Vis
Vis makes a good choice when you want to stay on one Croatian island rather than rush through several.
- Best forCouples · Beach lovers · Foodies
- In December13°C · 14 rainy days · sea 17°C
- Ideal stay4–5 nights
- Approx. flying time~12h 45m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageCroatian
- Local time14:081h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / FBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+385
Why go
The furthest inhabited island from the Croatian mainland spent decades as a military base, closed to foreigners until 1989. That accident of history left it with two low-key harbour towns, an interior of vineyards and abandoned fortifications, and a coastline of small pebble coves. There are no large resorts, and the roads are narrow, steep and mostly empty.
The ferry from Split takes about two and a half hours, which filters out the day-trip crowds. Four or five nights suits it, ideally in June or September when the sea is warm and the konobas are not full. July and August book out well ahead. It rewards couples and slow travellers rather than anyone wanting nightlife or a long sandy family beach.
- Ideal stay
- 4–5 nights
- The vibe
- Remote, sun-worn, agreeably behind
From our guides
The furthest inhabited island from the Croatian coast, closed to foreigners as a military base until 1989 and still blissfully behind the times. Mamma Mia 2 was filmed here, but Vis remains more fishing net than film set. Stay in Komiža, take a boat to the glowing Blue Cave on neighbouring Biševo early to beat the queue, and eat lobster at a konoba where the day's catch decides the menu.
Featured in Ten quieter beach escapes: when to go and where to stay and Ten island hideaways built for two
Things to do
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Stiniva cove
A pebble beach inside a collapsed cave, entered through a narrow cleft in the cliffs, reached by boat or a steep scramble down from the road above.
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Komiza
A fishing town of stone houses around a small harbour, with a Venetian tower on the waterfront and the best sunsets on the island.
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The Blue Cave on Bisevo
Morning light through an underwater opening turns the water inside the cave electric blue. Take one of the first boats to avoid a long queue.
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Military tunnels and the cave HQ
Submarine pens, bunkers and a hillside cave used as a wartime partisan headquarters are open to visitors along the island's back roads.
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Island wines
Vis grows vugava white and plavac mali red, sold from small cellars, with vineyards running right across the interior plain between the two towns.
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Srebrna and Stoncica
Two contrasting beaches: one white pebble under pines on the south coast, the other a rare sandy bay on the east with shallow water for children.
Getting there
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Fly to
Split (SPU)
Nearest airport to Vis, about 56km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Vis Town
Split (SPU) is the gateway, about forty minutes to the ferry port and then roughly two and a half hours by car ferry, or less by catamaran, to Vis Town. Brač (BWK) is on a different island altogether.
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On the ground
Getting around
Vis Town and Komiža sit at opposite ends of a small island, about twenty minutes apart by road. Stiniva is reached by boat or a steep scramble down from the cliff, and scooters are the local answer.
Public transport: A handful of island buses meet the ferries between Vis Town and Komiža, but nothing will get you to the coves.
Flights
Los Angeles Vis, Croatia
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Roughly 12h 45m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about 11°C in January to 25°C in August. Driest in July; wettest in December, with rain on about 14 days. The sea is warmest in August at around 27°C, coolest at 15°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
December13° · rain 14 days · sea 17°Cool and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — June to September. Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Private apartments and rooms above harbour houses, a few boutique conversions in old buildings, and agrotourism stays inland. There are almost no hotels and no resorts.
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Best base overall
Vis Town
The ferry port and the bigger of the two harbours, with a curve of Venetian houses, the best restaurants and buses across the island. Arrival days are busy with yachts.
Find stays in Vis Town -
Best for couples
Komiža
A fishing village on the western side, with steeper streets, better sunsets and boats to the Blue Cave. Fewer rooms, and the road over the hill takes twenty minutes.
Find stays in Komiža -
Best with children
Milna
A sheltered sandy-pebble bay a short drive from Vis Town, with apartments, a beach bar and calm water. Little else there, so you will drive for dinner.
Find stays in Milna -
Best value
Podšpilje
Inland among the vineyards, where rooms cost far less and the konobas are the real thing. A car is essential and the beaches are all downhill.
Find stays in Podšpilje
Worth knowing before you book: August books out by spring and many apartments impose a week's minimum stay with Saturday changeovers. The Split ferry takes cars but summer sailings fill early.
Search everything else in Vis Town by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Ferries
- Car ferries and faster catamarans run from Split. Book vehicle space ahead in summer and check the last sailing back before planning a day out.
- Cash
- Croatia uses the euro and cards are common, but small konobas, boat trips and market stalls frequently want cash only.
- Driving
- Island roads are narrow with blind bends and few barriers. A small car or a scooter is far easier than anything large.
- Book ahead
- Rooms are limited and restaurant tables scarce in July and August. Reserve both several weeks in advance.
- Blue Cave
- Entry depends on sea conditions and is cancelled at short notice. Numbers are capped and queues build from mid-morning onwards.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Dalmatia: Hvar
Vis and Korčula, Croatia · 26km away →
Zlatni Rat
Brač, Croatia · 50km away →
Swimming the Kravica waterfalls
Bosnia and Herzegovina · 118km away →
Sea kayaking the Elaphiti Islands
Croatia · 144km away →
Dubrovnik
Croatia · 163km away →
Zrće Beach
Pag, Croatia · 189km away →Elsewhere in Croatia
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Vis?
For warm, mostly dry days, June to September. That means highs of 20–34°C with rain on six days a month or fewer. Daytime highs run from about 11°C in January to 25°C in August. Driest in July; wettest in December, with rain on about 14 days. The sea is warmest in August at around 27°C, coolest at 15°C.
How long should I spend in Vis?
Our suggestion: 4–5 nights.
How do I get to Vis?
Split (SPU) is the gateway, about forty minutes to the ferry port and then roughly two and a half hours by car ferry, or less by catamaran, to Vis Town. Brač (BWK) is on a different island altogether.
Do I need a car in Vis?
Yes, a car makes a real difference here. A handful of island buses meet the ferries between Vis Town and Komiža, but nothing will get you to the coves.
What currency and language are used in Vis?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: Croatian. Plugs: type C and F.
Who is Vis best for?
Best for couples, beach lovers and foodies. In a phrase: remote, sun-worn, agreeably behind.