January 3, 2021 – Its 2400-history is reflected in its name (‘Old Town’ in Croatian) and a new promotional video – meet Stari Grad on Hvar.
With distance comes perspective.
For 13 years, I viewed the town of Stari Grad on Hvar from a close distance – my beloved adopted home town of Jelsa 8 kilometres away.
Both Jelsa and Stari Grad are located in the centre of the island, less fashionable and less popular than their more glamorous neighbour to the west – Hvar Town.
Jelsa and Stari Grad were similar but different, and both very pleasant places to hang out. As a patriot, of course, Jelsa was the better place to be.
Moving away from the island 4 years ago, perspectives have changed, and so too is Stari Grad.
It is partly the investment in the new hotels we featured recently in The Rise of the Quality Hotel Scene in Stari Grad on Hvar. It is partly the rise in nautical tourism brought on by the extension of the waterfront in the historic old town, which dates back to the arrival of the Ancient Greeks in 385 BC. It is partly due to the town’s commendable direction to avoid party tourism and focus on its authenticity, heritage and natural beauty.
Perhaps the changes are due to my perspective only, but I don’t think so. In recent years, Stari Grad has seemed to be more at ease with itself as a destination, with great new restaurants opening (several all year), local arts and craft shops rather than cheap Chinese souvenirs, and an ever more diverse tourism offer.
The Stari Grad Tourist Board released a new promo video for the destination a few days ago, which I really liked. And for the first time, I saw Stari Grad for what it has become – a complete destination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAWRvDEygzc
Here is the new video above. I am sure that an English-language version (at least with subtitles – I would be happy to help with this) is forthcoming. But even if you don’t speak Croatia while we wait, the footage is excellent.
Looking to learn more about Stari Grad on Hvar? Here are 25 things to know.
