LOKRUM ISLAND GUIDE: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING

Planning a trip to Dubrovnik and thinking about visiting Lokrum Island? You’re in the right place!

Dubrovnik is stunning, but it also gets extremely crowded, especially in summer. Lokrum Island, just a short boat ride away, is the perfect escape when you want a break from the busy streets of Old Town. It’s a small island full of nature, history, and hidden corners you just need to explore. After spending many summers in Dubrovnik, I’ve put together this detailed guide to Lokrum Island so you’ll know exactly how to get there, what to do, and why it’s worth a spot on your itinerary!

WHERE IS LOKRUM ISLAND

Lokrum Island is a small island in the Adriatic Sea right next to Dubrovnik, which already makes it one of the best day trips from the Old Town. The island is home to pine forests, botanical gardens, and rocky shores. It also has a few historic sites worth visiting. Lokrum Island is a protected nature reserve, so people usually come here to hike, swim, and enjoy picnics among the peacocks and rabbits that freely wander around.

LOKRUM ISLAND TICKETS

Tickets for Lokrum Island cost €30 per person, or €5 for children. The price includes both the ferry ride to the island and the entrance fee. Since Lokrum is a protected bioreserve with unique forest vegetation, that’s one of the reasons the tickets are on the pricier side.

You can buy your tickets online through the official website or directly at Dubrovnik’s Old Harbor, where the ferry departs. If you don’t need a physical ticket, it’s easier to grab them online. You can buy them in advance for the day you want. But if you like small keepsakes, the paper ticket from the harbor makes for a fun little souvenir!

HOW TO GET TO LOKRUM ISLAND FROM DUBROVNIK

There are 2 popular ways of getting to Lokrum. one is really easy and the other a bit more active.

LOKRUM ISLAND FERRY

The easiest and most popular way to get to Lokrum is by the island’s official ferry. The ride takes only about 10 minutes, and during the summer season, boats leave every half hour. The ferry departs from Dubrovnik’s Old Harbor, right outside the Old Town walls, so it’s very easy to find. Keep in mind these aren’t big boats, so in peak summer you might need to wait longer than 30 minutes to board, especially on the way back from Lokrum to Dubrovnik in the afternoon. Here’s a picture of the exact schedule so you can plan your trip!

KAYAKING TO LOKRUM

If you’re up for a more active adventure, you can kayak from Dubrovnik’s Old Town to Lokrum Island. The trip usually takes around 2–2.5 hours and includes a stop at Betina cave where you can take a swim. Just keep in mind that these tours don’t actually stop on Lokrum itself, you’ll only get to see the island from the sea. If you want to explore the island, you have to take the ferry.

IS LOKRUM ISLAND WORTH VISITING

If it’s within your budget, Lokrum Island is absolutely worth visiting. Since it’s only a quick 10-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik, you’ll get a new experience without much effort. Even though many visitors go there, the island’s size makes it feel far less crowded than the Old Town. That’s why Lokrum is perfect if you need a peaceful escape. Once there, you can wander through beautiful nature, swim in hidden spots, explore historic ruins, and enjoy the company of free-roaming peacocks and rabbits. Lokrum is a wonderful choice for anyone who loves nature, swimming, hiking, photography, or history.

LOKRUM BARS AND RESTAURANTS

Facilities on Lokrum are fairly limited, but you’ll still find a few bars and restaurants if you’d like to grab a drink or meal during your visit. The most popular spot is Cocktail Bar Lake because it’s located right by the rocky beaches and the Dead Sea. It’s the perfect place for enjoying refreshments between swims. Near the monastery, you’ll find Rajski Vrt, a beautiful restaurant with a lovely setting. There’s also Lacroma Restaurant just a short walk away. Lacroma also runs a small snack bar by the port. There, you can pick up drinks or quick bites when you first arrive or before heading back to Dubrovnik.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE ON LOKRUM ISLAND

Explore the Benedictine Monastery

One of the most beautiful buildings on Lokrum Island is the Benedictine Monastery. It was built in the 11th century and it was an important site until the 19th century. Today, you can explore the ruins, including the cloisters, stone arches, and a small museum that shares the island’s history and legends. One of the most famous legends is that the monks left a curse on the island before leaving, warning that misfortune would befall anyone who tried to claim Lokrum for themselves.

Discover Game of Thrones Locations

Lokrum Island was also one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones. The Benedictine Monastery, which I mentioned earlier, doubled as the city of Qarth in season 2. Inside the monastery, you can even find a replica of the Iron Throne, where you can take a fun photo. The Botanical Gardens were used for many outdoor scenes, so make sure to take a stroll through them while you’re on the island.

Climb Fort Royal

If you’re up for an active day trip, climb Fort Royal. This big stone fort sits at the highest point on Lokrum Island, and the hike up is one of the best ways to see the island. The path is mostly shaded by pine and cypress trees and takes about 15–20 minutes from the harbor area. It’s a steady incline, but not too hard. At the top, you’ll find the 19th-century Napoleonic fort and enjoy panoramic views over Dubrovnik and the Adriatic!

Swim in the Croatian Dead Sea

The Dead Sea on Lokrum is a small, saltwater pool connected to the Adriatic through underground channels. Locals call it “Mrtvo more” (Dead Sea) because it’s calm, warm, and saltier than the open sea, so it’s super easy to float. It’s not as salty as the real Dead Sea in the Middle East, but it’s still a fun and unique swim spot.

It’s perfect for families since it’s sheltered and fairly shallow, though it can get crowded during the day. If you wait until late afternoon, you might even get some solo swims. These photos were taken around 6 p.m. There’s also Cocktail Bar Lake nearby if you want a drink while relaxing by the water.

Take Photos at the Hidden Cove “Buza na Lokrumu”

While on Lokrum, don’t miss the Hidden Cove, also known as Buža. It’s one of those little gems you find if you wander off the main trails, with jagged limestone cliffs framing crystal-clear water.

Buža is located on the edge of the island, not far from the Dead Sea. To reach it, look up “the hidden cove Lokrum” on Google maps. You’ll follow narrow, rocky paths down to the water. The path can be steep and the rocks are sharp, so it’s not for everyone and definitely wear good shoes!

Visit the Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens on Lokrum are one of the island’s most peaceful spots, so they’re a must-see. They were established in 1959 and include over 500 plant species from around the world, including palms, agaves, cacti, eucalyptus, and succulents.

Stick to the shaded paths so you don’t disturb the plants. The greenery looks beautiful, and the free-roaming peacocks are the real highlight. They are friendly and often stop for photos, so you can take some unique shots.

Meet the Peacocks and Rabbits

I’ve already mentioned how Lokrum is a nature reserve, so everything is kept as untouched as possible. Because of that, peacocks and rabbits are some of the main attractions. They roam freely all over the island, and you’ll hear them plenty.

If you don’t see any while walking, you can usually find peacocks around the Benedictine Monastery ruins, the Botanical Gardens, and the nearby football fields. Rabbits are often spotted in the grassy clearings and shaded areas along the main paths. You can interact with them, but don’t feed them, as it’s not allowed.

Relax on Lokrum Beaches

Lokrum has a very rocky coast, so there are no sandy or pebbly beaches. Most of the beaches are flat stone slabs or natural rock shelves that form little platforms along the water. They’re great for sunbathing and jumping into the sea, but if you prefer a gentle, sandy entrance, Lokrum isn’t the place for you. The water is incredibly clear, and the best time to enjoy it is early morning or late afternoon, as it can get crowded during the day.

Some popular swimming spots are the southwest coast near the Dead Sea, the eastern shore facing Dubrovnik, and a FKK beach on the southeastern side for more privacy.

WHAT TO BRING TO LOKRUM ISLAND

I’ve mentioned before that Lokrum is a nature reserve, and the island keeps infrastructure to a minimum to protect its plants and animals. Because of this, there are a few things you should bring with you to make your visit more comfortable.

• Comfortable walking shoes – many paths on the island are uneven stone or dirt. With a good pair of shoes, you won’t have any problems exploring any part of the island.
• Swimwear – if you feel like swimming in the Dead Sea or one of the rocky beaches
• Towel or mat – sunbathing on rocks isn’t the most comfortable, so I’d recommend bringing a mat, or at least a thicker beach towel.
• Water shoes – I highly recommend water shoes for Croatia in general, but Lokrum especially. They’ll protect your feet when entering the water from rocky edges.
• Sun protection – bring sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. Shade is limited on the rocks near the sea, but you can find some if you go further into the island to some of the bars or benches.
• Reusable water bottle – if you don’t want to spend money on drinks, bring a reusable water bottle because there are a few taps on the island where you can fill up your bottle.
• Snacks or picnic lunch – there is a restaurant on the island, but the food isn’t wow and it’s quite pricey so bringing your own food gives you more freedom and helps you save money.
• Camera or phone – make sure you have a way of taking photos of the peacocks, monastery ruins, and panoramic views from Fort Royal.
• Small backpack – this way you can bring everything you need and the backpack keeps your hands free for climbing to the fort or descending to hidden coves.

CONCLUSION: LOKRUM ISLAND

Now that you know all about Lokrum Island, go ahead and plan out your perfect day trip to this lovely island. Whether you want to relax, learn a bit of history, or experience some active adventure, Lokrum has something for everyone, so get ready to make unforgettable memories just minutes from Dubrovnik!