Vis Island offers a mecca of adventures including secluded turquoise beaches, vast vineyards with some of the best-tasting wine in Croatia, and seaside restaurants dishing up the freshest seafood that will make your taste buds sing.
On top of that, Vis Island Croatia was initially established as a military zone featuring enormous submarine hangers, a labyrinth of underground tunnels, ancient city walls, and hilltop fortresses that date as far back as World War II.
I spent two full days exploring the island and have put together this complete guide of 9 Awesome Things To Do In Vis to help you plan your trip.
Also in this guide, I have included some useful information on how to get to Vis Island, where to stay, the best way to get around the island, and recommended time to visit.
WHERE IS VIS ISLAND?
Vis Island is a small island located in the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, approximately a two-hour ferry ride from Split.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET TO VIS CROATIA
There are a few options for reaching the Croatia island of Vis.
- Take a public ferry from Split, and also from other larger islands.
- Book a spot on Yacht Week, a seven-day sail around the Croatian islands.
Public Ferry
Public ferries are a common way to reach many of the islands located off the west coast of Croatia and you can book a ferry to Vis online in advance. Click here to check all routes, timetables, and ticket prices.
Yacht Week
Another option is to book an 8-day tour around Croatia with Yacht Week, which includes Vis Island on the itinerary.
Yacht Week Croatia is up there with one of the best trips I have ever been on!
One week on a yacht, island hopping, and partying with a bunch of cool people is hands down a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the best ways to explore Croatia.
GETTING AROUND VIS ISLAND
The best way to explore the island is to rent a scooter, quad bike, or car for the day and make your way around Vis Island Croatia at your own pace.
A number of rental shops can be found along the main street close to the main harbor and you can also find rental shops in the town of Komiza.
Vis scooter rental per day costs between 150 – 300 Kuna depending on the cc’s and for how many hours.
Vis car rental per day costs between 300 – 500 Kuna depending on the make of car and for how many hours.
Car Rental – Search, Compare & Save!
Discover Cars are one of the world’s largest online car rental platforms with vehicles in 10,000+ locations.
Find the right car, in the right place, for the best price guaranteed!
BEST TIME TO VISIT VIS ISLAND
The best time to visit the Croatia island of Vis is during the shoulder months of the peak summer season which is early May to mid-June and September.
During these months, you can expect high temperatures in the ’30s, ideal swimming conditions, and fewer tourists.
During the high season, July – August, many sailboats flock to the island and anchor in the many secluded bays around the island.
You can also expect even hotter weather and prices for food, drinks, and accommodation will be at their peak too.
9 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN VIS ISLAND
Now that you’ve got all the information on how to get here, the best time to visit, and all other logistics, let’s get to the good stuff.
So, without further ado, here is a complete list of the 9 Awesome Things To Do In Vis!
VISIT STINIVA BEACH
First up on this list of things to do in Vis is Stiniva Beach!
Also referred to as Stiniva Bay or Stiniva Cove, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever laid my eyes on and it’s one of the top attractions on the island.
A secluded turquoise cove with pebbly shores and surrounding verdant cliffs are just some of the reasons why Stiniva Beach was awarded Europe’s Best Beach in 2019.
From the parking lot, there is a walking trail that is signposted and it will lead you right the way down to Stiniva Beach.
The hike takes around twenty to thirty minutes from top to bottom and for the most part, it is unshaded, so be sure to slip on some sunscreen and slap on a hat.
There is a small bar located down on Stiniva Beach Vis if you would like to grab some snacks and refreshments before finding a nice spot to perch up by the water’s edge.
If you love cliff jumping then you are in heaven! There are a number of cliffs to climb at Stiniva Cove and show off your best jumps to the onlooking crowd!
If you’re not so much of a thrill-seeker, you can go for a snorkel in Stiniva Bay or lay on the hot rocks along Stiniva Beach and work on that summer tan!
Lastly, you may want to know that Stiniva was one of the filming locations of Mamma Mia 2 on Vis Island! So if you watched the movie, it could be even more entertaining.
Full Blog Post → Stiniva Beach
Pssst! Check out this AWESOME travel bag!
The Nomatic 40L is the best travel bag on the market, perfect for weekend trips or month-long adventures!
Featuring multiple compartments for clothes, shoes, laptop, water bottle, RFID-protected pocket, and more.
It’s designed to fit the maximum size allowed for carry-on luggage, so you’ll never have to spend money on check-in baggage again!
DISCOVER THE EX-MILITARY SUBMARINE HANGER
When my friends and I visited the ex-military submarine hanger, we were jaw-dropped. Never have I ever seen anything like it and I highly recommend checking out this interesting location during your stay.
It was the Yugoslavian Navy that initially burrowed and excavated a labyrinth of underground tunnels, caves, storage facilities, and submarine hideouts all over the island in preparation for battle during World War II.
It’s quite easy to find this awesome submarine hanger by searching ‘Ex. Yugoslavian military shelter for submarines’ on Google maps. From the main harbor, it’s a 10-minute drive or a 45-minute walk.
When you arrive at the pin location on Google maps, you’ll have to park your scooter here and follow the trail down to the bottom of the rocky headland which will bring you to the entrance of the submarine tunnel. The hike down takes no more than five minutes.
You can walk right to the back of the cylindrical submarine hanger for a closer look and you can also find a labyrinth of hidden tunnels inside.
Find All → Apartments / Villas / Hotels in Vis
DIVE INTO TURQUOISE WATERS AT ROGACIC BEACH
Rogagic Beach boasts the clearest and most vibrant turquoise-colored waters on the northern shores of the island.
I stumbled across Rogacic Beach on the way to the Ex. Yugoslavian Submarine Shelter, both of which are located in Rogagic Bay.
RELATED ARTICLE → 21 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN SPLIT
There is a concrete staircase leading directly down to the water’s edge at Rogagic Beach. Alternatively, you can pull up on the side of the road anywhere in the bay and scale down the rocks to access the beach.
When I visited Rogagic Beach, I noticed there were only a handful of other beachgoers taking a dip as I believe it’s not as popular as some of the other Vis beaches on the island.
That being said, if you’re looking for what to do in Vis, Rogagic Beach is well worth a visit and you’ll most likely have this beautiful bay all to yourself.
Have you got travel insurance for your trip?!
We all know accidents can happen and having Heymondo Insurance will save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
Heymondo offers low-cost Travel Insurance to keep you covered on all your adventures.
ENJOY LUNCH & A SWIM AT STOCICA BEACH
Stoncica Beach is a tropical paradise that is not to be missed on your itinerary.
Located on the northeastern side of the island, Stoncica Bay is most famous for its palm-tree-fringed shoreline and sandy beaches.
The water is quite shallow and stretches out at least thirty meters before it starts to drop off to deeper depths.
The perfect location for families with kids as Stoncica Beach is arguably the safest beach on the island.
Down by the water’s edge at Stoncica is a pop-up beach bar serving cold refreshments all day long and on the other end of the beach is one of the most reputable seaside restaurants in Vis, Konoba Stoncica, which is known for its freshly cooked seafood and open-grilled meats.
You can enjoy a delicious meal under the shade of palm trees on an outdoor terrace and just a stone’s throw from the ocean.
VISIT THE SECLUDED BAY AT MALA TRAVNA
Mala Travna, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated beaches so be sure to add it to your list of things to do in Vis. That being said, the locals absolutely love it here!
Book Now → Vis Island-hopping tour from Split
Funnily enough, Mala Travna is located right next door to the most popular beach, Stiniva Beach, which is probably why fewer tourists even bother checking it out.
Mala Travna features large white boulders, perfect for sun tanning, and yet again awe-inspiring turquoise waters that will leave you speechless.
If this hidden beach isn’t on your list of things to do in Vis, then I highly recommend adding it now!
Access to Mala Trava is quite easy, follow the winding gravel road down the mountainside and park your car or scooter in the parking lot.
From here, it’s less than a minute walk till you reach the rocky shores at Mala Travna Bay.
Take Your Photos & Videos To New Heights!
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is the most affordable, user-friendly drone camera suitable for all levels!
This travel-sized drone captures 4K/60fps video, 48MP photo, and has 34 minutes flight time.
JOIN A WINE TASTING TOUR IN VIS
Much of the island is devoted to almost endless vineyards that produce Croatia’s famous white wine, ‘Vugava’, and the red wine ‘Plavac’.
Joining a wine tour in Vis is one of the best things to do during your visit.
There are hundreds of vineyards dotted around the island and some you can visit unannounced without having booked a tour.
The local Croatian farmers generally welcome tourists on their property and will be sure to show you around their proud vineyards and offer wine tastings at the end.
Alternatively, you can book a wine tour at one of the tourist offices in the main city of and also in Komiza.
An official wine tour in Vis includes a guided walk through the vineyards, free-flow wine tasting, and a hearty lunch.
EXPLORE THE SEASIDE TOWN OF KOMIZA
Komiza is a coastal town located on the western coastline that is most famous for its pebbly beaches, seaside restaurants, and its picturesque setting in the bay at the foot of Hum Hill.
MUST READ: BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORIES FOR ANY TRIP
Whether you spend a couple of hours or a full day in Komiza, there is plenty of things to do for everyone!
My personal recommendations in Komiza are to explore the twisting alleyways lined with ancient stone houses, take a dip at one of the many beautiful beaches next to the harbor and top it off with a delicious meal at one of the terraced seaside restaurants.
SUNSET DINNER AT FORT GEORGE
Arguably the best spot to watch the sunset on Vis Island is at Fort George and top it off with Croatian cuisine and some famous local wine at the in-house restaurant and terrace bar.
I guarantee you will have an enjoyable time!
From the hilltop restaurant at Fort George, you’ll be treated to extensive views of the rocky coastline and the sun will set right over the top of Rogacic Bay.
ROUND-THE-ISLAND BOAT TOUR
Vis boat tours are definitely one of the best ways to explore the outer edges of the island and also island-hop over to nearby destinations.
You can book a boat tour at one of the tourist offices in Komiza or in Vis town. The more people you have to join you on a Vis boat tour the better as you can split the cost between you.
The cost of a round-the-island boat tour is approximately 300 – 350 Kuna per person, and the tour includes a visit to Blue Cave, Stiniva Beach, Green Cave, Budikovac Lagoon, Smokova Bay, and the Military Tunnel.
One of the most popular spots is the Blue Cave located on the island of Bisevo, which is very close to Komiza.
If you visit the Blue Cave (Modra špilja) at the right time between 11 am and 12 pm, you’ll get to experience the cave being flooded with natural light, illuminating the lagoon with an electric blue color inside!
There is an additional entrance fee of 70 Kuna to the Blue Cave on Bisevo Island.
WHERE TO STAY ON VIS ISLAND
Vis Island has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend.
Luxury: Villa Luana
This 3-star villa is one of the best finds on the island, featuring a terrace, air-conditioning, private parking, and beautiful ocean views.
Villa Luana is a 2-bedroom apartment with a lounge room, fully equipped kitchen, private bathroom, and flat-screen tv, and it can sleep up to 6 people.
It’s the perfect place to stay for families or friends.
Mid Range: Villa Bellevue
Villa Bellevue is one of the best mid-range accommodations, featuring an outdoor pool, and terrace, close to the beach and city center.
The rooms have a seating area, balcony, flat-screen tv, and private bathroom.
Guest House Bellevue sleeps up to 3 people making it a great place to stay for couples or friends.
Budget: Provita Guesthouse
One of the cheapest accommodations on the island, Provita Guesthouse is situated on the beachfront in Komiza, just 10km from the main harbor.
Choose from a dorm room, double room, or triple room each with beach and city views.
It’s the perfect place to stay for couples or solo travelers on a budget.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR VIS CROATIA
When visiting Vis, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!
FINAL THOUGHTS – THINGS TO DO IN VIS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all about things to do in Vis, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.
Click here to find out how you can support the site organically.
Many thanks!