Velika and Mala Pritišćina – one of the most beautiful beaches on Vis

Until a few years ago, these two beaches were hidden from the general public. They were known mostly only to local residents. This is no surprise, as accessing them is somewhat more difficult than reaching most of the famous beaches on the island of Vis.

As with everything today, once something “ignites” social media, it becomes a target for thousands of tourists. This is exactly the case with Mala Pritišćina, which, due to its unusual shape and attractive photographs, has secured a spot at the very top of the world’s most desirable destinations.

We aren’t the type to hunt for the perfect moment for a perfect photograph, so we bring you photos that realistically reflect what you can expect, considering the hype and popularity of this place. If you do want ideal lighting conditions for photography, given the angle of the cove, you will likely have the best light only after 1 PM. However, expect the largest crowds at that time as well.

There are two ways to reach Mala Pritišćina – by boat or by swimming from the neighboring cove – Velika Pritišćina.

In Komiža, along the waterfront, there is a rich offer of various boat tours around the islands of Vis, Biševo, and other offshore islands. Many of these tours include a visit to Mala Pritišćina.

We, however, decided on the option of arriving via Velika Pritišćina.

The beaches are located below the village of Podhumlje, the first place you encounter when heading south and east from Komiža. At this location 43.020277694574766, 16.11294903824072, you turn onto a macadam (gravel) road that descends from a height of 270 m to Velika Pritišćina.

The length of the macadam road is about 3.5 km and takes a bit more than 15 minutes of cautious driving. In the summer of 2025, the road was in good condition. It was slightly rutted in only a few spots, but even with a lower car and rear-wheel drive, we had no problems.

It’s worth noting that the road is narrow for the most part, and passing other vehicles is only possible at designated widening points, which exist but are not at every turn.

At the end of the road, there is a large clearing for turning and parking. The clearing is so wide that a car can easily turn even when other cars are parked on both sides. It should be noted that the incline here is somewhat steeper and there is a high probability of wheel spin, so we recommend less experienced drivers to park about a hundred meters earlier.

Past the mentioned clearing, there is a ramp behind which a few houses are situated. Between them, you exit onto the Velika Pritišćina beach.

Velika Pritišćina is a beautiful pebble beach, and the drive down the macadam road is worth it for this beach alone. The pebbles are a bit larger than our ideal, but that would be the only complaint we could find.

If you want to visit Mala Pritišćina, a 350 m swim or paddle to the west awaits you. Anyone in average physical condition should be able to manage this. As this section is exposed to the open sea, our recommendation is to avoid windy weather and large waves.

What to say about Mala Pritišćina?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but even photos cannot truly capture the beauty of this cove. You simply have to experience it!

The cove turns in its deepest part, providing additional protection from the waves. Right at the water’s edge, there is a tiny pebble beach.

Around it, you have countless possibilities for sitting and lying on the rocky slabs. The only downside is that you will only be able to enjoy it alone in rare moments.

At the beginning of September—slightly outside the main season—we managed to have peace until 11 AM. After that, tours began arriving with about ten tourists each on RIB boats (dinghies). The boats tie up to ropes hanging on the western cliff in the curved part of the cove, so their arrival instantly creates a large crowd in the narrowest part. On our way out, we passed another boat that slowed down when they saw one was already tied up.

In any case, we are happy that we managed to enjoy this beautiful place in peace for more than an hour! To ask for anything more than that would be arrogant.