Serbia Travel Guide for the Intrepid Explorer
- Ankitha
- Apr 5, 2022
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 16
March 2022
Hikes, Hidden Gems, and Nature Untouched by Serbia Tourism
If you've followed my travels, you’ll know Europe isn’t my usual go-to. But this time, my quest for a visa-free destination led me to Serbia, a Balkan gem that completely caught me off guard in the best way possible.
ations.
No Belgrade clubs, no Tara National Park, and definitely no Instagram-famous spots. Just raw, unfiltered nature in Serbia’s forgotten corners, where snow-capped peaks and Narnian waterfalls await hikers and nature lovers.
This guide is packed with useful travel tips, logistics, hikes, costs, and hidden treasures to help you plan your own off-the-beaten-path Serbian adventure.
5-Day Itinerary in Serbia
Day 0: Arrival + Drive to Ivanjcka
Late night flight into Belgrade followed by a 3-hour drive to the small village of Ivanjcka in Southwest Serbia.
📍 Day 1: Uvac Canyon, St. Peter’s Church & Studenica Monastery
Uvac Canyon Hike (4 km round trip): Snowy, surreal, and straight out of The Hobbit. Image alt: Snow-covered Uvac Canyon hike viewpoint Serbia
St. Peter’s Church: Among the oldest Serbian Orthodox churches.
Studenica Monastery: 12th-century white-marble spiritual site. Image alt: Studenica Monastery historic architecture Serbia
Overnight: Ni
Day 2: Stara Planina Region – Rosomacka Canyon & Tupavica Waterfalls
Rosomacka Canyon: Also called the “Rosomacka Pots” – incredible natural formations carved by the Visocica River. Image alt: Rosomacka Canyon hike Serbia
Tupavica Waterfall Hike: 5 km snow trek to a Narnia-like frozen waterfall. Image alt: Frozen Tupavica Waterfall in winter Serbia
Day 3: Vratna Prerasts + Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates)
Prerasts of Vratna: 3 massive natural stone arches, tallest in Europe. Image alt: Vratna stone gates hike Serbia
Djerdap National Park: Views of the Danube River and Romanian towns across the border. Image alt: Danube River gorge Djerdap National Park Serbia
Day 4: Borski Stol Hike + Return to Belgrade
Borski Stol Peak (1156m): 9 km round trip on snowy trails with steep inclines. A challenging but thrilling end to the hikes. Image alt: Snowy Borski Stol mountain hike Serbia
Scenic drive along the Danube with plenty of pit stops.
Day 5: Belgrade + Departure
Light exploring of Belgrade’s center — decent but doesn’t compare to Serbia’s natural beauty. Grab a coffee and catch your flight.
Table of Contents
Visa, Flights & Solo Travel Safety
As of Feb 2023, Indian passport holders now need a visa to enter Serbia. I flew direct from Dubai to Belgrade via FlyDubai.
Please note that as of February 2023, a prior Visa is now required to enter Serbia as an Indian passport holder.
Solo travel was comfortable — I never felt unsafe, but I strongly recommend hiring a local guide for rural areas where English is not spoken.
When to Visit Serbia
Visit during shoulder seasons (March–May or Sept–Oct) for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. I went in March and had snowy trails all to myself.
LANGUAGE
English, as you would expect, is not the primary language anywhere outside the city. If you are going with a guide, you should be ok.
Travel and Medical Insurance, Currency
Travel Insurance is highly recommended - we have our own, but if you are looking for one try World Nomad. Carry local currency for small purchases and tipping.
Recommended Guide & Costs
For a remote hiking trip like this, a guide is a must. We hired Milos, a wonderful English-speaking local guide with great rates.
Expect to spend around €350–400 per person including accommodation, food, and transportation.
Travel Insurance: I always recommend World Nomads for offbeat travel.
had. Highly recommended.
HOW LONG TO SPEND IN THE COUNTRY
It is a great place to take it slow but it's also perfect if you are looking for a quick adventure fix. Spend 7 days if you want to enjoy a mix of cities, culture and hikes.
Vegan/Vegetarian Food in Serbia
Expect a lot of dairy and byreks (pastries). Vegan options are limited in rural areas, so pack accordingly or plan ahead in cities.
WHERE WE STAYED
Milos, our guide, had a few suggestions for us. Since we were only in the room for sleeping and we were mostly in remote villages, we went with your basic 4 star fixings.
Highlights & Final Thoughts
Serbia blew me away. From frozen waterfalls to ancient stone arches, this country’s lesser-known side is a dream for hikers and adventurers.
💬 Final tip: Don’t follow the crowd. Skip the Insta-famous cities and discover Serbia’s soul in its untouched wilderness.
UVAC CANYON
Bright and early, a beautiful spring day awaits. After a local breakfast, we made our way to the first hike of the day - the Uvac Canyon. The drive was through high forests... we were thrilled to see all the snow!
After about an hour, we arrived at our hike point. You have to park here and hike up, unless you have a 4x4. The hike is about 2 kms one way. Highly recommended to wear good hiking shoes. We finally made it to the view point where you can see the river meandering 100 meters below us. The landscape around was incredible as well. With two massive vultures flying around, I felt like we had walked into a scene from the hobbit movie.
I guess this place will be more beautiful in the summer but it will be busy with locals and tourists alike. We loved having the place to ourselves; definitely a different vibe when you go off season.
We then stopped at another small town called Novi Pazaar. We strolled around for a bit before grabbing a freshly baked potato byrek for lunch.
After which, we drove to St Peters Church. This is said to be one of the oldest churches of the canonical territory of the Serbian orthodox church. It is also considered to be one of the spiritual centers in the Ras area.
Our last stop for the day was a historically significant gem as well. The church is an architectural marvel with Ras and Byzantine style white marble frescoes adorning the walls dating back to the 12th century.
It was eerily quiet that time of day.. not only was the church incredible spiritual, the surrounding area was a treat as well. Don't miss this one.
We then drove to a small town called Nis for the night.
STARA PLANINA AREA
Another magical day awaits with not one but two hikes. Both these hikes are located in the Stara Planina area of eastern Serbia.
The first one was the Rosomacka Canyon. We drove through an idyllic village called Slavinja to get to the canyon. Your final stop for the hike would be a small village called Rsovci.. park your car and hike up.
A straightforward hike will bring you to the canyon in about 45 minutes to 1 hour. We were finally face to face with the unique structures.. called Rosomacka pots. The impressive gorge was created by the river Visocica.
The canyon is filled with deep pots inside rocky pits which further emphasize the uniqueness of this place and it's beauty. The best view of the canyon is from the top or along the left side of the river bank.. so definitely wear good boots and climb up.
Our second hike of the day was just in the next village.. a short 20 minute drive later, we parked our card and decided to hike.
This is a rather long one.. about 2.5kms one way. However, the hike is one of our favorites with the most scenic walks through a forest covered in dense snow.
Hidden deep in the old mountains bordering Bulgaria, this waterfall is one of Serbia's true hidden treasures.
It is said to be marvelous any time of year but more so in the winter when the whole waterfall turns into a giant ice wall. It was like a scene from Narnia. If there is only one hike you can do on your trip, make sure it is this one. It was simply breathtaking.
PRERASTS OF VRATNA
Two more simple hikes but both covering long distances. First up the Prerasts of Vratna - the tallest stone gates of Europe. This was another simple hike with a few sharp inclines.
The three natural phenomena of eastern Serbia are not only the highest stone arches in Europe, but also a rather unique occurrence in the world. It is such a rare and unusual natural phenomena that is so grandiose and impressive the second you set your eyes on these massive caves. The Vratna area was once a huge cave which collapsed under the influence of different natural processes, leaving behind it these magical natural sculptures. This was yet another place that was off beat and otherworldly. The natural wonders of Serbia are one of a kind.
Last stop for the day was the Djerdap National forest. It was a long drive up the mountains but the scenic views of the Danube made the trip well worthwhile.
This gorge, better known as the Iron gates, is the deepest and longest one in Europe. The town you see across the river is in Romania. It was postcard perfect and the best way to end yet another outstanding spring day.
BORSKI STOL HIKE
Saved the best for the last. Our toughest hike yet was up the Borski Stol. This mountain belongs to the Carpathian mountain range of the Balkans region in eastern Serbia; near a small town called Bor.
We are no strangers to high altitude hikes but this was not an easy one. The highest peak here is 1156m... the path was slippery with a steep incline and covered in snow.
This is about 4.5kms one way... so account for at least 4-5 hours to finish this hike. The best views of the old mountains are from the edge of the limestone cliffs. Just be mindful of your step and you will be fine. Even if you cannot make it all the way, you can hike as far as your legs will take you...
Was it worth it? YES. It was one of the best hikes we did on the trip.
Around 3 p.m. we were back in the car, driving back to the capital. We had to drive a good 3 hours to get to the city.. but no complaints as we drove along the Danube and made scenic pit stops.
BELGRADE CITY
Our last morning was relaxed with no stress of PCR tests. We did a few coffee runs and checked out few of the local monuments around the city.
Nothing special to write home about.. just your typical European city center.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Though just a short flight away from Dubai, Serbia is often overlooked for the more touristy Montenegro, Greece and Croatia. All the more reason to head there, if you ask me.
There is a lot more to discover in the Balkan region than your colorful cobbled street corners and ski resorts. We were blown away by the untapped natural wonders, each more unique than the last.. serving up views that are to die for.
If you decide to head to Serbia, I urge you to go beyond the norm. Go deeper, you will not regret it one bit!
Drop your comments below and show some love. Feel free to shoot me an email with your feedback.
Cheers,
Anki
To explore more European destinations, be sure to check out other blogs for additional insights.
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