Vis Island is part of the island-hopping tourism in Croatia. Numerous small islets and islands swaddle the Island of Vis. You can hop from island to island to discover something new and unique each time.
Vis Island Things to Do
You can visit the islands of Ravnik, Bisevo, Palagruza, Jabuka, Budikovac, Lastovo, and Brusnik. The islands of Sveti Andrija, Korcula, Brac, Susac, and Hvar are also accessible from Vis.
You can also visit the popular Komiza town of Croatia and the nearby picturesque villages.
Here’s your introduction to the best parts about Island of Vis:
Visit Mama Mia Locations
Have you seen the sequel to the movie “Mama Mia”?
The filmmakers’ search for a picture-perfect location that would awe and captivate audiences all across the world led them to the small Croatian Island of Vis.
As the previous movie had been filmed in Greece, to ensure authenticity, they decided to convert the Pansion Dionis and nearby areas into a local Greek market.
To maintain authenticity, they even imported fresh vegetables and fruits from Greece. They based their production in Komiza, Croatia, and transformed the restaurant Jastozera into a Greek Taverna.
Most of the scenes that were filmed on the beach took place at the Barjoska Bay.
To film the legendary Abba song, they used Barjaci, a location north of the Barjoska Bay.
Other Island of Vis locations they used, when filming Mamma Mia in Croatia, include Srebrna Bay, Stiniva Bay, and St. Jerronim Church situated in the Prirovo Village.
You can insta-photo the Vis Ferry Harbour, which nowadays has another name – the Mamma Mia Harbour.
See The Beaches of Vis Island
On the Island of Vis, you’ll come across the following pebble beaches and coves:
Srebrna Beach
Srebrna Beach’s uniquely coloured rocks have earned it the nickname the “Silver Beach.” Since the beach is open to the ocean, it produces gentle waves year-round.
Bring food and drinks with you, as the beach doesn’t have any cafes or snack bars.
When you reach the beach, you can travel to either Bilbos Beach or the family-friendly beach, Teplus.
Milna Beach
Milna Beach requires no walking, as it’s a small area. Parents with young children love this beach because of its shallow waters.
Do bring an umbrella or hat to the beach, as it doesn’t provide people with any shade. You may be able to find a vendor that can rent you an umbrella and beach chairs.
Zaglav Beach
Zaglav Beach takes 15 to 20 minutes to reach on foot from Milna Beach. You can park your car at Milna Beach and then head over to Zaglav Beach.
The trail offers you panoramic views of the ocean. The sandy beach has a small bar.
You will need to bring a hat or an umbrella, as it doesn’t offer any shade.
Stoncica Bay
Stoncica Bay draws mostly families to its shores due to its shallow water and sandy bottom.
The beach has a snack bar and many options to sit in the shade to escape the sun.
When you leave Vis Town, this is the first beach you’ll encounter, so you can make it your one last stop if you depart the island from Komiza.
Stiniva Bay
Stiniva Bay, the winner of the European Best Destination Award, is a white pebble bay bordered by two massive cliffs with a small entrance leading to the sea.
If you’re a daredevil, you can jump off the cliff into the ocean.
How to reach Stiniva Beach?
There are a few options. You can hike to Stiniva Cove, arriving there in 20 to 30 minutes. Also check out the one-day boat trip rentals. You can rent a boat in Komiza or Vis.
Another option is to opt for a full-day guided tour to go to more than one cove.
Since Stiniva Beach is small but popular, it attracts large crowds, so we recommend visiting it early morning or late afternoon.
You have seen the filming locations and relaxed on the beach, but you have yet to tour the Island of Bisevo Blue Cave.
What Else To Do On the Island Of Vis
Island of Bisevo, Croatia
The Blue Cave in Croatia is the one that draws the crowd.
Bisevo is a small island located off the tip of Vis Island. The six square kilometre island has a small population of around 20 people.
On the island, you’ll uncover 26 caves but the Blue Cave in Bisevo is the one that attracts the visitors.
Visit Blue Cave— the Amazing Blue Grotto
The magical Blue Cave or the Blue Grotto is a waterlogged sea cave found on Balun Bay. Skilled anglers used to visit the cave during ancient times.
In 1884, the outside entrance cracked open, hence allowing people to easily enter the cave by boat.
How to Get to the Blue Cave
You can travel to Bisevo Island from Komiza via ferry or a speedboat to reach the island in 15 minutes.
Once you reach Bisevo Island, it is easy to find a boat to get you to the Blue Cave, and to get inside the cave by boat.
Or, you can travel from Komiza to the Blue Cave, with trips organised by the local captain Petar. When you get to Bisevo Island, you will have small boats waiting for you to transfer you to the Blue cave and to get you inside the cave.
The sunlight’s reflection penetrates through an underwater opening, enters the cave, and reflects off the white bottom to give the cave a bluish hue and the items in the water a silver tint.
The cave is 3 to 20 metres deep and has a usual karst form with underwater cracks.
Although the cave is open in May to the public, perhaps when visiting Croatia, consider booking a Blue Cave trip tour at least one day before, if you are reaching the Blue Cave from Split.
Additionally, check out the Monk’s Seal’s Grotto or the Medvidina Cave located in the Tresjavac Bay.
It was once inhabited by the rarest seal.
It is forbidden to swim in the Blue cave, however, if you want to snorkel and swim inside a cave, head over to the Island of Ravnik, Croatia to visit the Green Cave.
Island of Ravnik, Croatia
Ravnik Island, located near Island Vis, is a tiny and unpopulated island with a surprise of its own— the Green Cave. When the sunlight enters the small gap on the dome of the cave, it produces a green hue.
You can book a tour from Vis to the Green Cave, and it will cost you approx 135€ per person for a 10-hour trip.
You can swim to the cave or go by boat.
Visit Vis— the Oldest Town on the Island
Vis, found in 397 BC, is Dalmatia’s oldest town situated in the northeastern region of Vis Island at the base of a bay.
If you travel east of the island, you’ll come across numerous villages such as Podstrazje, Marine Zemlje, Podselje, Milna, Plisko Polje, Zenka, and Bargujac.
How to Get to Vis Town
Distance between Split to Island Vis is approx 55km, or 34 miles.
Two companies run the ferries, and it takes an hour and 20 mins to reach your destination if there were no other stops, such as the nearby Hvar.
Ferries travel every day from Split to Vis through the Bay of St. George. Split-Vis ferry ticket is between 6.50€ per foot passenger in low season to 15€ in high season.
Split-Vis time table also varies depending on which month of the year. There are different timetables depending on the month, when travelling from Split to Vis.
You’ll arrive at the boardwalk along the coast. On your walk, you’ll encounter the impressive destinations in the town of Vis. This includes the Renaissance-styled palaces and churches, Roman and Greek ruins, an archaeological museum, and more.
If you are staying in Split, perhaps you would consider visiting Eye of the Earth, whilst you are still in Croatia? Driving by car, the Dragon Eye on the Cetina river is only an hour and 30 min away from Split.
Travel The Villages: Luka, Gradina, and Kut
An interesting fact about the origins of Vis Town is that three villages were merged in the bay — Luka, Kut, and Gradina— to create it.
Although they are combined to create one town, each village has still held on to its identity and has a lot to offer.
Kut
Kut is accessible from the village of Luka via the boardwalk. On your walk, you’ll see Our Lady’s Battalion, a 19th-century fort, and within it, you’ll find the Archaeological Museum.
The Austrians constructed the fortress during the Battle of Vis to prevent an Italian invasion.
Gradina
Gradina, located northwest of the port, is found in the oldest region of Vis.
Follow the signs to visit the ancient Greek necropolis and walls from the 4th century BC. The locals refer to it as Martvilo.
Luka
Luka, located in the centre of the bay, serves as a port for ferries.
The village has narrow walkways, magnificent baroque style stone buildings created between the 17th century and 19th century, and beautifully designed palaces with stone balconies and small windows from the 17th century and the 18th century.
After all that you have seen, it’s time to eat!
Places to Eat and Drink on the Island of Vis
Keke caffe bar, in the town of Komiza, is known for its great coffee making, great views, and last but not least, its polite service.
If you are looking for pizza in the town of Vis, Pizzeria Charlie Vis is the place to go for either dine-in or take away.
Besides the classic Italian cuisine, they offer grilled dishes, great fresh salads, yummy desserts, and homemade bread.
While you are still in the town of Vis, why don’t you start your fresh morning with Bistro Frutarija? The place offers breakfast, brunch, awesome fruit juices, and stunning views. Finish your dinner with some cocktails, tapas and wines.
Lola Konoba & Bar offers exquisite service, romantic atmosphere, and fresh local seafood blended with Mediterranean ingredients.
Additionally, the one-of-a-kind restaurant is available for hire for different events, including weddings.
If you are heading to Komiza, it’s worth checking on Konoba Kantun. Their seafood dishes are delicious, and considered amongst the best seafood restaurants on the Island of Vis.
Feeling inspired about visiting Croatia?
Read further what to do in Komiza– a picturesque town on Vis Island, Croatia.
