My husband and I and 2 friends have 4 nights to spend together in the Dubrovnik area before we all need to go our separate ways. My initial thought was to spend 2 nights in Dubrovnik, then 2 nights in Mljet. However, I'm having problems finding accommodation in Dubrovnik for fewer than 3 nights (or they'll let you do fewer than 3 nights but charge you 30% more per night, on top of already high prices). So, I'm wondering whether it would be easier to just spend all 4 nights in Dubrovnik, and take day trips from there instead- maybe 1 day to Mljet and then 1 day to the Elaphiti islands. I am torn on what to do because Mljet looks lovely, and only spending 5 or 6 hours there may not be enough. However, on the other hand, I am wondering whether Mljet is very romantic and without anything to do in the evenings, which isn't really great for a group of friends who like to go out at night. We like hiking, swimming, biking, etc., but also like lively dinners and evenings. Dubrovnik seems great, but pretty expensive and touristy (especially in mid-July), so perhaps that's not the best place to spend 4 nights! Does anyone have any advice on this?
If you are into hiking and swimming, i would say that Mljet deserves more than a day trip. Me and my girlfriend spend two nights there, in Polace, the town closest to the national park and the lakes. There are a few restaurants along the habour front, so it is not completely dead, but i doubt you will find any nightlife there, but if you are ok with having a nice dinner and a few bottles of wine in your own company, you will be fine. The town is just one street along the water, so it is quite small.
I would go for 3 nights in Dubrovnik and one on Mljet. Dubrovnik is great, but very touristy. however i did not find Dubrovnik that exspensive. Sure it is pricier than other places in Croatia, but still ok compared to other major tourist destinations in Europe.
Yes, it would be ideal to stay 3 nights in Dubrovnik (saturday, sunday, monday) and 1 night in Mljet (tuesday)- but the problem is that we would have to leave Mljet with the morning catamaran on wednesday to catch our flights on wednesday afternoon. So, it would mean taking the morning catamaran from Dubrovnik on tuesday, and being in Mljet from Tuesday around 10:30 until Wednesday at 6:15 (less than 24 hours). That doesn't provide too much more hiking/biking/swimming time in Mljet than if we just went for the day (Tuesday 10:30 until 17:00, when the afternoon catamaran leaves). I don't see any transportation that would allow us to leave Mljet later than 6:15 and still catch a 15:30 flight out of Dubrovnik the same day.
Perhaps my best bet is to find accommodation in Dubrovnik that will allow less than 3 nights? Any tips on that?
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