So you have made it to Dubrovnik, one of the most beautiful towns in the world (check out my guide HERE on what to see and do in Dubrovnik), and you have noticed that big green island directly across from the old town. It is hard to miss; naturally, your curiosity starts to spark. Shortly after arriving in Dubrovnik, I remember how I could get to that big green island. The good news is that it is super easy to take a day trip there! This lush green island is called the Island of Lokrum and is a beautiful natural paradise to explore. This is a guide on the ultimate Dubrovnik to forum day trip.
If you have had enough of the tourist crowds swarming in Dubrovnik, especially in the summer, then a quick trip to Lokrum will leave you super relaxed and give you an excellent sense of peace. Benedictine monks once inhabited this island. Can you believe how lucky these monks were to call Lokrum home? Talk about living life! Not only is Lokrum exceptionally beautiful because of its stunning nature and rugged coastline, but it also holds a curse placed by these monks. I will get into the curse later in the post, but let’s talk about how to get to Lokrum from Dubrovnik.
How to get to Lokrum Island:
Getting to Lokrum is pretty straightforward, so easy that I did not research it before we went! There is a ferry right in the port of Dubrovnik (you literally cannot miss it) that departs about every 30 minutes. I believe the first ferry departs around 10 am, and you can buy tickets right in front of the boat on the day of departure. It is about a 15-minute ferry ride to Lokrum, and it docks in the small bay of Porto. Not only is it easy to get there, but it is also very affordable. About 12 USD will get you a round-trip ticket to Lokrum with ease of going and leaving whenever you please. In high season, the last ferry departs around 6 pm, so you have the whole day to spend there if you would like. Now be aware that once the last ferry leaves, there is no other way off the island. You are not allowed to spend the night on the island, so keep track of time.
Once you arrive at the little bay of Porto on Lokrum, there is a map of the entire island. It is pretty easy to navigate if you want to go to a particular spot, but if you want to wander around, the odds of getting lost are slim! Before I talk about what to see on the island, let me give you a little history of the Island of Lokrum and its curse.
The Legend of the Island of Lokrum:
In 1023, a Benedictine Monastery was founded on the Island of Lokrum. The Monastery was built on the side of Lokrum, facing Dubrovnik directly to warn the walled city of any threats heading their way. The Monks would signal the guards on the walls with smoke when they suspected an invader.
Lokrum has a beautiful botanical garden and rabbits and peacocks freely frolicking around the island. This is because the Monks and Archduke Maximillian Ferdinand of Habsburg brought exotic plants and animals from all over the world to Lokrum, which is how Lokrum got its name.
Now to the good part, the curse of Lokrum Island and why you are not allowed to stay overnight. In the late 1700s, a French army general ordered the shutdown of the Monastery on Lokrum island, including the monks’ evacuation. The monks attempted to do everything they could to stay on the island and keep the sanctuary open without any success. On their final night on the island, they held one last religious gathering in which they walked around the island in their hooded robes, leaving a trail of candle wax. As they walked around the island, they chanted that whoever claimed Lokrum island for their pleasure would be damned. The monks were ordered to leave the following day and never returned.
Some genuinely believe the curse locals, with many stories spread, some that you may even hear while on the island. There has been misfortune directly related to taking possession of Lokrum for pleasure. Several aristocratic families claimed Lokrum for their fun and were either assassinated, went bankrupt, or suffered an unfortunate death. And not only did the curse affect these families, but it is said that many fishermen and ships have gone missing that were docked on the coast of Lokrum overnight. Today, as mentioned before, no one lives on the Island of Lokrum, and no one is allowed to stay overnight.
So who wants to stay overnight on Lokrum Island? Okay, I am kidding, but pretty eerie, right? It almost made me not want to use Lokrum for pleasure while there! But that should not stop you, Lokrum is just a gem to explore, and I can see why the monks did not want to leave. Okay, so let’s talk about what there is to see and do on this unique island!
Float in the Dead Sea:
A small salt lake is located almost in the center of the island. You cannot miss it as a sign points you to it. This salt lake has such refreshing and, you guessed it, salty water! We enjoyed a cool-off in this little lake after a whole morning of walking around Lokrum and exploring hidden coves and beaches. You can float, swim, swing on the rope swing, or just lay out in the sun for a perfect and peaceful afternoon. The Dead Sea lake does get crowded in the afternoon, especially in the summer, and can sometimes result in a hard time finding a little spot to sit down.
Find the Hidden Natural Window on the Adriatic Sea:
Now we get to the not-famous yet natural window on Lokrum Island that overlooks the Adriatic sea. I am shocked that more people do not know about this natural window. It is straightforward to miss, so I can see why more people have not disclosed its exact location! I kind of like the fact that it is a secret; Instagrammers and tourists do not overrun it. It is very peaceful, and we spent at least two hours there without being bothered by anyone.
How did I find out about this natural window, you wonder? Well, I saw a photo of it on none other than Instagram. As soon as I saw it and realized it was located on Lokrum Island, I knew I just had to find it. I searched online for its exact location and came up with absolutely nothing. I became determined to find it myself (with the help of my husband, of course, we all know I am terrible with directions) as soon as I got to Lokrum Island. Luckily, a couple on the ferry ride from Dubrovnik to Lokrum was on the island the day before and found the natural window. They gave us some direction about its location, which was a huge help!
As soon as we stepped off the ferry, we began our mission to find this natural wonder. We missed it the first time; we walked right on top of it! The second time we re-traced our steps and finally realized that we needed to climb down to get to it. It was worth finding because, in my opinion, this is the most beautiful spot on the island!
So to keep it secret and not be overrun by millions of other people, I have decided to disclose its exact location with a map if you subscribe to my blog (screenshot of the subscription) and send me an email through my contact information! This way, the location is kept hidden and still enjoyable to the few that find it.
