Lokrum is a beautiful island located less than 15 minutes away from Dubrovnik’s old town, so it is perfect for a day or half-day trip if you want to escape the tourists or the heat. There are ferries that regularly go there throughout the day, so you just have to check their timetables and hop on the one you like!
We went to Lokrum on the second day of our Dubrovnik holiday, and spent a half-day there. I found that these few hours were enough to get an idea of the place, but going there a bit longer would have been amazing too, as we didn’t get explore all of the island. It was however the perfect short break from the city and there are plenty of things to see and do in this small beautiful island!
Walk around the botanical gardens:
Lokrum is a natural reserve and features a huge variety of Mediterranean and exotic plants, that you can admire in the botanical gardens. These mostly include eucalyptuses, palm trees and different types of cacti that were planted in the 19th Century by the then-owner of the island.
I don’t know if it is because we didn’t see all of it, but I found that the botanical garden was a bit underwhelming, as I was expecting to see very exotic species, but it did not disappoint either! Most of the plants there were very typical of the Mediterranean climate and were complemented by a name tag that helped visitors identify them, so it was still a very pleasant walk in nature!
Pretend you’re Daenerys in the Benedictine monastery:
Perhaps one of my favourite things on the island. The monastery was built in the Medieval times and later abandoned in the 15th Century. Its ruins are still there and there is a very nice garden you can walk around in, close to a beautiful cloister.
Part of the monastery is now a restaurant with a gorgeous view over a nice garden, and part of it is a museum. You can also find there a replica of the iron throne from the series Game of Thrones because some scenes of the series were shot there (when Daenerys visits Qarth in season 2)!
Walk up the “Path of Paradise” to Fort Royal:
The “path of paradise” is a beautiful path lined with trees, created during the time of Maximilian in the mid-19th Century. It leads up to the Fort Royal castle, which is the highest point of the island, and another great things to see on the island!
Float and swim in the Dead Sea:
Yes, Lokrum also has one! It is actually a small lake, linked to the sea by a small opening in the rocks, with very salty water, just like the “real” Dead Sea. We didn’t find that floating there was easier than in the “regular” sea, or that it was particularly saltier, but it is definitely a gorgeous spot for an afternoon dip.
It can get very crowded during the day, but we were, again, very lucky to find a tiny pebbled corner and swim around freely.
Make friends with animals (from a distance):
As a natural reserve, Lokrum is a protected area and, as such, many animals can roam around freely on the island. We saw beautiful peacocks (and their babies) and there are also many rabbits. They seem to be quite used to visitors, but of course they should be left alone to wander about as they please! Anyway, their presence makes the whole island even more beautiful, and it really feels like an untouched paradise on Earth!
Take in the beautiful views:
From the Fort Royal viewpoint or even on the coast of the island, the views from Lokrum are absolutely stunning, thanks to the beautiful rock formations and surrounding nature. I particularly liked the view from the boat and the harbour!
If you have even just a few hours to spare while staying in Dubrovnik, I highly suggest going to Lokrum and surround yourself in the peaceful and unspoiled nature of the island. Take the time to wander about, get lost in nature and slow down, away from the bustling streets of Dubrovnik!
