Far away from the major party hotspots of the Adriatic, Vis seems to have fallen out of time in the open sea off the Dalmatian coast. A restricted military area for decades, the island has long been spared from mass tourism. Those who moor up here will find a Croatia that has long since disappeared in many places.
Old fishermen's houses, hidden bays, crystal-clear water and two charming harbour towns give Vis a real Mediterranean feel. The island's archipelago covers around 6000 square kilometres and stretches west to the volcanic island of Jabuka and south to Palagruza. The World Wildlife Fund declared the region around Vis to be one of the ten "last heavenly oases in the Mediterranean".
- Name: Vis, Croatia
- Location: Southern Adriatic
- Position: 43°03′ N, 16°11′ E
- Distance to the mainland: around 30 nautical miles to Split
Shore leave
Between palm trees, old stone houses and cafés right by the water, time seems to slow down on Vis. The Venetian-style alleyways in the village of Vis and the waterfront promenade between the districts of Luka and Kut are well worth a visit. Nature lovers are drawn to the famous Stiniva Bay with its steep cliffs or the Blue Grotto on the neighbouring island of Biševo. Scooter and bicycle tours across the island are also worthwhile: past vineyards, olive groves and abandoned military installations from the Yugoslavian era. Over the centuries, various peoples have left their mark here, from the ancient city walls from Greek times, to Benedictine monasteries and churches, to fortresses built by the Italians, English or Austrians, depending on who ruled the island at the time.
For guest travellers
Most crews call at the town of Vis in the deep, well-protected bay on the north-east side of the island. The entrance to the natural harbour is marked by a lighthouse on the cliff island of Krava. In Vis, you can moor in the town harbour "Luka" on the town quay (western part), in the harbour Vis-Kut (eastern part) or at one of the 50 buoys that lie between the two harbours. There are numerous moorings with mooring lines, water and electricity along the waterfront promenade. Alternatively, the fishing village of Komiža on the western side of the island offers Mediterranean flair, small konobas and a relaxed atmosphere. The harbour is idyllic, but much more open to westerly winds and swell.
Did you already know?
Until the early 1990s, Vis was off-limits to foreigners due to its strategic location. Even today, tunnels, bunkers and former military installations can still be found everywhere. The island was also used as a location for the film "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again".
