Vis, the inhabited island farthest from Croatia's mainland, has only recently become a hot destination. Vis's location is not the only factor that kept it off the tourist track: Vis was closed to visitors until 1989 because of its status as a military base. Almost as soon as the island was able to open its shores to the world, the 1991 Homeland War threw a wet blanket over tourism in Croatia and Vis's debut was delayed.
But now Vis is a perfect poster child for the country's "Croatia: The Mediterranean As It Used To Be" promotion. It is developing into the next must-see Croatian vacation spot precisely because the country's previous tourism booms bypassed the formerly forbidden island and it is in pristine condition.
The downside is that Vis is short on accommodations and tourism infrastructure, but it is beginning to catch up. Its two main towns, Vis Town and Komiza on the coast, are seeing increased tourist days thanks to the island's unspoiled interior, its deserted beaches and clear-as-glass water, and its fine authentic restaurants. Travel between the island and the mainland has increased thanks to new fast-boat routes blessed by Croatia's government.
Vis's recorded history goes back to the 4th century B.C. when Dionysius of Syracuse founded Issa, presumably as a strategic base for Greek enterprises in the Adriatic. Issa became a city-state and eventually was taken over by the Romans, the Byzantines, and the Venetians. Vis attained its greatest notoriety during World War II, when Marshal Tito used a cave on the island as his base for masterminding Partisan strategies. Called Tito's Cave, the chamber on the south side of Mount Hum is still a place of interest.
There are lots of secluded bays on Vis, particularly on the island's southern side (Rukavac, Stiniva, Milna, Srebarna), where most of the time you'll have the rocks and sea to yourself.
