If you’re planning on going to Vis, you’re probably wondering not only how to get there, but how to get around once you arrive.
Vis is one of the smaller inhabited Croatian islands. Still, it’s two settlements of Vis Town and Komiza are separated by 10 miles. Walking from end to end isn’t feasible.
Plus, many of Vis’s best beaches are very isolated. Some of the island’s most beautiful beaches are actually only accessible by boat.
With this in mind, here’s how to get around Vis.
You Don’t Need a Car on Vis
While there is a car ferry from Split to Vis, do not bring a car on the island. If you’ve been traveling around Croatia and rented a car, you can drop it off in downtown Split at your respective rental car agency and walk to the ferry.
I witnessed one clumsy tourist try to drive his car on pedestrian-only streets in Vis. The result was having to reverse for several blocks to navigate out of an incredibly narrow walkway. You don’t want to be that tourist.
Not only is your own car unnecessary, but even taxis are sparsely used on Vis. There are more practical ways to get around what is, in my opinion, the best island to visit in Croatia.
Best Ways to Get Around Vis
There are two efficient ways to get around Vis.
Getting Around Vis by Motor Scooter
One of my absolute favorite things to do on Vis was seeing the island by motorized scooter.
As a first-time rider, these motorized bikes took a minute or two to figure out. But after a test ride cruising on the calm streets of Vis Town, I was ready to take it up the mountain behind the town and throughout the island.
Renting a scooter allows you to explore the island’s 30 kilometers of road at your own pace. You get to feel the fresh air coming off the Adriatic, rather than sitting inside a vehicle.
The ride through the vineyards in the flat, central part of Vis was lovely. The views heading down the mountain toward Komiza were mesmerizing. It was hard to avoid stopping every five minutes to take pictures.
Depending on which agency you rent from, it typically costs around 60 euros to rent a scooter for a day. The best way to rent is to visit one of the agencies in Vis Town in the morning around 9:00 or 10:00. In peak season, they can be sold out by 11:00 or noon. A couple of agencies you’ll find in town include Vis Rent and Vis Special, among others that don’t have a website.
Getting Around Vis by Boat
As mentioned, the easiest way to see the hidden gem beaches of Vis is by boat. The majority of the island’s gorgeous beaches were either totally inaccessible by car or required a long hike by foot, an example being Stiniva Beach. This is highly regarded on the list of Croatia’s top beaches, but the 20-minute hike down is STEEP. Hiring a skipper to take us out on the boat made it so that we got to see all of the island’s best spots, including Stiniva Beach and the even lesser-known Pritiscina Beach. This is also how you can get to the famous Blue Cave on nearby Bisevo Island.
Denis took us the three of us out for around 100 euros for the day. While Croatia isn’t known for its affordability as much as it used to be, this still felt like a bargain given how much fun we had. We actually had such a good time that he took us out on a complimentary sunset boat ride the next night (we made sure to tip, though).
Getting Around Vis by Foot
If you’re staying in one of the island’s two settlements, Vis Town or Komiza, you can walk from end to end in about 25 minutes or 15 minutes, respectively. Most places in Vis Town should be within a 10-minute walk. Getting around these towns doesn’t require anything other than walking.
For those who plan on exploring the interior of the island, such as the vineyards or some of the offbeat hiking trails, you’ll need a scooter or car. If you’re visiting Vis for more than just a day trip on the ferry (there is definitely enough to see here for multiple days), you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to have lunch and/or a wine tasting at one of Vis’s iconic vineyards, such as Roki Winery.
In-Summary: How to Get Around Vis
If there’s one thing to remember from this article, it’s to not bother with a car on Vis. Don’t be afraid to ride a motor scooter, rent a bike, get your steps in, or find a skipper online to take you around by boat.
Vis is one of my very favorite destinations in Europe, so see every bit of the island you can!
