Vis Island Croatia
Vis is beautiful historic island, located further from the mainland than other more famous islands such as Hvar, but still easy to reach. Due to its geographic position Vis was popular strategic military point, thus it has huge military history. This island has been part of almost all the empires and civilisations in this part of the world – Illyrians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, British, Venetian, Ottoman, Yugoslav, French and Austro-Hungarian. They have all been in Vis and gone, but left their mark on this island. From the war era there are preserved barracks and underground tunnels. All abandoned military premises are open to the public with local guides. Two largest settlements are the town of Vis on the eastern side of the island, and Komiza, on its western coast. In the late 19th and early 20th century island Vis was known for its successful fishing industry. Today the main industries are agriculture (mainly viticulture) and tourism. You can see miles of vineyards across the island that cultivates autochthonous vine species such as Plavac Mali, and Vugava. Vugava reportedly comes from the Greek period, and gives this dry wine golden color and rich honey flavor. Island Vis is relaxed and beautiful island, a great escape from the larger cities, which offers authenticity, nature, gourmet delights, peace and tranquility. This island is offering unique traditions, history, cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, preserved nature, and it is slowly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia. Rugged coastline around the island is dotted with beautiful coves, caves and several sandy beaches. Island Vis is surrounded by an archipelago of smaller islands and islets: Ravnik, Budikovac, Bisevo, Svetac, Jabuka, Brusnik and Palagruza. Vis attractions are mainly the natural ones such as its unpolluted sea, soil and air. On the south side of the island, in the open sea waves have carved some of the most beautiful bays and beaches. One of them is Stiniva cove, one of the most frequent themes on Croatia’s promotional materials. Also there is amazing Blue Cave, a natural pearl of this island. As well as Green cave, beautiful place for swimming. The best way to explore this island with its islets and coves is by renting a boat, join us on created tour or by private tour. Trust us, this island is worth exploring. The World Wide Fund for Nature has named Vis as one of 10 last paradise refuges of the Mediterranean, thanks to its biodiversity.
TOWN VIS
The town of Vis is located in the north-eastern part of the island Vis in the bottom of a well protected bay. It is the first settlement on the island. Town Vis developed from the former settlements Kut and Luka, which became one entity by building of the church Gospa od Spilica. The fortresses and the stony piles testify to the thousand-year-old settlement on Vis. Also the remains of a theatre built into the foundations of the Franciscan monastery on the peninsula Prirovo, antique therms or the Hellenistic gravestones, confirm that Vis is one of the oldest urban centres in Croatia. Also the town Vis has a rich culturally monumental heritage from the newer age as there are built many summer cottages, fortresses and palaces. Many visitors, especially the yachtsmen and sailors, are coming more and more to island Vis. At any time you can see the changes in lifestyle, but at the same time Vis has kept the old, Mediterranean charm and life without stress and trouble. Inside the town you can practice various sport activities. There is well equipped sport and recreation center with four tennis grounds, a basketball and a football ground. Here you can also find sailing, a cricket and a paragliding club. You should not miss one of many restaurants in the town or one of the taverns which are parts of the rural households outside the town. You should taste the domestic specialties such as domestic bread from Vis, and fish pilchards from the grill.
KOMIZA TOWN
Town and harbor Komiza is located in a deep bay on the western side of the island Vis below the 600 meter high mountain Hum. Hum separates Komiza from the rest of the island. Komiza is a typical Mediterranean village, which attracts the tourists with beautiful beaches and with narrow roads with houses squeezed together around the harbour.The harbour of Komiza offers good boat berths, protecting them from the northern and eastern winds. Komiza is a place with rich history strongly attached to the sea. Komiza has always been proud of the fisherman’s history Remains can be found in the Fisherman’s museum located in the old Venetian tower on the promenade. The traditional fishing tools are displayed in it. In the 16th century fishermen from Komiza developed their own type of fishing boat It was named Falkusa and it was even used in the second half of the 20th century because of its excellent features. Falkusa is very interesting for its construction and became popular and recognized as the symbol of Komiza. A copy of this boat is represented as the Croatian maritime heritage at the world fair EXPO 1998 in Lisbon. Local gastronomy of Komiza is rich. The most famous specialty is a pie prepared from dough with salted anchovies and tomatoes with local name ‘Komiska pogaca’. Some of the other local culinary specialities are dishes under the baking lid, fish pilchards on the grill, beans and noodles on fish stew brodetto which are offered together with domestic wine. Party with local name ‘Komiska festa’ is an event for which the whole Island lives for the whole year. It is also called fisherman’s night and people from all over Adriatic are coming to Komiza for this celebration. This event is really worth seeing. Different bands performing on center stage, delicious fish and lamb are grilled right on the waterfront.
BLUE CAVE
A special attraction is the island of Bisevo with the unique phenomena on the Adriatic Sea, the famous Blue Cave. The Blue Cave or Blue Grotto (Croatian: Modra spilja) is situated in Balun Bay on eastern part of the Biševo Island. It is considered as one of the most famous attractions on Adriatic. The cave was formed by the wave action, as sea water eroded the limestone rock of which is composed the whole island Biševo. The cave is 24 meters long, 10–12 metres deep and it has 15 meters ceiling while the entrance is 1.5 metres high and 2.5 metres wide. Each year more than 10.000 tourists visit the cave through this small entrance. It has been open to the public since 1884 when the external entrance was created, as suggested by Baron Eugen von Ransonnet who first discovered the cave. The cave can be reached through this entrance by small boat. Blue Cave was originally accessible only through its underwater tunnel through which the light comes in and bathes the grotto in aquamarine light, while objects in the water appear to be silver. Just under the surface is clearly visible an underwater stone bridge which is connecting the two walls of the cave. The best way to get here is to join us on daily or private boat tour or maybe rent one of our boats and explore island Vis by yourself.
STINIVA BAY AND GREEN CAVE
One of the most extraordinary and stunning bays in the Adriatic is Stiniva bay, situated on the south side of the island of Vis. Looking from the seaside, Stiniva is closed with two high rocky cliffs which are, in their closest point, just few metres from each other. This relatively narrow sea entrance expands into an unexpectedly wide and beautiful seaside bay. In this hidden cove you can enjoy in a pebble beach. Surrounded by high cliffs on all sides, Stiniva is at least on one side always in the shade. There is no car access to this natural pearl. From the land side Stiniva bay can be reached only by foot with goat’s path which at some points can be very demanding. On the south side of Island Vis, from the bay of Rukavac, you will find the small island of Ravnik. its southwestern side hides another natural wonder, the Green Cave. Beams of sunlight pass through a hole in the ceiling of the cave, shooting green colored reflections back and forth within the caves interior. The result is a divine effect of green illumination because of an abundance of green algae located at the rocky base of the cave’s entrance. The Cave has two large entrances connected by a stone pillar. Entrances are very accommodating, allowing visitors easy entrance with the motor boats. Swimming in a Green cave is permitted.
