Once in the news for the wrong reasons, Serbia sees little in the way of tourists despite a plethora of exciting places to visit.Â
Intro
From cosmopolitan, easy-going Belgrade to a variety of spectacular Orthodox monasteries, several of them UNESCO listed; from the beautiful landscapes of Devil's Town to the rustic wine cellar village at Rajac. Its stunning hiking trails, delicious cuisine and quirky festivals make Serbia an ideal place for a unique trip.
Why travel with us ?
Serbia is a country we have travelled at length across many trips, and so we have discovered the truth behind this fascinating and often misunderstood country. That so few tourists visit Serbia makes its quirky sights all the more interesting. It boasts a wealth of historical and archaeological sights from pre-Roman, Roman and medieval periods, which can be seen on our Archaeology of Serbia or Archaeology of the Balkans tours.Â
We offer two cultural itineraries in Serbia, delving into its key sights as well as visiting some quirky attractions. We also offer small group tours taking in Serbia alongside several of its Balkan neighbours. We are very experienced at designing Balkan itineraries to suit our clients various interests - so whether you are seeking history, hiking, skiing or a city break so get in touch and one of our travel specialists will take care of your requirements.
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Experience the warm welcome and the slow pace of rural life in southeastern Serbia by hiking and cycling through its stunning valleys and gorges. Discover the ghoulish skull tower of Niš, visit a 200 year old water mill and stop off to rejuvenate your muscles in a Turkish bath. Overnight in small lodges and discover true hospitality in a traditional rural homestay. Another option is to hike Tara Mountain with a park ranger – climbing slopes clad in dense forests and exploring deep ravines, karst and limestone caves and steep cliffs. Finally Uvac Canyon is the perfect place to discover nature, watching out for rare Eurasian Griffon. Skiing is also a popular activity in Serbia, with Kopaonik and Zlatibor, the main resorts, also offering snowboarding, monoskiing, hang-gliding, snowmobiling and night skiing. River rafting can also be arranged on the Drina or the Ibar rivers.
Wellbeing/Spas
Serbia has a long tradition of spa resorts going back hundreds of years. As well as over one thousand warm and cold water mineral water springs it also boasts a great wealth of mineral gases and medicinal muds. Many of these have been used to treat ailments and diseases since Roman times, and many spas are located in oases of greenery and tranquillity – on mountain slopes, by thick forests, orchards and grasslands. Modern wellness programmes are also a growing trend.Â
Culinary Serbia
Experience the rich and flavourful culture and heritage of Serbia - Europe's forgotten culinary giant. Betraying influences from the Balkans, Central Europe and perhaps most obviously Turkey and Greece, Serbian cuisine is a unique and little known blend. Taste rakija (plum brandy) and try unique local wines in authentic 18th Century wine cellars. Sample excellent meats, rich dairy products and learn the use of rare herbs in cooking with a real life druid. Serbia is a true hands-on food experience that you’ll never forget.Â
Churches & Monasteries
Serbia is a country with a rich religious heritage. Visit the tiny 9th century St. Peter's Church and Borac's simple, hidden church. Admire the sublime frescoes of the UNESCO heritage site of Sopocani and the elegance and beauty of Studenica. Unlike in much of modern day Europe, Serbian monasteries continue to play an active and important role in the spiritual life of its people.Â
Devil's Town
Devil's Town is a unique geographical phenomenon. Nominated as a UNESCO natural heritage site, the area consists of bizarre rock formations where water erosion has left cone-like pyramid structures of reddish rock, capped with a mysterious 'black hat'. Pyramids are continuously formed and destroyed, leading locals to believe that this was the result of devils fighting each other for power. Local legend has us believe that the eerie sound of the wind whistling between the pyramids is that of the devils trying to communicate.Â
The Skull Tower of Nis
This ghoulish tower was the Turkish response to an episode during the first Serbian uprising where the Serbian General, Steven Sindelic, realising he was on the point of defeat, blew himself up alongside 3000 Serbian soldiers and about 6000 Turkish soldiers. The Turks built this grisly tower with four walls, each containing eleven rows of seven Serbian skulls, as a warning against further Serbian resistance. Many of the skulls were removed at great danger by Serbian families and buried, but many remain there to this day.
The Danube River
The Danube is Europe's largest and most important river, flowing through four capital cities, more than any other river in the world. It has acted as a critical route for pan-European trade through many centuries resulting in a rich and impressive heritage. The narrowest part of the river is just 300m across and is flanked by striking cliffs of up to 600m. Follow its winding path by foot, by bike or by boat - passing imposing fortresses, dramatic gorges, quaint villages and ancient settlements.
Rajac
The wine cellar village of Rajacka Pimnice, near the actual village of Rajac, consists of 270 stone and wood cellars built between 1750 and 1930. Far off the tourist map, this quaint village is a fantastic opportunity to taste and buy the delicious local wine, eat traditional regional food and meet the friendly locals, who are not averse to a glass or two themselves! For those inclined to explore further, Rajac's unique 3rd century graveyard with its highly unusual gravestones is also worth a visit.
Vojvodina
Vastly different from the more southern regions of Serbia, the semi-autonomous province of Vojvodina is more influenced by the Austro-Hungarian Empire than the Ottomans who ruled the more southerly parts. This is clearly reflected in the architecture and attitude of the people. The beautiful towns of Novi Sad and Subotica look and feel more like central European towns that might be more at home in Hungary.Â
