Lokrum Island: nature reserve, Iron Throne, and the best half-day from Dubrovnik

Fifteen minutes from the Old Town, a world away

Lokrum sits 700 metres off the Dubrovnik Old Town waterfront — close enough to see from the city walls, far enough to feel entirely separate from the tourist machinery of the city. The island is a protected nature reserve, meaning there are no hotels, no residential development, and no private development of any kind. This makes it one of the most pristine half-day escapes from any Adriatic city.

In practical terms, Lokrum offers an unusual combination: a botanical garden with subtropical plants, a salt lake ideal for swimming, a ruined Benedictine monastery, a Napoleonic-era hilltop fort, wild peacocks, and — the factor that has most increased its visitor numbers in recent years — the Game of Thrones Iron Throne replica.

The ferry from the Old Harbour takes 15 minutes. The island can be visited as a 2–4 hour excursion and combines naturally with a morning walk through Dubrovnik’s GoT filming locations.

Getting to Lokrum

The Lokrum ferry departs from the Old Harbour (Stara Luka) — the small inner harbour inside the Old Town, not the main Gruž ferry terminal. Boats run approximately every 30–45 minutes from around 9am. The last return boat is typically at 6pm or 7pm in summer.

The combined ferry and island entry ticket is purchased at the harbour. No advance booking is required for independent visitors, though the first and last boats of the day can be busy in peak season.

Note that Lokrum is a protected nature reserve — overnight camping and stays are prohibited. The island closes to visitors in the evening and does not have accommodation.

The Benedictine Monastery and the Iron Throne

The Benedictine Monastery at the centre of the island was founded in 1023 by monks from Mljet. By the 19th century it had been dissolved and eventually acquired by Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who converted it into a summer residence. Today the monastery complex houses a small visitor centre, a café, and the Game of Thrones Iron Throne replica.

The throne is displayed in the monastery cloister alongside exhibition panels explaining Lokrum’s role as the filming location for Qarth in Season 2. It is well-designed and positioned for photographs — in the morning hours before 11am, the queue is short and photography is easy.

The monastery courtyard’s shaded cloister and the adjacent gardens are pleasant for a short rest. The monks’ refectory is now a café serving coffee, cold drinks, and light snacks.

For the full GoT context, see Lokrum and the Iron Throne.

Lokrum Island guided tour with Game of Thrones context and monastery visit

Botanical garden

The garden surrounding the monastery was developed by Archduke Maximilian in the 1850s and planted with exotic species from around the world. The result is unusual for the Adriatic coast: tree ferns, cycads, giant agaves, Norfolk Island pines, and various subtropical species that you would not normally encounter in Dalmatia.

The garden is not formally maintained as a botanical collection in the traditional scientific sense — it is more of an acclimatisation garden grown impressively old — but the combination of unusual plants, shaded paths, and peacocks walking freely through it makes it one of the more characterful green spaces near Dubrovnik.

The Dead Sea (Mrtvo More)

The Dead Sea is a small salt lake in the interior of the island, connected to the Adriatic by underground channels. The water is noticeably warmer than the sea outside, particularly in the afternoon, and the lake is sheltered from wind and swell. This makes it ideal for calm-water swimming, particularly for children.

The name is local tradition — the salinity is much lower than the actual Dead Sea and the lake is perfectly comfortable to swim in. Ladders allow easy entry from the surrounding rocks. The lake is popular and can be busy in July and August.

Fort Royal

The hilltop fortification at the island’s highest point was built by the French during Napoleon’s occupation of Dubrovnik in the early 19th century. The circular fort offers panoramic views in all directions: the Old Town and its walls to the north-west, the Elaphiti Islands to the north, Cavtat and the coastline to the south, and open sea to the east.

The walk from the monastery to Fort Royal takes about 20–25 minutes on a clear path. The gradient is moderate. The view from the top repays the effort, particularly at the end of the afternoon when the Old Town is lit by low western sun.

Lokrum Island picnic and walking tour: monastery, fort, and swimming coves

Swimming around Lokrum

The Dead Sea lake: The easiest and most popular swimming spot, especially good for families. Calm, warm, no waves.

South-east rocky coves: The path from the monastery continuing south-east reaches a series of rocky coves with excellent clear water for sea swimming. These coves face the open Adriatic and have better snorkelling than the lake. Less crowded than the lake in peak season.

FKK area: A designated naturist section of the south-east coast. Well-separated from the main visitor areas.

Western rocks: The cliffs on the western side of the island offer sea entry via steps and ladders cut into the rock. The water here is crystal clear but slightly more exposed.

Wild peacocks

Lokrum’s peacock population descends from birds introduced by Archduke Maximilian in the 19th century. The birds are entirely unafraid of people and wander freely throughout the island — through the gardens, across the monastery courtyard, and along the paths. Chicks are often visible in spring and early summer. Feeding is technically discouraged but the peacocks are uninterested in passive visitors.

Practical information

Getting there: Ferry from the Old Harbour (Stara Luka) in the Old Town. Not from Gruž.

Hours: First ferry approximately 9am; last return typically 6–7pm in summer. Check the posted schedule at the harbour.

Ticket: Combined ferry + island entry, purchased at the harbour. Around €15–20 per person.

What to bring: Water, sun protection, swimming gear. The island’s café is basic.

Crowds: Busiest 11am–4pm in July and August. Morning and late afternoon visits are less crowded.

Combining Lokrum with a Game of Thrones day

A morning GoT walk through the Old Town takes about 2–3 hours, finishing at the Old Harbour. From there, catch the Lokrum ferry for a 2–3 hour afternoon visit. This is one of the most popular Dubrovnik day structures for GoT fans and works well logistically — the Old Town filming locations and the Lokrum Iron Throne can both be done in a single day without rushing.

The Dubrovnik Game of Thrones 2-day itinerary builds this and more into a two-day plan.

Frequently asked questions about Lokrum Island

Can children visit Lokrum?

Yes. Lokrum is well suited to families — the Dead Sea lake is perfect for children (calm, warm, no current), the peacocks are endlessly entertaining, and the paths are manageable for most ages. The walk to Fort Royal is the most demanding activity and can be skipped.

Is Lokrum open in winter?

The island is technically accessible year-round, but the ferry runs much less frequently in winter (November–March) and the facilities (monastery café, guided tours) may be closed or reduced. Check current schedules at the Old Harbour.

Do I need to book a Lokrum ticket in advance?

No booking is needed for independent visitors — buy the combined ferry + island ticket at the Old Harbour on the day. Group bookings and guided tours may have different processes.

What is the legend of Lokrum’s curse?

Local tradition holds that Lokrum is cursed — specifically that anyone who takes stones or plants from the island suffers bad luck. The most frequently cited example is the fate of Archduke Maximilian, who owned Lokrum in the 19th century and was subsequently executed in Mexico. This is local colour rather than established history, but the story is retold on every guided tour of the island.

Is there a luggage storage on the Lokrum ferry?

No. The island has no luggage storage. Leave heavy bags at your accommodation or at the luggage storage facilities near Pile Gate before taking the ferry.

What is the difference between Lokrum and the Elaphiti Islands?

Lokrum is a nature reserve immediately off the Old Town waterfront — quick to reach, no accommodation, no cars. The Elaphiti Islands are a ferry journey of 20–80 minutes from Gruž Port and are inhabited communities with a different character. Lokrum is the right choice for a short half-day; the Elaphiti are better for a full day or overnight.