Croatian Learning Community and Resources

Island of Vis – a real-life “Mamma Mia” island

Vis isn’t the kind of place that tries to impress you. It just does.

This is an island with a long memory- from the ancient Greek colony of Issa and Roman villas by the sea, to Venetian streets, old churches, and military tunnels hidden in the hills. Every layer of history is still here, quietly woven into everyday life.

You’ll feel it walking through the town of Vis at sunset, sitting by the water in Komiža with freshly caught fish on your plate, or drifting into coves that look almost unreal- like Stiniva, carved into the cliffs, or the Blue Cave on Biševo, glowing in shades of blue that don’t quite seem possible.

Yes, Vis played a starring role in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. But the island’s real magic comes from what it managed to preserve: simplicity, authenticity, and a slower rhythm of life. For decades it was closed to the world, and that pause is still felt today- in the untouched coastline, the quiet villages, and the strong connection between people and place.

This article is an invitation to explore Vis beyond the postcard images- its history, its towns, its beaches, and the feeling that makes so many people fall in love with it without quite knowing why.