If you happen to’re visiting Croatia’s coast, you shouldn’t miss the possibility for a day journey to one of many islands – after we had been in Cut up, that meant Hvar, however whilst you’ve acquired a number of decisions for a day journey from Dubrovnik, I couldn’t resist a day on Lokrum with youngsters.
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So why select a go to to Lokrum island with youngsters over a cruise to the Elaphiti Islands (which had been on my wishlist too)? Partly simply how simple it’s, a 10-minute boat experience from the Outdated Port and the possibility to observe our personal schedule, plus the actual fact you’ll be able to spot wild peacocks, uncover a monkish curse, a hyperlink with royalty and swim within the Useless Sea.
Tempted? You have to be. This was probably the most enjoyable components of our journey, not only for getting out on the water, however as a result of the entire island feels so deliciously laid again – excellent if your loved ones is searching for a break from the crowds in Dubrovnik. Right here’s how you can fill your day on Lokrum with youngsters.
Spot the peacocks (and bunnies)
As a nature reserve, it’s no shock that you simply’ll see loads of wildlife right here – there are wild rabbits on the islands, though sadly they had been all tucked up of their burrows after we visited, so that you might need higher luck in case you enterprise to quieter areas or go to when it’s much less scorching.
Nevertheless, we noticed too many peacocks and peahens to depend, together with one peacock sliding down the hillside to strut by the water on the Useless Sea (learn on for extra about that).
You’ll in all probability see your first one nearly as quickly as you’re off the ferry, and whereas they’re wild animals, likelihood is a few of them will method you – one peahen appeared to take a liking to our neighbour’s towel on the seashore, and apparently needed to say it for her personal. No-one was fairly certain why!
The cutest factor was seeing peachicks with their moms, tiny and fluffy hiding beneath her wings. One peahen even managed to have 5 tucked away as she strutted alongside.
In addition to the wild peacocks and shy bunnies, we noticed lizards and numerous smaller birds hopping by way of the undergrowth. If you happen to’re very fortunate, you can even spot a Hermann’s tortoise
Swim within the Useless Sea
One in all my favorite issues to do on Lokrum with youngsters is to take a dip in Mrtvo Extra, aka the Useless Sea – don’t anticipate the identical type of salinity as its better-known namesake, the place you’ll be able to float with no effort, however his little saltwater lake is a superb spot for a dip.
There’s some shade on the pebbly seashore in addition to within the water, and whereas the water is cool (particularly at first!), it was beautiful and refreshing within the Might sunshine, with some hotter patches as you swam out to the sunny bit.
It’s effectively value bringing water sneakers because it’s very pebbly till you get just a little manner out, or be ready to depart sandals/flip flops on the shore, hobble out just a little manner after which swim as quickly as you’ll be able to lie flat. You should buy water sneakers by the port (on the similar place promoting ice lotions), nevertheless it’s cheaper to deliver your personal.
We had been warned to look out for sea urchins however didn’t see any round this space. It’s also possible to swim on the fabulously named Hidden Cove (not that hidden in case you’ve acquired Google Maps), in addition to Lokrum Principal Seashore by the rocks and a few different seashores additional north (each handily generally known as Lokrum seashore).
By the way, the seashore within the south-east, known as FKK Rocks, is a nudist seashore.
Stroll by the rocks
Not removed from the Useless Sea, you will get right down to the water on Lokrum rocks – a bit flat rocky space just a bit manner down from the island correct, with a number of little coves the place you’ll be able to sunbathe.
Enjoyable for youths to wander over, you’ll additionally discover individuals sunbathing right here, in addition to ladders down into the ocean itself for anybody who needs a extra energetic swim than within the Useless Sea.
Discover the ruins of the monastery
One of many first buildings you’ll come throughout as you discover – or the stays of buildings at the very least – the monastery was initially constructed within the early eleventh century. The story tells that an ideal fireplace broke out in Dubrovnik in 1023, with town’s inhabitants vowing to construct a monastery if town was spared.
Many of the ruins you’ll be able to see at the moment are from later buildings, principally fifteenth and sixteenth century, with the monastery additionally broken in the course of the 1667 earthquake which hit Dubrovnik.
At the moment, it’s very atmospheric to wander by way of; you’ll see hovering arches from rooms which not exist, the form of different rooms picked out on the ground, and also you’ll wander by way of what was as soon as the cloisters.
DID YOU KNOW? The island of Lokrum has its very personal curse, set by the monks who as soon as lived right here – within the early nineteenth century, a French military common ordered the monastery closed and the monks expelled. It’s mentioned that on their remaining evening on the island, they walked thrice across the island, holding their candles the wrong way up to depart a path of wax, chanting ‘Whosoever claims Lokrum for his personal private pleasure shall be damned’.
At first, individuals weren’t postpone – however a path of demise and monetary catastrophe has adopted anybody who owned it. The legend says the curse will solely be lifted when each final drop of wax is picked up. At the moment it’s owned by the Republic of Croatia, moderately than any particular person, and the pleasure is shared with everybody who visits…
Sit on the Iron Throne
Like many locations elsewhere in Dubrovnik and Croatia, you’ll discover filming places for Sport of Thrones on the island, together with within the monastery ruins which doubled as Qarth.
And there’s now just a little exhibition about filming, plus some images of the varied places, inside one of many intact rooms from the previous monastery.
There are just a few of the opposite Lokrum legends talked about too in case your youngsters do not know about Sport of Thrones, however you don’t must be a fan to wish to pose on the Iron Throne. Be able to queue however in Might all of it moved fairly rapidly, and everybody was thoughtful when it got here to taking images and letting others have their flip.
Stroll by way of the botanic gardens
Created by Austrian Archduke Maximilian I in 1858, the botanic gardens are like a individually little unique world contained in the island.
Filled with bushes together with eucalyptus, in addition to flowers and cacti, it’s beautiful to wander by way of, particularly in late spring/early summer season when the flowers are blooming and scenting the air.
There are data boards dotted round as effectively in case you’re eager to be taught extra about what you’re seeing or you’ll be able to simply stroll alongside the winding paths as you discover.
Discover a number of the landmarks
There are numerous landmarks dotted across the island, useful in case your youngsters wish to have a aim whenever you’re strolling.
These vary from Charlotte’s effectively, not removed from the Useless Sea, to Fort Royal, round 45 minutes’ stroll from the ferry port at Portoc within the north of the island, and the Lazaret, a seventeenth century quarantine station barely additional north – stroll up the Path of Paradise to get there.
The fort is the most important landmark; constructed by the French when Napoleon’s forces briefly occupied Dubrovnik and the encompassing space, it stands on the very best level with some implausible views down over the island and again to town. Greatest tried early within the day or later within the afternoon!
Hear the story of Richard the Lionheart
There’s an sudden hyperlink to one among England’s Plantagenet kings on Lokrum too – it’s mentioned that Richard the Lionheart was caught in a storm on the Adriatic Sea, whereas travelling house from the Third Campaign.
Fearing for his life, he vowed to construct two church buildings devoted to the Virgin Mary if he was saved – one on the primary place that he stepped on land, the opposite again in England. Escaping demise, he was shipwrecked on Lokrum and set about fulfilling the primary a part of his vow.
Listening to that royalty was on the island, a delegation of Dubrovnik’s main residents had been despatched to Lokrum to ask him into town and persuaded him to fund a church in Dubrovnik as a substitute, in the event that they constructed a smaller church on Lokrum. Each stored their aspect of the cut price with Richard forsaking a small fortune which helped construct of Dubrovnik’s cathedral, whereas it’s also possible to see the small Church of the Annunciation on the island.
Lokrum with youngsters: have to know
As Lokrum is a protected pure reserve, you’ll discover very restricted growth on the island – however in case you’re planning a day on Lokrum with youngsters, you’ll be glad to know there are just a few services to make your journey simpler.
What services are there?
There are some bathrooms on the island, on the port and across the eating places/cafes, with a number of locations to get meals – some are fancier, some are locations simply to seize snacks and an ice cream.
Lacroma Snack Bar is likely one of the closest to the ferry dock, or for drinks (and ice cream), Lake Cocktail Bar close to the Useless Sea is an efficient possibility. Alternatively, if you need a correct meal, Lacroma Restaurant and Rajski Vrt (Eden Backyard) restaurant are each near the monastery ruins, though you’ll discover value tags to match.
We had been instructed playing cards might not be accepted and to take money, however had no downside utilizing a card to purchase an ice cream – there’s nowhere to get money on the island, so it’s an excellent plan to have some with you simply in case.
There are additionally loads of locations to eat a picnic, together with picnic tables within the shade, so you’ll be able to deliver your personal food and drinks – simply made certain to get rid of all of your garbage (or take it house), and don’t feed the peacocks, who’re very keen on attempting to peck up any crumbs. The Olive Grove is a beautiful shady spot.
There’s additionally a small playground and just a little soccer pitch subsequent to it in case your youngsters have power to burn – deliver your personal ball if you need a kick round although.
You’ll additionally discover a small vacationer data workplace close to the port, which sells maps, though there are additionally greater maps dotted across the island with key factors of data, so I simply took a photograph of these and navigated by it.
What you received’t discover is anyplace to remain – it’s unlawful to remain in a single day on Lokrum (and the final ferry leaves at 7pm).
How lengthy to spend on Lokrum with youngsters
Permit at the very least two hours – even in case you don’t discover the entire island, you’ll want time to wander previous just a few of the principle spots in addition to time to sit back out by the water or beneath a shady tree.
There’s one thing within the air which makes you wish to decelerate, so don’t anticipate to hurry round, and you may loosen up on the little seashores for so long as you need.
If you wish to uncover each nook of Lokrum Island with youngsters, you’ll want longer, particularly in case you’re strolling as much as the fort or planning to go to Lokrum seashore within the north.
We spent round three hours, which felt lengthy sufficient to discover just a few of the important thing areas and have probability for a swim, nevertheless it was then too scorching to wish to do any extra strolling.
What does it value
There’s a price to enter the protected reserve however your return boat fare consists of the value of visiting the island – at present, it’s 30 Euros for adults, 5 Euros for youths.
There aren’t any charges to do something on the island, until you’re shopping for meals/drinks/snacks so when you’ve arrived, it’s all free!
Tips on how to get to Lokrum Island with youngsters
The ferries run from the previous harbour in Dubrovnik – the Ploce Gate is the closest and also you want the longer pier (by Pokliskar restaurant).
There’s a sales space the place you will get tickets close to the place the picket ferries depart, or look out for the QR code to scan on the wall close by to purchase tickets on-line so you’ll be able to skip the queue, which is a good suggestion as it may be a bit frantic on the ticket counter.
Boats run every day from April to November. Timings appeared a bit difficult to seek out out with a number of the data on-line being outdated and nothing displayed across the port, so it’s value doublechecking in case you’re visiting outdoors peak season.
Ultimately we did discover a summer season timetable for boats to Lokrum – in Might/June, the ferry was working each half-hour (on the hour and half hour departing Dubrovnik and at quarter previous and quarter to from Lokrum). The ferry journey itself solely takes about 10 minutes to succeed in the island and there are some beautiful views on the way in which.
If you happen to’re feeling extra energetic, you’ll be able to kayak to the island – remember that even the shortest route between town and the island is just a few kilometres, so it’s going to take some paddling to get there (and may be uneven).
You’ll have to rent kayaks for the entire day, and pay the doorway price on arrival – greatest for households with older youngsters, who’ve some sea kayaking expertise! There are numerous kayaking excursions from Dubrovnik, though most will solely paddle previous Lokrum moderately than cease.
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