Just a short, scenic boat ride from Dubrovnik is Lokrum Island, a little paradise only 10–15 minutes away by ferry. From the boat, the view of Dubrovnik’s city walls is just stunning, something you can’t really appreciate from the streets. As you step on the island, its lush greenery and quiet shores immediately make you want to wander and explore.
Lokrum is perfect for a day escape, swimming in the clear water, strolling through the botanical gardens, discovering the old ruins, or just sitting somewhere peaceful, soaking in the calm and beauty all around. It’s the kind of place where you forget the city even exists for a few hours.
Arriving to the Island
When you first arrive on Lokrum Island, you’ll step onto a small docking area where most visitors begin their adventure. Just a few steps away is a peach-colored building that serves as the visitor information center, where you can pick up a map and get an overview of the island’s walking trails and main attractions.
My experience arriving on Lokrum was filled with excitement, with so much natural beauty and history to explore, the island was ready to unfold its secrets to us.
Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary
The Monastery on Lokrum dates back to the 11th century and today stands as partially restored ruins, open for everyone to explore. The stone building is impressive, I admired its arched cloisters and doorways, the peaceful gardens, and the history that seems to be everywhere. Walking around, I could almost imagine the Benedictine monks who once lived here. There’s a small museum onsite that tells the story of the island, its history, and the daily lives of those monks. The combination of history, nature, and quiet corners makes it one of the highlights of Lokrum, a place where you can truly feel the calm and the spirit of the island.
The Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden on Lokrum Island was established in the 1950s, the garden features over 500 exotic plant species brought from diverse climates and regions, including palms, cacti, eucalyptus, agaves, and succulents. The garden is set amid Mediterranean greenery, with winding paths leading you through a vibrant collection of flora.
One of the most charming and unique features of Lokrum Island is its free roaming peacocks. These vibrant birds have made Lokrum their home and add a special character to the island. You’ll encounter them everywhere, from the gardens to the rocky beaches where they’re often seen approaching visitors in hopes of snagging a snack.
We descended to one of Lokrum’s beautiful beaches and spent the day swimming with peacocks. Well… the peacocks weren’t exactly swimming, but they kept wandering around, coming up to our tent, others umbrellas looking for food, and even dipping their feet into the water, something I had never seen before. Our son had so much fun watching them, completely mesmerized by their bold curiosity.
The swimming itself wasn’t spectacular, as the beach has lots of rocks underwater, so swimming shoes are a must. I had heard people talking about it on social media, and my husband had laughed, saying, “People are just fragile and sometimes exaggerate.” But after experiencing it myself, I completely agree, those rocks are no joke, not only in the island but everywhere in Croitia. Despite that, the combination of the unique wildlife, the clear water, and the stunning surroundings made it an unforgettable day.
the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea on Lokrum Island isn’t actually a sea at all, but a natural saltwater pool formed in a karst sinkhole. It’s connected to the Adriatic Sea through underground channels, which constantly refresh the water and give it its high salt content.
With its calm, shallow water surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the island’s most popular swimming spots, especially for families with children. It almost feels like a hidden oasis tucked away in the middle of Lokrum.
When we visited, though, it was already quite crowded. Most of the shaded spots had been claimed, and the pool was full of swimmers. We enjoyed a refreshing dip and were happy we had seen it, but after a while we decided to continue exploring the island in search of a quieter beach where we could relax for the rest of the day. In the end, that turned out to be the perfect choice for us.
Fort Royal
Fort Royal on Lokrum Island is a historic fortress built by the French in 1806 during their occupation of Dubrovnik and later modified by the Austrians, who used it as a strategic lookout. Perched at the island’s highest point, the fort offers breathtaking panoramic views of Dubrovnik, the sparkling Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding islands, truly a photographer’s dream.
Reaching the fort requires a bit of a hike through Lokrum’s forested trails, winding past pine and cypress trees, with glimpses of the sea appearing between the branches. The climb can be a little challenging, but every step is worth it as you gradually emerge above the treetops and take in the incredible scenery. Along the way, you might spot ruins, old stone walls, and even wild peacocks wandering the paths, adding a touch of unexpected charm to the adventure. Once at the top, you can feel the history in every stone and enjoy a quiet moment of awe, looking out over the island and beyond.
One of the funniest moments of our visit was inside the fort… and surprisingly, it involved the toilets. We stood there staring at a stone “toilet” carved into the rock, with two holes side by side, clearly meant for two people at the same time. We kept looking at it in complete confusion, trying to figure out how on earth this worked. I was scanning the walls for any sign of a collapsed divider, convinced there had to be something missing. I even told my husband, “This is impossible. There must be another explanation. No one can sit next to someone else and do their business.”
Later on, I remembered seeing something similar elsewhere, a long stone bench with several holes, maybe in Greek ruins or Roman sites in Croatia, I’m not even sure, and I had the exact same reaction back then: No way this was a public toilet.
And then, one day, while watching a movie, it finally clicked. That was the way people used public toilets back then. Side by side. No walls. No privacy. Just… life. Let’s just say it made the fort visit even more memorable, and slightly traumatizing in a very funny way
Views Of Dubrovnik And The Adriatic
We spent an amazing day on Lokrum Island, completely losing track of time and forgetting where we were. After swimming, we wandered around to discover everything the island has to offer, from the historic monastery and Fort Royal to the lush gardens, winding paths, and serene forest.
What pleased me most about Lokrum is the complete absence of cars, bikes, or even carts. The only movement you notice comes from the boats arriving to bring people to the island and take them back. That’s what makes Lokrum so peaceful and calm. There’s no noise, no rush, and no technology pulling your attention away, just you, the ruins, and nature, and all that matters is the beauty around you.
Our time there was relaxed, peaceful, and utterly charming, with breathtaking views of Dubrovnik and the surrounding islands at every turn. Even the boat trip back at sunset added a magical touch, offering stunning views that perfectly closed our unforgettable day on this beautiful island.
Tips for your visit to Lokrum
- Buy your tickets at Dubrovnik’s Old Port: Ferries to Lokrum Island depart regularly from the marina just outside Dubrovnik’s Old Town. You’ll find the ticket booth immediately after passing through Fisherman’s Gate, on the right-hand side. The crossing only takes about 15 minutes, making Lokrum a very easy day trip.
- Arrive early: This is probably my biggest tip. As the day goes on, the island gets noticeably busier, with boats arriving roughly every 15 minutes. We were glad we arrived early, as it gave us time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, find a nice spot by the water, and explore before the larger crowds arrived.
- Start at the information center: As soon as you arrive, stop by the visitor information center to grab a map, or simply take a photo of the map with your phone. The island is well signposted, making it easy to explore at your own pace without worrying about getting lost.
- Wear swimming shoes: Lokrum’s coastline is rocky rather than sandy, so water shoes will make swimming much more comfortable. They’re especially helpful when getting in and out of the sea.
- Bring your swimsuit and a towel: Between the rocky beaches and the famous saltwater lake known as the Dead Sea, chances are you’ll want to go for a swim.
- Pack water and snacks: You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks, which is a great way to save money. There are also a couple of places to eat on the island, including a restaurant near the Benedictine Monastery and a cocktail bar by the salt lake, but prices are generally higher than in Dubrovnik.
- Protect yourself from the sun: Much of Lokrum is shaded by pine trees, but you’ll still spend plenty of time in the sun. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, especially during the summer months.
- Respect the wildlife: One of the island’s highlights is its free-roaming peacocks and rabbits. They aren’t shy, and you’ll probably see plenty of them during your visit. Enjoy watching them, but avoid feeding or chasing them so they can remain wild.
- Take your time: Don’t rush from one attraction to the next. Some of my favorite moments on Lokrum were simply sitting by the sea, listening to the waves, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. That’s part of the island’s charm.
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