Vis: History and Hiking Route to Milna Bay

Vis brings together several distinct themes for your trip: the ferry connection from Split, traces of antiquity, buildings from different centuries and a hiking route to Milna Bay. There is also a roughly 100-metre-long pebble beach on the Prirovo peninsula. If you are looking for a hotel in Vis, you can consider whether local history, hiking or the beach should shape your stay.

Getting there by ferry

Jadrolinija ferry line 602 connects Split and Vis; the crossing from Split takes 140 minutes. Schedules may change, so you should check departure times for your travel date. A purchased ticket reserves a place on the ferry and departure at the selected time. Reservation rules may also change; check them before travelling.

Museum and traces of antiquity

The Vis City Museum began operating on 1 January 2025. Its hydroarchaeological exhibition reopened with additional exhibition space. The Roman baths of Issa date back to antiquity: they were located in the coastal part of Vis, near the present-day petrol station, and were built in the 1st century. A hydroarchaeological exhibition and an ancient building in the coastal area thus offer distinct points of reference for the history of Vis.

Gospina Batarija and the Battle of Vis

Gospina Batarija is the most important Austrian fortress in the Bay of Vis. It was built in the 1830s near Levaman, in the centre of the bay. During the Battle of Vis, from 18 to 20 July 1866, the fortress played an important role and damaged the Italian ship Formidabile. The construction period and the later historical event can be clearly distinguished here by their dates.

Towers and religious buildings

The late Baroque Church of St Cyprian and Justina, built in 1742, stands in the Kut district. The Farolfi Tower dates from the early 17th century. Its top floor is divided by a loggia; the balcony corbel bears the name of the poet Marin Gazarović. The Perasti Tower was built in 1617 by Vicko of Perast. It was intended to protect the local population from possible Ottoman attacks on Vis.

The Church of St George was built in the 9th century on a small peninsula at the entrance to the Bay of Vis. The Church and Monastery of St Jerome are considerably newer: they were built in the early 16th century on the Prirovo peninsula. Marble from nearby remains of ancient Issa, primarily from the Roman theatre, was used for the façade. The dates place these buildings in context: St George dates from the 9th century, while the complex on Prirovo dates from the early 16th century.

Hiking route and beach

The official hiking trail starts at the Vis ferry port and passes through the old district of Kut, across fields and along old paths to Milna Bay. The route is listed as having 180 m of ascent and descent and an approximate walking time of 2.5 to 3 hours. The duration and elevation gain give you concrete points of reference for planning your day, without assessing the tour beyond these details.

Gradska plaža Prirovo is a roughly 100-metre-long pebble beach on the Prirovo peninsula. This provides different points of reference for your plans: the hiking route lists duration and ascent and descent, while the beach is described by its length and surface. You can choose according to your interest in a longer hike or a stretch of coastline.

Discover more destinations: Rukavac, Milna, Marinje Zemlje, Rogačić

Return to the main travel overview: Općina Vis.