The previously undiscovered Vis Island in Croatia is gearing up to become a booming tourist attraction. And while Vis Island is hardly a metropolitan paradise, it has its own quirks that make it a personal favorite for those who visit.
If you have never been to the island, there are plenty of charming activities to carry out – from snorkeling to see the wonders of the Adriatic sea, all the way to a quiet sunset at the harbor. Vis Islands bring with them sights that are sure to be memorable long after you leave.
So, without further ado – here are the twenty things you must do when you are in Vis Island, Croatia!
The Best Things To Do In Vis Island, Croatia!
There is so much to do on Vis Island, we were able to come up with a list of twenty amazing activities! Everyone is bound to find something they’ll enjoy, so keep reading to find out what kind of fun you can get up to on this hidden island in Croatia.
Explore Vis Town On Bike
Vis Town is one of the two larger towns on Vis Island – the beautiful picturesque region is gorgeous no matter your mode of travel, but no one can deny the joy of viewing the wonders of Vis Town while on a bike. Built-in a cycling-friendly manner, Vis Town is easy enough to explore on two wheels – you can take a tour of the major locations, and join locals as they travel to and from school, work, or just a trip to the outdoors.
Many tourists enjoy the activity of renting out cycles for a day and exploring this town, and there are plenty of tour guides and cycling groups that encourage it! You can even bring a tour guide along to tell you about all the major sites – whether you are cycling alongside the beach and enjoying the sea breeze, or exploring the inner city, there is something to enjoy for everyone visiting Vis Island
Visit Fort George
Fort George is one of the most impressive historical architectures built on Vis Island. It was created after the Battle of Vis in 1811 when various forts were built around the island by the British. Fort George, named after the then-king, George III, offers beautiful views of the sea, along with a lot of historical artifacts and knowledge.
However, that is not all – the Fort has undergone extensive renovation and is now a major events venue on Vis. You can enjoy delicious food at the restaurant, relax at the lounge bar, and even go clubbing as it converts into a nightclub for a few nights. You can take on a historical tour of the place, or visit it at night when the island is ready to party – whatever floats your boat.
Explore Tito’s Cave
Tito’s Cave represents another aspect of Vis Island’s dynamic history. Here, the former Yugoslavian President, known as Tito, was known to seek refuge from Nazi troops. The cave was remodeled to make it a comfortable seat for a powerful world leader. Many important meetings have happened at this cave, and its history reveals an interesting side to Croatian history.
The cave is situated on Mount Hum, and requires quite a steep trek to get to it – there are 275 steps that lead to it! This is not the most leisurely activity on Vis Island, but it is perfect for the more adventurous tourist. While you may have to sweat out under the Croatian sun and walk for quite a bit, the view from the cave is worth the work!
Explore The Vineyards
Wine is a way of life on Vis Island, where wine-making used to be one of the main economic ventures since the dawn of the 20th century. In fact, Vis Island has created a wine that has traveled all across Europe. The local wine is created from a unique grape native to the island and is called Vugava – a white wine. There is also a variety of red wine created on Vis, known as Plavac.
To truly get a sense of the wine culture of Vis Island, a wine tour is an absolute must. This allows you to get a taste of the local wine, visit the vineyards, and even connect with the local winemakers. The Lipanović winery is one of the most famous on the island – a visit guarantees beautiful views and of course, delicious wine!
Play Cricket With the Locals
The historical stationing of the British in Vis Island has led to a fascinating sport taking over – cricket! If you are a fan of the sport, you can join the thriving local cricket scene and take a day out to watch a match, or even take part! The Vis Kriket Klub is a great place to start – you can easily follow updates on games being played and people are welcome to come in to watch!
The history of cricket on the island follows the British soldiers who were stationed here in the 1800s, and when they weren’t fighting battles, engaged in cricket to stay busy. Much of this goes back to the Naval commander, Sir William Hoste. Today, games often happen throughout the year, and some even take place in vineyards!
Enjoy A Boat Tour Around The Island
If you are the kind of person who feels the most at home on a boat in the sea, then this is the perfect activity for you. While it can take a lot of time to explore Vis Island through the inner channels, a boat tour around the island can be the perfect way to see the most well-known parts of the island, and maybe even venture a little outside the island area.
Boat tours like this are best suited to people who are on Vis Island for a short time and want to see breathtaking views from the water. You can easily catch a boat to get a tour like this from the Vis harbor, and rates for the tour depend on the kind of boat and other amenities offered. Bear in mind, this is likely a whole day event, so be prepared to spend all day at sea!
Snorkel To View Marine Life
Snorkeling on Vis Island can be an amazing way to get an appreciation for the diverse marine life of the island. Not only can you catch an array of cuttlefish, urchins, and algae, but the clear waters of this largely untouched island are perfect for the snorkeling experience!
Some of the greatest snorkeling spots include the Gusarica Beach in Komiza, along with the gorgeous Stiniva Cove! With the right tour guide on your side, you can even discover hidden spots where you can get the best views and even manage to get away from the high-season crowd.
Explore The Depths With Diving
If you want to take it a step further than snorkeling, there’s no better place to go for a deep scuba dive than Vis Island. With a dive down to the depths, you can catch some beautiful sites near Vis – and maybe even catch a sunken boat! One of the most enticing activities for divers on this island is to look for boats that couldn’t manage the island’s rocky coastline.
In fact, one of the most fascinating dives – for those that dare – is a sunken Fortress plan that sunk to the bottom of the sea in 1944. With a guided tour, you can catch sites like this and more around the Komiza coastline, where beautiful sights await!
Wander Around Komiza
When on Vis Island, a walking trip around Komiza is always worth it. The town carries with it a more local Croatian aesthetic. This quaint town is at the base of the mighty Mount Hum, and the mountain is visible from every inch of it! While the town is relatively small – you could sprint-walk from one side to the other in about twenty minutes, it is worth exploring.
Take a few hours to take in the rustic feel of the cobblestone walkways, and the sweet architecture of homes, and find tiny beaches that are absolutely fantastic on a hot summer day. You can also take the time to grab a few bites and drinks at local restaurants and bars, as each carries with them a unique flavor and taste of Croatian cuisine.
Try Out Some Slow-Cooked Octopus
When in Croatia, there’s no reason not to sample some of the best local cuisines. One such dish you will need to try in Vis Island is created using the Ispod peke method – this involves the peka, a pan with a long handle, and a dome lid. This is carefully placed in hot coal to cook a variety of meat, particularly octopus.
The fascinating part of this method is that the octopus is cooked over hours until all of the natural flavors come bursting out of every bite. To try this dish out, why not check out the restaurant Roki’s, where you will find the absolute delight of the ispod peke method, along with other Croatian delicacies?
Chill Out At Bejbi Bar
It’s hardly the fanciest place to go, but if you really want a feel of the real local Vis Island, there’s no better place to get it than at Bejbi Bar – with some delicious cocktails, of course. This bar has been around for the longest time and is often the last to close, meaning the parties always continue here when everything is closed for the night.
The bar is the perfect place to go to mix and mingle, as it has a healthy combination of locals from Vis Island, and tourists looking to let loose. But be aware – this is no fancy club. You’re not going to get VIP treatment or valet parking. But from what reviews point out – it is always a good time.
Climb Up To Mount Hum
If you want to take a look at Vis Island from above, there’s no better place than the highest point of the island itself, Mount Hum. This huge mountain rises 587 m above the sea and was once used as a military installation. The trek up there will not be easy, but you can go on a hiking tour – and if you are an adventurous tourist, you will enjoy this trek.
For visitors who don’t want a long walk, a car ride is also possible. You can take a day out and visit other sites on the mountain, such as Tito’s Cave (mentioned above) and the Church of the Holy Spirit. The entire island is viewable from the (almost) top of the mountain, so it is definitely a sight worth the invigorating trek.
Kayak Your Way To The Green Cave
The green cave is located on a smaller island close to Vis Island, known as Ravnik. It is a beautiful spacious cave, surrounded by towering walls. The name of the cave comes from the distinct green colors you can see inside it as the sun hits the bottom of the cave. The sunlight bounces off the green algae, giving the entire cave a beautiful hue of green.
Kayaking to the green cave can be an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially as you can even take a break and snorkel or swim inside. You can catch gorgeous bubbles of light created by the water patterns inside, and according to legend, passing through can add a hundred years to your life – why not take the chance?
Enjoy Vis-Style Lobster
Vis Island’s eatery Konoba Bako is the perfect place to go for a nice lobster dinner, served in the traditional Croatian style, of course. The restaurant is situated by the beach and gives you a fine-dining experience that few on Vis Island offer. At the same time, it carries a relaxing atmosphere.
Visitors can choose to sit outside, and enjoy the sea breeze with their food, or sit indoors with a fascinating archaeological collection that they can explore along with the Mediterranian flavors. The restaurant serves lobster in different styles, including grilled and broiled, and of course, in the traditional Croatian stew for all to enjoy!
Sail To The Blue Cave
From Vis Island, you can take a trip of just 5 nautical miles to reach Bisevo, a beautiful island where visitors can explore the amazing Blue Cave. The Blue Cave is so named because of the way light falls in – through a small crack, creating breathtaking displays that result in a silver-blue atmosphere and changing patterns of light.
Sailing to the island is a fun adventure for those who enjoy seafaring, and they can stop at Bisevo to enjoy other sites as well, including the Monk Seals Cave, and gorgeous sandy beaches almost untouched by tourists. Enjoy the clear water and swim around to your pleasure.
Check Out The Mamma Mia Filming Locations
Some tourists visiting Vis Island may not know this, but the island is the picturesque stand-in for the fictional location in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! Scenes in the film depict various staples of Vis Island, such as the Franciscan Monastery, Stiniva Cove, and much more!
Why not take a day out of the vacation to explore some popular destinations where one of the most iconic movies of the decade was filmed – it is sure to bring back some nostalgia, and maybe even get you the perfect Instagram feed!
Visit The Stiniva Beach
What is a visit to Vis Island without checking out one of the most beautiful locations, Stiniva Beach? This gorgeous cove is a sight to behold – it has a narrow opening to the Adriatic Sea, and giant cliffs hanging off the sides. This provides plenty of shade, and yet gorgeous views of the sea, along with shallow water safe for the entire family!
Stiniva Beach can get pretty busy during the high season, so it is recommended that you visit it early in the morning in the summer, to avoid a rush. After all, the area is pretty small and can get crowded easily. This is a relatively simple beach – you are not going to find large tourist attractions here, but you can enjoy some food and drinks.
Enjoy Sunset At Vis Harbour
After a long day exploring Vis Town, why not settle down for a sunset view of the port of Vis? The sight of the sky changing colors, the sun slowly setting over the sea and the bustling boats of Vis is always a sight for sore eyes, and a welcome rest if you’ve been walking around all morning.
There are plenty of nooks around the harbor where you can get some food, and drinks, or have a quiet minute to yourself to admire the beauty of Vis Island. Not to mention, it is a great time to connect with locals who would be getting off from a day of work.
Visit The Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum on Vis Island was set up all the way back in the 19th century when the area was ruled by the Austrians. Its fascinating collections include items from the region’s Greek history – with dishes dating back to 300 BC. Not to mention, a stone created by the Roman God, Mars, which also dates back to this time.
In addition to Greek relics, the museum also features the history of fishing on Vis Island, along with other relics, such as furniture, ships, and some other goods. If you really want to know what Vis is all about, a visit to this museum tells you the story of Vis Island and all of the histories that have been created here over time.
Relax With Some Yoga
If you truly want to relax, why not try out some yoga by the beach? You can try out WeraActive’s yoga plan, which is not done in a studio but by nature, so you can truly feel connected to the great outdoors. They have the perfect program for beginners too!
You can get started with an Astanga flow early in the morning, with a swim by the beach at the end of the routine. Or, if you are a Yoga enthusiast, you can do your own preferred routines and then have breakfast at the restaurants close to the beach – it is the perfect way to start your day!
Final Thoughts
There you have it! The 20 amazing activities you can engage in when you are in Vis Island, Croatia! Whether you are looking to enjoy some peace and quiet, learn more about the island’s history, or simply engage in some exciting adventures, there is something for everyone! So what are you waiting for? Book your trip now and start exploring one of the best locations in Croatia today!
