Great idea to look up things to do in Vis Croatia – I like your style. You must be the kind of person that likes to find hidden gems and visit places that are a little less popular than the main destinations. You’re on the right track.
I have visited Vis dozens of times while working as a tour guide on the Adriatic Coast, and have tried most of the best things to do in Vis. Here you will be able to find pristine clear coves you won’t believe exist, the freshest seafood you can imagine, and pretty mind-blowing history too.
Vis Island Overview
Vis Croatia is the tenth-largest Adriatic island and is home to many peaceful getaways. The island opened to tourism in 1990 after being a military base for former Yugoslavia and a submarine base and hideaway for Marshall Tito during WW2!
Legend has it that they finally cleared the last land mine from the island in 2008, and that there are over 50km of tunnels throughout the island. All of the crazy history aside makes room for a quiet and peaceful island with beautiful beaches and scenery.
Nowadays Vis island is a popular stop to enjoy Croatian scenery at its finest. Learn more about Vis history here.
Getting to Vis Croatia
Vis is a stop for many ferries running from Split, Hvar, etc. It is also a stop on many Croatia sailing tours.
You can visit Vis and the Blue Caves as a day tour from Split if you won’t have time to spend a few days. This is the tour I recommend which visits Komiža, Hvar, the Blue Caves, the blue lagoon, and the incredible Stiniva Cove in one day. It’s great value for people without much time!
If you stay for longer – which I recommend – you can book a ferry from Hvar, Split, Korcula, and more in advance on Bookaway Vis Island.
But Before Reading All About Vis, Check out Some More of my Croatia Content!
Planning a Trip to Croatia – Guide to Hvar – Things to do in Mljet – Best Festivals in Croatia – Guide to Split – Day Trips from Split – Guide to Korcula – Guide to Dubronvnik – Hideout Festival Review – Best Places to Go in Croatia
Don’t forget to have travel insurance for our trip. I use Heymondo Travel Insurance. Read our review here.
Things to Do in Vis Town
Vis Town is the main town on Vis Island – easy enough to remember! I’ll start with things to do in Vis Town as many ferries stop here first.
Rent a Car or Scooter
Vis is probably the best island in Croatia to rent a vehicle. With a scooter or car, you will have access to the whole wild island. All the hidden coves, vineyards, and adventures included! You can rent scooters and cars from Vis Town and Komiža and visit all the destinations in Vis that I outline below!
You’ll be looking to pay about 180-300 kuna for a scooter and 3-500 for a car. They will give you different prices depending on the number of hours and days you will need it for.
Explore Vis Town and the Old Town of Kut
Most of the bigger ships dock is in the main town of Vis. Walking around you can find many outdoor cafes, some small bars, markets, family-owned restaurants, locally grown fruit, and amazing shops.
A bit further east (left) from the main town is the Old Town of Kut. The old town is home to summer houses built by the nobility of Hvar. The feeling here is a bit different from that of the main town. There is definitely a more quiet and local vibe with much older-looking buildings and streets with a unique Croatian charm. Walking around these streets you can find some beautiful scenes.
Rent a Bike to Explore Vis Town
If you want to stick to the town for now, try out a bike rental! You can get bikes for as low as 20-40 kuna for an hour. Bike to the Old Town, Grandovac Beach, or Fort George.
Grandovac Pebbly Beach
Just past the old town of Kut and around the peninsula is a gorgeous rocky beach called Grandovac Beach. There is a small bar near the road, and plenty of space on the pebbly beach or surrounding cliffy rocks to lay out and enjoy some sun.
The water here, like most places in Croatia, is remarkably clear with an amazing blue contrast to the white pebbles beneath the water. This is probably the most beautiful beach within reach of town, and the least crowded! It’s best reached by bike.
Enjoy Views from Fort George
Up the hill on the western side of town you’ll find Fort George. It was built on a peninsula in the early 1800’s by a British commander trying to shield the island from Napoleonic forces. The fort, ironically like many other historical sites in Croatia, has now been converted into a trendy venue. It’s now a gorgeous bar area with almost 360-degree views of the sea and little islands that dot the coastline.
Comfy couches and chairs surround an amphitheater-style middle area with a few bars and with lanterns strung between the trees that shade the whole area. It is absolutely surreal! It would be a beautiful place to get married.
They throw parties for the boat groups that come through during the summer, mostly on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. They have land rovers that go back and forth from the ferry during the day, and at night when they host parties. Check their summer schedule for the next events!
Town Monastery/Prirovo Beach
The monastery is a trademark of Vis town, right in the middle of the harbor. There’s a swimming area around most of the monastery that runs around to a small beach called Prirovo Beach.
This is a great place to relax, have a drink, or have a swim in the clear water. Just watch out for sea urchins!
Try Gnocchi at Kod Paveta
I got to go to Kod Paveta each week in Vis for dinner. I kid you not, this place has the best gnocchi I have ever eaten in my entire life. It’s a gnocchi in a gorgonzola sauce with walnut and sage, and it is beautiful. They also have some of the best Pašticada I have ever had (baby beef with gnocchi) which is an authentic Croatian dish you must try at least once.
They also have amazing bruschetta, chicken in cheese sauce, multiple different types of risotto (black, squid & cuttlefish, and sour cream & rock samphire – a yummy salty leaf), rump steak, and the list goes on and on. I highly recommend this place!
Watch the Sunset from the Hill Above Vis Town
If you rent a bike, scooter, or a car, you can catch a great sunset by exploring the streets up the hill from town. You can get up the hill from Kut or a few places in the main town as well.
Once you reach a higher point in the hill, pull over to watch the sunset over the port or even over the hill on the western side of town. Have an adventure, but be sure to remember how to get back 😛
Have some Drinks at Bejbi Bar
Pronounced ‘baby’ bar, this is pretty much one of the only nighttime bars in Vis Town. They make great cocktails, and if you are determined to party this place can be a great time (as my tour groups sometimes were).
It is situated half outside and half inside and is also right across from the ferry port in town.
Things to do in Komiža Vis
It took me three years to get here (and finally visited solely because of bad weather), but Komiža is now one of my favorite towns! Situated on a big bay at the other side of the island, it is a lovely and lively little down dotted with outdoor patio restaurants and shops.
There are some little beaches to chill on, and an amazing outdoor beach club where The Yacht Week holds events.
Lunatic Beach Club
This beach club is just on the outskirts of Komiža, has a panoramic view of the bay, and is fitted with top-notch music and lighting setups.
Catch it on a crowded night for an amazing party – it’s actually one of the best Vis nightlife venues (and nightlife venues in all of Croatia) when it gets packed. It’s right on the water, has day beds and cabanas, and is ready for a lush party.
Climb Mt Hum
Hiking on Vis Island? You bet! Towering over the town of Komiza you will find Mt Hum, which has panoramic views over all of the island. You can drive up most of the way with a short hike at the end.
More Things to do in Vis Island
Here are some more things to do in Vis outside of the main towns.
Visit the Blue Caves in Biševo
Just on the other side of Vis from the mainland is a tiny little island called Biševo, which is hardly inhabited but overrun with tourists in the summer. Why? Because it is home to Croatia’s famous blue cave – a huge cave inside the island’s massive rocky cliffs.
The rock of the cave only comes a few feet below surface level at certain parts, allowing the light to shine through Croatia’s glassy blue waters and reflect blue inside the entire space. It’s an amazing sight to see, but just remember to get there early to beat the crowds, or to sign up for a tour so everything is dealt with for you.
Most online tours to the blue cave leave from Split. To visit from Vis, check with local tour operators in the towns or take a water taxi from Komiza.
Vis Military Tour + Tito’s Cave
As I said above, there are miles of tunnels under the ground in Vis and lots of abandoned military outposts. You can sign up for a military tour of the island from Vis Town or Komiža. Some even take you in military vehicles to see all sorts of top-secret sights!
On this tour, you will be able to walk in the underground tunnels, see the submarine shelter, and learn tons about the fascinating military history of Vis dating back to WWII.
Visit the Vis Submarine Shelter
The Ex. Yugoslavian military shelter for submarines, or the JNA sklonište za podmornice on Google Maps, is the epic submarine shelter once used by the Yugoslavian army.
Nowadays this area is an ideal swim-stop for boats sailing the Adriatic and also a cliff-jumping site for adventurous travelers. Some smaller boats can actually fit inside the tunnel. I did it once and it was epic. Just be careful jumping from the top as it can sometimes get a bit shallow and there are always boats around.
Relax at Stončica Beach
This little cove has some of the most amazing water on the island. You can get here by boat or by driving a slightly narrow dirt road. It will be worth it! There’s not much going on here, but that’s the point. Relax, swim, or dine at the restaurant on the water.
Visit Stiniva Cove
Stiniva Cove is probably the most famous cove in Vis and will usually be dotted with boats trying to catch their slice of paradise. The whole cove actually used to be a MASSIVE cave, but the roof fell through many years ago, leaving a pristine cove with interesting and picturesque geography.
You can reach Stiniva Cove by boat and also by scooter or car from the road, but it will be a decent hike down to the water.
Rent a Boat
Overwhelmed by the huge amount of coves and beaches to visit? Don’t worry – it’s possible to visit them all from your OWN boat without having to find a tour.
The best way would be to rent a boat with a skipper so you can choose your own itinerary without having to worry about driving an actual boat.
Go Wine Tasting
Vis has some epic wineries right there on the island. If you love wine, check them out! You can sign up for winery tours from local travel agencies on the island or you can visit wineries yourself if you rent a vehicle. Some of the best ones to check out are Vidović Family Winery, Cobo Winery, and Roki’s – all visible on Google Maps.
When is the Best Time to Visit Vis?
As I mentioned in my post about things to know before you visit Croatia, the best time to visit Vis is in the ‘shoulder season,’ right before or after the peak months of July and August.
I would confidently say that June and September would be the best times to visit. These months are nice and warm and everything should still be open, but it won’t be overrun with as many tour boats and people as peak season. If you want a definite answer, I would go in September as by this time the locals will have made enough money for the season and aren’t as pushy.
Where to Stay in Vis
I love quaint and unique boutique places to stay. Here are my options for both budget and splurge places to stay in Vis that are super cute! Unfortunately, there are no hostels but there are some budget hotels.
Mid-Range: Hotel San Giorgio
Oooof, this one is amazing if you have a little extra cash to spend. It’s SO CUTE; it’s surrounded by old vine-laden stone walls right on the beachfront. It’s in the old town of Kut in Vis Town and really has those old town vibes that will make you want to slow down relax, and grab another cocktail. There’s also a restaurant on site.
Better for Budget: House Bava
You can’t go wrong with budget AND central. House Bava is right in the middle of the action in Vis Town. It has the authentic stone walls that I absolutely love in Croatia, and has all the fittings of a comfortable place at a reasonable price. By that I mean it’s less than $100 in the shoulder season, but spikes just above in peak season.
That’s it – I hope you enjoy some incredible Places on Vis Island. Let me know your favorite things in the comments below
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.