Off the jagged coast of Dubrovnik, the beautiful island of Lokrum stands sentinel, looking out over the Adriatic Sea. Providing additional protection to the natural harbour and thick Old Town walls, this garden island is home to no permanent citizens – unless you count the peacocks.
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If you spend any time in Dubrovnik, you may wonder about visiting Lokrum Island, Croatia: what’s out there? What can you do on a day trip? Is there really a nudist beach? Here’s a guide to visiting Lokrum Island, a short ferry ride from Dubrovnik.
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Is Lokrum Island Worth Visiting?
The short answer is yes, Lokrum Island is definitely worth visiting if you are in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It is easily accessible by ferry and offers stunning scenery, including a botanical garden, rocky beaches, and lush green forests.
The island is also home to several peacocks, rabbits, and other wildlife, making it a great place for nature lovers to explore. Visitors can explore the Benedictine Monastery and its gardens, as well as several hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. It’s a fantastic day trip destination from Dubrovnik, offering plenty of natural beauty and historical landmarks to explore.
Now, let’s get into more details!
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How to Get to Lokrum Island from Dubrovnik
Lokrum Island Ferry
Unless you have your own boat or kayak, there’s only one way to visit the island: by ferry from Dubrovnik to Lokrum. The ferries leave throughout the day on a set schedule, and the fare is 27 Euro ($29.85US) per person both ways. You can buy Lokrum ferry tickets at the ticketing booth labelled “Lokrum Ferry” as you enter the port from the Old Town, or purchase them online.
Official ferries have permission to run from the main pier in the harbour to the only pier on Lokrum Island, which is by far the easiest way to get to and from the island.
The ferry to Lokrum Island takes 10 mins and leaves on the hour from Dubrovnik Old Town port. During the high season, the last ferry back to Dubrovnik is at 8pm while during low season, it’s at 4 pm. Outside of the ferry hours, it may also be possible to arrange a taxi boat to Lokrum Island.
Note that the Lokrum-Dubrovnik ferry only runs from April to November, making the island inaccessible during the winter months.
Getting Around Lokrum Island
No cars are permitted on Lokrum, so you should be prepared to walk everywhere. The island isn’t big (1.5 miles long), but it can have uneven terrain. Wear a pair of reasonable walking shoes, and be sure to bring water if it’s a hot day.
What to Bring for a Day on Lokrum Island
Here’s what you should throw in your bag for the day:
- Bottled water
- Sunscreen
- Water shoes
- Swimsuit
- Sunglasses
- Cover-Up
- Snacks
- A Waterproof Case for Your Phone
Once your bags are packed and you’re on the ferry, it’s time to enjoy a day trip from ‘bustling’ city life in Dubrovnik.
Best Things to do on Lokrum Island
Despite being a small island, one that’s expected to have limited options for entertainment, Lokrum actually has many interesting sights and activities. The entire island has maps along all of the walking routes, so you can choose what to see and do.
Keep in mind that this island is a nature reserve, so there are some rules to follow. Damage to natural or cultural aspects of the reserve, such as littering, smoking, or any type of fire, is prohibited. Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore the whole island since you will not be able to stay overnight.
1. Float in the ‘Dead Sea’
One of the most popular spots for visitors to Lokrum Island is the small, shallow salt lake located near the center of the island, known as Lokrum’s Dead Sea. This highly saline lake won’t make you quite as buoyant as the Dead Sea in Israel/Jordan, but it’s still a fun experience.
2. Go Swimming in the Sea
As mentioned above, there is a nudist beach on the southern coast of the island; if you’re not up for that, you can still take a dip on the eastern side of the island. There are some easy access points to jump in the water (and ladders to help you climb out), and you can enjoy some sun or shade depending on the time of day.
3. Step Back in Time Among Benedictine Monastery Ruins
In the center of the island, you can explore the ruins of a 12th/13th-century basilica and a 15th-century monastery. These ruins (some of which date back as far as 1023 AD) are currently under restoration efforts, but if they’re open, you can spend some time learning about the history of the island and the Benedictine monks who lived there.
4. Hike to Fort Royal
Located on the island’s highest point, Fort Royal is a former French garrison that looks out over all of Lokrum and has great views of Dubrovnik too. It’s a gentle slope but a moderate difficulty hike from sea level to the top, but the views (and the small sea breeze that you can feel) makes it worth it.
5. Feel like (Medieval) Royalty
Lokrum is home to beautiful botanical gardens and many peacocks because the island was once the holiday home of Archduke Maximilian Ferdinand of Habsburg. You can explore these areas of the island to get a sense of why royalty would want to spend their holidays here too.
The most beautiful botanical garden was constructed at Maximilian’s palace, and the Gothic-Renaissance monastery complex next door to the palace has cloister gardens beautifully surrounded by portico arches. It’s no wonder scenes for Game of Thrones were filmed here – it’s stunning.
6. Enjoy Lunch
Since Lokrum has no permanent residents, there aren’t a ton of amenities on the island, but you can enjoy lunch at a few cafes. Most offer both ala carte and prix fixe menus, and you can watch rabbits, peahens, and baby peacocks sneak between the tables and look for crumbs in the outdoor cafe.
7. Visit the Iron Throne
A must for any Game of Thrones fan visiting Lokrum Island is to sit on the Iron Throne replica located inside Lokrum Visitor’s Center on the island. You’ll find info about the filming, a map of filming locations in the area, and most importantly, an opportunity to sit on the throne for a fun photo opportunity.
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READ MORE: 15 Best Dubrovnik Beaches Worth Visiting
Want to Stay Longer? Places to Stay in Dubrovnik near the Lokrum Ferry
There are no hotels or accommodations on Lokrum – the Croatian government doesn’t allow anyone to stay on the island overnight.
Instead, you’ll have to catch the last ferry back to Dubrovnik. If you’re planning a trip and know you want to visit Lokrum, it may make sense to stay close to the ferry in the Dubrovnik Old Town. Here are some good options.
- Old Town Studio (from $78 /night) – This newly renovated studio apartment with a private bathroom is located in the heart of Dubrovnik Old Town, just 30m from the Dubrovnik Cathedral and Rector’s Palace. The apartment is steps away from Old Town Harbour, where you can rent a taxi boat to Lokrum Island.
- Liberty Town Center Rooms (from $130/night) – Situated within 2.2 km of Lokrum Beach and a few steps of Orlando Column, Liberty Town Center Rooms Double rooms are equipped with air conditioning and a private bathroom. The rooms feature clean, modern decor and are located just a few blocks from the Lokrum Island ferry.
- The Pucic Palace (from $450/night) – One of the few hotels in Old Town, the Pucic Palace is a luxury accommodation option within walking distance to the Lokrum Island ferry. The rooms at this hotel have beautiful antique decor and overlook the Old Town square. Guests staying at The Pucić Palace also enjoy complimentary access to the exclusive Banje Beach. It’s located just 600 m from the hotel.
- Apartment & Rooms Stay (from $155/night) – Just a 7 minute walk from Banje Beach, this hotel offers affordable, newly renovated rooms in the middle of Old Town Dubrovnik. You can choose from either rooms or apartments with fully equipped kitchens.
Have you ever visited Lokrum Island from Dubrovnik? What is your favourite thing to do on Lokrum?
About the Author: Valerie Stimac Bailey of Valerie & Valise grew up in Alaska, so it’s no surprise she loves sharing stories from there and the rest of the American West. On her blog, you can find resources to have unforgettable experiences throughout the western U.S. including California, Hawaii, and yes, The Last Frontier.
