National park · Croatia
Mljet National ParkNacionalni park Mljet
Enter Mljet National Park for €20 per person, hike the Veliki Grad loop (≈4 km (2.5 mi), moderate) in spring–early autumn; avoid July‑August heat and crowds.Enter Mljet National Park for €20 per person, hike the Veliki Grad loop (≈2.5 mi (4 km), moderate) in spring–early autumn; avoid July‑August heat and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
54 km² (21 sq mi)21 sq mi (54 km²)
approximate
Established
1960
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Croatia ↗Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Croatian sources for your passport.
- Croatia ↗Book car ferries and popular catamarans ahead in summer; foot passengers still need to be early for the busiest routes.
- Croatia ↗Split and Dubrovnik fine visitors for walking shirtless or in swimwear away from beaches; carry a cover-up.
At a glance
- Country
- Croatia
- Area
- 54 km² (21 sq mi)21 sq mi (54 km²)
- Park covers the western part of Mljet island, including the two inland lakes and the small island monastery (approx. 54 km²).
- Established
- 1960
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Mljet National Park offers forest trails around two lakes, a historic monastery island, and moderate hikes; entry is €20 and the best visit window is May‑June or September‑October to avoid heat and crowds.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1960.
Size and age
54 km² (21 sq mi)21 sq mi (54 km²) · national park since 1960
Park covers the western part of Mljet island, including the two inland lakes and the small island monastery (approx. 54 km²).
Why go
- Two inland lakes and a small island monastery in a quiet marine park.
- Well‑marked forest trails give views of the island’s limestone ridges.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild, few tourists
- FebCool, dry
- MarSpring, pleasant walks
- AprWarm, dry
- MayIdeal for hiking and boat trips
- JunWarm, before peak heat
- JulHeat, occasional storms
- AugHot, possible rain
- SepCooler, still sunny
- OctMild, fewer crowds
- NovCool, occasional rain
- DecMild, quiet
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean pine forest birdsMar–Jun · Check local bird‑watching points. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Sea turtles (occasionally)Jun–Aug · Observe from boat, keep distance. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Dubrovnik
Catamaran (Nona Ana) to Polače (≈2 h) or to Sobra (≈2.5 h).
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Split
Car ferry (Saturday) to Sobra; speedboat on other days.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Pelješac peninsula (Prapratno)
Car ferry to Sobra (≈1 h).
1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Polače gate | Main entrance, visitor centre, boat dock for lake tours. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Veliko Jezero area | Large lake, island monastery, boat rentals. | Open; boats run hourly. |
| Veliki Grad trailhead | Start of the summit loop near Babino Polje. | Open; trail marked. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | EUR 20 (≈ US$25) | person | Includes solar‑powered boat round‑trip to the island monastery |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites or private accommodation.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated BBQ areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Odisej (Sobra)
Simple rooms 200 m from the park gate.
In the park
X‑Rooms Mljet (Poláče)
Boutique rooms 5 m from the beach.
Safety
Heat in July‑August medium
Limited mobile coverage low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre and boat dock are reachable by car with short walks.
- Summit trail has steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use the solar‑powered boat service.
- Leave no waste; take rubbish back to the mainland.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mljet?
€20 per person for the park entry, which includes the boat round‑trip to the island monastery.
What are the best hikes in Mljet?
The Veliki Grad summit loop (≈4 km, moderate) and the lakeside trail around Veliko Jezero are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Mljet?
Late spring (May‑June) and early autumn (September‑October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Can I bring a bike?
Yes, mountain bikes are available for rent in Polače and Pomena; the main lake circuit is bike‑friendly.
Is there public transport on the island?
Two bus lines connect Sobra with Polače and Saplunara; they run once in the morning and evening.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialMljet official site
- secondaryWikidata – Mljet
- secondaryWikivoyage: Mljet, revision 5290231 (CC BY-SA 4.0)