Lokrum sits so close to Dubrovnik’s Old Town that you can see individual trees from the city walls. Ten minutes by taxi boat from the harbour and you’re standing on an island that feels nothing like the city you just left.
No hotels. No cars. No permanent residents. The entire island is a protected nature reserve, and it closes to visitors every evening at sunset. That alone makes it different from everything else on the Croatian coast.
I’ve been going to Lokrum since I was a kid, and the thing that strikes me every time is how fast the noise disappears. You step off the boat, walk fifty metres into the pine forest, and the only sounds are cicadas and waves. Dubrovnik — with its crowds and cruise ship passengers and restaurant touts — is right there across the channel, but it might as well be on another continent.
Not actually dead, and not actually a sea. It’s a small saltwater lake in the centre of the island, connected to the ocean through underground channels in the limestone. The water is warmer than the surrounding sea and perfectly calm — no waves, no current. You float in it like a bath.
The lake is surrounded by flat rocks perfect for sunbathing, and the water is deep enough to swim properly. In peak season it gets crowded around midday, so come early or late afternoon if you want it quieter.
The Benedictine monastery on Lokrum dates back to 1023. The monks are long gone, but the botanical garden they started is still thriving. Subtropical plants from around the world — Australia, South America, the Canary Islands — all growing on a tiny Croatian island. Eucalyptus, cacti, agave, palm trees. It’s genuinely impressive and completely unexpected.
The garden surrounds the monastery ruins, which are themselves worth seeing. Stone cloisters, arched windows opening to the sky. Game of Thrones fans will recognise parts of it — Lokrum was used as a filming location for the Qarth storyline in Season 2.
At the highest point on the island, Fort Royal was built by the French during Napoleon’s occupation. The walk up takes about twenty minutes through dense Mediterranean forest. At the top, the panoramic view is one of the best in the Dubrovnik area — Old Town walls to the north, open Adriatic to the south, Elaphiti Islands to the northwest.
Bring water. The path is shaded but the climb is steady, and there’s nothing to buy at the top.
Nobody is entirely sure how Lokrum ended up with a resident population of peacocks. They’re everywhere — strutting across paths, perching on monastery walls, screaming at inappropriate moments. They’ve been here for decades and they own the place. Don’t try to feed them. They don’t need your help and they’re mildly aggressive about bread.
Lokrum’s east and south coasts have excellent swimming off the rocks. The water is deep, clear, and sheltered from the prevailing north winds.
The main swimming area is on the east side, a series of flat rock platforms with ladders into the water. This is where most visitors swim and it can get busy in July and August.
The nudist beach (FKK) is on the southeast corner — Lokrum has been an official FKK beach since the 1980s. It’s well-established, signposted, and separated from the main areas.
The south tip is the quietest swimming spot. Fewer people bother walking the extra fifteen minutes, which means you often get the rocks to yourself. The water here is deeper and the underwater visibility is spectacular — bring a mask.
The standard way. Small boats leave from the Old Town harbour every 15-20 minutes during season (April—November). The ride takes about 10 minutes. Return tickets are around €15-20.
Boats run roughly 09:00 to 18:00, with the last return timed before the island closes at sunset.
If you’re already doing a boat tour from Dubrovnik, your skipper can include a Lokrum stop. This works well if you want to combine Lokrum with Kolocep, Lopud, or swimming stops along the coast.
Our Design Your Day custom tour builder includes Lokrum as a selectable stop — you can build a half-day itinerary that covers Lokrum plus one or two other destinations.
Sea kayak tours from Dubrovnik often include a stop at Lokrum. You paddle along the base of the city walls, cross the channel (about 600 metres), and land on the island’s west side. It’s physical but rewarding.
What to bring: Water (there’s a small café but prices are island-inflated), swimsuit, towel, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen. A snorkel mask if you have one — the underwater life around the south rocks is worth seeing.
How long to spend: Two to three hours covers the main sights comfortably. If you want to swim at the Dead Sea, explore Fort Royal, and find a quiet swimming spot, plan for half a day.
When to go: Early morning (first boat) or mid-afternoon. Midday in summer is hot and the Dead Sea area gets packed. Late afternoon gives you the golden light and thin crowds — just watch the last boat time.
Food: There’s a restaurant near the monastery and a small café by the Dead Sea. Both serve drinks, ice cream, and basic food. Nothing fancy. If you want a proper meal, eat in Dubrovnik before or after.
Entry fee: Included in the boat ticket price. No additional charge for the island.
Local legend says the Benedictine monks cursed the island when they were expelled in 1798. Since then, every private owner has met a bad end. The Habsburgs bought it — their empire collapsed. A wealthy Austrian family took it — financial ruin. Nobody has tried to privately own it since.
The Dubrovnik Tourist Board manages it as a nature reserve now, which seems to be working out fine. Maybe the curse only applies to individuals.
Lokrum is easily combined with our Elaphiti Islands boat tour or Blue Cave tour for a full day on the water. Browse all boat tours or build your own itinerary.
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