Lokrum is the small forested island visible from Dubrovnik old town — about 600 metres offshore, completely covered in pine and holm oak, with no cars, no permanent residents, and a small population of peacocks descended from birds brought to the island in the 19th century. It’s the easiest island day trip in Croatia: 15 minutes on a public boat from Dubrovnik old port and you’re walking through a botanical garden that started life in the 11th century.
Most of our airport transfer guests with a free afternoon end up here. This is what to expect — how the boat works, what’s on the island, and how much time to plan for.
Quick facts: Dubrovnik to Lokrum
- Distance: 600 metres offshore from Dubrovnik old town
- Crossing time: 15 minutes by public boat
- Departure point: Dubrovnik old port (Stara luka), inside the city walls
- Frequency in season: Boats run frequently through the day, with the last return typically in the early evening; check the current schedule on arrival
- Operating season: Late March to early November
- What’s there: Botanical garden, ruined Benedictine monastery, Game of Thrones throne, peacocks, Dead Sea (Mrtvo More), swimming platforms
- Time needed: Half day minimum, full day comfortable
How to get from Dubrovnik to Lokrum
There’s only one realistic way for most visitors: the public boat from Dubrovnik old port, run by the Lokrum Reserve. Ticket booths are at the entrance to the old port, just inside the Ploče gate of Dubrovnik old town. Tickets are sold round-trip and include the entrance fee to the island reserve.
The boat is a small passenger ferry — open seating on top, covered seats below, room for 100+ people per crossing. In high summer it can fill up at peak departure times (10:00–11:00 morning, 14:00–15:00 afternoon), so early or late slots are easier. The first morning boat is usually the calmest.
Other ways to reach Lokrum
- Kayak. Kayak rentals operate from Banje beach (5 minutes east of Ploče gate) and Pile gate. Lokrum is a 25–30 minute paddle each way; experienced kayakers can land on a small public beach on the Dubrovnik-facing side of the island. Group kayak tours run several times a day in summer.
- Private boat. Several small operators along the old port and Pile rent private speedboats by the half-day or full day. More expensive than the public ferry but useful if you want to combine Lokrum with a swim at one of the small coves nearby.
- Swim. A few people every summer swim the channel from Banje to Lokrum. The current is mild but boats use the same channel — not recommended without an escort kayak or boat. Stick to the ferry.
What’s actually on Lokrum
The island is small — about 700 metres long and 500 wide — but dense with things to see. Most visitors walk the loop around the island in 2–3 hours, with stops for the monastery, the gardens, the Dead Sea swim, and a coffee at the small café near the ferry pier.
The Benedictine monastery
The ruined monastery on Lokrum is the historic heart of the island. Founded in 1023 by Benedictine monks, expanded over the next 700 years, abandoned in the early 19th century and partially destroyed by an earthquake. The cloister and parts of the church survive and are walkable. Inside one of the smaller rooms there’s an exhibition on the island’s history, including the period when Maximilian of Habsburg owned Lokrum (1859–1869) and turned the monastery into a summer residence.
The Game of Thrones replica throne sits in one of the monastery rooms — left over from when the show filmed here. Free to sit on for the photo.
The Dead Sea (Mrtvo More)
A small saltwater lake on the south side of the island, connected to the open sea through underground channels. Calm, shallow at the edges, with rocky entry points. Easier swimming than the open-sea platforms — the water is warmer and the current nonexistent. Popular with families.
- Access: 10-minute walk from the ferry pier on the marked path
- Surface: Rock platforms and small ladders into the water
- Best for: Calm swimming, families with kids who don’t want open-sea conditions
The botanical garden
Maximilian of Habsburg started the botanical garden in the 1860s as part of his summer residence. The Dubrovnik Academy of Sciences took it over after WWII and rebuilt the collection. Today it has cacti, succulents, eucalyptus and several tropical species that survive the mild Dubrovnik winters.
The garden is small and walkable in 30 minutes. The peacocks on the island descend from birds Maximilian brought from the Canary Islands — they wander through the gardens, the monastery cloister, and along the paths.
Fort Royal
The French-built fortress on the highest point of the island, dating from the Napoleonic occupation in the early 1800s. The climb up takes 20–30 minutes from the monastery on a marked path; the view from the top covers the whole of Dubrovnik old town, the city walls, and the open Adriatic on the other side. This is the photo most guests remember from the island.
Swimming spots around the island
Beyond the Dead Sea, swimming on Lokrum is from rock platforms with ladder access. Several spots are marked along the shore path:
- FKK (clothing-optional) beach. The far side of the island, about 25 minutes’ walk from the ferry. Rock platforms, deep water.
- Portoč. A small bay on the southwest side. Pebble entry, easier than the rock platforms.
- The Dubrovnik-facing side platforms. Closest to the ferry pier, with the best view back to the old town walls. Busy in peak hours.
The water around Lokrum is clear and deep — visibility easily 4–5 metres on a calm day. Sea urchins are common; water shoes recommended.
Practical tips for visiting Lokrum
- Bring water. One small café near the ferry pier sells food and drinks, but prices are higher than in Dubrovnik and the queue at lunchtime is long. Most regulars bring water and a packed lunch.
- Wear proper shoes. The walking paths are stone, root and packed dirt. Flip-flops work for the main path but not for Fort Royal or the FKK beach.
- Check the last boat. The last ferry back is usually in the early evening in high summer, earlier in shoulder season. Confirm the time on arrival — schedules can shift, and missing the last boat is a real problem.
- Half a day is enough for most visitors. Monastery, Dead Sea, swim, ferry back. A full day works if you want Fort Royal, the FKK beach, and a longer swim — bring lunch.
- Cash for tickets. Card is accepted but the ticket booth queues move faster with cash.
- Lokrum is closed in winter. The ferry stops running roughly November to late March. Check current dates if travelling outside summer.
Combining Lokrum with other Dubrovnik plans
For most guests, Lokrum fits in as a half-day on a multi-day Dubrovnik visit. Common combinations we set up:
- Lokrum half-day + Dubrovnik old town walk. Morning ferry to Lokrum, afternoon walking the city walls. Both fit in one full day comfortably.
- Lokrum + Cavtat half-day. Morning Lokrum, afternoon private transfer to Cavtat for lunch and a walk. Works well as a non-strenuous day.
- Lokrum + Banje beach. Same area — the boat leaves from the old port, Banje is a 5-minute walk from there. Easy to do both in a day.
- Lokrum on an airport-transfer day. Morning arrival, drop bags at hotel, ferry to Lokrum, return for evening dinner in the old town. Works for guests with a relaxed day-one schedule.
How we help clients with Lokrum from Dubrovnik
The drive part of a Lokrum day is short — old port is in the city walls, walkable from most central hotels. Where we add value is everything around it: airport pickup so you don’t lose half-day to taxi queues, a private transfer to the old port if your hotel is in Lapad or Babin Kuk, and onward transfers afterwards (Cavtat, Konavle, the airport).
For guests staying outside the old town who want a smooth Lokrum day, the standard booking is: pickup at the hotel, drop at Pile or Ploče gate, the ferry from there, and a return pickup at an agreed time. We don’t drive guests across the channel — that’s the Lokrum Reserve’s ferry — but we make the around-it logistics easier. Hire a driver in Dubrovnik.
If you want help setting up a Dubrovnik day with Lokrum included, send us your dates and which combinations interest you most.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Dubrovnik to Lokrum?
The public Lokrum Reserve ferry runs from Dubrovnik old port to Lokrum island in 15 minutes. Boats depart frequently through the day in summer, with tickets sold at the old port booths and the last return typically in the early evening. The fare is round-trip and includes the entrance fee to the island reserve.
Is Lokrum open year-round?
No. The Lokrum Reserve and the ferry service typically operate from late March to early November. The island is closed to visitors during winter, when the ferry doesn’t run and most paths and facilities aren’t maintained for visitors.
How long should I spend on Lokrum?
Half a day (3–4 hours) covers the main sights — monastery, botanical garden, Dead Sea swim, and a walk along the coast. A full day works if you also want Fort Royal, the more-distant swimming spots, and lunch on the island. Most visitors find half a day is enough.
Can I swim at Lokrum?
Yes — Lokrum is one of the better swimming spots near Dubrovnik. The Dead Sea (Mrtvo More) is a calm saltwater lake good for families. Around the island there are several rock platforms with ladders into the open Adriatic. The water is clear and deep. Water shoes are useful because of sea urchins.
Is there a Game of Thrones throne on Lokrum?
Yes — a replica of the Iron Throne sits in one of the rooms of the ruined Benedictine monastery, left over from when the show filmed scenes on the island. Visitors can sit on it for photos free of charge. It’s part of a small Game of Thrones exhibition inside the monastery.
Are there peacocks on Lokrum?
Yes. The peacocks on Lokrum descend from birds brought to the island in the 1860s by Maximilian of Habsburg, who used the monastery as a summer residence. They roam freely through the gardens, monastery cloister, and walking paths. They’re tame but won’t always stay still for photos.
Can I kayak from Dubrovnik to Lokrum?
Yes — kayak rentals and guided tours operate from Banje beach and Pile gate. The paddle takes 25–30 minutes each way. Group sea-kayak tours are a popular alternative to the public ferry for active visitors. Independent rental requires reasonable kayak experience as the channel has boat traffic.
