Stončica Lighthouse

Stončica Lighthouse stands on the north-eastern cape of the island of Vis, Croatia, about 8 kilometers from the town of Vis. It's one of the most distinctive landmarks on this stretch of the Adriatic and a worthwhile destination for anyone looking to see more of the island than just its beaches.

What should you know about the lighthouse?

The lighthouse was built in 1865 on the southern headland of Stončica Bay. Its purpose from the start was to warn ships passing through the Hvar Channel about the shallow waters in the area. The structure consists of a tall, octagonal stone tower and a ground-floor building covering 320 m². The complex also includes a depot, an engine room, a wharf, a boat hoist and a boat shelter. The tower itself rises 28 meters, while the light sits at a focal height of 38 meters above sea level, making it visible from a considerable distance.

Today the lighthouse is automated and connected to a remote-control system, yet lightkeepers still live and work there. That makes Stončica the last inhabited lighthouse on the entire Adriatic — a unique status that draws both maritime history enthusiasts and travelers looking for a quiet spot away from the crowds.

How do you get to the lighthouse?

Stončica Bay lies in a remote part of Vis, and no road reaches it — there's no access for cars or scooters. The only ways in are on foot along a trail, or by sea, arriving by boat or yacht. This lack of road infrastructure works as a natural safeguard for the bay: no traffic, no noise, and none of the crowding found in the island's more accessible spots.

For anyone sailing their own boat or a chartered yacht, Stončica Bay is often a stop on a circuit around Vis — its sandy sea bottom also makes it a convenient spot to drop anchor.

What will you see there?

Beyond the lighthouse itself, striking with its stone, octagonal form, it's worth taking in the whole setting of the bay — the sandy seabed typical of this part of the island, and the views over the Hvar Channel that the lighthouse has been guiding ships through for more than 150 years. It's a place where functional architecture meets largely untouched, wild nature.

Keep in mind that the grounds around the lighthouse are sometimes marked with a "no trespassing" sign — the lightkeepers still live and work there, so visits should be made with respect for their space.

When is the best time to visit?

Because there's no road access and the bay can only be reached on foot or by sea, summer is the best time to visit, when the sea is calmer and the walking trail is easier to manage. It's also the season when sailing trips around Vis are most frequent, making it easier to reach the bay by boat.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Stončica Lighthouse? Only on foot along a trail, or by boat — there's no road access for cars or scooters.

When was the lighthouse built? In 1865, on the southern headland of Stončica Bay, at the north-eastern tip of the island of Vis.

Is the lighthouse still in use? Yes, it's automated and linked to a remote-control system, but lightkeepers still work there — it's the last inhabited lighthouse on the Adriatic.

How tall is the lighthouse? The tower is 28 meters tall, and the light sits at a focal height of 38 meters above sea level.