Lokrum Island: where green gardens meet the sea

Nature lovers, the majority of visitors, would like a refreshing dip in summer to cool off. And Lokrum offers the perfect opportunity.

Regular boat departures available from the Dubrovnik Old City harbour, trip duration is 15 minutes (see timetable and prices bellow).

The name Lokrum probably comes from the Latin word "acrumen" which means "bitter fruit." Lemons and oranges flourish on Lokrum even today. The sea has defined the island's edge. During the more vioent storms, gusts of wind send waves crashing with great impact on the cliffs of the eastern and southern parts of Lokrum.

Erosin has also led to Lokrum's little natural wonder - the Dead Sea - a pond formed by centuries of storms and the specific formation of the island's rocky shoreline. The sea waves surge along the beach and pour into a deep, rocky cave that is connected by underground channels to the lake.

Dubrovnik Kayaking Tour + Gourmet Lunch On Lokrum Island

If you're an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for exquisite cuisine, the gourmet kayaking tour of Dubrovnik is an adventure you won't want to miss.

Enjoy a unique perspective of the popular Dubrovnik Old Town area – from the water. Discover hidden caves and cliffs that are challenging to access through other means. Take a refreshing swim or try snorkelling, if you desire. Work up an appetite by paddling along the shore before indulging in a mouth-watering lunch of authentic Dalmatian cuisine on Lokrum Island.

Check availability and prices

The history

The island was first mentioned in 1023 in a petition from the city Magistrate and Dubrovnik Archbishop Vital to Benedictine Petar requesting that a monastery be founded on Lokrum. In the 11th century a Benedictine monastery was founded, and the city of Dubrovnik gave the monastery the entire island so it could support itself.

It is no coincidence that the monastery is build on the part of Lokrum facing the open sea. Lokrum is situated in such a way that it is a vital strategic point for safeguarding Dubrovnik and its harbor. There was a watchtower on the monastery, and it was the monks' duty to warn Dubrovnik, by smoke signal or bonfire, of boats appearing from threatening directions during times of war or epidemic.

King Richard the Lionheart

Legendary English King Richard the Lionheart passed by Lokrum on his way back after the Third Crusade, and the people of Dubrovnik invited him to visit their city. It was 1192. It seems that the King had had trouble with his fleet on the journey; his ships were almost lost in Ionian Sea during a terrible storm - and Richard Lionhearted swore that if he survived he would build a church at the first place that he set foot on land.

This was on the island of Lokrum. The clever people of Dubrovnik asked for permission to use Richard's funds, intended for building the Lokrum church, to build a cathedral in their city, promising that they would fulfil his oath and see that a church be built on Lokrum, at their own expense. And so it was. The people of Dubrovnik kept thir promise and built the Church of the blessed Virgin on Lokrum.

The curse of Lokrum island

After the devastating earthquake in 1667 the Benedictines were a growing burden to the Republic, so the people of Dubrovnik asked the Pope's permission to sell Lokrum, explaining that the Republic had no more funds to support such institutions. At the turn of the 18th century, from 1800 to 1803 the Dubrovnik government sold Lokrum to private buyers.

In 1806 French soldiers entered the city, and that same year, on Glavica, the highest hill on Lokrum, Fort Royal was built. French Marshall Marmont ended the Dubrovnik Republic in 1808 This was the end of the Dubrovnik Republic.

During the following years, island has changed it's ownership often, but was owned by Austrian Habsburg family for the most of the time. Maximillian Habsburg, future Emperor of Mexico first visited the island as a result of tragic accident, when an explosion had destroyed Triton, the Austrian man-of-war he was on. A cross was raised on the northern part of Lokrum as a memorial.

Maximillian immediatly after the purchase of the island, began building a summer residence on the site of the former Benedictine monastery. In the course of construction many cultural and historical remnants were destroyed, and the interior of the existing monastery was completely altered.

Read more about The Legend of the Lokrum Curse

Special reserve of forest vegetation

Lokrum was virtually untouched for centuries. Experts planned its appearance, which you can see at every step of your walk around the island. Mother nature has always reigned supreme here. The only interventions are the trails, and an occasional hedge or stand of trees.

Today, Lokrum is a very popular tourist destination when visiting Dubrovnik, and a special reserve of forest vegetation under the protection of UNESCO. Therefore it is not allowed to endanger the natural and cultural goods on the island. Dogs are not allowed on the island.

Beaches on Lokrum Island

Whole coast of Lokrum island can be considered a beach, it just matters where you can approach the sea, because of the rocky formation. On the south-eastern part of the island, because of the natural shelter, there is a nude beach. If you are not into FKK, then we recommend spending a day at the Dead Sea.

Getting to Lokrum Island

Boats regularly depart daily from Dubrovnik's Old Town port and take just 15 minutes to get to Lokrum. Tickets can be bought on the pier in front of the boat. Foot passenger ticket is 7.00 Euro.

If you wish to visit the Lokrum Nature Reserve consider purchasing a Dubrovnik Pass because you get 20% discount only with 3-Day Dubrovnik Pass and 30% discount only with 7-Day Dubrovnik Pass.