If I could go anywhere in the world right now, I would go to the island of Vis, Croatia. This peaceful, beautiful island is mother nature‘s favorite with the jewel toned waters of the Adriatic Sea, plentiful sunshine, and delicious local food and wine that will impress even the most refined palette. It’s more than that, though. Vis is a special pocket of the universe that will embrace you with its “Pomalo” lifestyle and transform your mind, body and soul. But don’t just take it from me, because you’ve probably already read about the transformative time I spent on the island. This time I want to show you Vis Island Croatia: A Local’s Guide.
Keep reading to learn about my friend Dragona’s favorite things to eat, drink, and experience on Vis island, and how she and I came to be friends. I’ll also sprinkle in some of my favorite parts of Komiza and Vis island as well. What can I say? Writing this article is making me long for a glass of crisp Vugava in the Croatian sunshine.
Table of contents
Vis Island Croatia- A Heavenly Destination
When I stayed on Vis Island, I rented an apartment on the West side of the island in the town of Komiza. It was a simple room with everything that I needed, including a front porch and upstairs terrace that gave me the greatest soundtrack of all- the waves of the Adriatic Sea. I remember stressing out about where I should stay on the island, because I wanted to be close to the water. I also wanted to have a great view to wake up to every day. Little did I know that on the island of Vis, you will have an incredible view no matter where you stay.
Vis vs Komiza
In this article I will refer to Vis, the island. I will also refer to Komiza, the town on the west coast of Vis. This is where I spent most of my time. It’s also important to know that there is the town of Vis as well. This is where the ferry comes in and out of, and there is plenty to do on that side of the island as well.
Want to learn more about getting to Vis Island and Komiza? I have all the information you need in my article: Vis Island: A Heavenly Destination + Everything You Should Know.
Vis Island Croatia: My seaside apartment
My apartment in Komiza was about 75 steps from one of the many beaches on the island, and a 5 minute walk from the port of Komiza which was also the center of town. Every day I’d walk along the port at least once whether it was to shop for groceries or go out in search of dinner and gelato.
On another occasion, I walked along the port in search of Medical attention after breaking my toe on the rocks at Komenica Beach earlier that day… running away from a jellyfish on the shore. It was quite the saga but I wasn’t going to let it stop me! So on my way back I hobbled my way into Restaurant Dal Mare for dinner and a much needed break from walking.
A friendship written in the stars
There to greet me was the hostess Dragana. A warm and joyful human being whose disposition was just as bright as the cozy yellow chair next to the hostess stand. And that’s exactly where she sat me.
That night I learned a few things as the sun went down over the island, and the moon took its place over the boats in the harbor.
- I love mussels with red buzara-which is a local Croatian dish.
- Vugava is not only my favorite Croatian White Wine, but it also made me forget about my broken toe for awhile.
- When 2 personable and positive people meet, especially on the island of Vis, they become friends.
Vis Island Croatia: A Local’s Guide
For 3 summers, Dragana spent a few months living and working on the island of Vis. And there was a good reason as to why she kept going back. Vis is not only beautiful on the outside- but there is an internal beauty about the island as well. This is a topic that Dragana and I both feel very deeply about-and loved discussing while I was there, and still to this day when we message.
Vis feels like this portal of the universe that creates a connection between life on the island and the stars above. Is it the easy going pomalo lifestyle? Or the way everyone walks around with a smile and a friendly greeting? Or perhaps it’s the peace that washes over you at the end of the day as you enjoy the swirling white clouds dancing amongst a pink and purple sky. With a gelato of course.
Did you Know?
Vis Island is the farthest inhabited island from mainland Croatia, and on the clearest of days you can see Italy across the Adriatic Sea. Vis has an incredible history, and because Vis was a military base for many years, visitors were not allowed to visit the island until 1989. You can read more about the secret submarine tunnels I visited on a boat tour around the island– it was incredible!
Vis Island Croatia: Mother Nature’s favorite
Vis shows off Mother Nature’s best qualities, and the best part is that Vis is both beautiful and attainable! I know I’ll be back someday. And my dream is to stay even longer next time because 10 days was not enough. But until then, allow me to introduce you to my friend Dragana who is currently basking in the Croatian sunshine and enjoying our favorite island. And while she was not born on the island, after spending a few months a year on the island for 3 years she’s definitely an honorary local!
Vis Island, Croatia: A Local’s Guide: Meet Dragana
This interview is from July, 2025. While Dragana’s recommendations stay the same, she no longer works on Vis Island during the summertime. However, she does go back to visit!
Julie: Where are you from, and what brought you to Vis?
Dragana: I am from Macedonia and I was looking for an opportunity to travel, enjoy island vibes and somehow earn at the same time. That is how I decided to start looking for a job in Croatia but had immense luck to get a great job opportunity on the island of Happiness- Vis.
Julie: What are some of your favorite foods on the island?
Dragana: Something that I crave a lot when I am back home in Macedonia is Blitva- Swiss Chard, which is healthy and tasty. In Croatia it is a traditional and very present veggie in their cuisine and I adore the way they prepare it.
There are many traditional dishes that tourists and locals love, but many are with seafood and I have vegan/vegetarian diet. So I haven’t tried these by myself, but I’ve heard yummy compliments about the Octopus Goulash (stew), Vishka pogaca (Vis salty pie) and Pashticada.
Julie: What are your favorite bars and restaurants on the island?
Dragana: My favorite ice cream shop is Pa Ti Odoli. The bar with the best sea views and atmosphere is definitely Rogach Wine bar (The Jail). For a unique restaurant experience – Boccadoro restaurant.
For very tasty and fresh seafood, a great sea view, a lot of tasty food for those who are gluten free, or vegetarian and vegan like me. Dal Mare Restaurant and Bar has all kinds of options! And the best cocktails.
Julie: Vis island definitely has the freshest seafood I have ever tasted! I still dream of the octopus salad from Restaurant Dal Mare and my Barbequed squid and orange liqueur experience at Robinzon’s. Or the stuffed squid at Jastozera that ended with a homemade fig liqueur! You can read more about the restaurants on Vis Island and more of my personal favorite dishes here: Where to Eat – My Favorite Restaurants in Komiza
Julie: Tell me about Restaurant Dal Mare. What is your favorite dish and do you enjoy working there?
Dragana: Dal Mare’s vegetarian menu is a tasteful bliss for vegetarians on the island. My personal faves are the Rissoto with vegetables and cheese and the Avocado club sandwich. Also I must emphasize their cocktails since a lot of tourists have confirmed that they are the best on the island. My personal fave is the Havana Perfect.
I adore working in Dal Mare as a restaurant hostess. It is a mixture of business and pleasure and I’ve got the best sea view of Komiza as my office!
What to Do on Vis Island Croatia: A Local’s Guide
Julie: What are your favorite things to do on Vis island, and what are your favorite beaches?
Dragana: Taking a boat trip to the hidden gem beaches on the island is the best thing to do. Vis has a lot of breathtaking beaches where the nature shows her best. One of these beaches was selected as the most beautiful beach in Europe and its name is Stiniva Beach. And taking a boat trip is the best way to visit the beautiful beaches of Vis, because a car will be helpful to get to some of the beaches but not all.
Boating around the island
Julie: On the port of Komiza you will find boating companies that take numerous types of tours around Vis Island and Bisevo which is where you can experience the Blue Cave (it’s a must!). You can plan ahead, but if you will be on the island for more than a few days you may just want to play it by ear* to make sure that the weather cooperates. While Vis island sees a lot of sunshine- rain and wind can complicate things every now and then.
What does a perfect day in the life of Dragana look like?
My Perfect day begins with working the morning shift. After work, I enjoy going to the beach for 3 hours to rest, swim, and just chill while looking at the beautiful houses that look like Lego blocks. Then I go to the night shift, but that’s because I’m working. If you’re asking me for a perfect day vacation style, then it’s absolutely taking a boat trip somewhere, hiking or renting a bicycle or quad bike. There are plenty of adventurous things to do on the island.
There is one very beautiful sunset spot on the island-Mount Hum. It is the highest point on the island. It would be the perfect ending of the day.
What is it about Vis Island Croatia: A Local’s Guide
Julie: There is just something so special about Vis-you and I have talked about this many times. What do you think makes it so special?
Dragana: That’s true, and additionally, I’ve also been talking with hundreds of tourists visiting the island and we all agree on this. There is just something about this place. Nobody can explain the cause, but we all explain it in the same way. It has a vibrant, but at the same time peaceful & calming energy.
It is never boring, but always makes us feel amused even though there’s nothing much happening around. Its positive energy can be felt immediately. Whatever this energy is, it even makes the local people highly different, happier, smiling, generous, and more welcoming than any other place in Croatia.
Is it the sunshine or the views?
Dragana: Some say (the energy) is due to the high number of sunny days in Europe per year. Some say, it’s because of those spectacular views that nobody can get enough of. Or maybe it’s a mixture of both! But one thing is for sure, everyone keeps coming back to Vis, or has a deep longing feeling and wishes to come back again.
Julie: I can definitely attest to this. Sometimes I wonder if I romanticized my time on the island? Am I the only one that feels the connection to Vis so deeply or do others feel the same? I can picture myself back on the island. Having my coffee on my seaside porch. Walking to the beach during the day, and then enjoying sunsets on my terrace while enjoying local meats, cheeses, tomatoes, and fresh bread. All with a glass or two of Croatian wine. The days were a little slice of heaven.
Vislander Winery
And speaking of wine! I spent a day at Vislander winery while I was there sampling their delicious red and white wines while also getting a fascinating history lesson from the owner of Vislander. And no visit to Vislander would be complete without their Limoncello which was the best that has ever touched my lips. You can read more about Vislander wine and gin, and the history of the island in my article.
Julie’s Travel Tips
Wine is the window to every culture. Even if you can’t make it to a winery, I highly recommend seeking out local wine and beverages when you travel. In every glass of wine you will discover the culmination of history, hard work and the love of the land. Enjoying the wine or beverage of the culture you are visiting will help you appreciate the culture and see it from a different perspective.
We at DutchBloggerOnTheMove are very passionate about our food and wine! Do you remember when Julie met Lisa, our founder, for the first time in real life? Not surprisingly it was over a fabulous meal at the Marriott Amsterdam at one of the 50 best steak houses in the world. Click here to read about our adventures in food and wine from Amsterdam to Chicago on our special wine and dine page.
Julie: Do you have any tips for people who have never been to Vis?
Dragana: Don’t skip it! It’s the furthest island of them all, but it truly is a gem. Many people that came for a day tour to Vis are coming back afterwards to stay for a week so better add it to your travel plan from the start.
Take boat trips to visit everything on the island. It is a bit pricey, but you will be unable to visit many of the beaches with a car or by foot. It is also very risky without a boat since the roads to the beaches are not good.
Visiting the blue cave is a must. It’s a natural phenomenon 20 minutes by boat on a smaller island near vis and it’s a spectacular experience.
Vis Island Croatia: A Local’s Guide: Final Thoughts
I want to thank Dragana for taking the time to share her favorite parts of Vis Island and Komiza with me. I have such fond memories of our conversations on the island. All with a backdrop of the mountains of Vis and the Adriatic Sea. I look forward to the next time that we find ourselves deep in conversation about the history and magical wonders of the world that surround each and every one of us. Thank you for reading, and please! If you are on Vis island this summer let us know and tag us in your photographs!
You can follow me on Instagram at AdventuresofJulieAnne, Dragana, and if you haven’t found her already don’t forget to follow Lisa- the founder of DutchBloggerOnTheMove.
Don’t forget to read the other articles about Vis. I’ve also written a guide for Vis Island with everything you need to know and how to get there, and here to dive deeper into Vislander Winery to explore all of their yummy wine, limoncello, and gin offerings.
- 16 TIPS FOR SOLO TRAVEL (TABLE FOR ONE PLEASE, MEET NEW PEOPLE)
- VIS ISLAND: A HEAVENLY DESTINATION + EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW
- BOATING AROUND VIS ISLAND ON THE BEST BOAT TOUR
- VISLANDER WINERY ON VIS ISLAND
- Where to eat on Komiza (my favorite restaurants)
Meet Julie Anne, our enthusiastic writer who believes every day is an opportunity to learn and grow. Passionate about local food, wine, fashion, and history, she dives into each city’s culture to bring you authentic, inspiring stories. She started writing in 2020 for Dutchbloggeronthemove. When not traveling, Julie Anne teaches music in Chicago, IL, and advocates for students with special needs. Stay tuned for her unique insights and adventures!
