Non Divers

The reasons divers visit the island of Vis are largely the same as those attracting other visitors. The first and most obvious is its location. The island’s distance from the Croatian mainland makes access more challenging than to many other islands, and this isolation has shaped its development over centuries. In ancient times, when the Greeks established a colony here, Vis became an independent polis with its own currency. Even today, traces of this ancient past are clearly visible, especially in the town of Vis, where visitors can see a Hellenistic necropolis and Roman baths. A rich collection of archaeological artifacts is housed in the local museum in Vis, which is well worth a visit.

The island’s second town, after Vis, is Komiža – a charming fishing village known for its romantic atmosphere and spectacular sunsets. Located on the opposite side of the island, Komiža does not date back to antiquity but began to develop in the Middle Ages. It was here that the falkuša, a traditional fishing boat designed for long voyages on the open sea, was built. Fishing traditions have been preserved to this day and remain a visible part of the town’s identity.

Another reason to visit Vis is its compact size combined with its varied terrain. Driving around the island takes roughly an hour, yet along the way visitors encounter countless remarkable places, including beaches such as Štiniva and Srebrena—both awarded Best Beach in Europe in 2016 in different competitions. Beyond these famous spots, the island offers many secluded coves. Some are accessible only by boat, while others can be reached via steep gravel roads that appeal to off-road drivers and hiking enthusiasts.

Trekking lovers will find even more to explore in the island’s interior, where six marked hiking trails cross the landscape. One of these routes leads to Oključna -also accessible by off-road vehicles – an abandoned village on the northern coast. Once home to a thriving community with a full school, it now has no permanent residents. Oključna is worth visiting not only for its haunting beauty but also for its proximity to the Queen’s Cave (Kraljičina Špilja). Less than an hour’s hike separates the village from this cave, the largest natural cave on the island, renowned for its well-preserved stalactites.

While the Queen’s Cave is the largest cave inland, two other famous caves lie on nearby islands: the Blue Cave (Modra Špilja) on Biševo and the Green Cave (Zelena Špilja) on the islet of Ravnik. Both are accessible only by boat and are extremely popular with visitors.

Natural caves are not the only underground features on Vis. After 1945, when the island served as a major Yugoslav military base, numerous bunkers and underground tunnels were constructed. Today, around 30 military sites have been identified. Although some tour operators offer guided military tours, most of these sites can be explored without special guidance. Among the most impressive is the complex on the Stupišće peninsula, featuring abandoned barracks and a massive bunker system built in anticipation of a potential attack from Italy. Remarkably, the cannons are still in place.

Deeply concerned about invasion, the Yugoslav army concealed much of its infrastructure within the island’s interior. Near the island’s highest mountain lies Tito’s Cave (Titova Špilja), believed to have housed the headquarters of Tito’s command during World War II. While the cave itself is fascinating, the real highlight is the view from the nearby highest peak of Vis – Hum (Sveti Duh).