How to Take a Day Trip to Lokrum Island: Everything You Need to Know

Lokrum Island is a small islet located 600m off the coast of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, offering a guaranteed day out of serenity.

During my first trip to Dubrovnik, I took a day trip to Lokrum Island—and since then, it has become a must-visit destination every time I return.

People often wonder whether it is worth visiting Lokrum Island and the answer is absolutely yes! There are so many amazing things to do, whether you’re taking a history dive through the Benedictine Monastery or floating away through the Dead Sea.

This complete Lokrum Island guide covers everything you need to know, including the best time to visit, how to get there, the best things to do, where to eat and practical information for your trip.

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Best time to visit Lokrum Island

The best time to visit Lokrum island is during the shoulder months, particularly May and June.

The weather in Croatia for May or June is still warm for swimming and sunbathing, and all the establishments are still open on Lokrum for the tourist seasons.

To avoid masses of crowds, try to avoid visiting on the day cruises are in port for Dubrovnik. Lokrum Island is still a tourist hotspot for cruise goers despite the Old Town being the main attraction. Check out the arrival cruise schedules.

Note: Lokrum Island is closed from December to March.

How to get to Lokrum Island

There are a few ways to get to Lokrum Island, whether you are travelling from Dubrovnik or Cavtat.

As it is an island, the main way of getting there is by ferry. You can kayak around the island through a kayaking tour, although none of these tours include the option to step on the island.

From Dubrovnik

To get to Lokrum Island from Dubrovnik, you’ll need to catch a ferry from Old Port Dubrovnik.

Tickets don’t need to be booked in advance. You can just walk straight up to the ticket kiosk opposite Poklisar Restaurant, purchase your ticket, and hop on the next available ferry. Standard tickets cost €27, with a 20% or 30% discount available for Dubrovnik pass 3-day or 7-day holders.

The first ferry leaves at 9 am and the last return ferry leaves at 7 pm, with ferry journeys lasting 15 minutes.

Ferries leave on average every 30 minutes from April to September, with a more delayed service in October. Check the latest ferry schedule to choose your time.

Key recommendation: Head to Lokrum Island from Dubrovnik around 9 am – 11 am before the midday crowds arrive.

View of the Old Port of Dubrovnik with historic fortifications overlooking the calm Adriatic Sea, under a sunny sky with a light post casting a shadow on the stone pavement — For the departure point, look for the port with the lamp post next to the three pillars.

From Cavtat

If you’re travelling from Cavtat to Lokrum Island, you can expect a much less frequent ferry service, with ferries leaving every 3 hours. Adriana Cavtat is the only service that runs from Cavtat Ferry Port to Lokrum.

I highly recommend catching the #10 bus from Cavtat Bus Station to the Dubrovnik Old Town and embarking from the Old Port for better flexibility.

Best things to do on Lokrum Island

Visit the Botanical Gardens

Lokrum Island’s Botanical Gardens has over 800 plant species and was officially established as an attraction in 1959.

Most of the plants were originally planted by Maximilian I as a conversation and research project in the 1800s to research how foreign planets would adapt to the Mediterranean climate of Dubrovnik.

You’ll find plenty of exotic palm trees and cacti, depicting the typical Mediterranean flowery. It is free and well worth the visit.

A pathway passing through the greenery of the Botanical Gardens on Lokrum Island, flanked by palm trees under a clear blue sky with wispy clouds.

Swim in the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is the perfect place to come for a snooze and swim on the island.

The lake gets its reputation for its high salt concentration. It’s so salty you can just sit on the lake and float on it.

Around the lake are plenty of places to pop a towel down and relax. Although I do warn you, it is all rocky.

By midday, this area is usually swarmed by tourists, especially in the summer. If you plan to sunbathe, try to arrive here in the late morning or late afternoon.

The salt lake known as the Dead Sea on Lokrum Island, Croatia, with its waters mirroring the rugged reddish-brown cliff and green foliage to the left.

Explore the Benedictine Monastery

Benedictine Monastery is one of the prettiest parts of Lokrum. The complex was built by the monks who lived on the island as a place of solitude and worship.

On the grounds, you can find the courtyard and The Gardens of Maximilian

A highlight of the monastery is the cloisters with the lush Maximillan Gardens right next to it. It is some of the most beautiful and intricate architecture on Lokrum.

Recommendation: If you are feeling peckish, the restaurant Rajski Vrt is just by the monastery. A great place for good food and delicious fruity cocktails in a tropical setting.

A sunlit stone cloister with archways and columns at the Benedictine Monastery on Lokrum Island. The walkway is lined with a low stone wall on one side, and greenery with palm trees in the garden to the right.

Visit the Game of Thrones exhibition

Inside the Benedictine Monastery, you’ll find the visitor centre and main Game of Thrones exhibition.

As a thank you for letting Dubrovnik and Lokrum Island be used as filming locations for Game of Thrones, HBO kindly gifted a replica of the Iron Throne to the island and it sits right here in the visitor centre!

You can queue up to have your picture taken on the throne or look around the mini Game of Thrones exhibition set up in the room. It includes all the lore from the show, plus behind-the-scenes screenings of filming in Dubrovnik, with actor interviews.

If you’re visiting Dubrovnik or Lokrum for Game of Thrones, I highly recommend this Game of Thrones tour that explores both.

The Gardens of Maximilian on Lokrum Island features neatly trimmed hedges forming a maze-like design under a bright blue sky. The greenery contrasts beautifully with the sandy paths, while tall trees frame the background. — The Benedictine Monastery and *Gardens of Maximilian were used for the city of Qarth in Season 2.*

If you prefer a self-guided tour, you can check out all Game of Thrones locations in Dubrovnik.

Hike up to Fort Royal

Fort Royal was originally constructed by the French army in 1806 during their reign over Dubrovnik to help strengthen their defences within the area.

The hike up there is strenuous but 100% worth it. At the very top, you’ll find the best vantage point from the island with panoramic views of Lokrum and Dubrovnik’s Old Town.

I recommend skipping this activity if you have mobility issues or carrying a pram as it is a 20-minute walk uphill. If you do decide to walk up to Fort Royal, there are benches on the way up to have a rest.

Aerial image showing Fort Royal on Lokrum Island, surrounded by greenery and set against the backdrop of the Adriatic Sea. In the distance, you can see the city of Dubrovnik and its iconic old town with terracotta rooftops. — Aerial view of Fort Royal

Relax on a beach

Perhaps you’d like to relax on a beach after the Fort Royal hike? There are plenty to choose from on Lokrum Island.

Right next to the Bay of Portoč is Lukrum Portside Beach. This is the most popular beach as it is right by the starting port. The beach area is rocky but a large area to sit at and take a dip in the water.

For a quiet beach area, Galija is your best option as it’s away from the main attractions. There is also a nudist beach on the coast called FKK Rocks Lokrum.

Warning: All of the beaches on Lokrum are rocky and will require climbing down rocks to get to most of them. I highly advise you to bring some suitable shoes on your day trip to Lokrum Island and be careful while walking down as the surfaces can be slippery.

A rocky coastline of Lokrum Island with clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea and to the right are Mediterranean vegetation under a bright sky

Spot the peacocks

Peacocks are almost everywhere on Lokrum Island. They arrived in the 19th century when Maximilian I took peacocks from the Canary Islands and brought them to Lokrum.

Your visit may become an instant game of “spot the peacock”. I found some prancing around my dinner table and wandering around the gardens of the Benedictine Monastery.

It is well-advised that you don’t touch them, although they are very photogenic when a camera is out.

A colourful peacock on Lokrum Island, displaying its blue and green colours against an old stone wall backdrop next to green grass.

Find a hidden gem

As Lokrum Island takes only half a day to walk around, hidden gems are rare but around the coastline, you can find a few Instagrammable coves and scenic areas.

My personal favourite is this little cove just a short distance from the Dead Sea. You can find it here.

It is formed perfectly to take a scenic photo for your Instagram feed!

A woman in a white dress stands at the entrance of a rocky cove, looking at the bright blue sky and sea in the distance. The natural rock formations frame the view, creating a dramatic archway. — P.s. This is my partner

Where to eat on Lokrum Island

If you don’t decide to bring a packed lunch, they’re an array of restaurants to choose from on Lokrum.

Here are my recommendations;

Lacroma Restaurant: Has a wide range of delicious Mediterranean and meat-based dishes. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
Rajski Vrt: As mentioned before, I couldn’t recommend this enough! A perfect spot located next to the tranquil part of Benedictine Monastery, serving delicious cocktails and snacks.
Lacroma Snack Bar: A casual snack bar, serving light lunch options and tasty coffee! It is located right next to the Portoč ferry port.
The Lake Cocktail Bar: A tranquil little spot right by the Dead Sea Lake with some interesting cocktails, including Game of Thrones drinks.

FAQs about Lokrum Island

Is Lokrum Island worth the visit?

Absolutely! Lokrum Island is truly one of Croatia’s most beautiful hidden gems. It is often overshadowed by Dubrovnik, and Lokrum is a perfect place to escape the crowds and relax in a tranquil environment.

How long does it take to explore Lokrum Island?

It shouldn’t take less than half a day to explore the entirety of Lokrum Island. I highly recommend a whole day here to really soak up the serene surroundings!

Are there beaches on Lokrum Island?

Yes, there are plenty of beaches on Lokrum Island. All the beaches on the island are rocky, as are most around Dubrovnik unfortunately. However, they are still comfortable to pop a towel down, relax and go for a swim!

Can you kayak to Lokrum Island?

Yes, you can kayak to Lokrum Island. Tour agencies in Dubrovnik like X-Adventure offer half-day or full-day kayaking tours that kayak around Lokrum Island. However, none of the tours go on the island.

Can you stay on Lokrum Island?

No, unfortunately, you can’t stay on Lokrum Island. The island is a protected nature reserve under Croatian conservation law and is therefore uninhabited.

Why is Lokrum Island cursed?

Local legend believes that the monks cursed the island when they were forced to leave during the Napoleonic Era when the French ruled the area.

As the story goes, on the night of their departure, the monks held a ritual to cast a curse against anyone attempting to exploit or live on the island.

Spending more time near Dubrovnik? Check out:

Helpful Tips For Dubrovnik

One Day in Dubrovnik Itinerary

Bosnia Day Trip From Dubrovnik

Cavtat Day Trip From Dubrovnik

Day Trip to Kotor From Dubrovnik

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