Simplicity of living, untouched nature and complete peace - that's the easiest way to describe the island of Vis. The first thing you will notice when you land on Vis, which is also called the "island of happiness", is crystal clear sea which is rarely seen. You will immediately feel that specific one as well intoxicating smell which Vis owes precisely to its isolation because wild plants and untouched nature still rule this southern island in the middle of the Adriatic Sea. In order to best feel the charms of the sea there, head to one of the beautiful beaches and swim in a crystal clear oasis, intoxicated with freshness and a scent that brings back balance in mind and body.
The island of Vis
Photo: Pixabay
The popular sequel was filmed there of the Hollywood hit "Mamma Mia" in 2017, and the charms of the beautiful Više locations delighted the stars Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan, as well as the entire film crew.
Once you come to Vis, it's up to you to enjoy and explore and believe me, even in a week's stay you won't have time to explore all the hidden gems that are there.
Komiža, island of Vis
Photo: Fede Roveda from Pexels
Multiple award-winning island
The editorial staff of the Telegraph recently ranked the islands of Brač and Vis among the 20 islands in the Mediterranean that must be visited at least once in a lifetime.
The island of Vis has been declared the best Mediterranean island for relaxation, which, thanks to its authenticity, turquoise bays and original eno-gastro delicacies, is a tourist asset for all nature lovers.
At one time, he received recognition from the great American magazine Harper's Bazaar, which declared him one of the the three most romantic destinations in the world, and the portal European Best Destinations ranked Stiniva beach at the very top of the list of the most beautiful European beaches.
The town of Vis was once a state
Did you know that Vis was also a state for a short time in history? At the beginning of the 19th century, 12.000 people from all over Europe lived there, so in addition to derivatives from the Venetian dialect, words of English, French, German, and Hungarian roots can also be heard in the Vis language.
The town of Vis is the oldest town on the Adriatic that was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic period, and the area of the present town was home to numerous peoples such as the Illyrians, the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Venetians and many others. All the peoples who lived here left, in one way, a piece of their tradition that is still woven into this region today, and is most recognizable in way of life, building style and architecture.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
The popular continuation of the Hollywood hit "Mamma Mia" was filmed on the island of Vis in 2017, and the charms of the beautiful Vis locations delighted the stars Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan, as well as the entire film crew. Filming lasted 24 days, and the film premiered in the summer of 2018 and quickly became the most watched film of the season.
Interesting fact: After the world premiere, all residents of the island of Vis who were involved in the filming of the sequel to this Hollywood hit had their own island premiere on July 24, 2018 in Komiža and on Vis, where, in addition to the younger members of the cast, some of the producers were also present. Numerous accommodation and boat rental companies, as well as providers of various services to Hollywood productions, along with extras, had the opportunity to be among the first in the world to watch the movie "Mamma Mia!"
Filming locations Mamma Mia 2 (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again)
- Ferry port - Vis
- Scenes on the beach – Barjoška bay
- Greek Taverna – Komiža
- 300 people dance, Abba songs - Barjaci cove
- Greek market - Vis
The island of Vis stands out for its most beautiful beaches
The island of Vis stands out for its many beautiful beaches that are enjoyed by both locals and tourists, read the entire list of the most beautiful swimming locations on Vis HERE, and we single out one bay that was declared in 2016 the most beautiful European beach.
Stiniva Bay, since 1967 it has been a protected part of nature in Croatia under the status of a significant landscape. Stiniva was formed during the Ice Age, when the sea level was 120 meters lower than today. Due to the watercourse that dug a canyon underground, it was created karst cave which collapsed several thousand years ago.
Stiniva is narrow bay on the island of Vis, and is located south of the local road that connects the hamlet of Podšpilje and Plisko Polje. stiniva is extremely popular, especially because of its appearance and high rocks which surround this beach, and thanks to which you do not have to worry about not finding shade.
How to get to the bay?
You can reach the bay by hiking in the narrow roads through steep cliffs (we advise you to walk this trail in comfortable shoes, preferably tennis shoes). Also, if that is not an option for you, it is possible to reach the bay by smaller or larger ones sailing ships through a narrow passage or yachts.
Geopark Vis archipelago
The Vis Archipelago Geopark is part of the UNESCO World Geoparks Network. The area of the Vis archipelago consists of the island of Vis, the surrounding islets belonging to it, Bisheva, Saint Andrew, Cranberry, Apples i Palagruž.
Vis archipelago, photo: Geopark Vis
Due to the fact that the interior of the island of Vis is built of waterproof volcanic rocks, the island has always been rich in water that springs throughout the bay of Komiža at the contact of volcanic rocks and limestone. Numerous sources provided the foundation for life, so it is not surprising that the Greeks are still there more than 2400 years ago chosen just island of Vis for the establishment of the first Greek colony on the Adriatic and thus planted the first story whose rich history, culture and tradition the inhabitants of this island nurture, interpret and offer to their visitors.
Total lives here 126 bird species, of which the characteristic offshore species should be pointed out, such as Eleonora's falcon, caucasus and gregula, but also one strictly protected species - bottlenose dolphin.
Geologically it is the most attractive area of the Adriatic composed of the oldest and youngest rock formations. Parts of the Vis archipelago are built of volcanic rocks. Such rocks are unique in the Adriatic and are easily distinguished from other Adriatic islands that are mostly built of sedimentary rocks.
Visitor center in Komiža
In the premises of the Cultural Center Ivan Vitić in Komiža there is a visitor center of the Vis Archipelago Geopark. In multimedia halls, geological library, geological collections within the center, visitors have access to promotional materials, souvenirs, but also all the necessary information.
The whole story about the Viški Archipelago geopark ON THE LINK.
The Blue Cave
The Blue Cave
Photo: Zoran Jelača
The Blue Cave is the pearl of the Adriatic Sea and the most attractive landmark of the island of Vis which attracts a large number of curious tourists. It is located 5 nautical miles from the port of Komiža, and is located in the bay Baluni on the east side of the island of Biševo. It is 36 meters long and 10 to 12 meters wide, up to 15 meters high and up to 16 meters deep.
The ideal time to experience this phenomenon is around 11 am because then is the perfect time to see all the charms that the cave has to offer. At that time, through a natural opening below sea level, sunlight penetrates to the sand and white rocks at the bottom, from where it bounces and illuminates the cave with blue, and objects in the sea with silver. Everyone is enchanted by its beauty, although the visit to the cave itself takes only about five minutes.
Green cave
A beautiful work of untouched nature in the Adriatic Sea is the Green Cave - a favorite destination for boaters, and in the II. During World War II, they found shelter and small warships. At the very entrance to the Green Cave, you will be attracted by the chirping of birds, which have found their refuge in the cave, and the dripping of water from the stalactites into the sea.
The cave is located on the islet of Ravnik, which is located in front of Rukavac bay on the southern side of the island of Vis. Spacious with two large entrances, smaller motor boats can enter it. Unlike the Blue Cave, where swimming is prohibited, you can enjoy swimming and diving here.
Tennessee Sunshine - a bomber that rests in the underwater world of Vis
Photo: DC Manta, Author: Sabine Kerkau
Back in 1945, on the way back from bombing the Zagreb railway station, an allied plane B-17, Tennessee Sunshine, crashed near the island of Vis. Apparently, it was hit by Nazi anti-aircraft defenses. It lay on the seabed for decades and decades, and this April it was discovered by an intrepid team of divers.
The location of the finds has been reported to the Ministry of Culture and it is expected that the site will be marked and protected, and entered in a rich map of underwater sites. VIS, Biševo, Saint i Cranberry with all the associated reefs and shallows are a protected zone, so you can dive only through diving centers that take care that everything in the sea remains intact and that no one takes some kind of 'souvenir' from the dive. The whole story about the plane ON THE LINK.
Photo: DC Manta, Author: Sabine Kerkau
Cover photo: Pixabay
