A small town you pass quickly trough, but with every passage you find something new. A small town that radiates by its authenticity, fully built out of stone houses, with an additional touch of magic of its inhabitants. Komiža will remain in your memory as an old love you would gladly return to….
And you will!
On the sunny side of the island, sheltered from the cold north winds, deep in the largest bay of the island of Vis, with a close-set cluster of tall houses, and narrow streets, stands Komiža. Owes its name to a phrase Com Issa. Issa is the ancient Greek/Hellenistic name for the town of Vis, and the meaning of the phrase would be – a place near Issa/Vis.
Komiža will get under your skin because of its crystal clear water, unspoiled nature and scents. Wild lavender, myrtle and rosemary will follow you through the central part of the island, and all the way to the island shores. Streets of Komiža, by their layout, narrow passages, souvenir-shops and ateliers could be a real adventure for every visitor, each and every day to explore and discover something new.
There are numerous sights in Komiža: the fort of Komiža – Komuna, the Church of St Nicholas, better known as Muster, another church of unusual name – Our Lady of the Pirates – Gospa Gusarica.
Komuna has the long history, today it hosts the Fisherman’s Museum. In the museum, there are various fisherman tools on display, a large collection of sailor knots, and a special type of a fishing boat, the famous gaeta falkuša, a traditional boat used by fishermen from Komiža, one of the 10 most beautiful boats in the world, proclaimed by UNESCO.
The seaside of Komiža bay abounds in numerous secluded coves and pebbly beaches with a crystal clear open sea: Gusarica, Kamenice, Velo Žalo – all known for fresh, potable spring water, follow Lučica, Jurkovica,….and of course, we highly recommend to visit the rest of beautiful sandy and pebbly beaches on the island: Milna, Zaglav, Stončica, Stiniva, Srebrena – which are a real treat!
There are also beaches that are relatively isolated and a bit difficult/harder to access, which makes them ideal for nudists, and all those in search for peace and tranquillity.
The pet owners will gladden the beach officially allowed for pets – the beach Vartalac, situated on the southern side of Komiža bay. Most of the beaches are surrounded by refreshing shade of trees.
Vis, the open sea island, is the area with the largest concentration of nature monuments in Croatia, resulting that in 2019. the UNESCO’s World Network of Geoparks proclaims the Vis Archipelago – a Geopark. The marked geo-hiking trails located in Komiža will reveal stories about rocks, drywall, tradition and the coexistence of man and nature.
The island of Vis boasts unique microclimate, rich and fertile plateau in the central part of the island, while Komiža belongs to the strongest fishing zone on the Adriatic; this is why this destination is recognized as a true paradise for gastronomads, but also for all those who love top quality dishes, made with healthy food, recently caught fish, and fresh seafood.
future of our small local producers on the Island of Vis
In Komiža, you can choose between restaurants in idyllic gardens, yards, port restaurants or to pay a visit to some of the picturesque rural households. On your menu, find at least one of the “palate spectacles” of Komiža’s chefs de cuisine: marinated fish, octopus under the bake, grilled fish, fresh grilled squid, octopus burgers/polpete.
After delicious food, round the story with a quality wine. Taste ‘The Wine Princess of Vis – Vugava’, affectionately called, because of its fineness, quality and gorgeous honey taste! During the summer heats, what can be more delightful than a refreshing glass of wine with the aroma of ripe fruit?
For all those guests who like to spend their holiday in a more active way, in Komiža you can play tennis, soccer, basketball, or hike on one of the many walking trails, dive with one of the diving centres, rent a bike or scooter. Komiža travel agencies organize interesting trips to the neighbouring islands: such as Sušac, Sv.Andrija/Svetac, Brusnik, Palagruža or Biševo, known for its magical Blue Cave where you will enjoy the unforgettable experience.
Until 1992, Vis was, in its greater part, a military base of the former Yugoslavia, the reason why the island was closed to foreign visitors, which kept it preserved from the wave of mass tourism, and its industrialisation. Some claim, that time has stopped here – the island kept, and still keeps, intact its genuine uniqueness.
Guests fond of the Robinson tourism, and all those eager to escape from the noisy, hectic everyday life, recognize in this a great advantage! Mysterious and abandoned military facilities (Tito’s Cave, former RAF airport, Cape Stupište with former cannon and missile base …), incorporated into beautiful, untouched nature, will make you feel like being in some James Bond movie – you could visit those remains by joining one of the exciting military tours!
Unspoiled nature as a true treat for all those preferring the Robinson tourism, has not missed the Hollywood producers, who skilfully estimated that the island of Vis would perfectly play the role of the Greek island, on which the previous sequel to the global cinema hit, one of Hollywood’s most popular works – the comedy “Mamma Mia! “, was shot. In Komiža, you can find organized excursions to visit the locations where this famous movie was filmed.
When in Komiža, get ready for a serious enjoyment, prepare your camera, capture the unforgettable moments of the Komiža oasis, as you will surely share them in the next Instagram post!
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