MLJET ISLAND

Beautiful and most forested island in the Adriatic, true pearl of the Mediterranean, only 35 nautical miles from Dubrovnik. Untouched nature, olive groves, vineyards, rich forests, the island’s mysticism, make it a perfect place to peacefully enjoy the beauty and nature. There are many stories and legends, about Odysseus who was seduced by the island’s beauty which stranded him for seven years on this amazing island. Majority of the island is a National Park, with two connected salty lakes, consisting of the Great Lake and the Small Lake, St. Mary isle, ancient Benedictine monastery dating from the 12th century, famous Saplunara beach, and many more beautiful locations like the breathtaking Odysseus Cave.

According to mythology, the legendary Greek hero Odysseus, while returning victorious from the ruins of fallen Troy to his wife Penelope, was shipwrecked on the island of Mljet for seven years, enchanted by the nymph Calypso. The legend says that the hero’s ship was wrecked against the cliff underneath the sea surface, but he luckily managed to swim inside the cave nearby, thus giving it his name.

Saplunara on Mljet Island may be the last hidden jewel left in the Adriatic. Just when you thought every single white sand beach on a pine-rimmed cove had long since been colonized by sea-seeking visitors, Saplunara remains isolated and largely untouched. Its beauty is truly a balm to the soul.