It’s easy to get overwhelmed and indecisive when trying to figure out which Croatian island to visit. Since this is a country with 48 inhabited islands to theoretically choose from, how do you narrow down your options?
If you Google “best islands to visit in Croatia,” you’re going to be bombarded with lengthy articles of generally the same 10 or 15 islands. These listicles don’t really help you in your decision.
Instead, I’m here to give you a definitive answer—the best island to visit in Croatia is Vis.
It took hours of research and second-guessing before finally settling on Vis, but I’m grateful I came to that conclusion. I’m not big on island-hopping or rushing my travels, which made the decision even more important. Whittling the options down to just one was the most stressful aspect of planning my most recent trip to Europe. Ultimately, my time on Vis was so flawless that my group decided to extend our stay an extra night while there.
So let’s talk more about what there is to do on Vis and what you need to know about this small island. My hope is to convince you to make the same decision I did!
An Overview of Vis
Vis is one of the smaller inhabited Croatian islands, with a surface area of only 90 square kilometers and home to only 3,600 permanent residents. It’s known for its beaches, vineyards, importance as a secret naval base during the Cold War, and centuries-old medieval stone buildings.
Vis was actually under Italian control until 1918, when it became part of the Yugoslav state, and eventually Croatia in 1991. It was mostly uninhabited aside from military personnel until this early 1990s period and even experienced a few years from 1989-1991 where it was completely abandoned after Yugoslav troops withdrew from the island.
This stalled Vis’ development as a tourism hotspot, as even Croats couldn’t visit the island until a little over 30 years ago.
Where Is Vis?
Vis is 55 km from Split and is the outermost inhabited island from mainland Croatia. If you look at a map, you’ll see that Vis is actually nearly halfway from the Croatian mainland to the Italian coast.
It’s long distance from the mainland, in comparison to the other popular Croatian islands, makes it a bit less traveled than more conveniently located islands like Brac, Hvar, and Korcula.
How to Get to Vis
The most common way people get to Vis is by taking the ferry from Split. The ferry takes 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours depending on whether you take the catamaran (1 hour 20 minutes) or car ferry (2 hours 20 minutes).
You can also get to Vis via ferry from the islands of Brac and Hvar. However, these ferries don’t operate as often as the ferry from Split, so make sure to check the ferry schedule to ensure there’s a date and time suitable for your schedule if you’re planning on island-hopping.
Getting around Vis is another thing. It’s easiest to get around by motor scooter or boat, both of which you can rent for the day.
The Two Settlements: Vis Town vs. Komiža
Vis has two populated centers: Vis Town and Komiža. The former is viewed as the more prominent. There are 2,000 year-round residents of Vis Town compared to 1,400 in Komiža. Vis Town is where most of the ferries port, including the car ferries.
Both towns are beautiful. Many debate which is better, but I don’t think it’s worth such a debate since they are very similar. It’s up to what you value most. Vis Town has a higher concentration of restaurants, bars, and places to stay. Komiža is less-trafficked, though during non-peak hours you might feel like it’s almost too quiet. There’s little to no nightlife scene in Komiža.
Not only will you find that most of the best restaurants on the island are in Vis Town, but you’ll also have an easier time finding tourist-centric activities and shops to rent motor scooters, boats, or bikes from. It’s more convenient to get to and from Vis Town than it is Komiža if you’re coming from just about anywhere, though it only takes about 20 minutes to drive from one end of the island to the other anyway.
Finally, while some structures in Vis Town have been modernized, Komiža looks almost exactly the same as it did hundreds of years ago, as there’s been a bit less development and tourism impact.
Tip: Try not to rent a taxi to get around the island. They are overpriced. Instead, rent a motor scooter for a half-day or full day, which you’ll find much more rewarding, and you can get from place-to-place just as easily. If you’re staying in Vis Town, you can rent from multiple places day-of; just make sure to get there early in the day before they run out of scooters.
Why Vis Is the Best Croatian Island to Visit
I quickly came to the realization that choosing Vis as our island homebase was the best decision. Here’s why:
1. Perfectly Sized
Vis is large enough and has enough to do so that you won’t get bored if you’re going for several days, but small enough to where you can traverse literally every one of its paved roads and see all of the best beaches in just a couple of days.
If you’re thinking of going to one of the other popular Croatian islands like Brac, Hvar, or Korcula, you’re not going to get the holistic experience you can get with visiting Vis unless you’re going for a more extended period.
2. Not Too Crowded
Vis is nowhere near as crowded (or pricy) as the party island of Hvar or the more conveniently located Brac, both of which attract more visitors due to their proximity to Split. Trust me, the extra 30 to 45 minutes on the ferry each way will be worth it once you step off the boat.
Plus, all of the day trippers leave in the evening and don’t arrive until late morning, so even during peak season it’ll be quite calm outside your window when you go to sleep and wake up, which I really appreciated.
Still, locals rely on tourism to stimulate the economy. The island does receive its fair share of visitors during peak season, so expect to hear some American accents if you’re coming in the summer or early fall and a lively town center during the daytime hours.
3. Breathtaking Settings
Given its small size, Vis’ diverse terrain is really impressive. As you leave Vis Town and Komiža and trek up the mountain, you’ll be surprised at how quickly the elevation changes before finding yourself in awe of the stunning views overlooking each town.
Once you reach the pinnacle of the respective roads leaving the towns, the terrain will become much flatter and more navigable.
4. Top-Notch Wineries
These wide-open, flat settings a bit inland are where you’ll discover the island’s vineyards. A couple vineyards require a reservation for a full experience, while a couple smaller wineries might even let you pop-in unannounced for a few glasses and a snack.
We spontaneously stopped by Vidovic Winery. They typically require reservations, but they made room for us, and we enjoyed a nice bowl of soup with some cheese and wine.
5. Friendly Locals
Croats are very hospitable, outgoing people. In my experience, it’s one of the most welcoming countries in Europe.
This is especially true on Vis. The locals are entirely dependent on tourism to make a living. We got to know two business owners well, and they were both a pleasure to talk to and get to know.
We had a memorable night drinking and joking with the owner of a restaurant and his girlfriend well after they’d closed up shop for the night. He spilled all the “tea” about the island, such as how Komiža and Vis residents have a friendly rivalry with one another and that Komiža residents actually have a noticeably different accent than people from Vis, which was super interesting given they’re only a 15-minute drive apart. Apparently, it’s because many Komiža families have Italian origins (it faces west toward the Italian coastline), while the origins of lifelong Vis residents usually trace back to Croatia (it faces east toward Split).
6. World-Class Beaches
If you’re coming to Vis, or basically anywhere along the Adriatic, be prepared for rocky beaches. You’re not going to get those pristine, white-sand beaches you get in the Caribbean. Either be ready to toughen it out with your feet (locals will respect you for this!) or invest in water shoes.
Despite this, Vis is known for having some of the best beaches in Croatia. You’ll likely quickly get over the rocky aspect and find yourself amazed by the beautiful landscapes.
In my opinion, the best beaches on Vis are Stiniva Beach, Priscitina Beach, and Smokova Beach.
Best Things to Do and See on Vis
Many of these things to do on Vis have already been covered, but here’s an overview of what you should do and see when coming to Vis:
- Get Lost in the Maze of Narrow Streets in Vis Town
- Don’t Forget to Do the Same in Komiža
- See Fort George, a Fully Restored Seaside British Naval Fort
- Relax at Stiniva Beach
- Discover the Island by Motor Scooter
- Do a Guided Boat Tour
- Discover the Hidden Pritiscina Beach, Only Accessible by Boat
- Boat to Nearby Bisevo Island and See the Blue Cave
- Visit One of the Island’s Several Wineries
If you’re looking for more specific Vis recommendations or have questions, feel free to leave a comment below!
An Overview of My Trip to Vis
We spent four full days on Vis, arriving and departing via the catamaran to and from Split.
Our Air BnB in the heart of Vis Town was one of the best I’ve ever stayed in, and it was very reasonably priced. We had our own balcony overlooking the bay where we could watch the ships come in, and we could walk to a designated swimming area in less than 30 seconds.
Here’s a look at how we broke down our four full days on Vis:
- Day 1: Explore the island by motor scooter, have lunch in Komiža, visit Stiniva Beach
- Day 2: Explore the island by motor scooter, have lunch in Komiža, swim at Stoncica Beach and visit Vidovic Family Winery
- Day 3: Guided full-day boat tour to lesser-visited beaches, Bisevo Island, and cliff-jumping spots
- Day 4: Sleep in, relax in Vis Town, and do a sunset boat cruise
Mornings were spent at bakeries and cafes steps away from our AirBnB and evenings were spent dining at restaurants with quality seafood.
As for bakeries, I highly recommend Visky Cvit. The owner is a former nurse who had a career shift when she realized her passion for baking. She was one of the business owners we got to know. She was one of the most friendly and genuine people I’ve gotten to know over the course of my travels.
For us, this turned out to be the perfect Vis itinerary. We were initially planning on spending just three full days and four nights here, but our experience cruising on the rural roads on the motor scooter was so breathtaking that we had to do it a second day, thus extending our trip.
But if you only have time for a day trip to Vis or maybe a 2-night trip, it’s still well worth the visit.
Vis, Croatia FAQs
What are the best beaches on Vis?
The best beaches on the island of Vis are Stiniva Beach, Pritiscina Beach, and Smokova Beach. Stiniva Beach has been named one of the best beaches in Europe, while Pritiscina Beach is only accessible by boat, allowing for a private experience.
Is there a ferry from Split to Vis?
Yes, there are 3-4 ferries per day from Split to Vis.
How long is the ferry from Split to Vis?
The ferry from Split to Vis takes either 80 minutes (catamaran) or 140 minutes (car ferry).
What are the Split to Vis ferry times?
Ferry times from Split to Vis depend on the date. Check out the Split to Vis ferry schedule to find specific times.
Do you need to get ferry tickets in advance from Split to Vis?
You don’t need to get ferry tickets in advance, but doing so will ensure you get a seat on the ferry. Even during high season there are usually some empty seats, but it’s better to play it safe and book in advance.
What is the ferry price from Split to Vis?
Foot passengers will only need to be about 10 euros for the ferry, while bringing a car on the ferry can cost anywhere from 36 euros to 80 euros.
Is there a ferry from Korcula to Vis?
No, there is not a ferry from Korcula to Vis. To get to Vis from Korcula, you’ll need to either ferry back to Split or connect in Brac or Hvar.
Is there a ferry from Hvar to Vis?
Yes, there is a ferry from Hvar to Vis, but it’s important to check the ferry schedule because it only runs weekly, per the Hvar to Vis ferry schedule.
Is there a ferry from Brac to Vis?
Yes, there is a ferry from Brac to Vis, but it’s important to check the ferry schedule because it only runs weekly, per the Brac to Vis ferry schedule.
Is there a ferry from Dubrovnik to Vis?
No, there is not a ferry from Dubrovnik to Vis. To get to Vis from the mainland, you’ll need to leave from Split.
