After being fought over by the Romans, the Ottomans, the Hapsburgs, and others, modern-day Serbia is a melting pot of cultural influences. Now it’s a hub for celebrations, from wild parties to beer festivals in breathtaking settings.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Serbia
It’s where Eastern and Western traditions collide, and it’s full with charming mediaeval cities and fortified monasteries. Oh, and the country also offers some excellent skiing opportunities. Some of the best Serbia has to offer:
1. Nis
Novi, Serbia’s third largest city and home to a busy student population, makes a convenient intermediate stop en route from Belgrade to Sofia or Skopje. It was founded in 279 BC, making it one of the oldest cities in all of Europe and the Balkans. Located in the heart of the city is a monument to Constantine the Great, the city’s namesake and namesake.
The city’s core is also home to the remnants of a Turkish stronghold from the 18th century. The skulls of Serbians executed by the Ottomans were used to construct Skull Tower, a macabre but one-of-a-kind structure. Nika Banja, located southeast of the city, is a spa known for its hot water springs, which are effective in the treatment of rheumatic illnesses.
2. Devil’s Town
Devil’s Town, one of the most impressive rock formations in Serbia, was given its peculiar moniker through erosion. According to urban mythology, the rocks represent a bridal party that the devil turned into stone. Djavolja voda, or “devil’s water,” is extremely acidic water that also played a role in the formation of this geological feature.
More than two hundred different rock formations make up Devil’s Town, which is located in southern Serbia on the slopes of Radan Mountain and spans across two valleys. The pillars are a work in progress; as they crumble, space is created for new formations to take shape.
3. Kopaonik National Park
The Serbian national park at the top of Kopaonik Mountain was established in 1981. The park is both rugged and beautiful, and it is here that Serbia’s primary ski resort can be found. The resort has 25 lifts and can accommodate 32,000 skiers each hour from November through May.
A wide variety of plants and animals make this a fantastic summertime hiking destination. Gold, silver, iron, and zinc were once extracted from the mountain, among other valuable minerals. There are also hot springs, geysers, and waterfalls in the park, in addition to the numerous named rock formations.
4. Prizren
Even though Serbia considers Kosovo an illegitimately divided province and Serbs make up a minority there, Prizren is now a part of Kosovo with its own elected leaders. The mediaeval Prizren Fortress is the main draw, and it was transformed into its present form by the Ottomans over the course of 4.5 centuries.
Prizren is a great place to go for a stroll because of how compact the city is. The city centre is home to a number of churches, the most impressive of which is the Church of Our Lady of Ljovis, a masterpiece of mediaeval Serbian architecture.
5. Derdap National Park
For every one of China’s Three Gorges, Derdap National Park has four that run for a combined 115 kilometres (72 miles). Gospodin vit gorge is home to one of the world’s deepest rivers. Derdap gorge, formed by the confluence of these two gorges, is the southern gateway to the Carpathian Mountains and is hence also known as the Iron Gate.
The park’s proximity to the impressive Golubac stronghold, which overlooks the Danube, adds to the area’s appeal. The park’s lake, created by a hydroelectric plant, attracts many visitors and helps make it one of the most popular destinations in Serbia.
6. Studenica Monastery
Located in the heart of Serbia, the Studenica Monastery is a sight to behold with its luscious green grass and two white marble churches (Church of the King and Church of the Virgin). The Byzantine frescoes, paintings, and other beautiful decorations in the several churches in this monastery, which dates back to the 12th century, are the main attraction.
This is consistent with the monastery’s status as the mother of all Serbian Orthodox monasteries and the wealthiest in the country. The founder of Serbia and the monastery, Stefan Nemanja, is buried there.
7. Zlatibor
Zlatibor, located in western Serbia’s highlands, is a famous holiday spot. Skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer are just two of the many activities available. The tallest peak in Zlatibor, Tornik, is home to a ski resort with an hourly capacity of 5,400 skiers and snowboarders.
Large fields and picturesque old towns make this area a must-visit. Major points of interest are historic wooden churches and a museum of traditional dwellings open to the public. After a day of sightseeing, relax with a glass of slivovitz, a plum brandy, and some Zlatiborian prsuta, a dried meat.
8. Novi Sad
Novi Sad, a lovely city on the Danube, features one of the river’s loveliest stretches of sand. The city of Novi Sad, Serbia, is the country’s second largest, and it is also the youngest by European standards, having been formed in the late 17th century.
The Exit music festival, held each year in July at the ancient and impregnable stronghold of Petrovaradin, is probably the event for which the city is most known. On the town square you can find the historic town hall, the well-preserved castle Dvorac Dundjerski, and the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Great Martyr St. George.
9. Subotica
One of the nicest places to visit in Serbia is the city of Subotica, the country’s fifth largest. It’s home to the country’s largest Catholic population and the greatest concentration of art nouveau structures.
The city hall and the synagogue, both constructed in the early twentieth century, are especially significant. The Cathedral of St. Theresa of Avila goes back to 1797, but this ancient city is equally famous for its older structures.
You may unwind at one of the cafes between the city hall and the blue fountain in the central square, which is also home to Buvljak, the largest flea market in Europe.
10. Belgrade
Belgrade, the capital and largest city of Serbia, has not always had its current aesthetic. Belgrade, located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, has a history of destruction, having been the site of 115 battles and 44 fires.
The city has calmed down and is now home to a wide variety of festivals, from book fairs to music and film celebrations to beer tastings. Museums and churches can be found within the Belgrade Fortress, the city’s most well-known historical landmark.
Rivers and the cityscape can both be seen from here. The National Museum, which houses over 400,000 artefacts, and the Nikola Tesla Museum, which houses thousands of Tesla’s personal objects and archives, are two of the best museums in the country.
