Just offshore from Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Lokrum is a wooded island and nature reserve reached by a short ferry ride from the Old Port. Its pine and holm oak forests, rocky coves and roaming peacocks make it a welcome change of pace from the city’s crowded stone streets.
Lokrum’s Benedictine monastery was first documented in 1023, and its surviving buildings and cloister are among the island’s most atmospheric sights. In the 19th century, Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg made the complex his summer residence. Local legend also links the island to Richard the Lionheart, who is said to have been shipwrecked here on his way home from the Third Crusade.
Follow the paths to the botanical garden, climb to Fort Royal for views back towards Dubrovnik, or swim in the small saltwater lake known as the Dead Sea. Check ferry times before setting out, wear sturdy shoes for the uneven paths and rocky swimming spots, and bring water. Overnight stays are not permitted, so leave enough time to catch the last boat.