Vis

Vis is one of the Dalmatian islands in Croatia. It was long closed to the public because it was a Yugoslav military base, and therefore it was spared much of the destructive development typical of mass tourism at other Adriatic sites.

Get in

By ferry

The island can be reached by the Jadrolinija ferry from Split. The crossing takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs about 45 kn. You'll arrive at the port of Vis on the eastern side of the island.

Get around

On foot

Vis is a small coastal town, and you can easily walk everywhere.

By bus

Regular bus service connects Vis harbor to Komiža (15-20 minutes, 20 kn). The bus schedule is coordinated with the departure and arrival times of the ferry from the mainland. The bus leaves Vis a few minutes after the ferry's arrival, and departure from Komiža is typically one hour before the departure of the ferry from Vis. You can also travel to the western coastal town Komiža by bus.

By car

The island has good roads, an inheritance of its previous status as a military base. The main road goes all around the circumference of the island for a distance of about 30 km. As well, there is another major road cutting directly across the middle of the island.

There are rental services for cars, scooters, quads, and bikes. Prices are 500 kn to rent a car for 4 hours, 350 kn to rent a scooter for 24 hours, and 150 kn to rent a bike for 24 hours (Aug 2009).

By taxi

Taxis are available in the downtown parking lots of the two main towns. English is sometime not spoken, so be prepared. A 10-km return ride during daytime costs about 300 kn.

By boat

A number of companies organize boat excursions. Typically, tours leave in the morning around 09:00 or in keeping with weather conditions. Taxi boat service is more difficult to find and more expensive.

See

Beaches

The island has number plenty of superb beaches. Note that these are rocky (or pebble) beaches, not sand. Most of them are quiet and peaceful even at the peak of the tourist season. In general, the seafront is not very developed and looks quite natural.

The town of Vis has a substantial beach of its own and also three textile-optional beaches, which are somewhat out of the way and require some clambering up and down rocky hillsides.

Stoncica Bay is located on the island's northeastern shore about 6 km east of the town Vis. It is probably the most popular beach among young people, and it can get crowded during high season. It is perhaps the best beach on the island in terms of facilities, featuring a beach volleyball court, a restaurant, and a kiosk for beverages and ice cream

On the island's southeast coast, past the village of Milna and close to the village of Rukavac, lies Srebrena Beach or the Silver Beach, a stunning white-pebbled beach that certainly deserves a visit. In the inner part of the bay is the part of Srebrena Beach covered with pebbles. It is typically more crowded, while the rocky part outside the bay is just a short distance away and is certainly much more peaceful. It also includes a textile-free area. You can find bars and a restaurant within 10 minutes' walking distance of the beach, near the area where you have to park your car.

One of the most extraordinary and stunning inlets of the entire Adriatic is Stiniva Bay on the island's southern shore. The beach is not directly accessible by car, and you have to walk a difficult and steep path for about 30 minutes.

Nice beaches are also within easy walking distance of the town Komiža, most notably Kamenica Beach on the bay just to the south. A few meters away is the Acquarius bar that serves beverages (no food) during the daytime.

Continuing farther south from Kamenica Beach you will enter a clothing-optional area.

Just northwest of the center of Komiža is the town's main beach. There you can find many facilities, including a bar and a restaurant. Nearby is the diving center of the town. The beach is covered with pebbles and is typically rather crowded by local standards.

Do

Boat trips to the beautiful Blue Grotto and Green Grotto take place daily during the summer, with departures from both Vis and Komiža. The Blue Grotto is at the island of Biševo, located 5 km southwest of the island of Vis and about 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) from Komiža The Blue Grotto is one of the best known natural beauty spots on the Adriatic and a popular destination because of the glowing blue light that appears between approximately 10:00 and 13:00.

Buy

Popular local products include olives, capers, anchovies, and wines.

Eat

Food on the island can be inexpensive compared to many Western European countries. Pizza is rather popular, but do not expect exactly the same thing you find in its homeland. All in all, an Italian influence in the food is rather strong, and you may be pleasantly surprised by some of the pizzas you can find on the island.

Budget

Plaza. is one of the best (and cheapest) pizzerias in the town of Komiža. It is located near the hotel and the main beach. The price for a meal is about 70 kn. 2017-09-13

Mid-Range

Barba, +385 21713742. Nice restaurant in Komiža with food cooked over a wood fire. 2017-09-13
Dionis, Matije Gupca 1, 21480 Vis, 43.0594°, 16.1860°, +385 21 711 963, dionis@dionis.hr. serves great Italian and Dalmatian food at reasonable prices. Try the calamari risotto! main dishes €8-12 2016-08-29
Kolderaj, Ante Starcevica 2, Vis. is a bakery at Vis harbor where you can get coffee and tea as well. It also features a sit-down restaurant on the waterfront with an Italian-inspired menu. 2017-09-13

Splurge

Kantun, 16, Biskupa Mihe Pusica, Vis, +385 91 371 1306. Very popular restaurant with the atmosphere of a fisherman's house. Very good for "occasions". Reservations required. 2017-09-13
Jastozera, +385 91 543 6422. Pricey lobster house in the town of Komiža. 2017-09-13
Bako, 4, Gunduliceva, Komiza, +385 98 577994. Very cosy place in the town of Komiža. Food is quite good, prices are average. The terrace is quite nice, so close to the sea that you can really feel it. 2017-09-13

Drink

Sleep

Apartments are available in the town of Vis and Komiža, and in houses on the seafront. Prices are about 350 kn for a 1-bedroom apartment in high season.

Vis - island of Croatia