Discover the island of Vis - an untouched gem in Croatia

The island of Vis is a gem among Adriatic islands and a favorite place for many sailors. What makes this island unique is that it has been untouched for many years and hasn't been developed for tourism. The island seems as if it has stopped in time and that is something you immediately recognize when you arrive on this island. The architecture, culture, tradition and local people somehow take you back in time. Historically, Vis was a military zone and was 'locked out' to visitors due to its strategic location. This isolation, which made life difficult for the island's inhabitants in the first place, led to Vis being positioned as a favorite destination for the entire Mediterranean when Croatia became independent. Sailing around the island, one discovers military tunnels and facilities left over from the JNA military. Therefore, Vis offers the opportunity to experience military tourism and can reveal many of its long hidden treasures to those who love history and military stories.

There are many reasons to visit Vis, it is not only the military history that makes this island "pop out" from other islands in the Croatian archipelago. Vis is the most protruding island with an area of 90.30 km2 and is surrounded by smaller islands and islets such as: Ravnik, Budikovac, Bisevo, Svetac, Jabuka, Brusnik and Palagruza. Vis is definitely known for its untouched and reserved nature and has many unique bays with beautiful beaches.

The local population is into agriculture, fishing and tourism with two main tourist destinations, the town of Vis and Komiza. Along the coast there are many small bays and coves, with modern houses offering private accommodation in apartments and cottages, the largest of which are Milna and Rukavac, located on the south-eastern coast of the island. A special attraction is the island of Bisevo with the unique phenomena on the Adriatic, the famous Blue Cave "Blue Cave", which is visited every year by thousands of tourists. At Bisevo there is a modified harbor with 10 berths in the bay of Mezoporat, which can represent as a temporary shelter from the northern bura wind that blows as usually around Vis. Outside the two largest towns and the island of Bisevo, geomorphological monuments of nature Stiniva, the small island of Ravnik and the green cave (Zelena Spilja) on Ravnik are definitely worth visiting. We recommend visiting bays Stoncica, Milna and Zaglav with sandy beaches, and bay Silver with a gravel beach.

Vis is also very famous for its outstanding gastronomy which is backed up with numerous fish restaurants and traditional Dalmatian "Konobas" (taverns). The island's famous dishes are "Viska hib", which is made of figs, aromatic herbs, almonds and native grape herbs and "Viska pogaca" which is made of salted sardines, lightly roasted onions and olive oil. The claim "The island of Vis is the finest gastronomic destination among the Croatian part of the Adriatic" is not a marketing ploy, it is heard from many visitors who have had the opportunity to enjoy Vis gastronomy.

The explanation why Vis has found a special place on the Croatian gastronomic map, first and foremost and perhaps most often mentioned is because of the climate this island has. Its unique microclimate, with its rich and fertile plain and numerous areas together with the fact that it is one of the strongest fishing area in the central Adriatic certainly guarantees high quality and diversity of the overall island product.

The island of Vis like the whole Dalmatian coast belongs to Mediterranean type of climate with hot summers. On average there are 2600 hours of sunshine during the year. The temperature during the summer months goes above 24°C, and during the winter months above 6°C. Rains less than 800 mm a year. The most common wind is the north wind "bura" and the south wind "Jugo" in winter, and the west wind Mistral in summer.

As a summary of what makes Vis a special island are: history, untouched and reserved nature, gastronomy and of course local population. From our experience local islanders like to joke, they are always ready to welcome you with a relaxed attitude and take care not to "spice" up your dinner with high bills. And what they always say and we agree, once you have visited the island of Vis you will always find the opportunity and time to come back...

On this link you can find a map of Vis and wonderful photos: http: //www.visinfo.org/island-vis/island-vis-photos.htm