Serbia gave me a different experience from many of the other European countries I had visited. Belgrade combined historic fortifications, Orthodox churches and reminders of the country’s more recent past, while southwestern Serbia offered an entirely different landscape of mountains, forests, deep river valleys and dramatic gorges.
My first trip took me through the capital before heading south into the mountains. I originally expected Belgrade to be a relatively quick stop, but there was much more to explore than I anticipated. I never made it to Novi Sad, so that’s high on my list whenever I return to Serbia.
Explore Belgrade
Belgrade is Serbia’s capital and largest city, sitting at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. One of its most impressive landmarks is the enormous Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. Other highlights include the Nikola Tesla Museum and Belgrade Fortress, whose strategic location above the two rivers has made the site important for centuries.
Explore Tara National Park
Tara National Park lies in western Serbia near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its forested mountains, deep valleys and viewpoints over the Drina River make it one of the country’s most beautiful natural areas. The park is also an important refuge for wildlife, including one of Serbia’s most significant populations of brown bears.
Explore Uvac
Uvac is famous for the spectacular meanders of the Uvac River as it winds through a rugged limestone landscape in southwestern Serbia. Hiking trails lead to viewpoints overlooking the twisting river and surrounding gorge, creating some of the most dramatic scenery I saw in the country. The area is also one of Serbia’s best-known wildlife destinations and an important habitat for griffon vultures, whose enormous wingspans make them hard to miss when they’re soaring overhead.
