December the 4th, 2025 – There’s a beautiful Croatian island that the public was once completely prohibited from visiting. Being cut off from the world, however, has allowed it to preserve its incredible heritage.

As Putni kofer writes, the Croatian coast is widely known for its indentation and exceptional beauty. With more than 1000 islands, islets and reefs, each with its own stories, scents and distinctive landscape, the Adriatic truly offers a diversity that is extremely difficult to find elsewhere. Some of these islands have been favourite destinations for travellers from all over the world for decades now, while others have managed to preserve their unique peace and identity precisely thanks to either their total isolation or turbulent history. Among them all, there’s one glorious Croatian island that stands out in particular, not only because of its enchanting beauty, but also because of the fact that the public was prohibited from visiting. It was completely hidden away from the public eye.

a former secretive military zone

From the end of World War II all the way up until the early 1990s, the entire island of Vis was almost completely closed to the public and turned into a tightly guarded military zone. During the period of socialist Yugoslavia, the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) transformed Vis into one of its key strategic strongholds. More than thirty different military facilities were once located on a relatively small area spanning about ​ninety square kilometres. There was a network of ultra-secret tunnels, bunkers and warehouses dotted all over the island. Among these hidden structures was the famous submarine base, which was almost forbidden to even be discussed for decades.

Due to this regime, visiting this Croatian island remained prohibited, especially to foreign visitors, for over forty years. Although the ban was officially lifted in 1989, the army left the island only in 1992, and life on Vis only began to change then. This long-term isolation naturally left a strong mark on its development. Tourism hardly had time to develop, so there were no large hotels or massive investments to speak of. The island lived more modestly, in the rhythm of private accommodation, old family houses and a homely atmosphere, which is still one of its greatest assets to this very day.

isolation as a gift

Despite that, it turned out that this long-term isolation, as difficult as it was to live with, ultimately brought an unexpected advantage to Vis. While many other Adriatic islands rapidly urbanised and indulged in uncontrolled tourist construction, Vis remained entirely protected from such changes. It perfectly preserved its untouched nature, fragrant pine forests and crystal clear sea, and its authentic stone towns, Vis and Komiža, have retained their original charm and that special, quiet atmosphere that makes them unique.

Komiža is particularly intriguing, once an almost forgotten fishing village, and today one of the best-preserved old towns on the entire Adriatic. Komiža’s fishermen were famous throughout the Mediterranean, known for their courage and skill, and the rich maritime tradition can still be learned today in the Fisherman’s Museum located in the old Venetian tower that proudly overlooks the harbour. It even has its own micro-climate.

The town of Vis itself has a different, but equally fascinating, heritage. It’s considered to be one of the oldest urban settlements in the entire Adriatic area. It was founded by the ancient Greeks under the name Issa, and over a long period of history it was ruled by the Illyrians, Romans, Venetians, the British and many others. Each civilisation has left its own concrete mark, in the architecture and local customs, but also in the cuisine, where layers of different cultures have been intertwined and blended into one another for centuries.

from secret military zone to hollywood films

Today, the Croatian island that visitors were once prohibited from stepping foot on, is no longer unknown. Hollywood films, such as the massive Mamma Mia, were filmed there. Reputable international media, such as Harper’s Bazaar, have also ranked it among the most romantic destinations in the whole world. Stiniva Beach regularly appears on lists of the most beautiful in all of Europe, and the island attracts travellers seeking peace, authenticity and beauty effortlessly.

While many locals from Vis will tell you that Tito “retrograded Vis”, in the same sentence they will also admit that he also, in some way, saved it. Regardless of opinions on Tito’s actions, we can say for sure that if it hadn’t been for its total isolation, perhaps we wouldn’t be talking about Vis as the last Mediterranean paradise today.

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