Lokrum Island, Dubrovnik: Things To Do & How To Get There

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Discover how to experience a day trip to Lokrum Island from Dubrovnik with the help of our mini travel guide. This is everything we wish we’d known before visiting during our recent Dubrovnik city break.

Imagine the sun is shining and you can see trees and shrubs all around you. Beyond the greenery, you notice the azure blue water of the Adriatic Sea: a picture-perfect backdrop.

In the distance, you can hear the ethereal call of multiple peacocks that sound a lot like Kevin from the movie “Up”.

And all of this is just a 15-minute ferry ride away from Dubrovnik in Croatia. This is Lokrum Island.

Read on to discover how to experience Lokrum Island as a day trip from Dubrovnik. We’ll cover:

How to get to Lokrum island from Dubrovnik
Where to buy Lokrum ferry tickets
When to visit Lokrum Island
Top things to do once you get to Lokrum
…and much more!

As always, we hope you find this blog post helpful and inspiring!

Lokrum Island: A Perfect Day Trip From Dubrovnik

How To Get To Lokrum Island From Dubrovnik

The easiest and most convenient way to get to Lokrum Island from Dubrovnik is via the official ferry.

Lokrum Island ferry from Dubrovnik — *The official Lokrum ferry as seen from the Old Town Port in Dubrovnik*

It departs from the Old Town Port in Dubrovnik regularly and will get you to Portoc Bay on Lokrum Island in just 15 minutes.

The ferry runs throughout the day – operating every 30 minutes to 1 hour – depending on the season.

Please note: The official Lokrum Island ferry runs from April through November. It doesn’t operate during the off-peak and winter seasons.

While you might think the ferry tickets are a little expensive (they’re nearly 30 Euros per adult at the time of writing), your ticket also includes the Lokrum Island entry fee.

Check out this website to see the current Dubrovnik to Lokrum ferry timetable >>

If you don’t want to use the official ferry service, then you might be able to find your own way to Lokrum Island via sea kayak or private boat. However, you’d need to pay a separate fee to access the island.

Where To Buy Lokrum Ferry Tickets

Where to buy Lokrum Island ferry tickets — *Entrance to the Lokrum ferry ticket office*

You can buy official Lokrum ferry tickets from the ticket office, which is located next to the Dubrovnik Tourist Information Centre (found under the main Bell / Clock Tower near Stradun).

Dubrovnik Bell Tower — *The ticket office is located under this bell / clock tower*

The ferry port is just a few minutes walk from the ticket office. The captain or skipper will scan your tickets as you board the boat.

Important: The above information is correct for when we visited in April 2023. We’d initially read some blog posts that suggested you could buy tickets on or next to the boat. However, it seems like you’re required to go through a more official route these days. Fingers crossed now you’ve read this, you won’t get caught out like we nearly were!

When To Visit Lokrum Island

You can visit Lokrum Island on any day of the week from April through November.

We’d recommend getting the earliest ferry across if you can.

When we visited in April 2023, we caught the 10 am ferry to Lokrum and spent a couple of hours casually wandering around the island. There were probably around 15 to 20 of us on the island when we disembarked.

By the time we caught the 12.15 pm ferry back to Dubrovnik, we noticed the incoming ferry was standing-room only. There must have been close to 60 or 70 people getting off the boat!

So, if you’d prefer a more relaxed and quiet trip to Lokrum Island, then we’d say head there early to avoid the crowds.

Lokrum Island Things To Do

Other than enjoying the ferry journey itself (which affords stunning views of both Dubrovnik and Lokrum Island), here are some top things to do once you arrive on Lokrum.

Admire the wild peacocks

Wild peacocks on Lokrum Island — *Wild peacocks roam freely on Lokrum Island*

No matter how you spend your time on Lokrum, there’s no escaping the beautiful peacocks that roam freely around the island.

They’re very tame and used to people, so you’ll often see them wander right past you.

You’ll probably hear their ethereal call before you see them. As I said, it’s like Kevin from the movie “Up” found his way onto the island.

Hike to Fort Royal and admire the incredible views

Fort Royal, a French fortress from the 1800s, sits atop the highest peak on Lokrum Island. And a hike to the top is one of the most popular things to do on Lokrum.

Not only can you admire the inside of the fortress, but you can also enjoy incredible views across the Adriatic Sea from up here.

Views from Fort Royal on Lokrum Island — *Views of the Adriatic Sea from near Fort Royal on Lokrum Island*

Follow in the footsteps of the Khaleesi

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, then you might be interested to know that Lokrum Island appears a couple of times in the popular TV series. This is where some of the Qarth scenes were filmed.

On your way to Fort Royal, walk up the Path of Paradise. The Khaleesi herself made this same pilgrimage when searching for her stolen dragons.

In real life, this steep path is gruelling, but it’s the most direct route up to Fort Royal. It took us about 10 minutes or so to walk up it.

The Benedictine Monastery on Lokrum Island (mentioned later) also appeared in Game of Thrones. A garden party in Qarth was hosted here.

Fun fact: You’ll notice golden peacock decorations in some of the Qarth scenes. These represent Lokrum Island and its inspiring location.

Sit on the Iron Throne

Speaking of Game of Thrones, head to the Visitor Centre on Lokrum Island and you’ll be able to sit on the Iron Throne. Or at least, one of the official Iron Thrones.

According to our Dubrovnik tour guide, the city’s mayor bought one of the Iron Thrones from HBO once they’d finished filming. He then had it placed on Lokrum Island.

Wander around a Benedictine Monastery

*Inside the Benedictine Monastery on Lokrum Island*

Also found on Lokrum Island is a Benedictine Monastery complex, part of which dates back to 1023.

Today, you’re welcome to venture inside part of the ruins and read the various information boards scattered around the complex.

Take a breather in the Botanical Garden

Lokrum Island Botanical Garden — *The stunning Lokrum Island botanical garden*

Behind the monastery, you’ll find the charming Botanical Garden where palm trees and bird of paradise flowers grow in abundance.

You may even spot a peacock or two wandering around… or hear them call from a nearby tree. It sounds so surreal!

Bird of Paradise flower in Lokrum Island Botanical Garden — *Bird of Paradise flowers inside the Lokrum Island Botanical Garden*

Bathe in “The Dead Sea”

While Lokrum Island isn’t as famous as Jordan or Israel, it does have its own version of “The Dead Sea”, called Mrtvo more.

You’ll find this 10-metre-deep lake on the southern part of the island just a few minutes walk away from the monastery.

It’s nicknamed “The Dead Sea” because of its high salt content and crystal-clear appearance. And it makes for a perfect resting spot after a long morning of hiking and sightseeing.

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