Stari Grad on Croatian Island of Hvar Nominated for European Best Destination 2017

Stari Grad nominated for European Best Destination 2017

Last year the beautiful Croatian city of Zadar beat off the likes of Paris, London and Rome to win the title of ‘European Best Destination 2016′. In 2017 that title could go to another Croatian destination.

The stunning town of Stari Grad on the Dalmatian island of Hvar, which this year is celebrating ts 2,400th anniversary of its foundation, has been nominated for the European Best Destination 2017 title.

Every year leading travel portal European Best Destinations organises the election of the best destination in Europe based on online voting from travellers and from 20 January 2017 to 10 February 2017 Stari Grad will battle it out for the title with 19 other destinations, including the likes of Vienna, London, Milan, Athens, San Sebastian, Porto, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bonifacio, Sozopol and Rome.

Stari Grad

“Stari Grad is a gorgeous destination, one of the jewels of tourism in Croatia. Croatia is probably one of the European countries where it is the hardest to make a selection as you have tens of beautiful destinations that have all the ingredients to be selected and awarded of this European recognition”, European Destinations told Croatia Week.

The heritage of Stari Grad has been preserved since the Age of Antiquity and has been recognized by UNESCO which in 2008 inscribed the Stari Grad Plain on the World Heritage List.

The city was founded on the western part of the plain by the Greeks who sailed from the island of Paros in 384 B. C. and who found a perfect place for a new life at the end of the long bay, with a fertile field and springs of drinking water lying behind it. Today Stari Grad is a popular tourist destination in Croatia.

Stari Grad celebrated it 2,400th birthday this year

Last year some big names got behind Zadar tourist board’s campaign to help secure the title, including Real Madrid star and Zadar’s own Luka Modrić who asked his fans on social media to support his hometown.

In the “Best Christmas Market 2017” category, the Croatian capital Zagreb has also been nominated and will be trying to defend its title it won in 2016. Voting will be open for that from 2 to 12 December 2016.