Lokrum Island sits a 15-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik’s Old Town and is one of the most rewarding day trips in Croatia. a quiet protected nature reserve with a Game of Thrones filming location (the Iron Throne replica is on display), a saltwater “Dead Sea” lake you can swim in, Benedictine monastery ruins with a famous curse legend, and a peacock-filled royal botanical garden. It’s the standard escape when Dubrovnik’s walled Old Town gets too crowded, and for most visitors it’s an easy half-day or full-day add-on to a Dubrovnik trip.
This 2026 guide covers everything you need to plan a Lokrum Island day trip: the ferry from Old Town Port, current ticket prices and timetable, the eight things to actually do on the island (including the Iron Throne and the Dead Sea), where to eat, when to visit to dodge the crowds, and how Lokrum fits into a wider Dubrovnik trip.
Lokrum Island at a Glance
| Where | Adriatic Sea, ~600 m off Dubrovnik Old Town, Croatia |
| How to get there | Lokrum Ferry from Old Town Port (Stara Luka), 15 min each way |
| Ticket price (2026) | ~28 EUR adult. includes return ferry AND Nature Reserve entry |
| Where to buy tickets | Old Town Port ticket window, or via the official Lokrum Nature Reserve website |
| Ferry frequency | Every 30 min in summer (May-Sep); reduced shoulder season |
| Open season | April through October; closed in winter |
| How long to allow | 4-6 hours for a full visit; 2-3 hours for a quick highlights tour |
| Best for | Day-trippers from Dubrovnik, Game of Thrones fans, swimmers, botanical garden visitors |
| Don’t miss | The Iron Throne replica, the Dead Sea saltwater lake, Fort Royal viewpoint |
Is Lokrum Island Worth Visiting?
Yes. Lokrum Island is one of the few Dubrovnik day trips that’s genuinely worth the time for almost any traveller. The 15-minute ferry, 28 EUR ticket (which includes both transport and the nature reserve entry), and walkable scale make it a low-effort addition that delivers a meaningful change of pace from the Old Town crowds.
The island rewards visitors who want any of: a saltwater swim in a sheltered lake (the “Dead Sea”), a Game of Thrones filming location with the Iron Throne replica on display, a short historical walk among 12th-century Benedictine monastery ruins, a botanical garden with free-roaming peacocks, or a Fort Royal viewpoint with one of the best perspectives back on Dubrovnik’s walled Old Town. It’s a half-day visit on the minimum end, a full day for unhurried explorers.
How to Get to Lokrum Island from Dubrovnik
The only public way to reach Lokrum Island is the official Lokrum ferry from Dubrovnik Old Town Port (Stara Luka). There’s no other regular passenger service, and private boats and tour operators can pass by but generally cannot land. The ferry is operated by the Lokrum Nature Reserve and the ticket bundles transport with park entry.
The Lokrum Ferry from Old Town Port
The ferry runs from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Port (Stara Luka): the small harbour on the eastern side of the walled Old Town. Walk through Ploče Gate from the Stradun, head down the steps to the port, and the Lokrum ticket booth sits along the waterfront. The crossing takes about 15 minutes each way, and during peak season (May to September) ferries run roughly every 30 minutes from 9 AM to around 7 PM. Shoulder season (April, October) sees reduced frequency with departures every hour or so.
Tickets cost approximately 28 EUR per adult in 2026, which includes the return ferry crossing and entry to the Lokrum Nature Reserve. Children are typically discounted; check current pricing on the official Lokrum Nature Reserve website before travelling, as fees adjust seasonally. Tickets are sold at the port ticket booth on the day, but in peak summer it’s worth queuing early or buying online in advance to skip the line.
From Cavtat or Elsewhere on the Coast
There’s no direct ferry from Cavtat to Lokrum: visitors based in Cavtat or other coastal towns south of Dubrovnik need to first travel into Dubrovnik (regular Cavtat-Dubrovnik bus or ferry, about 45 min) and then take the Lokrum ferry from Old Town Port. From Cavtat, plan a full day for the round-trip Lokrum visit.
By Tour Boat or Private Boat
A handful of private boat tours of Dubrovnik and Game of Thrones boat tours include a Lokrum stop or sail past, but most cannot land on the island (Lokrum is a protected nature reserve with restricted access points). For booking tour options from Dubrovnik, browse GetYourGuide Dubrovnik tours for current GoT-themed and general boat trips.
Getting Around Lokrum Island
Lokrum is a walking island: no cars, no bicycles, just well-marked footpaths through the nature reserve. The island is small (about 0.7 km² / 0.27 mi²) and you can comfortably walk the full perimeter in 2-3 hours, or do the highlights loop in 90 minutes. The paths are mostly flat-to-gently-undulating; sturdy walking shoes or active sandals are fine.
The main landing point is the small harbour on the eastern side, where the ferry arrives. From there, signposted paths radiate to the Benedictine monastery (5 min walk), the Dead Sea (10 min), the Fort Royal viewpoint (20 min uphill), and the botanical garden (8 min). Allow 4-6 hours total for an unhurried visit covering all main sights with a lunch break.
What to Bring for a Day on Lokrum Island
A basic Lokrum packing list:
- Swimsuit + quick-dry towel: for the Dead Sea and the main swimming spots
- Water shoes: strongly recommended for the rocky shore around the Dead Sea and the swimming areas (the bottom is rocky-and-sharp in places)
- Sun protection: high SPF, hat, sunglasses; the island has minimal shade away from the wooded paths
- Water bottle: drinking water available at the restaurant only; bring your own for the walking sections
- Snacks. Lacroma Restaurant is the only food option on the island; bring snacks if you want flexibility
- Camera or phone: for the Iron Throne replica, peacocks, Fort Royal view, and the monastery ruins
- Lightweight walking shoes: flip-flops work for the harbour but proper shoes for the Fort Royal hike
8 Best Things to Do on Lokrum Island
Lokrum’s sights cluster into a handful of distinct attractions, all walkable from the main harbour. The eight worth knowing about, in roughly the order most visitors tackle them:
1. Float in the “Dead Sea” Saltwater Lake
The “Dead Sea” (Mrtvo More in Croatian) is a small saltwater lake on the southern end of Lokrum, connected to the open Adriatic through underground passages. The salinity isn’t quite as extreme as the actual Dead Sea in the Middle East, but the water is dense enough that floating feels noticeably effortless and the enclosed pool stays warm and sheltered from open-sea swell.
Water shoes help: the entry is rocky and slippery at points. The Dead Sea is the most family-friendly swim spot on the island; on a hot summer day expect a small crowd around midday but it’s wide enough to find your own corner.
2. Swim in the Adriatic
Beyond the Dead Sea, the island has a series of rocky entry points around the perimeter where visitors swim directly in the Adriatic. The water is clear and exceptionally blue (Croatian Adriatic colour at its best), and the deeper sections off the eastern shore are popular with snorkelers.
The FKK (naturist) beach sits on the eastern side and is well-signposted. visitors who’d prefer to avoid it can stick to the southern and western swim spots. Bring a quick-dry towel and water shoes; the entry points are rocky rather than sandy.
3. Explore the Benedictine Monastery Ruins (And the Curse Legend)
The Benedictine monastery on Lokrum dates from the 12th century and is the historical heart of the island. The ruins are surprisingly substantial. partial walls, the chapel structure, courtyards, and an excellent collection of architectural fragments. You can wander freely through the ruins and the surrounding gardens.
The monastery’s famous curse is the editorial differentiator most travel guides skip. In the 19th century the Benedictine monks were ordered to leave Lokrum after the island was sold by the Republic of Ragusa. According to local legend, the monks performed a final ritual on their last night. walking three times around the island with candles, then casting the candles into the sea and cursing whoever next owned Lokrum. Multiple subsequent owners (including Habsburg Archduke Maximilian, later Emperor of Mexico, who was executed in 1867) suffered notable misfortune. The story is a popular feature of guided monastery tours and the kind of editorial detail that turns a ruin into a memorable stop.
4. Sit on the Iron Throne (Game of Thrones)
Lokrum’s Benedictine monastery doubled as the city of Qarth in Game of Thrones Season 2, and HBO gifted the production a full-size replica of the Iron Throne after filming wrapped. The replica is on display inside the monastery building and is one of the few publicly accessible Iron Throne replicas in the world. Visitors can sit on it for the photo. the queue is rarely long and the keeper at the monastery is friendly.
Even non-GoT fans tend to stop for the Iron Throne photo. it’s the most photographed object on the island and a free add-on inside the monastery. For wider Dubrovnik Game of Thrones filming locations, GoT-themed walking tours of Dubrovnik cover the King’s Landing exteriors and the original tower locations.
5. Visit the Royal Botanical Garden (And Spot the Peacocks)
The Lokrum Royal Botanical Garden is a 19th-century arboretum established by Archduke Maximilian, featuring exotic species he imported from across the Mediterranean and beyond. The garden runs adjacent to the monastery and is one of the quieter corners of the island. shaded paths, mature exotic trees, and (most famously) free-roaming peacocks that wander the gardens and surrounding grounds.
The peacocks are descendants of birds introduced by Maximilian in the 1850s and have multiplied to a small permanent population. They’re approachable but wild; don’t try to touch them but they’ll happily pose for photos. A small spring called Charlotte’s Well sits near the gardens. named for Maximilian’s wife Empress Carlota (Charlotte) of Mexico and worth a brief stop for the historical context.
6. Hike to Fort Royal for the View
Fort Royal is a 19th-century Napoleonic fortification on the highest point of Lokrum, built by the French during their brief occupation of the Ragusa region (1806-1813). The fort itself is a partially restored stone structure, but the real draw is the panoramic view from the hilltop: Dubrovnik’s walled Old Town to the north, the wider Adriatic to the south, and the surrounding islands.
The hike up is moderate. about 20 minutes uphill from the harbour on a well-marked path with some stone steps. Wear proper shoes; the path is fine for most fitness levels but a few sections are uneven. This is the photo stop most Lokrum visitors remember.
7. Have Lunch at Lacroma Restaurant
Lacroma Restaurant is the only sit-down food option on Lokrum and sits just inside the monastery complex with outdoor terrace seating. The menu is standard Adriatic. grilled fish, calamari, salads, pasta. with a wine list focused on Croatian Pelješac and Korčula reds. Prices are slightly higher than mainland Dubrovnik but reasonable given the captive-audience setting, and the food quality is honest rather than refined.
A casual alternative: pack a picnic in Dubrovnik before the ferry and eat at one of the shaded benches near the monastery or by the Dead Sea. Lokrum allows picnicking; just pack out everything you bring in.
8. Walk the Perimeter Path
If you have time beyond the marquee stops, the full perimeter path circles the entire island in 2-3 hours. The route passes hidden swim spots, the FKK beach, the eastern cliffs, and the western shoreline back to the harbour. It’s the way to feel like you’ve actually visited Lokrum rather than just ticked off the highlights. and the quietest stretches see almost no other visitors even in peak season.
Lokrum Island Tickets, Hours & Practical Info
Ticket price (2026): approximately 28 EUR per adult, which includes the round-trip ferry from Dubrovnik Old Town Port AND entry to the Lokrum Nature Reserve. Children and concession tickets are available; verify current pricing on the official Lokrum Nature Reserve website before travelling.
Where to buy: the ticket booth at Dubrovnik’s Old Town Port (Stara Luka) handles same-day purchases. Online advance purchase via the official Lokrum site is recommended in peak summer to avoid queues.
Opening hours: the island is open April through October, with summer ferries running 9 AM to 7 PM and shoulder-season schedules reduced. Lokrum is closed for the winter season (November-March); plan around this if you’re visiting Dubrovnik out of season.
Restrictions: Lokrum is a protected nature reserve. No overnight stays are allowed (the legend says no one can sleep on the island overnight because of the curse. strictly enforced by park rules), no pets, no fires, no camping. Smoking is restricted to designated areas. Drone use is prohibited.
Facilities: one restaurant (Lacroma), a few basic snack kiosks in season, public toilets near the harbour and monastery, no ATM or formal information desk. Cell signal is decent but patchy in some interior sections.
When to Visit Lokrum Island
Best months: May-June and September-early October. The water is warm enough for swimming (around 22-24°C), the ferry runs reliably, and the crowds are noticeably smaller than mid-summer peak. The botanical garden is in full bloom in May and the Adriatic is at its bluest in September.
July-August: peak season. Lokrum gets crowded midday when Dubrovnik cruise ship and tour bus groups arrive together. Visit early (catch the 9 AM first ferry) or late afternoon (post-4 PM, after the day-tripper rush leaves) for a substantially quieter experience. The water is warmest (around 25-26°C) and the days are longest.
April and late October: shoulder season. Cooler water (around 18-20°C, swim-able for some but bracing), reduced ferry frequency, fewer crowds. Worth visiting for the walking and the historical sights even if swimming isn’t the priority.
November-March: closed. Lokrum is not accessible during winter. the ferry doesn’t run and the nature reserve is closed to visitors.
Combining Lokrum with Other Croatian Stops
Lokrum Island works as a half-day add-on to a wider Croatia trip rather than a destination in itself. If you’re using Dubrovnik as a base, the natural pairings are:
- Dubrovnik Old Town itself: walk the walls, explore the Stradun, and the rest of the obvious sights
- Dubrovnik beaches. Banje Beach and Lapad Bay are the closest swims if Lokrum doesn’t fit the schedule
- Hvar: the popular second island base, accessible by ferry from Split (4 hours from Dubrovnik by bus)
- Split: the larger Dalmatian coast city, the main hub for ferries up the Croatian coast
- Croatian island hopping: the longer multi-island Adriatic route via Hvar, Brač, Korčula, and the smaller islands
For onward transport from Dubrovnik. buses to Split or up the coast, ferries to Hvar and other Croatian islands, and airport transfers. Bookaway aggregates the major operators in one search with comparable prices and instant confirmation.
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Where to Stay in Dubrovnik Near the Lokrum Ferry
The Lokrum ferry leaves from Dubrovnik’s Old Town Port, so anyone staying inside or close to the walled Old Town is within easy walking distance. The Old Town is the obvious base for a Dubrovnik trip generally. pricier than the suburbs but unmatched for atmosphere and walking access to the Lokrum ferry, the city walls, and the main restaurants.
Dubrovnik Old Town accommodation ranges from boutique guesthouses inside the walls to mid-range hotels just outside the Pile Gate. For broader options and lower prices, wider Dubrovnik hotels covers the Lapad and Babin Kuk peninsulas (better for beach access, 10-15 minutes by bus to Old Town).
Quick neighbourhood guide:
- Old Town: best for atmosphere and Lokrum-ferry walking access; smallest rooms, highest prices
- Pile / Ploče (just outside the walls). best mid-range value with 5-10 min walks to Old Town
- Lapad / Babin Kuk: best for beach access, larger hotels, lower prices; 15-20 min bus to Old Town and the Lokrum ferry
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Lokrum Island from Dubrovnik?
The Lokrum Ferry runs from Dubrovnik Old Town Port (Stara Luka) every 30 minutes during summer season (May-September). Tickets are roughly 28 EUR including park entry and can be bought at the port ticket booth or in advance via the official Lokrum Nature Reserve website.
Is Lokrum Island worth visiting?
Yes. it’s a 15-minute ferry from Dubrovnik with a saltwater “Dead Sea” lake, a Game of Thrones filming location with the Iron Throne replica, Benedictine monastery ruins (with a famous curse legend), and a peacock-filled royal botanical garden. A reliable half-day or full-day escape from Dubrovnik’s Old Town crowds.
How much is a Lokrum Island ticket?
Around 28 EUR per adult in 2026, which includes both the return ferry crossing and Lokrum Nature Reserve entry. Children are discounted. Verify current pricing on the official Lokrum site before travelling, as fees adjust seasonally.
How long does the Lokrum Island ferry take?
Approximately 15 minutes each way, with departures every 30 minutes during peak season (May-September) and reduced frequency in shoulder season.
Was Lokrum Island in Game of Thrones?
Yes. Lokrum’s Benedictine monastery served as the city of Qarth in Game of Thrones Season 2. A replica of the Iron Throne (made by HBO and gifted to Lokrum after filming) is on display inside the monastery building, and visitors can sit on it for the photo.
Is there an entrance fee for Lokrum Island?
Yes. Lokrum is a protected Nature Reserve and an entrance fee applies, normally bundled with the ferry ticket (~28 EUR combined in 2026). The fee supports preservation of the island’s flora, fauna, and historical sites.
What’s the Lokrum Island curse?
Local legend holds that in the 19th century, Benedictine monks performed a ritual on their last night on Lokrum before being forced to leave. walking three times around the island with candles, casting them into the sea, and cursing whoever next owned the island. Several subsequent owners (including Archduke Maximilian, later Emperor of Mexico) suffered notable misfortune. The story is a popular feature of guided monastery tours.
Can you stay overnight on Lokrum Island?
No. overnight stays on Lokrum are strictly prohibited, partly enforced by the nature reserve rules and partly because of the local belief that the monks’ curse means no one can sleep on the island. Visitors must return to Dubrovnik on the last ferry of the day.
Final Thoughts
A Lokrum day trip is one of the more rewarding short escapes from Dubrovnik. a 15-minute ferry buys access to a saltwater swim lake, a Game of Thrones filming location, a 12th-century monastery with a memorable curse legend, and a botanical garden full of peacocks. The 28 EUR ticket is reasonable for what’s included, the walking scale is forgiving, and the half-day commitment fits most Dubrovnik itineraries.
If you’re building a wider Croatia trip around the Dubrovnik base, the natural extensions are the rest of Dubrovnik’s old town and walls, the city’s mainland beaches, Hvar Island as the popular onward island, Split as the larger Dalmatian coast hub, and the wider Croatian highlights loop for first-time visitors. Our broader Croatia places-to-visit guide covers the longer-trip context.
Are you planning a Lokrum visit on a Dubrovnik trip? What’s the one question we haven’t covered?
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