About Stiniva Bay

Stiniva Bay lies on the southern side of Vis Island. It is definitely one of the most extraordinary beaches in Europe.
The first view is already impressive. A small pebble beach hides between high cliffs. Towards the sea, the bay opens through a narrow passage that is only about 4 metres wide. This gives Stiniva the feeling of a natural amphitheatre.
People say that a cave once stood here. Its roof collapsed a long time ago. What remains today is this spectacular and sheltered bay.

Parking and the walking trail

You can find the position of the parking area here:
Link to “Stiniva Parking”
From the parking area, the bay looks very close. The straight-line distance is only about 350 metres.
However, please do not underestimate the walk. The trail descends about 130 metres in altitude. It leads over a steep and rocky footpath. After your visit, you have to climb the same way back up.
There are no railings, ropes or other safety aids on the trail. In the past, there was mainly one clear path. Today, visitors often create new “shortcuts”. Some of them lead nowhere. We therefore recommend staying on the clearly visible main path.

Important safety tips

The descent is not life-threatening. However, it is not suitable for everyone.
You should be sure-footed and have a good sense of balance. You should also feel fit enough for the climb back to the parking area.
Good shoes are very important. Please do not walk this trail in flip-flops, Crocs or similar footwear.

Best time to visit

Stiniva is most beautiful early in the morning. The earlier you start, the better your chances are of enjoying the bay in peace.
Even in high season, you may have the bay almost to yourself if you arrive early enough.
Later in the day, Stiniva often becomes very crowded. Many excursion boats come from Split, Hvar, Brač and other places. They bring many visitors into the bay from the sea side.

Food and drinks

There is a small restaurant down in the bay. You can have a drink there.
Still, we recommend taking enough water with you. This is especially important in summer.

Our recommendation

Stiniva is a truly special place. It is definitely worth a visit.
Start early, wear good shoes and take your time on the trail. If you feel confident about the descent and the climb back up, Stiniva will reward you with one of the most impressive bays of the Adriatic.
At the same time, we want to be honest. The path is steep, rocky and physically demanding. It is harder than the short distance on the map may suggest.

Please therefore decide realistically for yourselves whether this trip is suitable for you.