In case you’re visiting Croatia’s coast, you shouldn’t miss the possibility for a day journey to one of many islands – once we had been in Break 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 children.
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So why select a go to to Lokrum island with children over a cruise to the Elaphiti Islands (which had been on my wishlist too)? Partly simply how straightforward it’s, a 10-minute boat experience from the Previous Port and the possibility to observe our personal schedule, plus the very fact you’ll be able to spot wild peacocks, uncover a monkish curse, a hyperlink with royalty and swim within the Lifeless Sea.
Tempted? You need to be. This was one of the vital enjoyable elements of our journey, not only for getting out on the water, however as a result of the entire island feels so deliciously laid again – good if your loved ones is on the lookout for a break from the crowds in Dubrovnik. Right here’s the way to fill your day on Lokrum with children.
Spot the peacocks (and bunnies)
As a nature reserve, it’s no shock that you just’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 once we visited, so that you may need higher luck for those who enterprise to quieter areas or go to when it’s much less scorching.
Nonetheless, we noticed too many peacocks and peahens to rely, together with one peacock sliding down the hillside to strut by the water on the Lifeless Sea (learn on for extra about that).
You’ll in all probability see your first one virtually as quickly as you’re off the ferry, and whereas they’re wild animals, chances are high a few of them will strategy you – one peahen appeared to take a liking to our neighbour’s towel on the seashore, and apparently wished to say it for her personal. No-one was fairly positive why!
The cutest factor was seeing peachicks with their moms, tiny and fluffy hiding below 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. In case you’re very fortunate, you might even spot a Hermann’s tortoise
Swim within the Lifeless Sea
One in every of my favorite issues to do on Lokrum with children is to take a dip in Mrtvo Extra, aka the Lifeless 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 pretty 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 slightly approach out, or be ready to go away sandals/flip flops on the shore, hobble out slightly approach after which swim as quickly as you’ll be able to lie flat. You should purchase water sneakers by the port (on the identical place promoting ice lotions), but it surely’s cheaper to carry your individual.
We had been warned to look out for sea urchins however didn’t see any round this space. You may also swim on the fabulously named Hidden Cove (not that hidden for those who’ve acquired Google Maps), in addition to Lokrum Essential Seaside by the rocks and a few different seashores additional north (each handily often known as Lokrum seashore).
By the way, the seashore within the south-east, referred to as FKK Rocks, is a nudist seashore.
Stroll by the rocks
Not removed from the Lifeless Sea, you will get right down to the water on Lokrum rocks – a bit flat rocky space just a bit approach 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 Lifeless Sea.
Discover the ruins of the monastery
One of many first buildings you’ll come throughout as you discover – or the stays of buildings no less than – the monastery was initially constructed within the early eleventh century. The story tells that an incredible hearth 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 immediately are from later buildings, largely fifteenth and sixteenth century, with the monastery additionally broken throughout the 1667 earthquake which hit Dubrovnik.
As we speak, 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 stated that on their last night time on the island, they walked thrice across the island, holding their candles the other way up to go away 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 loss of life 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. As we speak it’s owned by the Republic of Croatia, somewhat 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 areas for Sport of Thrones on the island, together with within the monastery ruins which doubled as Qarth.
And there’s now slightly exhibition about filming, plus some pictures of the assorted areas, inside one of many intact rooms from the previous monastery.
There are a couple of of the opposite Lokrum legends talked about too in case your children 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 pictures 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 timber together with eucalyptus, in addition to flowers and cacti, it’s pretty to wander by way of, particularly in late spring/early summer time when the flowers are blooming and scenting the air.
There are data boards dotted round as effectively for those who’re eager to study extra about what you’re seeing or you’ll be able to simply stroll alongside the winding paths as you discover.
Discover among the landmarks
There are numerous landmarks dotted across the island, useful in case your children prefer to have a aim if you’re strolling.
These vary from Charlotte’s effectively, not removed from the Lifeless 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 largest landmark; constructed by the French when Napoleon’s forces briefly occupied Dubrovnik and the encircling space, it stands on the best level with some improbable 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 in every of England’s Plantagenet kings on Lokrum too – it’s stated that Richard the Lionheart was caught in a storm on the Adriatic Sea, whereas travelling residence 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 loss of life, 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 saved their facet of the discount with Richard forsaking a small fortune which helped construct of Dubrovnik’s cathedral, whereas you too can see the small Church of the Annunciation on the island.
Lokrum with children: must know
As Lokrum is a protected pure reserve, you’ll discover very restricted growth on the island – however for those who’re planning a day on Lokrum with children, you’ll be glad to know there are a couple of amenities to make your journey simpler.
What amenities are there?
There are some bogs 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 among the closest to the ferry dock, or for drinks (and ice cream), Lake Cocktail Bar close to the Lifeless Sea is an efficient choice. Alternatively, if you’d like a correct meal, Lacroma Restaurant and Rajski Vrt (Eden Backyard) restaurant are each near the monastery ruins, though you’ll discover worth tags to match.
We had been advised playing cards is probably not 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 a superb 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 carry your individual foods and drinks – simply made positive to eliminate all of your garbage (or take it residence), and don’t feed the peacocks, who’re very keen on making an attempt to peck up any crumbs. The Olive Grove is a beautiful shady spot.
There’s additionally a small playground and slightly soccer pitch subsequent to it in case your children have vitality to burn – carry your individual ball if you’d like a kick round although.
You’ll additionally discover a small vacationer data workplace close to the port, which sells maps, though there are additionally larger maps dotted across the island with key factors of data, so I simply took a photograph of these and navigated by it.
What you gained’t discover is wherever 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 children
Permit no less than two hours – even for those who don’t discover the entire island, you’ll want time to wander previous a couple of of the principle spots in addition to time to relax out by the water or below 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 chill out on the little seashores for so long as you need.
If you wish to uncover each nook of Lokrum Island with children, you’ll want longer, particularly for those who’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 a couple of of the important thing areas and have probability for a swim, but it surely was then too scorching to wish to do any extra strolling.
What does it price
There’s a charge to enter the protected reserve however your return boat fare consists of the price of visiting the island – at the moment, 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!
get to Lokrum Island with children
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 wood 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 tough to seek out out with among the data on-line being old-fashioned and nothing displayed across the port, so it’s value doublechecking for those who’re visiting outdoors peak season.
Ultimately we did discover a summer time 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 achieve the island and there are some pretty views on the best way.
In case you’re feeling extra energetic, you’ll be able to kayak to the island – remember the fact that even the shortest route between town and the island is a couple of kilometres, so it is going to take some paddling to get there (and may be uneven).
You’ll want to rent kayaks for the entire day, and pay the doorway charge on arrival – greatest for households with older children, who’ve some sea kayaking expertise! There are numerous kayaking excursions from Dubrovnik, though most will solely paddle previous Lokrum somewhat than cease.
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Essential picture courtesy of Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
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