Last updated on October 18th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
Vis Island is often called ‘the mysterious island’, and on my recent visit, I had the chance to uncover its hidden secrets!
Vis is one of the most unique Croatian islands, its quieter ambience, ancient towns and stunning rolling-hill landscapes make you feel like you’ve arrived somewhere a little more off the beaten path – a world away from tourism, beach beds and bars!
I spent almost a week on the island of Vis and discovered a place still frozen in time, a stark contrast to its vibrant neighbour, Hvar Town. Instead of fancy beach clubs and expensive restaurants, I experienced a slower pace, crowd-free beaches, wine bars and one phenomenal boat trip that I can’t wait to share with you!
So whether you’re here for hidden beaches or cinematic landscapes (yes, Mamma Mia 2 was filmed here), this travel guide covers the very best things to see and do on the island of Vis!
Why Visit Vis Island Croatia?
Vis Island is unlike any other island I have visited in Croatia, as a former Yugoslav military base, Vis was actually closed to visitors until 1991, so it feels untouched by tourism and more authentic because of it!
Everything on Vis feels special, from the traditional family tavernas, vineyards and charming beaches to the island’s illuminated caves, shallow water bays and natural cliffs!
Its appeal lies in the fact that it is mysterious and remote, and for this reason, many people visit as a day trip from Hvar Town – it takes a determined traveller to stay as there’s only one or two solid hotel options on the whole island, but trust me, it’s so worthwhile!
Planning your trip to Vis Island last minute?
Here’s a few activities and accommodation recommendations to book before you arrive in Vis Croatia!
Top 3 Hotels in Vis Island
- San Giorgio – TOP boutique hotel in the oldest part of Vis Town!
- ViSun Apartment 2 – lovely apartment, incredible sea view, Vis Town!
- LISSA Home – beautifully designed rooms near Vis Town harbour!
Top experiences and excursions
- Vis Island Highlights Boat Tour Vis, Blue Cave, beaches, scenery & more!
- Local Wine Tasting & Winery Tour through the vineyards of Vis Croatia!!
- Vis Military Tunnels Tour – discover the unique history of Vis!
Quick note: the Kroatian word for Island is “Otok” so you might see Vis kroatien as Otok Vis, which is just the Croatian way of saying “Vis Island”.
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN VIS ISLAND CROATIA
Vis Island is known for its quietness and natural landscapes, but there’s still plenty of things to do, such as exploring the island and beaches by boat, visiting the famous Blue and Green Caves, wineries, military tunnels, mountains and more during your visit to vis!
WALK AROUND VIS TOWN & KUT VILLAGE
Vis Town is the most classy and happening place on the island of Vis Croatia and it will be your first glimpse of Vis when you arrive, as all ferries, boat trips and yachts dock at the main harbour – and what a first impression – I was blown away!
You’ll love this pretty town surrounded by coastal and mountain scenery with pastel 17th century Venetian buildings lining the harbour, there’s even a little green island with a church just metres off the shoreline, it’s my favourite spot on the island!
Kut is the cultural heart of Vis Town, it’s also where we chose to base ourselves at the San Giorgio Hotel, which I highly recommend, we loved it! It offers all the charming things you hope to find, including cobble-stoned paths, wrought iron balconies and beautiful restaurants with candle-lit courtyards and stunning sea views!
TAKE A TOUR AROUND VIS ISLAND BY BOAT
One thing you should definitely do on Vis Island is hop on a boat trip; it’s without a doubt the best way to see all the highlights and hidden gems of the island. I loved this day out on the water!
You’ll depart directly from Vis Town harbour and head off to see the most dramatic landscapes, Blue and Green Caves, Military Tunnels and swim spots that include Stiniva Bay (swimming into the bay), the Blue Lagoon of Budikovac Island and those made famous by the Mama Mia film!
It really is a fantastic way of maximising your time on the island as you cannot get to many of these places without a boat or taking a tour – it took us a couple of days to realise this!! There’s a few companies that offer the same boat trip, but we did our research and booked with Nemo Tours and had a fantastic time!
They offer private or small group tours – we took a private tour (two couples), which gave us more flexibility and of course privacy!
Book our fantastic boat trip from Vis Island in advance!
VISIT STINIVA BEACH OF VIS ISLAND
Stiniva beach is the most recognisable of all beaches in Vis Island because of the dramatic limestone cliffs that surround the pure white pebbles and clear blue water – it is a stunner!
You can access it by boat or if you’re up for a challenge, a hike down the rocky, steep path from the roadside – for this to work, you’ll need a car or scooter due to the remote location!
As Stinva Beach was included in our boat tour, we accessed the beach directly from the bay, which I think is the best experience, especially as there’s no shade and many day trippers, it’s not really a beach to relax on – it’s ALL about the scenery and a quick dip!
Pro Tip! Invest in water shoes and a waterproof pouch to swim with and buy a lemon beer from the little beach bar!!
EXPLORE THE BLUE CAVE FROM VIS ISLAND
The Blue Cave is a unique natural wonder located on Bisevo Island, a small island off the coast of Vis and one of the top attractions in the region!
Visitors from all over – even as far as Split take boat trips to the Blue Cave to see the magical blue illuminations, which light the entire cave between the hours of 11am to 1pm, but it’s much better to visit it from nearby Vis or Hvar!
The Blue Cave is only 20 minutes from Vis and you can get a water taxi from Komiza if you want to go independently. However, I strongly recommend taking the full boat trip around Vis, as the cave experience itself only lasts for around 10 minutes!
(Note, you are transferred onto smaller wooden boats to fit through the narrow opening of the cave and there will be 3-4 other boats at any one time – it’s busy, but I do think it’s worthwhile, if you’re close by!)
DISCOVER THE GREEN CAVE FROM VIS ISLAND
Green Cave is similar to Blue Cave, but much smaller and of course you’ll see green illuminations instead of blue! It is often combined with a trip to the Blue Cave as part of a longer boat tour around the Vis Island!
The Green Cave is located south of Vis Island on the islet of Ravnik and one of the reasons why people go there is because there are fewer tourists around and you can actually swim and jump off the rocks!
BUT if you only have the desire to visit one illuminating cave, I would actually skip the Green Cave and focus on the Blue Cave, it’s more dramatic and you don’t have to get your hair wet!
SWIM IN THE BLUE LAGOON ON BUDIKOVAC ISLAND
The Blue Lagoon should be next on your must-see and swim spots, even the name sounds tempting, and the best thing is, it’s not over-hyped at all! The waters really are some of the bluest that I’ve come across in Croatia and the surrounding scenery and tranquil ambience make it all extra special – a perfect addition to your Vis Island itinerary!
Most trips to the Blue Lagoon are part of a wider Vis boat tour, which means you’ll also explore hidden bays, swim in turquoise waters, and enjoy the island from the sea!
Read Next: My complete guide to the best boat trips in Vis Croatia!
EXPLORE MORE BEACHES IN VIS ISLAND
Stiniva is the most famous beach on Vis Island (and the most stunning), but if you want to explore further, there are plenty more local beaches in Vis that you can easily walk to! Here’s my top picks!
Grandovac Beach
Grandovac is just around the corner from my lovely hotel San Giorgio in Kut, so it’s the beach I visited most often and liked. The natural pebbles and pine trees make it a nice spot to relax and in mid-September it was quiet – don’t forget to bring your entire beach bag though, as there are zero facilities!
Lucica Beach
Lucica Beach is a nice pebbly beach to visit if you’re in Komiza, it’s definitely the best bay in the area! The setting looks like a painting with charming stone houses on either side of the bay – even if you’re not swimming, it’s still a lovely calm spot to walk to. (You can find a small bar here and deck chairs to hire too!).
Srebrna Beach
Srebrna Beach Vis, also called Silver Beach is another popular clear-water beach with limestone surrounds and giant white pebbles, similar to what you find at Stiniva Beach – both are situated on the south of the island! There are no facilities at all, but you can get natural shade from the pine trees.
Tip! The most secluded coves are only accessible by sea – making a boat tour around Vis Island the best way to discover those secret spots.
Read Next: The best beaches to visit in Vis Croatia!
WINE TASTING AND VINEYARDS IN VIS ISLAND
Vis, like all the other Croatian islands, also offers local wine that you can sample straight from the wineries, Korcula is even known as ‘wine island’ and Vis Island, although not quite on the same scale, still offers its own brand of wine and wine tastings!
How does an afternoon of exploring wineries with jaw-dropping views over orchards, villages and the blue sea sound? I am a complete fan of all things that involve wine tastings and vineyards, even if I’ve visited many before, it’s the experience that I love!
THE DETAILS
Visit the most well-known vineyards in the oldest part of Vis Island; Kut, where just above lies beautiful landscape, orchards and olive groves, which makes it a wonderful afternoon or pre-dinner activity! For good company, great wine and a local insight, I couldn’t recommend this wine experience enough!
Book: Your spot on the wine tasting and Vineyard tour of Vis!
EXPLORE KOMIZA VILLAGE & BAYS
If you’re staying in Vis Town then Komiza village is worth seeing, it has a completely different look and feel to Vis Town, the buildings here are traditional stone with green shutters and the area is more local than tourist-based!
But what Komiza does have is a picture-perfect horseshoe bay filled with fishermen’s boats, terraces and palm trees and a backdrop of Mount Hum – it’s incredibly scenic! I spent hours just sitting on my hotel balcony in the middle of Komiza bay looking at the view!
You can walk from one side of Komiza to the other in 15 minutes, but you’ll need a couple of hours to really enjoy the stone houses, hidden pebble beaches (on both sides of the town) and grab a bite to eat, I really liked Fabrika as a breakfast-brunch spot!
THE DETAILS
You can easily reach Komiza from Vis Town in 20 minutes, there’s a regular bus that runs from the Harbour and drops you directly in Komiza Village! If you are won over by the scenery as I was, you can also stay here for a couple of nights – I picked this cute guest house because of the waterfront location and amazing balcony view, it was a great experience!
FIND VIS ISLAND’S MAMA MIA LOCATIONS
You may already be aware that Vis Island was chosen as the destination for the major Hollywood film Mama Mia 2 and the entire production team was based in tiny Komiza – not Greece as the film portrays!
Filming took place in five places on Vis, these were; Stiniva, Komiza, Barjoska Bay and Vis Town, which put Vis firmly on the wanderlust map!
To make everything look authentic and real, they even imported things like Greek fruit and veg for the market scene at Vis Town Harbour – right where the Jardrolinija anchors!
When exploring Vis Island, keep an eye out for these locations if you’re a fan of the film!
EXPLORE THE MILITARY TUNNELS
If you want to do something really different, you could visit the military tunnels; it’s the most unique thing to do on the island of Vis Croatia.
The military base has been closed for three decades, but the tunnels left behind make for an interesting trip, an alternative to beaches and boat trips that dominate the Adriatic!
You need to book a military tour to see it, your tour guide will give you the necessary equipment for safety and lead you through a maze of secret tunnels with a flash light, you certainly won’t find this activity anywhere else in Croatia!
This top-rated tour takes you deep into Vis’s fascinating military tunnels, up to historic Fort George, and all the way to Mount Hum – the island’s highest peak with jaw-dropping views.
Check availability and book your spot on the Military Tour here!
SUNSET AT FORT GEORGE VIEWPOINT
Speaking of Fort George, it is the secret place to go for epic views and sunsets over dinner and drinks!
It combines a little bit of history with a social activity – and for now not many people even know it exists on Vis Island, unless you have done the military tour!
You can read about Fort George’s legacy here – the character and stone walls are all still intact and now there’s also a sprawling Mediterranean terrace and restaurant serving local cuisine and wine – it is the island’s prime spot for weddings and celebrations!
Due to the location, you would need to hunt down a taxi (easier from Vis Town) or have your own transport and in the peak summer months, I recommend reserving a table in advance for sunset!
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK ON VIS ISLAND
On the island of Vis, there are some charming places to eat and drink and the settings range from courtyards to seafront terraces and tucked-away local konobas, a refreshing change from the dressy flash restaurants of Hvar and Korcula. Vis is more relaxed with a chilled ambience, here’s my top picks!
RESTAURANT BOCCADORO
Restaurant Boccadoro is a charming restaurant in the historic neighbourhood of Kut serving high-quality Mediterranean and Croatian dishes within a lovely courtyard setting – it’s the restaurant of Hotel San Giorgio (where I stayed). I recommend reserving for dinner, when the atmosphere is even more magical under the glow of twinkly lights!
FRUTARIJA
Frutarija is the perfect spot to chill with a cocktail in the early evening. It’s right on the waterfront of Vis Town, so you can watch the boats float by from the outdoor terrace, the most inviting place – I found myself here a few times, there’s two levels, including seats that are almost touching the water!
LOLA KONOBA
Lola Konaba is a real hidden gem in Vis Croatia, offering tapas and vegetarian options within a garden setting, which has a central fountain, lemon trees and relaxed music – I loved it!
FABRIKA
If you’re looking for a nice coffee or light breakfast in Komiza try Fabrika, it was my go-to place for smoothies, juices, granola and avocado toasts. It’s right next to the water with lovely views!
WHERE TO STAY IN VIS ISLAND
Vis Island is unlike most of the other islands, there are very few accommodation options, just one boutique hotel and a handful of apartments and villas, mostly situated in Vis Town or Komiza.
Vis Town and Komiza are the two main towns to choose between if you want to stay somewhere with amenities, I really liked Vis Town, it’s more up-market with a selection of good quality restaurants and nice harbour views.
Komiza feels more local, offering mainly guest houses and fishermen’s boats rather than yachts and restaurants, but it is very scenic with Mount Hum framing the background, which is why a lot of boat trips go there!
If you are here for a week, you could stay in both places, like I did, I found the island very quiet at the end of September and easy to move around and see the main attractions, but it might be a different story in the peak summer months!
WHERE TO STAY IN VIS TOWN
Hotel San Giorgio
Hotel San Giorgio is the best hotel on Vis Island, a charming boutique with a fantastic location in the nicest part of Kut, I stopped for 5 nights and had a great experience! I chose the deluxe double as it’s the only room with panoramic views and a balcony – with sunbeds!
I loved waking up to stunning views and enjoyed lovely breakfasts on the terrace each morning, nothing was too much trouble at this boutique. It’s the perfect place to stay when visiting the island of Vis, I recommend booking San Giorgio early as it sells out fast!
LISSA Home
LISSA Home is a beautifully designed house inside and out, housed within a historic building in the heart of Vis Town. You will love the style, each room has been renovated to a very high standard, it’s adult only and just a lovely place to stay!
House Bava
House Bava is a gorgeous place to stay, with a lot of character and charm with lovely hosts to greet you in the historic part of Vis Town, near the harbour. It’s a super convenient place to stay, just 2-3 minutes from everything and the location is very pretty!
WHERE TO STAY IN KOMIZA
View Komiza
View Komiza is a lovely newly renovated 2 bedroomed apartment with lots of space, modern facilities and a fantastic sea view balcony – where you will spend most of your time! Apartment View is the best in Komiza and just a short stroll to the seafront!
Seafront Rooms Koluna
Seafront Rooms Koluna is where I stayed for two nights after Vis Town. It is simple accommodation with nice decor, but what really sells it is the stunning balcony view over the whole bay! I chose the top room and was very happy – breakfast wasn’t great, but for €60 I can’t complain!
Read Next: Where To Stay On Vis Island, Best Areas & Hotels In Vis
Is the island of Vis in Croatia worth visiting?
Yes! Vis is absolutely worth visiting! Vis Island or Vis Kroatien as it’s locally known, is the perfect addition to any Croatian island-hopping itinerary, it’s a lovely place to visit in Croatia for a day trip or longer- especially if you’re craving serenity, local charm, and a slower pace.
I love the relaxed atmosphere, cobbled lanes and beautiful mountainous scenery; it’s perfect for couples, slow travellers and wine lovers!
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO VIS ISLAND CROATIA
HOW TO GET TO VIS ISLAND
Where Is Vis Island?
Vis Island is the furthest Dalmatian island from Split, it’s around 2.5 hours away and makes a popular island hopping addition or a day trip from Hvar Town – from there Vis Town can easily be reached in an hour.
Getting to Vis Island, Croatia is part of its charm. Because there’s no airport, the only way to reach the island is by sea – which helps keep its atmosphere so peaceful and authentic!
Split To Vis Island
The main hub is Split, where you can hop on a ferry (about 2 hours, ideal if you’re staying for 2-3 days). In summer, there are multiple departures daily, but it’s still wise to book in advance!
If you’re short on time, you can visit as a day trip from Split, which is combined with the famous Blue Cave, Stiniva Beach, Srebrena Beach, Komiza, Hvar and the Pakleni Islands – it is a whirlwind of a tour, but it covers the main highlights of Vis Island!
Hvar To Vis Island
If you’re staying on Vis for a few days you can organise a direct ferry from Hvar Town to Vis Town harbour, the journey time is only 1 hour and the service runs a few times per week (not every day) so you’ll need to plan ahead.
Many people also visit on a day trip from Hvar Town, which includes a speedboat to the main highlights: Blue Cave, Blue Lagoon, Stiniva Beach and lunch in the Pakleni Islands or Vis Town – pretty much the same as the boat tour from Vis Island that we took!
You can easily book a small group tour or a private tour if you prefer your own schedule or even to create your own itinerary from Hvar to Vis – it is the most popular boat tour in Hvar Island!!
Read Next: Check out my guide on how to get to the Island of Vis in Croatia!
HOW TO GET AROUND VIS ISLAND
Once on Vis, there are a few transport options for getting around the island of Vis, depending on where you end up staying!
Vis Public Bus
A local bus runs between Vis Town and Komiza every hour approximately (it meets in time with the catamaran arrivals and departures).
The journey is 25 minutes and it costs less than a coffee! The schedule is clearly marked at the ferry port bus stop for either direction – take note of it!
Taxi & Private Transfers
Taxis and private transfers are available from the ferry port and in both towns (but not many!!), agree on a price beforehand as they are not metered.
Car & Scooter Rental
Locally you can rent a scooter or car from Vis Town, but bear in mind that Vis Island is rugged and hilly and being in a small place, it might not be necessary if you’re staying in Vis Town or Komiza!
Another way to explore is by sea – joining a boat tour of Vis Island gives you a totally different perspective of its coastline and secret beaches!
Boat or Water Taxi
Some of the best beaches are only accessible by boat. You can hire your own small boat or take a taxi boat from Vis Town or Komiža – note the taxi boat will only take you to one beach, not ‘beach hop’.
WHEN TO VISIT VIS ISLAND
The best time to visit Vis Island is during the summer months from May to mid-September, the peak months are July and August, which see more crowds and higher prices.
As Vis is a little off the beaten path and receives fewer visitors, the summer facilities on this island close early for the season, such as restaurants and boat trips!
HOW LONG TO STAY ON VIS ISLAND
I recommend spending 3-4 days on Vis Island; one day for a boat tour around Vis, and two days to explore Komiza, Vis Town, relax on the beaches, visit the military tunnels or vineyards.
VIS ISLAND CROATIA FAQ
What are the best things to do in Vis Island?
The best things to do in Vis Island include a boat trip around the island, visiting the famous Blue Cave, Stiniva Beach, Komiza Village, Kut, vineyards and Mama Mia filming locations!
Where is the best place to stay on the island of Vis?
The best places to stay on the island of Vis is Kut and the charming boutique Hotel San Giorgio, this is where I stayed and loved it; mostly the accommodation on Vis consists of guest houses and apartments.
Can you do a day trip to Vis Island?
Yes! You can do a day trip to Vis Island if you only have a day spare to explore and you don’t want to move hotels or islands! The best way is to do an organised day trip from Hvar Town, it’s the closest island to Vis, just an hour away!
I recommend this full-day tour from Hvar, it includes everything that you see on the boat tour from Vis, including the Blue Cave, Stiniva Beach, Blue Lagoon and a stop at the Pakleni Islands on the way back to Hvar!
Is Vis a party island?
This island low key when it comes to bars and nightlife, the age group travelling to Vis Island in general are more mature, having said that you never know when a yacht of lively people are going to show up on Vis Town harbour!!
VIS ISLAND CROATIA – FINAL THOUGHTS
Vis is one of those rare places that still feels authentic – where sleepy villages, turquoise bays, and vineyard-dotted hillsides create a laid-back atmosphere, I absolutely loved my time on the island!
Whether you’re exploring the island’s history, enjoying dinner by the sea, or discovering a hidden beach, Vis Croatia has a way of making you feel special to be there and see it all!
To truly experience the magic of Vis, I’d highly recommend booking a boat tour. It’s the most effortless and memorable way to explore hidden beaches, swim in remote lagoons, and see the island at its best.
If you’re planning a longer Vis Island trip, be sure to check out my guides to Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands for more inspiration. Trust me – Vis will be the highlight of your Adriatic adventure.
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Plan your Vis Island itinerary, Croatia’s most authentic island!
Here’s my go-to list of resources for transport, accommodation, and tours to the Island of Vis!
- Booking.com for the best boutique rates
- Viator for great day trips
- Get Your Guide for unique day excursions
- Omio for booking ferries in Croatia
Read Next:
- 5 Wonderful Island To Visit In Croatia
- How To Get To Vis Island Croatia
- Where To Stay On Vis Island: Hotels In Vis
- The Best Boat Tours Of Vis Island: Vis To Blue Cave & More!
- The Best Beaches In Vis Island: A Complete Guide!
- Hvar Island Travel Guide: What To See & Do!
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Michelle Trudie, is the founder of Little Wanderblog, a luxury boutique travel site. She has travelled to over 30 countries in the last 15 years. Michelle share’s her passion for stylish and affordable luxury travel experiences in Europe and beyond! Her goal is to make travel planning easier to hidden gem places!