The Kaliningrad region has been honored with the Russian Traveler Awards for the Dancing Forest and Zelenogradsk, as announced by the governor’s press service.
The Russian Traveler Awards, organized by Russian Traveler magazine, celebrate the foremost tourist attractions in Russia. Through a voting process, the publication identifies the best in global travel – from landmarks and routes to traditions and holidays – aiding in discovering new points on Russia’s tourist map. Online voting took place from July 10 to November 10, with winners selected in 17 categories, as stated in the press release.
The Kaliningrad region secured the top spot in two categories: “Best Eco Route” was awarded to the Dancing Forest on the Curonian Spit, a natural landmark that received 21% of the votes, ranking first among 35 nominees. Zelenogradsk was named the “Best Health Resort,” gathering 28% of the votes and securing the first position among ten contenders. Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Kaliningrad region, Andrey Ermak, received the awards.
“The winners of the national award were chosen through open voting. This means that Zelenogradsk and the Dancing Forest are the leaders of the people’s choice. I congratulate our colleagues from the coastal municipality and the Kurshskaya Kosa National Park on public recognition. Thanks to everyone who voted for the nominees from the Kaliningrad region,” said Ermak during the award ceremony.
The Kaliningrad region has previously received accolades in significant tourism awards, winning in categories such as “Russian Ecological Recreation” in 2018, “Russian Excursion Recreation” in 2019, and with Kant Island and Zelenogradsk being honored in the “Treasures of Russia” award in 2021.
The site of today’s Zelenogradsk was originally an Old Prussian fishing village, in the proximity of Kaup. In its heyday, Zelenogradsk (as Cranz) was a popular seaside resort on Germany’s eastern Baltic coast, comparable to Bognor Regis in England. However, at the end of World War II, the Soviets took over the town, and much of its tourist traffic has been diverted to nearby Svetlogorsk.
