Seek out the vibrant island of Vis with Croatian island cruising

There are many fantastic islands to discover in this part of the Adriatic, from the popular appeal of Hvar to the exquisite charms of Mljet; however, if you really want a flavour of the enduring mystery that is Croatia, the island of Vis is for you.

Tucked away to the south-west of Hvar, Vis has only recently been discovered by the Croatian island cruising crowd. This is partly due to its relatively remote location and its role as a naval base, meaning that that it was closed to tourists until the end of the 1980s. Now open for business, it is clear that Vis has quickly become a firm favourite.

Many of the buildings here have a distinctly Venetian feel and are built of the beautiful famed stone from the nearby island of Brac. Both Vis town and Komiza are lovely to walk around and offer great entertainment in the evenings, while the coastal village of Kut has a laidback air and is a fabulous place to enjoy some of the local fresh seafood. The agricultural industry was one of the few to develop whilst the island was closed; as a result, both the food and drink here are excellent. Make time to visit one of the delightful vineyards, many of which serve local cuisine to accompany the wine.

Vis is also famed for its stunning landscapes, featuring beautiful beaches against spectacular backdrops of rugged mountainous terrain. Stiniva and Srebena are among the most popular; in addition, there are numerous secluded small coves where you can swim and sunbathe in absolute peace.