After practically a 12 months of ready, I’ve lastly arrived within the Balkans. Enthralled by the area’s pure magnificence, historical & medieval historical past, and missed locations, my Balkan tour formally begins. The primary nation I had the pleasure of visiting was Serbia, and this landlocked nation was a bag of mysteries. It’s among the many nations I researched the least, so I used to be desperate to kick off my close to 2-week journey right here.

All through historical past, Serbia has been a crossroads of empires, conquerors, and numerous cultures. From Celtic tribes and the traditional Romans to the medieval Serbian Empire and the Ottomans, Serbia has all the time been a strategic landmass. Serbia’s historic gems and pure magnificence will spark the wanderlust inside worldly vacationers, and extra individuals ought to go to.

When you’re itching to go to this Balkan nation, I’ve listed my 5 finest locations to go to in Serbia. Whether or not you’re a nature lover or city dweller, you gained’t be dissatisfied.

Tara Nationwide Park

Located in Western Serbia close to the border with Bosnia & Herzegovina, Tara is a jewel of untouched nature. Mount Tara sits inside the interior Dinaric Alps and rewards nature lovers with year-round out of doors actions. With the emerald-green waters of the Drina River Canyon, limestone cliffs, and coniferous forests, it’s my favourite vacation spot in Serbia. When you’re trying to find top-notch mountain climbing in Serbia, Tara has over 290 km of trails.

However in case you’re on restricted time like me, I like to recommend hiring a driver to take you to the perfect viewpoints of Tara. The charming mountain village of Bajina Bašta is the place I counsel beginning your Tara journey. Earlier than arriving on the houseboats on Lake Perućac, go to the well-known Drina River Home and River Vrelo. At solely 365 meters, the Vrelo can be referred to as “A Yr River” and the shortest in Europe. The Vrelo flows into the Drina River by way of a 10-meter waterfall and hosts one among Serbia’s largest summer time festivals.

As you ascend the mountain roads, vistas of the Drina River Canyon solely change into extra spectacular. Rugged peaks dot the horizon, and the emerald river sparkles within the daylight. You’ll additionally discover the embankment dam that serves the Bajina Bašta Hydroelectric Energy Plant. Water from Lake Perućac is pumped 600 meters above to Zaovine Lake, a refreshing swimming spot throughout summer time. And for essentially the most dramatic view of Tara Nationwide Park, Banjska Stena overlooks the mighty Drina River Canyon from above.

Rača Monastery

When you’re already in Bajina Bašta, I extremely suggest paying a go to to the peaceable Rača Monastery. The Serbian Orthodox monastery is just 7 km south of the village and sits alongside the Rača River. With a historical past courting to the thirteenth century, the medieval monastery was instrumental in preserving Serbian literature. Though Rača was destroyed by the Turks within the seventeenth century, the resilient Serbs repeatedly rebuilt the church throughout Ottoman rule.

The church consists of an elaborate iconostasis from the mid-Nineteenth century, and delightful fresco work adorn the inside. The adjoining guesthouse incorporates sacred Serbian literary works that date to the Center Ages. With the encircling forests and trickling mountain stream, it’s a surreal setting to heart your self.

A mountain climbing path behind the monastery follows the river and ventures deeper into the forest. After a slight ascent by means of the valley, you see distant mountain peaks and arrive on the spring of Lađevac. With dozens of tiny waterfalls cascading towards a moss-covered, rocky slope, it’s a magical sight. And simply above the waterfalls, there’s a crystal-clear pool to style the refreshing water. Though I like to recommend this ONLY for summer time, an especially steep ascent above the spring takes you to a medieval cave the place Serbian monks hid gadgets from the Turks.

Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital and cultural heartbeat of Serbia and the place my Serbian journey started. Though my keep was temporary, I rapidly realized the significance of this strategic metropolis all through historical past. On the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, Belgrade Fortress is the place Belgrade’s story begins. Relationship to the 2nd Century, the hilltop fortification has witnessed numerous battles over time. Wander the ruins to find remnants of the Romans, Serbs, Turks, and Austro-Hungarians.

Kalemegdan, the grassy area round Belgrade Fortress, is now essentially the most lovely metropolis park in Belgrade. The park consists of quite a few monuments, cultural websites, museums, eating places, and sports activities amenities for residents. Stari Grad bustles with individuals from all walks of life and hosts lots of Belgrade’s high points of interest. Wander Knez Mihailova for espresso, meet your pals ‘kod konja’ (under the horse) at Republic Sq., or really feel the bohemian vibe of Skadarlija.

And earlier than you depart Belgrade, undoubtedly go to its two most spectacular church buildings. Sitting atop the Vračar plateau, the Temple of Saint Sava is among the largest church buildings on the planet. The 82-meter excessive white-marble constructing with 49 bells and 18 gold-plated crosses is the centerpiece of the Belgrade skyline. Though not as well-known, St. Michael’s Cathedral additionally gave me goosebumps throughout my go to. The church dates to 1837 and performed an instrumental position throughout the Serbian combat for independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Uvac Particular Nature Reserve

Simply outdoors of Nova Varoš, the Uvac Particular Nature Reserve is among the most lovely spots in Serbia. The stillness of the Serbian countryside across the Uvac River Canyon was a chilled place to flee metropolis life. It’s among the many finest wildlife viewing areas in Serbia, with Griffon vultures as the principle attraction of the character reserve. The Uvačko, Zlatarsko, and Radoinjsko synthetic lakes are a fishing utopia for chub, trout, salmon, catfish, and different species.

With placing vistas of the River Uvac bending by means of the canyon, Uvac supplies a few of Serbia’s finest mountain climbing. Climb the limestone cliffs for unbelievable views of the emerald water and plush vegetation from above. The continual sharp bends of the River Uvac make this arguably essentially the most unimaginable snapshot in Serbia. My solely remorse was not arriving at this idyllic nature reserve throughout hotter climate to kayak or take a ship experience on the river.

Niš

Niš was the ultimate cease throughout my travels by means of Serbia and one other metropolis drenched in historical past. Identified throughout antiquity as Naissus, it’s among the many oldest cities anyplace in Europe. The Romans conquered Naissus throughout the 1st Century B.C., and it will later be the birthplace of Constantine the Nice, the primary Christian Roman emperor. The Medijana archaeological web site was an elaborate villa from Constantine’s rule from 306 to 337. Within the metropolis heart, the Nationwide Museum in Niš incorporates Roman artifacts and gadgets from different historic eras.

Niš additionally has its fair proportion of tragic historical past and morbid sights you’ll be able to go to. Constructed after the Battle of Čegar in 1809, the Cranium Tower stays a logo of the Serbian Rebellion towards Ottoman rule. The grisly title is the way it sounds, and the tower was constructed with partitions of human skulls. The horrific construction initially contained 952 skulls, and there are 57 that stay (throughout my go to).

From the WWII period, the Crveni Krst (Purple Cross) Focus Camp remembers victims of the Holocaust from Niš. It’s believed that 10,000 individuals died on the camp, and the campgrounds at the moment are a museum. On February 12, 1942, the Purple Cross camp was the location of the primary mass escape from a Nazi focus camp. It’s one other instance of the fierce resiliency of the Serbian individuals.

Only a quick stroll from the Purple Cross Focus Camp, Niš Fortress is among the best-preserved fortifications in Serbia. Though its present design is from the 18th century throughout Ottoman rule, the fortress dates to the Historical Roman Empire. Nestled on the suitable financial institution of the Nišava River, the fortress affords wonderful views of the mountains round Niš. The ruins include an historical Octagon Palace, Lapidarium, Vaulted Constructing, Turkish Tub, the Bali-Bey Mosque, and extra.

Bonus Vacation spot: Ovčar-Kablar Gorge

If you end up close to Čačak in Central Serbia, I recommend spending a few days within the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge. The meandering West Morava River flows by means of the verdant gorge and creates one among Serbia’s most picturesque sights. Alongside the rocky massifs and limestone cliffs, there are round a dozen monasteries from the Center Ages. Whether or not you kayak its emerald waters, hike by means of medieval forests, or loosen up on the Ovčar Banja Spa, tranquility awaits on this small piece of Serbia.