Lokrum Island is a small island off the coast of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Its very close so is easily visible from the harbour and super quick and easy to get to. It takes just 15 minutes by boat. The Island has a rich history from hosting a shipwrecked King of England to becoming a film set. The Island is now a nature reserve but welcomes visitors. There are plenty of attractions on the island, here are the top 8 things to do on Lokrum Island, Dubrovnik.

1. Watch the Lokrum Island Peacocks

Lokrum is home to many peacocks and peahens. They’re very tame so you can get fairly close to snap your photos. Don’t waste your time chasing the peahens to try to get them to display colourful tail feathers though! Peahens, the females, are grey and drab looking compared to their male counterparts. They don’t have the iconic fan of turquoise feathers. Only the males have these as they have evolved to attract the females and demonstrate how strong and fit they are. There are a few males on the island though and if you’re patient, you might just see them fanning their feathers for you!

2. Float in the Black Sea Lake

Lokrum Island is home to a small lake, named after the Black Sea for its high salt content. The saltiness of the water means it is more dense than regular sea water so it is much easier to float in the lake.

The lake is open to visitors to swim and float around in so don’t forget to bring your swimming costume if you fancy taking a dip!

3. Walk along the Path of Paradise

Path of Paradise is a tree lined street running through the heart of the island up to the old fortress. It may look idyllic and offer stunning scenery but walking along it is far from Paradise! The Path is actually quite steep and it can be a struggle walking uphill in the heat of the summer. If its a hot day, this walk might be best to do early in the morning or late afternoon and make sure you have some water with you!

4. Sit on the Iron Throne

Inside the old monastery, there is a Game of Thrones exhibit which includes a replica Iron Throne. The monastery grounds and several spots around Dubrovnik were used as filming locations for the Game of Thrones series. The exhibit share behind the scenes info and features interviews with some of thr cast. Definitely worth a visit if you’re a fan of the show! Entry to the exhibition is free.

5. Stroll around the Botanical Gardens

The gardens were planted hundreds of years ago for Maximilian, an Austrian Archduke who once had a holiday home on the island. There are 800 species of exotic plants spread across the vast gardens. Unfortunately in more recent years, an invasive species of rabbit introduced to the island has destroyed 200 species of plants.

From £14

From £14

6. Discover the island’s history

Beneath the Game of Thrones exhibit in the monastery there is a basement vault that hides an exhibit all about the island’s past. The exhibit shares the stories of myths and legends in the local area. This includes the arrival of Richard the Third, an English King in the 1100s. After being shipwrecked on the island and saved by locals, the king pledged to pay for a church to be built in order to repay their kindness.

7. See the views from the Fortress

At the end of the Path of Paradise you’ll find thr old Fortress. You can go inside and climb the stairs to the roof to soak in all the views. From the Fortress you can see all around the island, the surrounding sea and the old town of Dubrovnik.

8. Explore the Benedictine Monastery

Hidden amongst the trees and guarded by peacocks, you may stumble upon an ancient monastery. This was founded 1000 years ago and housed monks until the 15th Century. The courtyard of the monastery is boarded by stunning stone arches. It’s no surprise that this stunning location was used in scenes in Game of Thrones. Part of the monastery now features a Game of Thrones exhibit (4).

Tips for Visiting Lokrum Island

How much does it cost to visit Lokrum Island, Dubrovnik?

The entrance fee to Lokrum includes a return trip on the boat. For adults the price is 200KN (approximately £22 or €27)

If you visit before the 1st May, the tickets are half price. You can also receive a 20% discount all year round with a 3 or 7 day Dubrovnik Card. This also grants you access the the City Walls and lots of museums around Dubrovnik.

How to get to Lokrum Island

There is only one official boat that goes from Dubrovnik Harbour to Lokrum. This leaves every 30 minutes in the busy summer season and every hour in the off season. The boat takes just 15 minutes.

The price of a return ticket on the boat includes your entry fee to Lokrum, which is a nature reserve. If you reach the island another way you will still have to pay entrance when you arrive.

Make sure you check the return times and give yourself plenty of time to get back to the harbour. You don’t want to miss the last boat back to Dubrovnik!

Bring snacks

Bring snacks and water you if you planning on spending the day on the island. There are one or two cafes but they’re not huge. I’d recommend bringing something with you to eat just in case there isn’t much choice on

How long to spend on Lokrum Island?

I would recommend giving it at least half a day to explore everything. You could easily spend a full day there and spend some time relaxing by the Black Sea Lake.