Small Group Discover Serbia: 7 Days — Uvac, Sargan Eight & Belgrade Luxury

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Belgrade — Royal Welcome

Arrive at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. Private transfer to the exclusive 5-star Hotel Saint Ten, located in Belgrade’s prestigious Vračar district steps from St. Sava Temple. After settling into your luxury accommodation, enjoy a guided walking tour of Belgrade’s elegant center. Walk Knez Mihailova Street, visit Republic Square, and explore Skadarlija — the bohemian quarter where Belgrade’s intellectual and artistic elite have gathered for over 150 years. Evening: welcome dinner at a gourmet restaurant in the city center featuring modern Serbian cuisine paired with local wines. Overnight at Hotel Saint Ten, Belgrade.

Day 2: Belgrade Discovery — Fortress, Royalty & Rakija

Morning: explore Kalemegdan Fortress at the Sava-Danube confluence. Walk the ramparts where Celts, Romans, Byzantines, Hungarians, and Ottomans once stood. Visit the Victor Monument and the Roman Well. Then visit St. Mark’s Church (Crkva Svetog Marka) in Tašmajdan Park, built in the Serbian-Byzantine style inspired by Gračanica Monastery, serving as the burial site for Serbian royalty including Emperor Stefan Dušan. The church’s tiered domes and red-and-white striped exterior are among Belgrade’s most distinctive sights. Visit the nearby Serbian Parliament building and the Old Royal Palace. Afternoon: exclusive visit to a traditional rakija distillery in the countryside. Learn about Serbia’s national spirit — fruit brandy made from plums (šljivovica), apricots (kajsijevača), quince (dunjevača), or pears (viljamovka). Taste several varieties and learn the artisanal distillation process. The distillery has been family-operated for generations. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Saint Ten.

Day 3: Uvac River Canyon — Griffon Vultures & Meanders

Early morning departure for the Uvac Special Nature Reserve (approximately 4 hours from Belgrade). Uvac Canyon is one of Serbia’s — and Europe’s — most spectacular natural landscapes. The emerald-green Uvac River has carved a series of dramatic horseshoe meanders through limestone, creating a surreal landscape of towering cliffs and forested peninsulas. The canyon is the primary habitat of the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), one of Europe’s largest birds with a wingspan up to 2.8 meters. Around 300 of these majestic birds nest on the canyon’s cliffs, making it one of the largest griffon vulture colonies in Europe. Take a boat ride into the canyon to the Ice Cave (Ledena Pećina), where ice formations persist year-round. Hike to the most famous viewpoint overlooking the meanders — the view of the winding river curling through the canyon is nothing short of breathtaking. With luck, watch griffon vultures soaring on thermal currents at eye level. Optional: kayaking on the reservoir (seasonal). Afternoon: drive to Zlatibor region. Check into your mountain hotel. Overnight in Zlatibor.

Day 4: Zlatibor & Sargan Eight — Scenic Railway & Mountain Culture

Morning at leisure to enjoy Zlatibor’s crisp mountain air. Visit the Zlatibor open market for local products: smoked ham, kajmak, mountain honey, and wool crafts. Midday: drive to Mokra Gora to board the legendary Sargan Eight railway. This 1920s narrow-gauge marvel climbs 300 meters over 15.4 km on a unique figure-eight track, traversing 22 tunnels and 5 bridges through pristine forests. The restored vintage carriages and steam locomotive provide a journey back in time. After the ride, visit Drvengrad (Küstendorf), the wooden ethno-village created by Emir Kusturica, featuring traditional architecture, an arthouse cinema, and streets named after cultural heroes. Afternoon: stop at the House on the Rock on the Drina River near Bajina Bašta — the tiny cabin perched on a mid-river rock, Serbia’s most photographed scene. Continue to your hotel in the Tara-Zlatibor region. Overnight in mountain accommodation.

Day 5: Mokra Gora to Belgrade — Return & Evening at Leisure

Morning: leisurely drive back to Belgrade (approximately 3.5 hours), crossing through the scenic landscapes of western Serbia’s rolling hills and orchards. Stop at a traditional roadside restaurant for lunch featuring pečenje (roasted meat) — a Serbian institution. Arrive in Belgrade by afternoon. Check into Hotel Saint Ten. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Explore Belgrade’s design district in Dorćol, visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, walk the riverside at Beton Hala (a renovated warehouse complex with waterfront restaurants), or simply relax at the hotel spa. Overnight at Hotel Saint Ten, Belgrade.

Day 6: Belgrade — Hidden Corners & Farewell Celebration

Morning: explore Belgrade’s fascinating hidden corners. Visit the Bajrakli Mosque, the city’s last remaining Ottoman mosque from the 16th century. Walk through the vibrant Bajloni Green Market (Pijaca Bajloni), Belgrade’s oldest open-air market dating to 1880, where farmers sell fresh produce, cheeses, and cured meats. Visit the Jevremovac Botanical Garden, a peaceful 19th-century oasis with over 500 plant species including a magnificent 140-year-old Japanese gingko tree. Then explore the Dorćol neighborhood — Belgrade’s oldest district, where Ottoman, Jewish, and modern influences blend in narrow streets filled with artisan shops, cafes, and street art. Afternoon: exclusive rakija tasting masterclass — compare single-variety and aged spirits, learn the proper tasting technique, and understand the craft behind Serbia’s national drink. Evening: farewell dinner at a top Belgrade restaurant, celebrating your Serbian journey. Overnight at Hotel Saint Ten.

Day 7: Belgrade Departure

After a final gourmet breakfast at Hotel Saint Ten, enjoy your last hours in Belgrade. Visit the Sava River promenade, stroll through the peaceful Topčider Park with the residence of Prince Miloš Obrenović, or buy last-minute souvenirs. Transfer to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport for your departure flight, carrying memories of vulture-filled canyons, scenic railways, outstanding Serbian cuisine, and the warmest Balkan hospitality.

What’s Included

• 6 nights accommodation (3 nights at 5-star Hotel Saint Ten, Belgrade + 3 nights 4-star regional hotels)
• Daily breakfast + welcome dinner + farewell dinner
• Private AC vehicle with driver for all transfers and sightseeing
• Belgrade comprehensive city tour: Kalemegdan, St. Mark’s Church, Skadarlija
• Traditional rakija distillery visit and tasting (Session 1)
• Uvac Special Nature Reserve: boat ride, Ice Cave, viewpoint hike
• Sargan Eight narrow-gauge railway ticket
• Drvengrad (Küstendorf) village visit
• House on the Rock photo stop
• Belgrade hidden corners tour: Bajrakli Mosque, Bajloni Market, Dorćol, Botanical Garden
• Rakija tasting masterclass (Session 2, premium aged spirits)
• Airport transfers (BEG)
• Experienced English-speaking guide throughout
• All tolls, parking, driver allowances

What’s Not Included

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Uvac kayaking (optional, seasonal)
• Hotel spa treatments
• Personal expenses, tips, laundry, drinks
• Monument and camera fees
• Anything not mentioned in inclusions

Pricing & Booking

Price: $1,619 per person (twin share). Single supplement: $350. 30% deposit at booking, balance due 30 days before departure. Free cancellation up to 45 days. This is a premium small group experience with 5-star accommodation and exclusive experiences. Private tour option available.

Key Features

• Witness the spectacular Uvac River meanders — one of Europe’s most photographed landscapes
• Observe Griffon Vultures, Europe’s largest birds, at their nesting cliffs
• 5-star luxury at Hotel Saint Ten in Belgrade’s prestigious Vračar district
• Two exclusive rakija experiences: traditional distillery visit and premium tasting masterclass
• Ride the Sargan Eight narrow-gauge railway through 22 tunnel passages
• Explore Belgrade’s hidden corners: Bajrakli Mosque, Bajloni Market, botanical gardens
• Small group of max 12 travelers for an intimate, authentic experience
• Operated by Balkan and more (4.4★ TourRadar rating)