The Traveler's Guide
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Vis This Summer
If you’re traveling to Croatia this summer and seeking the perfect dose of escapism and low-key Adriatic charm, the picturesque island of Vis may be just what you’re looking for. Here are ten reasons why this unique Croatian island needs to feature on your itinerary:
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1. It’s away from the well-worn tourist path
A two-and-a-half-hour ferry ride out of Split, Vis is one of the most remote islands off the Croatian mainland. Free of high-rise resorts and tourist crowds, it’s the ideal destination for travelers seeking authenticity, peace, and quiet.
2. Its landscapes are Hollywood-worthy
With its scenic bays and quaint seaside towns, the idyllic island passed as Greece in the Abba-inspired blockbuster, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Be sure to visit Komiža, the picturesque fishing village, where most of the movie was shot.
3. It has some of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia
From the quiet pebble beach of Lučica to Srebrna, a beach made up of flat stones that shine in the moonlight, or the protected cove of Stiniva, which you can only access by boat, Vis is sprinkled with stunning beaches.
4. Its famous Blue and Green caves are magical
While the Blue Cave and the Green Cave are not technically on Vis island—one is located on the nearby island of Biševo and the other one on the small islet of Ravnik right off Vis—both are natural wonders you don’t want to miss while you’re there.
5. Its cuisine is authentic (and scrumptious)
If you have a penchant for small, family-run restaurants, where the food is prepared with love from fresh, local ingredients, you will love eating out on Vis. Try the local Viška pogača, a type of pie that’s unique to the island, usually filled with anchovies or salty fish!
6. It’s known for its fine wines
According to the Ancient Greeks, the island’s grapes were the finest in the region. Discover Vis’s delectable organic wines—the fruity white Vugava and the red Mali Plavac—on a wine tasting tour.
7. It also produces its own grappa
If you like your drinks sweet, you just have to try the island’s very own rogačica, a sort of brandy made from locally grown carob (Vis grows its own variety of carob tree). Živjeli!
8. It will have you slow down to island time
With its remote feel and slower tempo, Vis invites visitors to embrace the Dalmatian philosophy of life, which can be summed up in one word: ‘pomalo’. Meaning ‘take it easy’, ‘relax’, it’s a greeting you will hear everywhere on the island.
9. It has a rich history reflected in its architecture
Roman baths, Baroque Austrian architecture, a 19th-century British fortress, Tito’s cave—history buffs will have plenty to see on Vis. Visit the Archaeological Museum to check out Croatia’s largest collection of Hellenistic artifacts.
10. It’s the birthplace of European cricket (outside the UK)
Yes, you’ve read this correctly. On Vis, you’ll find sprawling vineyards, dreamy coves, and a proper cricket pitch! The British game was introduced to the island by a Royal Navy captain during the Napoleonic Wars. Feel free to go and watch the Vis team play.
For more information, be sure to check out the official tourist board website! Next, read up on these 10 other Croatian islands you won’t want to miss, including Cres and Dugi Otok!
