Best beaches on Vis Island – Top 20 Vis beaches you should visit

You are considering this small, beautiful island in Dalmatia as your next vacation destination and want to know which are the best beaches on Vis? The good news is that you won’t go wrong whichever you choose.

The island of Vis in Croatia is not just a popular vacation spot, but also one of the oldest settlements in this part of the Adriatic Sea, and it was a significant city in ancient times due to its strategic location. It is naturally sheltered in the bay, overlooks Hvar, and has an indented coast with numerous bays. The fertile land is sheltered by high hills and has excellent conditions for viticulture, which is especially developed in this area.

A large number of bays also means a large number of small hidden beaches. From sandy to pebbly, what they all have in common is that they are extremely clean, usually tucked in with Mediterranean vegetation, and accessible. They are the reason why Vis is so popular with travelers from all over the world. We will reveal today which of them are truly worth a visit. Find out all you need to know about the 20 most beautiful beaches on Vis Island!

Stiniva beach

Stiniva is the best beach in Vis if you ask tourists from all parts of the world. It definitely is the most famous and photogenic beach on the island. It’s part of the cove of the same name, which is about 600m long, and visitors adore it because of its exceptionally clean water and rocks that are a natural shield from the wind. These rocks make swimming enjoyable during the whole season. Like most of the popular beaches in Croatia, it is rocky, so it is advised to bring water shoes.

About 25 meters long and about 35–40 meters wide at the entrance, this lovely place is located south of the road that connects the village of Podšpilje with Plisko Polje.

Stiniva beach has won the award for the most beautiful beach in Europe on a couple of occasions. Divers from different countries also often visit it because the underwater world here is particularly rich and interesting.

Prirovo beach

Prirovo is a well-known city beach in the town of Vis. It has fine white pebbles and is about 200 m long. It is located next to the promenade and the baroque Franciscan monastery from the 16th century, which was built on the remains of a Roman theater and has a semicircular shape.

Prirovo is considered a very clean beach; it has a part that is shaded by the natural shade of pine trees and is excellent for families with children because the entrance to the water is gradual and the shallows are wide enough for safe swimming, and nearby there are toilets, a cafe, and a park for children.

Issa Hills Villa on Vis is the perfect luxury accommodation choice in this part of the island. It is spacious and practical for larger families and groups of friends. It’s located about 500 m from this popular family beach.

Lučica beach

Lučica is a small pebble beach in the center of Komiža. It’s located next to the road and is equipped with showers, changing cabins, parasols, and sunbeds. It is a two-minute walk from the port to Lucica, which makes this beach an excellent choice for vacations with young children. Do not confuse it with the beach of a similar name, Lučice, in neighboring Montenegro.

By the way, if you feel a rush of cold water while swimming, know that it is due to the spring water that flows into the sea, not just here, but in many places on Vis.

Kamenice beach

Kamenice beach is located right at the exit from Komiža. It’s not a very large pebble beach, but it offers natural shade. It’s great for families with children because it has a wide enough shallow area, and it is somewhat calmer in the season. Here you will find only a few places with food and drinks, but it is equipped enough for a quality day at the beach, and extremely clean.

An interesting, little-known fact is that this beach was created thanks to an ancient volcanic eruption. Even today, there is a spring with clean drinking water on this beach that people used to collect in stone bowls, which is why the beach got the name Kamenice.

The prehistoric volcano that once existed in this part of Vis is also responsible for numerous plant endemic species that botanists are still studying today.

Beach Zaglav

Zaglav is a long sandy beach in the village of Milna, located in the southern part of the island. It is one of the cleanest and most beautiful sandy beaches on Vis. It’s impossible to get to Zaglav by car, but you have to walk from Milna for about 15 minutes. That is why it is recommended to arrive early and bring your own parasol, because there is no natural shade or beach furniture on the beach, apart from a small covered area of ​​a local restaurant.

Many locals choose Zaglav for the golden color of the sand, and divers for the crystal clear, bright blue color of the water. However, it is recommended to avoid the sun during the season here. The beach is safe for younger children and is about 9 km from the town of Vis, and about 20 km from Komiža.

Beach Milna

After Zaglav, we stay on the same part of the island because it’s time to introduce you to Milna beach in the village of the same name. This is probably the best beach for children in Vis. It is approximately 130m long, has clean and soft fine sand, and the shallows extend to about 30 meters from the shore.

It is mostly chosen by locals and foreigners staying in Milna, and it is less crowded in the season than Vis and Komiža. However, please note that you should bring your own parasol and SPF sunscreen because there is not much shade.

Another Vis beach worth mentioning that was not on our list on this occasion, and is very close to Milna and Zaglav, is Veli Budihovac, on an uninhabited islet opposite Milna. If you stay in this part of the island, you must visit it.

Srebrna beach

Srebrna beach on Vis is located in Rukavac. It is characterized by distinctly white pebbles, and thanks to them, it got the epithet Srebrna (meaning silver) because they shine beautifully in the moonlight. It is large and spacious, and the white carbonate rocks are ideal for sunbathing, while the natural shade of the pine forest is great for hiding in the hottest part of the day.

Here you can still see traces of the stone blocks once used to build the ancient city of Issa two thousand years ago. It is also the oldest quarry in Croatia.

The shallow part of the water is spacious enough even for families with small children and weaker swimmers, and you need to walk about 250 m from the nearest dirt parking lot to the beach. It is about 10 km from the town of Vis, and about 18 km from Komiža.

Tepluš beach

Tepluš is a spacious beach with larger pebbles near Rukavac. Near this long beach is a famous Vis restaurant with an excellent view of the sea, a bar where you can buy refreshments, as well as a relatively large parking lot, and it is peaceful, comfortable, and suitable for families with small children. You can also rent a pedal boat, if you want to complete the day at the beach.

Bili bok

Bili Bok is a rocky cove located near Rukavac and the popular Srebrna beach, and is also a popular diving destination. It is also one of the favorite nudist beaches in Vis, because the white, spacious rocks are ideal for sunbathing, providing privacy and easy access to crystal clear water.

Of course, nudism is optional, so if you’re in the vicinity and prefer rocks and a quieter atmosphere, take a look. One part of the rock is hidden by the natural shade of a pine forest, and a path through the forest leads to the parking lot.

However, the best part of this cove is underwater. It hides 6 underwater caves in which the biodiversity is very rich and diverse. Here, while diving, you can see colorful sea sponges and various endemic species of nocturnal animals. Please note that this is not a diving site for beginners, but those with a little more experience will definitely enjoy it.

Mala Travna

Mala Travna is a lesser-known bay, and possibly more beautiful than the famous Stiniva. You will hear from the locals that they call it Mala Trovna, but it is the same location. A cove located between Stiniva and Srebrna and protected by white rocks.

There are also a large number of springs here, so expect a cooling sensation after entering the water, even in the middle of the summer season. It is a place for real hedonism and a peaceful vacation in nature, and nearby you will find a tavern with delicious, freshly caught seafood.

Punta od Biskupa (Bishop’s cape)

Punta od Biskupa is a small rocky nudist beach in the northeast of Vis, which stretches from the bay of Stonac to the islet of Host. At the very beginning of the beach, you can find natural shade, and you can reach it by a macadam road.

Stončica beach

Stončica is a beautiful sandy beach in a bay in the northeast of the island. Nearby, there is a lighthouse, which is a famous attraction of this part of Vis. Here, it is possible to rent a parasol and sunbed; there are several bars and restaurants, as well as a beach volleyball net, and the shallow water extends more than 30 m, which is why children can play safely in the sand.

Vela Smokova

Smokova is another popular sandy beach in the bay, southeast of Stončica. The water here is an incredible turquoise color, and it will be exciting for lovers of wilder beaches. Along the coast, at a depth of about two meters, there is a sunken wing of a military plane from World War II, and south of the beach, when you head towards Milna, you will come across former bunkers and military training grounds.

If you plan to spend the whole day at Smokova Beach, don’t forget to bring your own sunshade and SPF.

Grandovac

Grandovac is a wild pebble beach located about 20 minutes from the center of Vis, on the city exit. There is a lot of shade, and it is surrounded by pines and cacti. It is possible to reach it by car. One part is rocky, but there is also a regular, safer entrance over the pebbles. There are several restaurants and cafes nearby where you can refresh yourself after a day of swimming.

Vela Svitnja

Vela Svitnja is the first cove west of the town of Vis, near Rogačić. It consists of wide slabs suitable for sunbathing, and the water here is extremely clean. As it is well sheltered from all sides, it has become a popular nudist beach on Vis.

Velo žalo beach

Velo žalo is a beautiful pebble beach with some sand in some parts. It is located in Komiža and is surrounded by rocks and cliffs on all sides, and is completely inaccessible by land. You can reach it by kayak from one of the nearby beaches or by water taxi, which takes about 5 minutes to arrive from the port in Komiža.

Gusarica

Gusarica is located in the northern part of the outskirts of Komiža. It is characterized by small and extremely soft pebbles. It is an excellent choice for families with small children or the elderly, as it has everything needed for a pleasant day at the beach: showers, bathrooms, changing cabins, wheelchair access, a cafe and restaurant, even two diving clubs, as well as a mini golf course.

It can be reached on foot in about 7 minutes from the port of Komiža, and nearby is the beautiful Church of St. Mary, after which the beach got its name, because it was often called the Lady of the Pirates. You will enjoy the peace of Gusarica beach with the sound of waves and the smell of pine and carob in the air.

Pritiščina beach

Pritiščina is a bay that actually consists of big and small Pritiščina. Velika Pritiščina can be reached by car or on foot, on a macadam road lasting about half an hour. It is located in the south of the island and is a few kilometers from Komiža.

Mala Pritiščina is a well-kept secret that cannot be reached in any other way than by water or over the rocks. If you choose an adventurous way over the rocks, take care not to slip and keep in mind that at one point, it is still necessary to enter the water and swim.

The second option is to arrive in your personal kayak, small boat, or SUP board, and the third is to swim. On average, it takes 15 to 20 minutes to reach this small, magnificent bay, but it is so worth it, and the color of the water is spectacular.

We advise you to visit it in the morning hours if you plan to sunbathe, because already after 4 pm the sun completely leaves this side of the island. And of course, bring your own food, drinks, and comfortable shoes for walking on the macadam to the beach because this is a secluded and wild beach, and there are no restaurants or shops nearby.

Perna beach

Perna is a small, lesser-known beach near Komiža. To be precise, about 2.5 km from the city center. It is a quiet pebbly beach that is visited by a slightly smaller number of tourists in the season, and is an excellent choice if you want silence and enough space to stick your parasol in the morning and spread a towel wherever you want.

Barjoska beach

Barjoska beach is known to many because the movie Mamma Mia 2 was filmed here. It is a small wild beach with pebbles and a mini pier for boats. If you decide to walk to it from Komiža, keep in mind that it will take you about an hour to an hour and a half.

It is more accessible by water and can be reached from the port of Komiža in just a few minutes by taxi boat.