If you are planning a holiday in the Dubrovnik area, I recommend checking out Mlini and Srebreno — two charming villages located about 11–12 km south of Dubrovnik.
Recently, I visited the Dubrovnik area and stayed in Mlini, which turned out to be a fantastic experience. The village is incredibly relaxing, while still offering easy access to Dubrovnik. During my stay, I also spent time in the neighbouring village of Srebreno.
I recorded the video below to give you a feel for the relaxed vibe in both places.
Mlini
Mlini is a village whose history revolves around milling — hence the name Mlini means “mills.” Freshwater springs flowing from the karst hills above made it an ideal location for a thriving milling industry.
At its peak in the 19th century, grain and olives were milled here, sourced mainly from regional producers. Ships even arrived from as far away as Ukraine to have their grain processed.
In the 15th century, Mlini also supplied Dubrovnik with fresh water. Two boats regularly travelled between the village and the city, providing Dubrovnik with this vital resource.
Today, the freshwater springs are still present, but the only remaining evidence of the milling industry is a single mill beside the estuary of the spring in the heart of the village. This mill is shaded by a magnificent 264-year-old tree, which has become a well-known landmark of Mlini.
Nowadays, the main “industry” in Mlini is tourism.
Holiday in Mlini: What You Should Know
I found Mlini to be an amazing place for relaxing, with a wonderfully tranquil vibe along the waterfront. You’ll find restaurants and cafés lining the seaside promenade, and at the eastern end of the village stands the main Hotel Astarea.
Mlini is built on a steep slope, with part of the village on the waterside of the main road and the other part (such as Vrelo, where we stayed) on the opposite side. Because of this, you may need to climb stairs to reach the beach or the riva. We counted more than 100 steps from our accommodation.
You can drive down to the waterfront, but public parking is very limited.
Getting Around
We used Uber and Bolt to get to Dubrovnik, Cavtat, and the airport. The service worked well, though there was occasionally some waiting time. From the main road, Libertas buses also run regularly to Dubrovnik and other destinations.
From the port in Mlini, frequent boats sail to Dubrovnik’s Old Town harbour for €10 one way. There are also boats to Cavtat.
Beaches
There are two larger pebble beaches: Astarea Beach at the eastern end and Mlini Beach at the western end. At Astarea Beach, you can rent deck chairs and easily access the facilities of Hotel Astarea.
Hiking
From Mlini, pleasant hiking paths lead to the neighbouring villages of Soline and Prat. You can also walk to the 17th-century Bettera Summer Home (Ljetnikovac Bettera), the atmospheric ruins of a Renaissance building along the waterfront of Župa Bay.
Practical Tips
- There is a Studenac supermarket on the main road. For larger shopping, head to the K Center subcity mall in Srebreno.
- In addition to Hotel Astarea, apartments are the most common accommodation. There are also quite a few villas with pools above the main road.
Who Should Visit Mlini?
Mlini is a great holiday destination for middle-aged couples and families with older children. I would not recommend it for families with toddlers or teenagers looking for constant action.
Choose Mlini if you’re seeking a peaceful and relaxing holiday in a calm setting. If you prefer lots of activities and lively entertainment, another location might suit you better.
Srebreno
Srebreno lies just west of Mlini; although the two villages are essentially contiguous, the vibe in Srebreno is different from that of Mlini.
Srebreno began as a modest village of fishermen and labourers tied to Dubrovnik’s economy and development, and later became a favoured retreat where the city’s noble and wealthy families built villas and castles for summer recreation.
The tourist development of the neighbouring Kupari in the 20th century spilled over to Srebreno, which is why Srebreno today is a family-friendly resort village.
Holiday in Srebreno: What You Should Know
Srebreno lies just west of Mlini. Although the two villages are essentially contiguous, the vibe in Srebreno is different from that in Mlini.
Like Mlini, Srebreno is located on a slope, but it is less steep, so getting down to the beach is easier.
The Waterfront & Beach
The Riva / waterfront in Srebreno is basically one long beach, divided by a few concrete bridges. Along the waterfront, there is a wide walking path with several restaurants and coffee bars with seaside terraces.
What I was not aware of before our recent visit was that the beach is actually a semi-sandy beach with shallow water. Where we entered the water, there was 1-2 meters of pebbles, but after that you had the finest sandy bottom.
Holiday in Srebreno: What You Should Know
Srebreno lies just west of Mlini. Although the two villages are essentially contiguous, the vibe in Srebreno is different from that in Mlini.
Like Mlini, Srebreno is located on a slope, but it is less steep, so getting down to the beach is easier.
The Waterfront & Beach
The Riva / waterfront in Srebreno is basically one long beach, divided by a few concrete bridges. Along the waterfront, there is a wide walking path with several restaurants and coffee bars with seaside terraces.
What I was not aware of before our recent visit was that the beach is actually a semi-sandy beach with shallow water. Where we entered the water, there was 1-2 meters of pebbles, but after that you had the finest sandy bottom.
Who Should Visit Srebreno?
Srebreno is a perfect holiday spot for families. The semi-sandy beach with shallow water is great for kids of all ages.
Srebreno is also an ideal place for a relaxing beach holiday, where you can spend most of your time within a 500-metre radius.
Teenagers might find it relatively quiet in the evening, but there is actually a nice atmosphere at the bars and cafés along the coast.
Things to See and Do
Day Trips from Mlini / Srebreno
I would recommend the following day trips from Mlini/Srebreno:
- Of course, a visit to the Old Town in Dubrovnik should be top of the list. I would also highly recommend a visit to Cavtat.
- Lokrum Island, just off the coast of Dubrovnik — bring swimsuits and swim in the Dead Sea or have lunch at the Monastery.
- Visit Trebinje in Bosnia. If you have kids, spend a day at Grad Sunca, a water and dino park.
- If you like wine, visit the Vardia Vineyard.
My Final Thoughts
If you are considering a holiday in Dubrovnik, you should definitely consider Mlini and Srebreno as an alternative base. From here, you can still easily enjoy days and evenings in Dubrovnik.
Both villages have a real holiday vibe. Days here are centred around the beaches, while evenings are spent at the bars and restaurants along the coast.
We had dinners and drinks in both places, and prices were lower than in the centre of Dubrovnik.
When booking accommodation, keep the slopes (and stairs) in mind — especially if you plan to bring a lot of stuff to the beach every day.
