Serbia Top Attractions: 7 Days — Belgrade, Tara National Park & Zlatibor

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Belgrade — The White City

Arrive at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. Transfer to your hotel in central Belgrade. After checking in, enjoy a guided walking tour of Belgrade’s historic center. Stroll down Knez Mihailova Street, the vibrant pedestrian zone connecting Republic Square to Kalemegdan Park. Visit the Bohemian quarter of Skadarlija, where cobblestone streets and traditional kafanas transport you to 19th-century Belgrade. Evening: welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant with live music and rakija (Serbian plum brandy) tasting. Overnight in Belgrade.

Day 2: Belgrade — Fortress, Temple & Zemun

Morning: explore Kalemegdan Fortress at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Built by Celts, Romans, Byzantines, Hungarians, Serbs, and Ottomans over two millennia, this fortress has been destroyed and rebuilt 40+ times. Visit the Victor Monument, the Roman Well, and walk the ramparts for stunning river views. Then visit St. Sava Temple, a monumental Orthodox cathedral with dazzling gold mosaics. Afternoon: cross to Zemun, Belgrade’s charming old quarter on the Danube. Climb to the Gardoš Millennium Tower for panoramic views, walk the riverside promenade, and lunch at a traditional fish restaurant. Evening: optional Danube river cruise. Overnight in Belgrade.

Day 3: Belgrade to Tara National Park — Into the Mountains

Morning departure from Belgrade, driving southwest through the rolling hills of Sumadija, Serbia’s heartland of orchards and forests. Stop at the House on the Rock (Kucica Na Drini), a tiny wooden cabin perched on a rock in the middle of the Drina River near Bajina Bašta — one of Serbia’s most photographed and iconic sights, originally built in 1968 by local swimmers. Continue to Tara National Park, a pristine mountain wilderness in the Dinaric Alps. Check into your mountain lodge. Tara is one of Serbia’s most biodiverse regions, home to the endemic Pančić spruce (discovered by botanist Josif Pančić), brown bears, chamois, and over 130 bird species. Afternoon: short nature walk to the Banjska Stena viewpoint, the most famous lookout in the park offering breathtaking views of Lake Perućac and the Drina River canyon cutting through the mountains. The sunset from Banjska Stena is one of the most spectacular in the Balkans. Overnight in Tara National Park.

Day 4: Tara National Park — Waterfalls, Lakes & Forest Trails

Full day exploring Tara National Park. Morning: visit the viewpoint of Crnjeskovo for panoramic views of the Drina canyon from a different angle. Then hike to the Rača Monastery, a 13th-century medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery hidden in the forest, known for its beautiful frescoes and the adjacent Rača River waterfalls. Afternoon: visit Zaovine Lake, a stunning man-made reservoir bounded by steep forested slopes, ideal for photography and peaceful walks. Continue to Mitrovac, the park’s central settlement, for a visit to the Tara Nature Conservation Center. Optional: wildlife watching with a ranger — the park is home to around 60 brown bears and sightings are possible though not guaranteed. Evening: traditional mountain dinner at your lodge featuring local specialties such as kajmak (clotted cream), pršuta (smoked ham), and mountain trout. Overnight in Tara.

Day 5: Tara to Zlatibor — Sargan Eight & Gold Gondola

Morning: drive to Mokra Gora, the “Wet Mountain” valley that is one of Serbia’s most scenic destinations. Board the legendary Sargan Eight (Šarganska Osmica), a UNESCO-nominated narrow-gauge railway that climbs 300 meters over 15.4 kilometers through a series of tunnels and bridges. The unique figure-eight track design was a 1920s engineering marvel to overcome the steep mountain gradient. The 2.5-hour ride passes through 22 tunnels and over 5 bridges, offering spectacular mountain scenery. Continue to Drvengrad (Küstendorf), the wooden village built by film director Emir Kusturica for his award-winning film “Life is a Miracle.” Wander the streets named after famous personalities (Novak Djokovic, Diego Maradona, Bruce Lee), visit the cinema and art galleries. Afternoon: ascend by the Gold Gondola, the longest panoramic gondola in the world at 9 kilometers. This state-of-the-art cable car connects Zlatibor town to Tornik peak (1,496m), offering breathtaking views over Zlatibor’s rolling pine-covered hills, meadows, and scattered shepherd’s cottages. Check into your hotel in Zlatibor town. Evening: explore Zlatibor Lake and the town center. Overnight in Zlatibor.

Day 6: Zlatibor to Novi Sad — Habsburg Serbia & Wine Region

Morning drive from Zlatibor to Novi Sad (approximately 4 hours), crossing from the Dinaric mountains into the Pannonian plain. On arrival, explore Novi Sad, Serbia’s second city and a 2022 European Capital of Culture. Tour Petrovaradin Fortress, the massive 18th-century Austro-Hungarian fortification overlooking the Danube. Walk its underground tunnels, see the iconic Clock Tower with reversed hands, and enjoy panoramic views. Descend to the city center to visit Liberty Square with the neo-Gothic Name of Mary Church and the City Hall. Walk the pedestrian streets of Zmaj Jovina and Dunavska, lined with pastel Habsburg facades. Afternoon: drive to nearby Sremski Karlovci, the Baroque jewel of Vojvodina. Visit the Patriarchal Palace, the Orthodox Cathedral, and most importantly, a local wine cellar. Sremski Karlovci has been a center of Serbian winemaking since Roman times. Taste the famous Bermet — a uniquely aromatic dessert wine that was once listed among the world’s finest wines and was served at the Titanic. Evening: farewell dinner at a Danube riverside restaurant. Overnight in Novi Sad.

Day 7: Novi Sad to Belgrade — Departure

Morning at leisure in Novi Sad. If time permits before your flight, visit the Museum of Vojvodina, walk along the Danube promenade with a coffee, or explore the alternative cultural quarter of the Chinese Quarter (Kineska četvrt) near Liman Park. Transfer to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport for your departure flight, carrying memories of Serbia’s warm hospitality, dramatic landscapes, and rich history.

What’s Included

• 6 nights accommodation (4-star hotels and mountain lodge)
• Daily breakfast + welcome dinner (Day 1) + mountain dinner (Day 4)
• Private AC vehicle with driver for all transfers and sightseeing
• Belgrade city walking tour (Knez Mihailova, Skadarlija, Zemun)
• Kalemegdan Fortress and St. Sava Temple guided visits
• Tara National Park: Banjska Stena, Rača Monastery, Zaovine Lake
• Sargan Eight narrow-gauge railway ticket
• Gold Gondola panoramic cable car ticket
• Drvengrad (Küstendorf) village visit
• Petrovaradin Fortress guided tour
• Sremski Karlovci wine tasting (3 wines including Bermet)
• Airport transfers (BEG)
• Experienced English-speaking guide

What’s Not Included

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Danube river cruise in Belgrade (optional)
• Wildlife watching with ranger in Tara (optional supplement)
• Additional meals not specified
• Personal expenses, tips, laundry, drinks
• Monument and camera fees
• Anything not mentioned in inclusions

Pricing & Booking

Price: $995 per person (twin share). Single supplement available on request. 30% deposit at booking, balance due 30 days before departure. Free cancellation up to 45 days. Contact us for custom dates and private tour options.

Key Features

• Ride the legendary Sargan Eight narrow-gauge railway through 22 tunnels
• Take the Gold Gondola, the longest panoramic cable car in the world
• Explore Tara National Park’s viewpoints over the Drina River canyon
• Visit Drvengrad, Emir Kusturica’s wooden ethno-village
• Taste Bermet wine in the Baroque town of Sremski Karlovci
• Tour Petrovaradin Fortress, the “Gibraltar on the Danube”
• Operated by Balkan roads (5.0★ TourRadar rating)