Mljet: Lakes, Island History and Trails

Lakes, reefs and trails on Mljet

The names Veliko jezero and Malo jezero refer to two separate bays; both are connected to the open sea by the Solinski Channel. Those who want to explore the island actively will find different routes rather than a single circuit: the Mljetska planinarska obilaznica runs from the area of the national park to the middle of the island. Trail markers indicate the route, and stamps are available at checkpoints. The “Biciklom kroz park” cycling tour, by contrast, is a loop around Veliko jezero and Malo jezero. This means you can choose between a hiking route from the national park to the middle of the island and a cycling loop around the two lakes, depending on your interests.

For a walk with young children, consider the path from Babino Polje to Odysseus’ Cave: it is considered an easy route and is also suitable for parents with young children. Štit reef, in the southwest of the island, offers a different experience. It is an attractive dive site with abundant marine life and can be reached by boat from Pomena. Experienced divers can find red coral jewelry there. The hike, the cycling loop and the boat access to the dive site offer different ways to experience Mljet.

Monastery, churches and historic sites

On the island of Saint Mary, in the southern part of the Great Lake, you’ll find a Benedictine monastery and the Church of Saint Mary. The monastery was built from 1177 to 1198; the central part of the church has retained its Romanesque style. This long construction period and the surviving Romanesque feature give the site a tangible historical dimension. Those interested in sacred architecture can also turn their attention to buildings in other settlements.

Polače is home to the remains of a Roman palace and an early Christian church dating from the 5th to 6th century. Babino Polje adds the 15th-century Church of Saint Blaise and the 16th-century Prince’s Palace, known locally as Palac, to these historic sites. In Prožura, Kaštio is a landmark: this square defensive tower dates from the 17th century. The buildings thus span a period from early Christianity to a later defensive tower and are spread across several parts of the island.

Choosing a place to stay, local traditions and food

Local events may also influence when you travel and where you stay. In Prožura, the feast day of Saint Roch is commemorated with a procession every year on August 16. In Pomena, “Toast from the Host” takes place annually at the end of August, an eno-gastronomic event featuring regional specialties and wine tasting. These are two clearly defined recurring events, but they have different focuses: the procession is at the heart of the event in Prožura, while Pomena highlights regional cuisine and wine.

Traditional dishes include Mljetski makaruli, pasta served with homemade goat cheese, garlic and olive oil. Eels from Mljet’s salty natural lakes are prepared in several ways, including grilled or as brodet. These dishes offer two specific insights into the island’s cuisine: one through pasta and savory ingredients, the other through different ways of preparing eel.

When looking for an apartment, you can choose where to stay based on the interests that matter to you. Sobra is an obvious point of reference for arrivals, as it is the island’s only ferry port; there is also an electric vehicle charging station next to the gas station. Polače is one of the preferred nautical bases and is surrounded by four islets. Pomena, meanwhile, is where you can reach Štit reef by boat and where the event takes place at the end of August. These features of each place offer different starting points for your search without limiting your experiences to just one part of Mljet.

More local pages: Sobra, Babino Polje, Govedjari, Polace, Mljet, Saplunara, Maranovići, Korita, Ropa, Okuklje, Blato, Prožura and Kozarica.

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