet National Park with other island highlights, including Šipan and the Blue Cave, all in one day from Dubrovnik.
Tour Option 2: Mljet National Park Trip – Pure Nature & Island Escape
If your main priority is spending more time exploring Mljet National Park itself, this 10-hour tour is likely the better fit. The focus is on Mljet’s natural beauty, with around five hours of free time to discover the national park, swim in the lakes and enjoy a slower-paced island experience.
There is also a stop at Lopud Island, one of the Elaphiti Islands, for around an hour before heading back to Dubrovnik. This means you get more time to experience Mljet while still having the chance to visit another beautiful island along the way.
Best for: Travellers who want to focus mainly on Mljet National Park, with plenty of time to explore the lakes, swim and enjoy a more relaxed pace without worrying about organising the logistics themselves.
Things to know before booking a Mljet tour:
Both tours above are operated by speedboat, which means a faster journey and more time exploring, but they may not be the best option if you prefer slower travel on a bigger boat. The sea can be a little choppy at times, and you will likely feel the waves on the speedboat!
Which option is best for you?
| DIY Ferry | Organised Tour |
|---|---|
| ✔ Stay overnight | ✔ Only have one day |
| ✔ Explore at your own pace | ✔ Everything organised |
| ✔ Want flexibility | ✔ Combine Mljet with other islands |
| ✔ Budget-friendly | ✔ Prefer convenience |
Should You Visit Mljet as a Day Trip or Stay Overnight?
Whether you should visit Mljet as a day trip or stay overnight depends entirely on your overall Croatia itinerary and how much time you have available.
If you’re visiting Dubrovnik on a short trip, dedicating just one day to Mljet National Park may be the best option for you. You can definitely get a taste of Mljet National Park in a day, with enough time to visit the saltwater lakes, St. Mary’s Island and explore some of the park’s walking or cycling trails.
That said, while a day trip gives you a great introduction to Mljet, I personally think the island deserves more time if you can spare it!
If you’re visiting Dubrovnik for more than a few days, I highly recommend staying at least 1–2 nights on Mljet. Having extra time means you don’t have to rush between sights, giving you the chance to properly experience the national park and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere that makes the island so special.
With a longer stay, you’ll have more time to discover some of the quieter corners of the national park, hike to spots such as Mount Montokuc and experience both Polače and Pomena. For example, I spontaneously found one of my favourite viewpoints – Veliki Gradac – which almost felt ‘hidden’ as there was no one else there when I visited later in the day. Because I wasn’t rushing to catch a ferry back to Dubrovnik, I had time to add this extra viewpoint while making my way down from Mount Montokuc.
I found plenty of peaceful spots throughout the day, but the island becomes even quieter once the day-trippers have left. The late afternoons, evenings and early mornings are incredibly tranquil, and this is when I felt Mljet truly lived up to its reputation as a serene nature escape.
A day trip is still absolutely worthwhile if that’s all your schedule allows, but if you have the time, I highly recommend spending a couple of nights on the island, as I did, to truly experience the magic of Mljet!
Where to Stay for Mljet National Park
If you’re staying overnight on Mljet, the two best bases for visiting Mljet National Park are Polače and Pomena. Both offer direct access to the park, meaning you don’t need to worry about transport and can simply explore on foot or hire a bike to get around.
There are a range of accommodation options in both villages, and by the way, accommodation is generally much cheaper than in Dubrovnik! I paid almost the same for a hostel bed near Dubrovnik’s Old Town as I did for my own waterfront room in Polače!
I chose to stay in Polače because the ferry was cheaper and the accommodation was more affordable than in Pomena. Polače is a peaceful waterfront village with a small supermarket, bakery, restaurants, bike rental shops, the ferry port and a small beach area. It’s also the perfect base for hiking, and I loved being so close to Mount Montokuc – I actually hiked up to the viewpoint three times!
Guest House Busurelo made an excellent base for my stay, and I’d happily recommend it if you’re looking for somewhere to stay.
If being as close as possible to the famous saltwater lakes is your priority, though, Pomena may be the better choice. It’s also slightly livelier than Polače, with more restaurants and easier access to the lakes, which some travellers may prefer. Honestly, I would’ve been happy in either!!
I go into a lot more detail in my Where to Stay for Mljet National Park guide, which you can check out if you’re trying to decide which one to stay in.
✨ Good to know: If you’re staying in private accommodation or a hotel on Mljet, your national park entrance ticket can be valid for up to 7 days. That means by staying overnight you can really take advantage of your ticket, exploring at your own pace rather than trying to squeeze everything into one day.
Tip: Where to stay in Dubrovnik before taking the ferry to Mljet
If you’re arriving in Dubrovnik shortly before visiting Mljet, staying in the Gruž area can be a convenient option. I arrived in Dubrovnik by bus from Makarska and chose to stay in Gruž that night as I had an early ferry to Mljet the next day. It worked perfectly as I was close to the port, so I could simply walk there, plus it’s generally cheaper than by the Old Town!
Final Thoughts on Visiting Mljet National Park from Dubrovnik
Visiting Mljet National Park was definitely a highlight of my month-long Croatia trip.
It’s one of the best trips you can take from Dubrovnik if you want to experience a completely different side of Croatia, away from the busy streets of the Old Town and surrounded by incredible nature. Whether you choose to take the ferry independently and spend a few nights on the island, or join an organised tour for the day, Mljet is surprisingly easy to visit from Dubrovnik.
I’m someone who does enjoy city life and being in lively spots, but I also love balancing it out with quieter, more peaceful places. Spending a couple of days on Mljet gave me that perfect balance, and it was definitely one of my favourite parts of my Croatia trip.
I honestly could have stayed even longer than my two nights on Mljet. The only reason I left was because rain was forecast and I still had more of Dubrovnik to explore! I absolutely loved my solo trip to the island and would love to return one day to explore even more of Mljet beyond the national park itself.
