Vis Island – Lush, Secluded and Offering Pure Relaxation
If you want to enjoy the sound of waves crashing and the tranquility of lush green forests without being surrounded by a big crowd of tourists, then Vis Island may be the ideal place to visit off the Dalmatian Coast. This Croatian island is much further away from the mainland compared to Brac and Hvar. In fact, the boat trip from Split takes over two hours. It is also the most pristine of all. Having been the home to a military base until the late 1980’s, it never saw a major boom in population and modern construction. What can you see and do there? Let’s find out.
The Main Towns
The Town of Vis is the major tourist destination on the island. You will arrive at its harbor if you take a boat from Split in approximately 2.5 hours. The harbor promenade, old Venetian architecture and inviting cafes and restaurants make the town a great place to stay.
Komiza is the other major resort town on Vis Island. It’s actually a fishing village which has grown enough to accommodate the increasing number of tourists. It’s on the west side of the island and the starting point of boat tours for exploring the local area.
Where do you want to go?
The Best Beaches
Vis Island has a great number of unspoiled beaches, but some have gained more popularity than others. Stoncica Beach is in close proximity to the Town of Vis in a secluded bay. It is one of the few sandy beaches on the island and this makes it quite popular with families. The crystal clear shallow waters are ideal for swimming and playing. Milna Beach is further away, but has sand, so it is another great choice for holidaymakers with kids.
Stiniva is undoubtedly the most spectacular beach on the island. It’s incredibly small and surrounded by a ring of tall cliffs with an opening, which is large enough for boats to pass through, in the middle. You will undoubtedly have an incredible experience at that beach, no matter whether you visit it by car or by boat. The water is great for swimming and snorkeling. You can take some of the best photos from high up the hill.
For those staying in Komiza, Komiza Beach is the obvious choice. It is practically within the village and is quite big too. It gets plenty of sunshine and the water is quite calm which guarantees that you will have a good time.
Major Attractions
The Town of Vis has a range of popular historic attractions. You can explore the walls of the Ancient Roman city along with the public baths built near them. The archaeological museum housed in an old fortress has very interesting artifacts. St. Jerome’s Church and Monastery is another place of interest.
Green Cave is among the most impressive natural sites on Vis Island. You can reach it by boat or by kayak, but not on foot and this is also part of its appeal. The water has carved a considerable amount of space inside the white cliffs, enabling visitors to swim and kayak to explore the cave. Keep in mind that from 2017 the entrance inside the Green Cave is being charged (currently at 10 Eur per person).
Bisevo Island is just a short boat ride away from Komiza, but boasts with awesome beaches and the popular Blue Cave. The boat tour of the cave is a truly magical experience which you should consider including in your itinerary.
Take a chance to visit the “Forbidden Island” – magnificent Vis. From the end of World War II until 1989, due to military regime of Marshal Tito, Vis was a place where outsiders were not allowed. Find out more about its strategic location as the island furthest from the mainland, due to which it was transformed into a military base.
It is said that Vis is the finest gastronomic destination on the Croatian Adriatic. Let us combine gastronomy with nature by taking you to the other major attraction in Vis – the famous Blue Cave that will leave you amazed and ensure you take home beautiful memories. Come and check why Vis has been described as one of the top 10 small islands in the world!
Fun Activities
If you love water sports, you can try scuba diving off the coast of Vis Island. There are plenty of great spots steaming with colorful fish swimming around the corals and sponges. You will have a wonderful experience.
The island has a small-scale, but well-developed wine industry making wine sampling one of the most popular activities with tourists. The sweet white wine Vugava is the most famous produced on Vis. If you prefer red wine, don’t miss out on the opportunity to try the locally made Plavac.
When to Visit
The period from June to August offers the best weather and this makes it the peak tourist season. Since accommodation isn’t as abundant as on the other popular islands off the Dalmatian Coast, you should consider planning your trip to Vis Island well in advance. It’s a fantastic place to get blissful rest.
Places to Visit
Monk Seal Cave, “Medvidina spilja” on Bisevo island
Monk Seal Cave, “Medvidina spilja” on Bisevo island Besides the Blue Cave, the most popular of all the caves of the Vis archipelago, and the main attraction of majority of day tours heading to Vis island, there is another cave which will leave you enchanted if you get the opportunity to discover its natural beauty....
Budikovac island and its Turquoise Lagoon
Budikovac island and its Turquoise Lagoon Another lagoon which we visit on our speedboat tour from Split, besides the Blue Lagoon of Drvenik and Krknjasi islands, is the lagoon of distant Budikovac island. Even though we like to call them “blue lagoons”, the color of the sea inside the Budikovac lagoon is closer to beautiful...
Green Cave
Visit Green Cave on Island Vis Croatian islands have everything necessary to fulfill all your desires and dreams. Green Cave is another natural phenomenon in Croatia, located on the islet Ravnik, on the southern side of Vis island. It is less famous than the Blue Cave, but definitely worth visiting. After the swimming stop inside...
Stiniva Cove, island Vis
Stiniva Cove, island Vis The second stop on daily speedboat tour to Blue Cave and Hvar is Stiniva Cove on island Vis. Just as you finish marveling at the beauty of the Blue Cave on island Biševo you are taken on a short speedboat ride to the bay on which bottom the famous Cove is...
Komiža, Vis
Visit the birthplace of the fishing as a major cultural tradition on this side of the Adriatic. Get to know people whose vessels dominated the region and its trade. Explore the narrow streets and the attractive stone houses in picturesque Komiža on Vis island. Explore the fishing museum, with a wide collection of knots, nets...
Blue Cave Croatia
Blue Cave Croatia Not only is the Blue Cave one of the unique natural phenomena in the world, but this bright and beryl attraction on Bisevo island is destined to be the highlight of your Croatian holiday. The magnificent work of Mother Nature, this cerulean oasis is so unique because it is formed due to...
