Before I set off for Greece, I look back to the second most influential trip I have taken.
For me, Mljet offered not only waves of inspiration and creativity but also a serene location to write it all down.
If you're looking for somewhere peaceful to escape your fast-paced lifestyle this is the place for you.
Pre Holiday
Like anybody spontaneous and not very picky, I entered my availability into JET2 and booked the first holiday within our budget. We both liked the sound and more so the look of Croatia and saw Dubrovnik Coast in the package subtitle and were sold. PSA: If you are looking for a fun-filled trip in a bustling city, a new restaurant every night, and tons to see and do - MLjet is not for you. We found out soon after booking (I know I know we should have researched beforehand) that Mljet was a small island OFF the coast of Dubrovnik, taken up almost entirely by a National Park, and the hotel we booked is the only one in Pomena Bay. I won't lie some worry set in at this point mostly concerning the population of the island and how overdressed we were going to be based on the Urban Outfitters haul we had waiting to be packed. But after an extensive Pinterest and TikTok search, we were desperate to get away to this secluded island to swim in 25-degree turquoise lakes by day and eat by the sunset backdrop by night. View Jet2s Mljet holidays here...
What's the journey like?
I will start by recommending that you book through a package holiday site, simply because there is so much to organize from the plane taking off to reaching your hotel.
The journey takes around 4 hours from landing to arriving at the hotel. The transfers include a coach from Dubrovnik airport to a dock outside the city. This part of the journey can take 1 hour 30 mins to 2 hours depending on traffic. We were delayed at the dock for an hour, waiting for two people from a later flight. The news of this was frustrating but the dock had a beautiful bay and a couple of restaurants.
Then a water taxi from the mainland to Pomena, Mljet. The hotel is right on the bay, only a few steps from where the boat docks, this part of the journey can take 2 hours+ as the speed of the boat is determined by the weather. It is not the most scenic of routes but the view of the mainland on the way out is beautiful and we did see dolphins when we were further out.
What's the location like?
We stayed at Hotel Odisej in Pomena Town (the only hotel in Pomena, but we did see apartments to rent along the coastline if you would like some options for accommodation). The hotel is 4.3 stars which, although it is not perfect or anywhere near luxury, I think it deserves. The hotel was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the food was lovely, but
what sells it is the lounging area.
At first, I was disappointed there was only the sea and no pool; the one in the website photos is a children's paddling pool. Upon arrival, that disappointment disappeared. The views from this spot are beautiful and you are shaded from the noise of the town (but not the sun!) by the wall of the beach bar. It was the perfect spot for relaxation in the morning and by midday, the sea had warmed up to perfect swimming temperature. We bought masks and snorkels to swim with the fish and dive for shells, and then we dried off in the sun, one of us reading and the other snoozing.
We spent hours here, it was perfection!
What is there to do?
We stayed for 7 nights, but most people on the island were visiting only for the day. I would say the sweet spot for this destination is 3-4 nights. I think there is too much to enjoy in a quick 24 hours, but it gets slightly repetitive after a while. If you want a week of solitude, as we did, to soak up the sun somewhere relaxing, surrounded by surreal views, I would definitely recommend Mljet.
The hotel itself has a beach bar, pizza restaurant, lounge and swim area, and spa. All facilities are wonderful and the food really impressed me. We were half board which I wasn't particularly excited about but the hotel buffet was different each night and the food was delicious with a good range of vegetarian options for me!
The island is home to an incredible National Park with two saltwater lakes that heat up to 25 degrees in the summer. We went in May and they were still lovely to swim in. The larger lake has an island in the middle of it with a monastery and restaurant. To get there you wave the flag on the jetty and the boat will come across to get you. It is £20 for a ticket to the national park but ours were included in the price of the holiday - another great reason to book with a package holiday.
The best way to explore the island is by bike (don't worry they're electric). We cycled around the big lake and up to the mountain to the highest point on the highland providing unbelievable 360 views. There a many places to rent either peddle bikes or electric bikes, and the prices are very reasonable.
All of Pomena's restaurants are located along the promenade, so you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner right at the water. I would recommend the Truffle Pasta from Restoran Pizzeria Adriatic it was 10/10, and if you time it right there are opportunities for incredible sunset pictures.
There is also a ferry that comes three times a day to take you to Dubrovnik and Split if you wish to do so. We had originally planned to go over to Dubrovnik for the day but we didn't want to leave the calm of the island.
You can go out on scuba diving trips, or boat rides, and hire a car or moped to explore what the island has to offer whichever way suits you best. I recommend taking a moped or car to Babino Polje to explore Odysseus Cave.
This holiday destination is perfect for those who wish for serenity and relaxation, the perfect escape for those who appreciate the little things in life, the natural world, and good food!
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