Lokrum Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik
- Izy Douglas
- Jan 17, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 15
The island of Lokrum sits 600m away from Dubrovnik Old Town. Stretching northwest to south east, it can be seen from everywhere along the Dubrovnik area of the Adriatic coast line. Lokrum is famous for its greenery and natural rugged landscape, including the wild peacocks brought over by Maximilian from the Canary Islands! There are a few ways to get to Lokrum; by kayak, by private boat tour, or by ferry. This post will help you to plan a day trip from Dubrovnik Old Town to Lokrum, and let you know all about the activities that you can get up to on the island.
Travelling to Lokrum Island
Ferry Location
The Lokrum Ferry arrives and departs from the old port in Dubrovnik. The main ferry is called Lokrum Grad Dubrovnik. However, the boat that runs between Dubrovnik and Cavtat also stops off at Lokrum Island occasionally.
Ferry Times
Travelling to Lokrum Island is easy. During the summer months there are regular ferries (every 15 to 30 minutes) from 9am to 7pm. The ferry ride takes approximately 15 minutes making it a very quick and pleasant journey. Here is a link to the official ferry times by month.
Prices
One adult foot passenger ticket to Lokrum Island is 150 Kuna (about £17.50). All tickets are return, as no one is allowed to stay on the island overnight. I am unsure of the exact prices for children, however, I am sure it is less than the adult price. Ferry tickets have to be purchased on the day from the old town port area from the vendor inside the large green door opposite the Poklisar restaurant.
Lokrum Island Activities
Lokrum Island is full of adventurous activities. Listed on this sign is also The Church of the Annunciation, which we did not get a chance to visit. On the island there is also a great play area and football pitch for children to play in behind the main beach. Here are the seven activities that we really enjoyed on the island:
1. The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea on Lokrum Island, called the Mrtvo more is a very popular destination when visiting. In the summer months the water can attract crowds of people wanting to take a dip, as due to the high salt content of the water, it is alike to swimming in the real Dead Sea, i.e. easier to float and swim. We caught one of the first ferries to the island and headed here first, and unbelievably it was already beginning to feel busy. I imagine it is much quieter outside of peak tourist times, but would therefore recommend arriving here as early as possible if you want to call it base for the day. There is a café/bar to the right of the Dead Sea at the top of the stairs, with comfortable lounge seating overlooking the rocks.
2. Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden on Lokrum is a beautiful place to visit! Most of the plant species here were planted in the 19th century by Maximilian who used to own the island. The area was established as an official botanical garden in 1959. There are around 800 species of plants, both native and imported, growing in the garden, such as eucalyptuses, many forms of cacti, and palm trees.
3. The Olive Grove
Strolling through the olive grove was very relaxing. The trees provided shade from the very hot weather. The olive grove is thought to date back to the time of the Benedictine government on the island. It is located right next to the islands fire station. If you decide to take packed lunches, there are many picnic benches nestled within the olive grove if you fancy some shade while you eat.
4. The Monastery Complex
It is thought that Lokrum Island has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Through excavation a piece of an ancient gravestone built into the former Benedictine monastery were preserved. It is potentially true that Benedictine monks settled here around 915 A.D. This means that the Monastery Complex is filled with history and intrigue. The complex is split into three parts; the three nave and triconch Romanesque-Gothic basilica, the monastery wing with its tower and destructed cloister, and the west and north wings that collapsed during the earthquake of 1667. There are signs around the complex that explain the events that have taken place here over the centuries.
5. Path of Paradise
The Path of Paradise is a long, straight, uphill path leading to the Fort Royal, the highest point on Lokrum. Lined with cypress trees, the path offers wonderful views of the island and Dubrovnik across the bay. The hike up the path is not for the faint-hearted under the summer sun, and I would definitely recommend wearing trainers or comfortable shoes rather than flipflops or lightweight sandals. The Path of Paradise was constructed during the era of Maximilian of Habsburg.
6. Fort Royal
This photo was taken from inside the fort, looking out over the bay to Dubrovnik. Fort Royal was built in 1806, completed in 1835, during Napoleon's occupation of Croatia. It was of course originally used as a form of protection, where it's height was an advantage in spotting and attacking approaching enemies from all sides. It's purpose now is to provide outstanding views of the coastline, and much smaller nearby islands.
7. The Beach
There are a few beaches on Lokrum Island, all rocky. We visited the main beach on the south-west side of the island, close to the Dead Sea. There are steps down to the beach, where it is very rocky underfoot so I would recommended taking flipflops or rock shoes. It was quite windy on the day we visited, so we were unable to properly swim for safety reasons. However, I imagine on a calm day the swimming is lovely with crystal clear blue water. There is also a nudist beach on south-eastern end of the island if this takes your fancy.
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