Vis island

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It's a special feeling to set your course towards some island. To puncture the barrier that keeps us stranded on land and to boldly go towards new and unfamiliar. Or familiar and dear. And the moment we leave the deck of the ship and set our foot on enchanted ground, we enter some other dimension, other space and time, where the only rule is eternal struggle between white rock and blue sea, or never-ending race between playful, warm sun and calm, starry night. All the rest is - relative.

As one of the furthest (22 km from land) and culturally the richest Dalmatian islands, Vis is by all means also one of the most authentique. Thanks to its specific culture, which manifests in peculiar dialect, preserved tradition and architecture, this island prepares a handful of surprises and unbelievable discoveries for each visitor. Besides with rich culturally-historical heritage, island attracts with its diversiful flora and fauna, as well as with its beautiful, hidden coves and beaches, where you can enjoy in the cleanest sea of Adriatic. Island Vis is well known by its tasteful kitchen, where exquisite dishes made of sea fruit prevail, accompanied by top, autochthon wines.

It was inhabited since the antique times by members of ancient Iliric tribes, while later, one of the first Greek colonies on Adriatic was established on the island (Issa) . Besides that, it was a part of Roman and Byzantine empire, Venetian Republic, and Austro-Hungarian territory, so all of them left some signature on the islands surface. Even the English left their mark by building of strong defensive fortresses.


Good perseverance of autochthon lifestyle is based upon the fact that the island was for a long period of time considered as a important military-strategic ground, and therefore untouched by tourist commercialization. Among other things, the island is full of abandoned military facilities and secret caves and tunnels, which are still not properly investigated. Among archaeological show places, one must mention numerous underwater wreckage sites, dating since antique times till second world war (also sunken planes!).

On northern part of this 90.3 km2 island, in naturally protected and spacious bay, there is a main port and town of island Vis. This old city of white stony houses and narrow streets, is also interesting by its ruins of necropolis and Roman theatre, as well as with beautifully preserved 16th and 17th century churches.

On western part of the island, in deep and spacious bay under the Mount of Hum (578m), is situated one of one of the rarely left authentique fisherman town of Komiza. First mention od the city is dated to 12 century, when the Benedictine moved from nearby isle of Bisevo to establish monastery of Saint Mikula (Nicholas), protector of island and fisherman. The monastery complex with the church and defence tower from the 17th century is still preserved. With this saint there is also connected the most famous Komizan custom of sacrificial burning of boat, that is performed on St. Mikula's day (datum). On eastern part of the bay there is few broather beaches, but actually, since the sea is so clean, you can use any of city beaches, even ones in the center of town.

Southern part of the island is marked by many unspoiled coves and lagoons, which are most easily approachable by rented boats. Also, a special island attraction is a possibility of visiting astonishing sea caves (Bear and Green cave), and of course, the most famous Blue Cave on nearby isle of Bisevo, which is specific by it's intensively natural blue illumination which comes from bottom of the sea.

Thanks to its exquisite richness of sea flora and fauna, and perseverance of underwater world of Vis archipelago, island has a developed tourist scuba diving sector. Also, for braver and more active guests, there is a possibility of tandem paragliding flights, which is definitely most memorable way to enjoy in astonishing island views. Island Vis has appropriate hotel and private accommodation, also for the most pickiest ones, and during the summer one can find few interesting cultural manifestations as part of the Komiza Summer Festival. The peak of the tourist season and summer atmosphere of careless drunkenness with life is by all means the Fisherman's night, evening in which the whole town almost erupts, burting from joy and spontaneous fun, while uncountable river of visitors doesn't rest until the early morning hours. Is it because of the free barbequed sardines or strong wine, it's up to you to judge. Among creative offers of tourist trips to almost all parts of the island, as well as to nearby isles, anyone can find it's favourite way of fun and quality vacation. Island is approachable with regular ferryboat and katamaran lines from Split. Relatively good roads connect most of the island's settlements. There is also some not so frequent bus traffic, but one can always rent a bike for scooter. In any case, this is one of the last remaining islands on the Adriatic , where population still lives by traditional lifestyle, and is largely marked by fishing and vinery, and as that, it's priceless, almost endemic example of ancient Mediterranean.