Baška and Pakrac named Croatia’s tourism champions for 2026

Baška and Pakrac have been named Croatia’s tourism champions for 2026, taking the top awards in the coastal and continental categories of Večernji list’s Tourism Patrol.

The awards ceremony began with a performance of a Prekopakrački bećarac by the Seljačka sloga cultural association at Spahijski podrum in Pakrac. Večernji list editor-in-chief Dražen Klarić presented the coastal award to Baška municipal head Toni Juranić, while Pakrac Tourism Board director Janja Grčević accepted the continental award from State Secretary Josip Pavić.

This year’s competition covered 50 destinations. The Tourism Patrol is described as Croatia’s oldest tourism award, dating back to 1975. Klarić called it “a brand within a brand” and said its role had been to encourage people involved in tourism.

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We are a city of rich history, tradition and many good people.

Pavić highlighted the patrol’s 51-year tradition and its role in promoting Croatian tourism and improving the visitor offer. The patrol evaluates destinations from the perspective of an average visitor. In recent years, its reporters have included smaller inland and coastal places known for lesser-known attractions, alongside larger and more established destinations.

Pakrac, a small Slavonian city with about 4,500 residents, marked 770 years since the first mention of its name this year. Mayor Tomislav Novinc said, “We are a city of rich history, tradition and many good people.” The patrol also assessed food offerings. Konoba Bonkula in Nin and Greenberg restaurant in Daruvar won the gastronomy titles.

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A brand within a brand