Drina River
With a length of 346 kilometers, this international river forms much of the border between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. A local proverb indicates that this river flows in such a tortuous landscape that nothing may ever straighten it up. The limestone river bed makes the water look green and the cold, fast running river current holds a special place in the history and lore of the regions that it runs through. The Battler of Mt. Cer, a pivotal battle in World War I was fought on the banks of the Drina River between Serbian and Austro-Hungarian troops. Read about The Most Important Day in Modern History here and learn a bit more about the role Serbia has played in the world.
Fruška Gora (Mountain of the Franks)
A northern Serbia mountain National Park, emerging from the Srem Valley. Its maximum height is 539 meters only, but stretches for 80 kilometers from East to West. Vineyards on the mountain make Riesling wines in particular since Roman times, but also produce other kinds of regional Serbian wines, such as Ausbruch and Bermet. This is a major sightseeing attraction and a favorite relaxation spot for people who live in the surrounding areas. Many of the recreational activities offered by the mountain are available all year long. People live and work here and the opportunity to spend time in a small mountain village is irresistible to the world traveler’s wanderlust.
Mt. Tara
Established in 1981, the National Park’s most prominent features are Tara and Zvijezda mountains situated in a massive bend in the Drina River. Tara National Park is covering about 220 square kilometers with altitudes ranging from 250 meters to 1,500 meters above sea level. Magnificent gorges with plunging waterfalls mark the territory and mountain views offer visual access to both Bosnia and Western Serbia. The breathtaking heights accompany many caves and springs while about 75% of the park is covered by forests. A great number of southeastern European animal species are found in the park as are a number of species of tree found only in this area.
Vratna Gates
This natural wonder features three massive rock arches situated along different areas of the Vratna River in the Bor region of Eastern Serbia. They were formed over long periods of time by natural causes and are a bit tourist attraction as well as a recreational centerpiece for Serbians living nearby.
Djerdap (Iron Gate)
Another National Park of Serbia, is the largest and longest river gorge in all of Europe. The border of Romania and Serbia is partially outlined by this gorge. It takes up a route of about 134 kilometers. Hydroelectric dams on the flowing river produce electricity for the surrounding areas. The gorge lies between the Balkan Mountains and the Carpathian Mountains with Iron Gates Natural Park being located on the Romanian side of the border, as well as the Djerdap National Park on the Serbian side.
Ovčar-Kablar Gorge
Ovčar and Kablar command a view of the meanders of the Zapadna Morava River and it is one of the most beautiful panoramic views in Serbia. Between these mountain massifs, the river cut a gorge, which, apart from its impressive landscape and magnificent forests, is also decorated with the three wedging meanders. Many have said that Ovčar-Kablar is the most romantic and most beautiful gorge in Serbia. Three dams form artificial lakes excellent for boating and fishing, while the unique cultural, artistic and historical heritage, a complex of 10 monasteries and sacred places of the late 14th century attribute to this ambience a special value.
Resava Cave
Resava cave is one of the oldest and longest caves in Serbia. This 80 million year old cave is 4,5 km long and it consists of numerous and magnificent halls, channels, galleries, columns, stalactites, stalagmites, draperies and waterfalls. Veliki Buk, with its over 20 meters height, represents one of the highest and most impressive waterfalls in Serbia, which always takes breath of thrilled visitors.
Mt. Kopaonik
Kopaonik is definetely the most famous Serbian mountain and the largest ski-center in Serbia. It is a National Park with the highest peak at an altitude of 2017 m, 200 sunny days annually and 5 months of snowfalls. With all of that Mt. Kopaonik has a serious idea of competing with some of the best European ski-resorts. For that purpose, Mt. Kopaonik offers over 55 km of tracks specially designed for alpine skiing in different difficulties and over 15 km of tracks for nordic-skiing. State-of-the-art technology provides the best possible experience for the skiers. Comprised with 30 ski-lifts connected into one network, you can realize the picture of Mt. Kopaonik’s potentials. Lodging is provided throughout the mountain. Whether you prefer private accommodation in villas and lodges, or if hotel lodging is your preference – Mt. Kopaonik has it all. Every lodging is categorized according to the latest international standards, and always outbids the expectations.
Uvac Canyon
This relatively short 119 kilometers river flows from Serbia into Bosnia and Herzegovina. The picturesque views along this river canyon, partly widened by a dam, are completely unique and breathtaking truly making it a natural wonder. As the Uvac River snakes through the surrounding landscape, it forms one of the most amazing photographic opportunities of nature in all of Europe. Visitors to Serbia flock to the mountains surrounding the Uvac River to get the perfect shot of the Griffon vulture, an endemic bird species living solely in the Uvac Canyon.
Mt. Zlatibor
If you prefer mountains that secure the benefits of civilization, Zlatibor is the right choice. This vast cultivated plateau and air spa can be described as a tiny mountain touristic metropolis, offering leisurely walks and recreation at well equipped sports fields, swimming pools, spa centre, hiking and biking experiences. Suitable air flows allow for paragliding and hovering above the green scenery full of pastures and pine forests. While most of the plateau is around 1.000m of altitude, its peak, called Tornik (1496m), boosts a lot of ski slopes and ski-lifts. Very soon a 9-kilometres long panoramic cable-car will connect the tourist complex at Kraljeva voda (Kings Water) with the ski venue at Tornik.
Devil’s town (Đavolja Varoš)
This natural wonder consists of 202 “earth pyramids” which are naturally occurring towers of earth rising high above the surrounding landscape. This unique natural wonder has been under governmental protection since 1959. Most of these pyramids are a maximum of 15 meters high and 6 meters across. They were formed by intense erosion of soil created by ancient volcanic activity. The unassuming mountains surrounding these amazing natural land features seem barren and dry but travelers report that the sight of this Serbian natural wonder is absolutely worth the trip.
Pešter Plateau
The Pešter Plateau is the wonderfully beautiful karst plateau in South-Western Serbia in the Raška District. Pešter is the area of a former lake, where many believe St. George had killed the dragon that lived in the lake. Covering the surface of approximately 50 sq km and laying at the altitude between 900 and 1200 meters, the plateau makes the largest one in the Balkans and one of the largest ones in Europe. A recent DNA test showed that the locals have 8% of Mongolian genes in their blood, proving this was the last stop for the Mongol Kuman horsemen who raided the Balkan area in the 13th century, most probably considering the highlands pasture reminded them of home.
The place, with the small town of Sjenica as its centre, is by far with the coldest climate of the region, nicknamed as “Serbian Siberia” for lots of snowfalls and temperatures falling to 35 degrees below zero in wintertime. The Plateau is actually a large field full of endless vast pastures with plenty of stock, so the people here primarily rely on stock and cattle breeding, chiefly sheep, thus producing delicious dairy products, such as the “Sjenica cheese”, as well as lamb and smoked beef or sheep.
Deliblato Sands
The area is situated half-way from Belgrade and the Romanian border. It is a geo-morphological formation of exceptional specific beauty and multiple scientific importance, created during the Ice age by vast quantities of aeolian silicate and carbonate sands. Deliblato Sands is of diluvial origin and makes the largest European continental sands area, a reason for bearing the nickname of “Serbian Sahara”. This area is the only sandy terrain in Europe, originated from the Pannonian Sea withdrawals, a unique European natural phenomenon characterized mostly by ellipsoid-shaped sand masses up to 15 km in length, while their individual sand dunes may be 750m in legth and 60m in height.
Serbian rivers
Danube and Sava rivers are the largest rivers in Serbia. Capital Belgrade is settled right at the confluence of these two mighty European rivers. If you visit Belgrade during warmer months, you cannot skip the „Belgrade Sea“ – Ada Ciganlija holm or the Great War Island beach – Lido, where Belgradians seek leisure and enjoy various activities.
Anglers will enjoy all of our rivers, as the river fish in Serbia counts hundreds of species. Some of the faster, mountain rivers, such as rivers Ibar, Drina, West Morava, South Morava, Timok, Nišava are excellent for trout lovers, while large valley rivers such as Danube, Tisa, Begej, Tamiš, Great Morava are perfect for big fish – it’s not unusual that catfish examples weigh over 100 kg; wild carps easily reach over 10 kg; pike can weigh over 20 kg…
If you are more of a sports lover, then our recommendation would be Ibar river – rafting paradise. The great and barely (un)tamed Drina river is a host of numerous rafting festivals, and the most famous is Drinska Regata, held each year in mid-July. Uvac river gives you the chance to explore one of the most beautiful landscapes of Europe – its mountainous winding gorge.
Serbian lakes
Most of Serbian lakes are artificial, but nevertheless – they perfectly fit in the natural complex. They spread throughout Serbia, with the northernmost lakes Palić and Ludaš, situated almost at the Hungarian border, just besides beautiful Subotica. The southernmost lake Vlasina, located not far from Bulgarian border at 1200 meters above the sea level, is famous for its floating islands.
Many Serbian lakes came up after damming fast mountainous rivers. They have perfectly blended into the natural surroundings, emphasizing the natural beauty of the area. Such are lake Perućac, at Drina River; or Zavoj Lake– nested in the middle of beautiful Mt. Balkan. One of the most popular lake resorts in Serbia is Silver Lake, settled at the very entrance to the Iron Gate. For those who enjoy camping – beautiful complex of Bela Crkva lakes is perfect: dozens of lakes formed at the outskirts of beautiful Vojvodinian town of Bela Crkva.
Whatever your choice would be – all of these destinations are perfectly combined with other attractions in Serbian nature and form beautiful stories with Serbian history. Whether you choose active or passive holiday in Serbia, your enjoyment by the water will be completed with local mouthwatering specialties…