Our Story | 1997 — The First Visit

Sabrina and I first visited Vis in 1997, when we were both living and working in Sarajevo.

The island immediately caught our hearts — quiet, authentic, and far removed from the world we knew.

We came back a few times in the following years. Then, in 2000, curiosity turned into something more: we began asking around for old houses for sale. There were plenty at the time, but none that truly felt like ours.

“It was love at first sight — not with a house, but with a view, a feeling, a promise.”

The Moment of Discovery

Just before leaving the island, over breakfast in a small local restaurant, the owner Andro asked the guests sipping coffee if anyone knew of a house for sale.

Pave, one of the regulars, lifted his head and said: “My neighbor’s house might be.”

We went together to find the owner. The house — built in 1870 — was in ruins, walls crumbling and roof gone. Yet the moment we stepped onto the terrace and saw the view over the bay, we both knew: this was it.

2000–2003 — Building a Home

What followed were three years of planning and renovation. Slowly, stone by stone, the house came back to life. Since then, Sabrina and I — and later our three children — have spent every summer on Vis.

We watched our kids learn to swim in the clearest water in the world, explored hidden coves, and rode through pine-covered hills on scooters, the scent of rosemary in the air.

“How could anyone not fall in love with this island?”

A Community of Friends

Over the years, we’ve formed warm friendships with the wonderful people who live here — those who open their doors, serve the best meals, and care for both visitors and neighbors through the seasons.

The people of Vis are the heart of the island. Their hospitality and quiet pride make this place more than beautiful — they make it alive.

VisitVis — Giving Something Back

Now, it feels time to give something in return. Our hope is that VisitVis can be a bridge — connecting travelers with the island’s community, sharing stories, and helping more people experience the magic that captured us so many years ago.

Vis truly is the pearl of the Adriatic. We hope this guide helps every traveler who steps off the ferry at the island’s edge enjoy it even more — as the sun sets over the sea and the island glows in the evening light.

— Rune Stuvland, Co-Founder