01Where Lopud Sits in the Elaphiti Islands
Lopud is one of three inhabited islands in the Elaphiti archipelago, 13 islands and islets lying roughly 15–35 km northwest of Dubrovnik. Koločep and Lopud are car-free. Lopud has fewer than 250 year-round residents and covers less than 5 km². The village sits on a single sheltered bay on the island's northeast side, and the sandy Šunj beach lies on the opposite, southern shore.
In the 15th to 17th centuries Lopud was a summer retreat and shipping base for Dubrovnik (Ragusan) nobility. Ruined manor houses, a Franciscan monastery and a hilltop fortress remain from that period.
02How to Island Hop From Lopud
There are three practical methods: the public ferry, an organised boat tour, and a private boat. The right choice depends on how many islands you want in one day.
Option 1: Public Jadrolinija ferry (cheapest)
Jadrolinija line 807 runs from Gruž port in Dubrovnik to Koločep, then Lopud, then Suđurađ on Šipan. The ride takes about 30 minutes to Koločep, 25 more to Lopud and 15 more to Šipan. Hand luggage up to 20 kg is free.
Adult fares for Dubrovnik–Lopud in 2026 were €3.40 in the off-season (until 28 May and from 28 September) and €5.40 in the main season (29 May to 27 September). Children aged 3–12 pay about €1.90, and children under 3 travel free. The fare is the same in both directions. Fares and timetables are updated every year, so check the Jadrolinija schedule for 2027 before travelling.
The weakness of the ferry is its timetable. It is built around island residents commuting to Dubrovnik, so combining two islands in one day is often not possible. Lopud works best as a single-island day on the public ferry: a morning departure, a swim at Šunj, and a late-afternoon return.
Option 2: Organised boat tour (best for three islands)
Full-day group tours from Gruž or the Old Port cost roughly €30–70 per person for about 8 hours. Most include lunch and drinks on board. A typical itinerary gives about an hour on Koločep, 45 minutes on Šipan and 2.5 hours on Lopud. Half-day tours (about 4 hours, €40–60) cover Koločep and Lopud only.
The Blue Cave on Koločep is reachable only by small boat. The public ferry does not stop there, so tours are the only budget way to swim in it.
A hop-on-hop-off boat that serves only Koločep and Lopud also operates, at about €36–40 per person. Lunch is optional and costs around €25 on board.
Option 3: Private boat or speedboat (most flexible)
Private full-day charters run from about €350–600 per boat for 4–12 people, depending on boat size and season. Some skippered Elaphiti tours cost from about €95 per person. A speedboat reaches Šunj in about 30 minutes from Dubrovnik and drops guests directly on the beach. Some operators add a fuel surcharge, such as €80 paid in cash on board, so confirm what the price includes.
03What to Do on Lopud
Šunj Beach
Šunj is a wide, south-facing sandy bay backed by pine trees, and it is the only sandy beach of this kind near Dubrovnik. The water is shallow and warm, which makes it the best option on the islands for young children. Shade on the sand is limited, so bring an umbrella or hat.
From Lopud harbour, the walk takes 20–30 minutes along a paved road and then a forest path. In season, electric golf carts run between the village and the beach for about €5 per person each way. A beach bar and restaurant operate on site in summer.
Lopud village and monastery
The harbourfront promenade is lined with plane trees and stone houses. The Franciscan monastery and the church of Our Lady of Špilica are the main historic sites, and several 15th–17th century manor houses stand in ruins.
Fort Sutvrač
The fortress on the hill above the village gives a view over the whole archipelago and the Pelješac coast. Allow about 45 minutes for the uphill walk from the harbour and wear closed shoes, since the path is rocky.
04Combining Lopud With Koločep and Šipan
Koločep
Koločep is the closest island to Dubrovnik and the quietest. It has two settlements, Donje Čelo and Gornje Čelo, linked by a stone path. The Blue Cave is on its coast.
Šipan
Šipan is the largest island, with olive groves, old summer houses and a long coastal road for walking. The ferry lands at Suđurađ. Šipanska Luka is a different port, served by a separate catamaran line, so check which port your boat serves before booking onward plans.
05Sample Itineraries
Budget day on Lopud (about €7–11 total): Take a morning ferry from Gruž, walk to Šunj, swim, eat in the village, and return on the afternoon ferry.
Three islands in one day (about €50–110): Book a group tour with lunch, then add a golf cart ride at Šunj if the tour stops long enough.
Independent two-day trip: Spend the first night on Lopud, which has few hotels and private rooms, and take the ferry to Šipan the next morning. This is the only comfortable way to use the public timetable for more than one island.
06Best Time to Go
June and September give the best balance of warm sea and manageable crowds. July and August bring the most day-trippers, usually from 11:00 to 16:00. Outside the main season, many restaurants and beach services close, and ferries run less often, so the islands suit walking rather than beach days. For a quiet Šunj, go in the late afternoon after the tour boats leave.
07Local Tips
- Buy a round-trip ticket and note the last return sailing, because missing it means paying for a private boat or an overnight stay.
- Go to Šunj first and eat in the village afterwards. The beach is emptier before about 11:00.
- Bring cash for golf carts and small beach bars, since card acceptance is inconsistent.
- Bring water and snacks if the day is short. Lopud has a few shops, but opening hours are limited outside summer.
- Choose a boat tour over the ferry if you want more than one island. Choose the ferry if Šunj is the only goal.
08Is Lopud Worth It?
Yes. Lopud is the best single island for a first visit to the Elaphiti group, because it combines a sandy beach, a historic village and a fortress walk within a small area. Koločep is better for a short, quiet swim, and Šipan for walkers.
