Bjelovar named Croatia’s friendliest city

Bjelovar (Photo: Fraxinus/CC BY-SA 3.0)

ZAGREB, 12 March 2025 (Hina) – Bjelovar has been named Croatia’s friendliest city as part of the Traveller Review Awards by Booking.com, based on the highest hospitality ratings given by visitors.

Mayor Dario Hrebak emphasised that this recognition is particularly meaningful as it is based on real experiences of visitors who booked accommodation through Booking.com.

“Among all destinations in Croatia, Bjelovar has received the highest ratings for hospitality, which is fantastic news for everyone working in our tourism sector,” Hrebak said at a press conference on Wednesday in the city’s central park.

According to the mayor, the credit for this success belongs to the Bilogora-Bjelovar Tourist Board and all those working in the tourism sector, who “approach the development of Bjelovar’s tourism with great enthusiasm, dedication, and passion.”

Ana Kelek, Director of the Bilogora-Bjelovar Tourist Board, stated that over the past three years, 300 new beds have been registered in the area, bringing the total number of private accommodation beds to around 450.

“Last year, we recorded 45,000 overnight stays, more than doubling tourism numbers compared to the previous year. Just five years ago, that number had not even reached 20,000 annually, which clearly demonstrates the success of our tourism strategy and ongoing efforts to enhance our offerings. This growth of over 125% places Bjelovar among the fastest-growing tourist destinations in continental Croatia,” Kelek highlighted.

She added that in terms of overnight stays, Bjelovar is now catching up with Daruvar, the tourism hub of Bjelovar-Bilogora County.

Bjelovar’s tourism offering includes houses with swimming pools, family estates, and rural retreats. The city has ambitious plans for the future, including the construction of a thermal spa, which, according to the mayor, would significantly boost Bjelovar’s appeal as a tourist destination.

The Terezijana festival, already gaining national recognition, was also mentioned as an important event, with the next goal being to establish Bjelovar as a premium destination, officials stated at the press conference.