2-Day Family Holiday in Ston and Mljet Island, Croatia
Croatia is a small country in the eastern part of Europe. It lies on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea. On the western shore is Italy. A large part of west Croatia lies along the sea. Apart from the lovely pebbled beaches and emerald green waters, the country is blessed with lovely rivers, waterfalls and many lovely historical sites which tourists can enjoy.
During one of the Easter vacations, we took a 9-day holiday in Croatia, Europe, in which we covered the Dalmatia region and visited the following places:
1. Dubrovnik
2. Ston
3. Mljet
4. Split
5. KRKA National Park
6. Zadar
In this article, I share our experience during the second leg of our holiday, two days in Ston and Mljet Island. This includes information about travel, accommodation, the places we visited, restaurant reviews, and some tips based on my experience. I hope my readers find this article helpful when planning their holiday in these places.
Look at the map below to better understand the locations and the plan. The areas marked in grey, blue, purple, and orange comprise the Dalmatian region, which includes all the places mentioned in the list above.
First, let’s look at the itinerary we followed in Croatia:
9 Days Holiday Itinerary in Croatia:
Day 1: Morning-Fly from Frankfurt to Dubrovnik; Explore Dubrovnik (Stay at Dubrovnik)
Day 2: Explore Dubrovnik (Stay at Dubrovnik)
Day 3: Drive to Mali Ston and Ston; Explore Ston Walls; Use ferry and car to reach Mljet island. (Stay at Mljet)
Day 4: Explore Mljet (Stay at Mljet)
Day 5: Use a ferry and car to reach Split (Stay at Split)
Day 6: Explore Split (Stay at Split)
Day 7: Drive to KRKA National Park; Spend a day; Drive to Zadar (Stay at Zadar)
Day 8: Explore Zadar (Stay at Zadar)
Day 9: Explore Zadar; Evening flight to Frankfurt
Looking at the map above, you will understand that Dubrovnik, where we landed, lies in the southern part of Croatia. We picked up a rental car from Dubrovnik Airport. We broke our journey into parts, drove towards the north for over eight days, and reached Zadar, which lies north of Dubrovnik. We returned the rental car at Zadar Airport and took a flight back home (to Frankfurt, Germany).
If I write about the entire holiday in one article, it will become too long, so I shall have split the itinerary into four parts:
- Leg 1 (Day 1, Day 2): It includes arrival at Dubrovnik, Exploring Dubrovnik and leaving for Ston
- Leg 2 (Day 3, Day 4): Exploring Ston, Mali Ston and Mljet Island
- Leg 3 (Day 5, Day 6): Exploring Split
- Leg 4 ( Day 7, Day 8, Day 9): KRKA National Park and Zadar
This article is about the second leg of our holiday. To read about the first leg of our journey in Dubrovnik, click here.
Day 3: Drive to Ston; Explore Ston; Head to Mljet
On Day 3 of our holiday, we left in the morning from Dubrovnik and reached Ston.
About Ston:
Ston is a small, quaint medieval town on the eastern part of the Pelješac peninsula famous for its longest stone wall in Europe ( 5. 5 km).
Ston’s history dates back to the 14th century when it was a renowned destination for its salt works. Even today, the traditional methods of salt extraction are followed in Ston, which proudly runs the oldest active saltworks in the world.
This place has always had ideal conditions for growing olives and grapes, which led to the availability of good-quality olive oil and wines in the region.
Seafood like oysters and mussels, which have been farmed here since Roman times, is also a speciality. Visitors can taste all this local produce at the local restaurants in Ston.
Arrival at Ston:
Ston is about 55 km north of Dubrovnik, and it takes approximately 1 hour to reach it by car. Since we had rented a car through SIXT for the entire trip, we drove to Ston.
The nearest airport is in Dubrovnik. You can check your flight options here.
Since this place is quite close to Dubrovnik, you can stay in Dubrovnik and take a day trip to Ston. Check out this Peljesac Peninsula & Korcula Island Day-Trip from Dubrovnik.
We reached the town, explored the surroundings, and started our first activity of the day, i,e exploring the walls of Ston and Mali Ston.
Walls of Ston
The main activities in Ston/Mali Ston are climbing the wall, walking the entire stretch ( which stretches between Ston and Mali Ston), and enjoying the lovely views of the sea, valley, and nearby settlements.
The wall was constructed in the 14th century as a defensive structure to protect the city of Ston (especially its salt pans, which significantly contributed to the wealth of Dubrovnik). Today, these walls are one of the longest-preserved fortification systems in the world. They are also known as the European ‘Great Wall of China’.
You can park your car at Mali Ston or Ston to visit and climb the walls. The two locations are about 1.5km apart. You can plan the wall climb in either of the below-mentioned ways:
Park your car at Mali Ston. Start the climb at Mali Ston and get out at Ston. Then walk along the road ( flat surface; takes about 20 minutes) to Mali Ston to pick up your car.
OR
Park your car at Ston. Start the climb at Ston and get out at Mali Ston. Then walk along the road (it’s flat and takes about 20 minutes) to Ston to pick up your car.
Please note:
- The climb is steep and approximately 5.5 km long. It takes about 1 hour to complete. I would not recommend this climb for anyone with small kids ( who need to be picked up) or those with mobility issues.
- Carry a bottle of water with you for the climb.
- Keep yourself as light as possible, as the climb can be tiring.
- If you have binoculars, carry them to enjoy the lovely views.
- At the top, it can get windy, so carry a cap to cover your head.
- We climbed in spring when the temperature was about 12 degrees. This climb can be exhausting in the summer when the temperature rises to 30-35 degrees, so plan accordingly.
- Tickets for the climb can be purchased at the entrance to the walls. This ticket also allows you free access to Fort Veliki Kaštio at Ston.
- There is plenty of paid parking space at Ston and Mali Ston.
We parked our car at Mali Ston. After completing the climb, we got out at Ston and walked back to Mali Ston to pick up our car.
Climbing the wall and walking the entire stretch is a must-do activity in Ston and should not be missed. The lovely views from the top are a treat for the eyes.
Then we drove to Ston, parked our car there, and had lunch at Konoba Bakus, a popular restaurant in Ston. If you are a seafood lover, you will love this place. They have a few vegetarian options, too. I would highly recommend eating here. My review of the restaurant is posted here.
After lunch, we visited, Fort Veliki Kaštio.
Fort Veliki Kaštio
The Veliki Kaštio fortress was built in 1357 before the construction of the entire fortification system began. Its function was to defend local salt flats, the city’s primary income source.
The fee to visit the fort is included in the wall ticket. You can get great views of the wall from the terrace of this fort.
There isn’t much to see inside, but the views from the terrace are good.
Right opposite the fort is a small church, which can also be visited.
The area also has children’s parks, museums, supermarkets etc.
If you plan to stay in Ston, you can also visit the wineries for wine tasting, the salt works, and the oyster tasting experience, which is unique to that area. Check out this Salt and Stone Private Walking Tour, in which you get to know more about the town and learn about salt production.
Alternatively, you can do this Oyster, Mussles, and Wine Tasting Tour in Ston from Dubrovnik.
Since we had booked a ferry to Mljet on the same day, around 4:00 pm, we left Ston and headed to Prapratno Ferry Port.
Prapratno Ferry Port
Prapratno Ferry port is located about 4.2 km from Ston. One can take a ferry ride to Mljet (an island) from here. To reach Mljet, board (along with your car) at Prapratno Port. Alight at Sobra Ferry Port (in Mljet). Take out your car and use it to reach your desired destination in Mljet.
Tickets for the ferry can be either booked at the port or online at:
From Prapratno: https://www.croatiaferries.com/prapratno-ferry-port.htm
Please note:
- The ferry carries people and vehicles. Tickets need to be purchased for both. The ferry ride takes about 40 minutes.
- Although tickets can be bought at the port, it is recommended that you make an advanced online booking during peak tourist season.
- The ferry has food and drinks, toilets etc., available on board.
- Reach the port ahead of time and queue up on the road. The boarding starts about 15 minutes before departure.
- Once boarding starts, take your car in. Park it at the designated spot, lock the vehicle, apply the hand brake, and then head to the area for passengers. 2-3 minutes before arriving, come down to the car and be ready to take it out as soon as the destination is reached. This can help reduce delays, as vehicles are parked one behind the other.
We had booked our ferry ride around 5 pm. The ferry departed on time and reached Sobra Port around 5:45 pm. We took the car and reached our accommodation at Mljet.
Here is a picture of the lovely view from our apartment balcony in Mljet.
To book accommodation in Mljet, click here.
About Mljet:
Mljet is the southernmost and easternmost of the larger Adriatic islands of the Dalmatian region of Croatia. It is the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also the greenest and is largely untouched. Many species of plants, animals and birds have been found here, many of which are endemic to this area. Apart from its natural heritage, the place is also known for its cultural heritage. It is home to the 12th-century Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary and has a site with ruins of a Roman Palace. The main attraction in Mljet is the national park. It is about 20 km from Prapratno port and can be reached by ferry.
If you plan to stay in Dubrovnik, you can take a day trip to Mljet, which includes a Mljet National Park & 3 Islands Tour.
Day 4: Explore Mljet
Today was a relaxed day amid nature in Mljet Island’s calm, peaceful, and lovely atmosphere.
Exploring the small villages of Mljet Island:
Our destination was the national park, but we spent a couple of hours visiting small villages, beaches, and harbours before we reached the national park.
We visited the villages of Polače, Pomena, and Govedari. Each was lovely and provided plenty of photo opportunities with scenic backgrounds.
Then we reached the Mljet National Park.
Mljet National Park
Mljet National Park is the main attraction in Mljet. It is home to many species of plants and animals. Its rich flora and fauna, along with the beautiful lakes with emerald green waters and sapphire blue sea waters, have a calming effect on the senses and leave unforgettable impressions. The park can be accessed on foot or by bike. The main attractions in Mljet National Park are St. Mary Island, Bay Malo, and Bay Veliko Jezero.
Check out more information about the park on their official website.
How to access the Mljet National Park
There are many entrances to the national park. These are from Polače, Pomena, Mali Most and Vrbovica. If you plan to reach it by car, enter from Vrbovika. You can park free of charge there, and the ticketing office is a few steps away.
If you plan to stay for more days in Mljet and wish to visit the National Park multiple times, mention that in the ticketing office. You can pay once and visit multiple times. The ticket includes the ferry to St. Mary Island.
Bay Veliko Jezero:
Veliko Jezero is a bay inside the national park. The ferry to St Mary Island runs on it, and you can experience its crystal-clear water while on the boat to St. Mary Island.
St. Mary Island
St. Mary Island is a small island that can be reached by boat. Its main attraction is the 12th-century Benedictine Monastery. The current building is a two-storey Renaissance building bounded on both sides by a courtyard. The main driveway towards the courtyard has an arched corridor. The complex has a southeast corner tower, forming a defensive unit.
The church of St. Mary is located within the building complex and can be accessed.
We spent about 1 1/2 hours on the island. We visited the church, explored the surroundings and had a quick lunch at a restaurant on the island. My review of the restaurant is posted here.
After visiting the island, we took the boat and reached another port, from where we reached Bay Malo Jezero.
After exploring the rest of the national park on foot, we reached the parking lot, where we took our car and drove back to our apartment.
Check out this map to understand these locations in Mljet National Park:
Car Parking Spot: Govedari
Ticket Counter/Information Center: Pristaniste
Sv Marija: The Island with the church and Monastery
Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero: These are the two important lakes in the National Park.
One can easily spend a day at the Mljet National Park. It is vast and has plenty to offer to its visitors.
If you want to remove the hassle of planning your day at Mljet, you can also book a National Park Mljet Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik. This tour starts from Duvrovnik and allows you to explore the National Park Mljet and tour Big and Small Lake with a guide. You can also visit the island of St. Mary and discover its beautiful Benedictine Monastery.
Please note that there are many other places to explore in Mljet. Our local hosts recommended a few more places besides those we managed to visit during our short stay. These were Splunara Beaches, Uvala Sutmiholjska Beach, Kozarica Bay, Okuklje Bay, and Odysseus Cave. In addition, they suggested visiting the unexplored villages of Prožura, Maranovići, and Korita. If you have more days in Mljet, you could add these to your itinerary.
Day 5: Drive to Split; Explore Split
This morning, we drove down to Sobra Port in Mljet. From there, we took a ferry and reached Prapratno Port in about 45 minutes. From there, we started our drive to our next destination: Split.
I will soon post about the third leg of our holiday, so watch this space for more.
To read about other holiday destinations that we have visited as a family, click here.
Leave a Reply