After being fought over by the Romans, Ottomans, Hapsburgs, and other groups during its turbulent history, Serbia is a fusion of civilizations today. It's now a destination to have fun, with beer festivals and wild parties taking place in some of the most picturesque locations.
It's the nexus of Eastern and Western civilization, with charming old monasteries and mediaeval towns surrounded by towering fortifications. Not to mention that the nation offers some really excellent skiing. A summary of Serbia's top tourist destinations:
- Belgrade: The largest and capital city of Serbia, Belgrade, wasn't always as charming as it is now. Belgrade, which is situated where the Danube and Sava rivers meet, has a tragic history. It has been destroyed 44 times and battled over in 115 battles. With a plethora of activities ranging from book fairs to music, film, and beer festivals, the city is more tranquil these days. The most well-known historic site in the city, along with churches and museums, is the Belgrade Fortress.
It's a great location to see the city and the rivers as well. Among the best museums are the Nikola Tesla Museum, which houses thousands of the innovators' personal artefacts and records, and the National Museum, which has more than 400,000 exhibits.
- Subotica: The fifth-largest city in Serbia, Subotica, is among the top tourist destinations for at least a few reasons: It is the most Catholic-populated city in the nation and is home to the greatest number of art nouveau structures.
The synagogue and municipal hall, which were both constructed in the early 1900s, are especially noteworthy. However, this city, which dates back to before the Middle Ages, is also well-known for its older structures, including as the 1797-erected Cathedral of St. Theresa of Avila. Cafes swarm the main square, which is the location of city hall and its blue fountain. It's a great area to people watch and people watch, maybe ogling wares from Europe's biggest flea market, Buvljak.
- Novi Sad: One of the nicest beaches on the Danube is located in Novi Sad, a charming city beside the river. Serbia's second-largest city, created in the late 17th century, is a youthful city by European standards, with several parks providing a relaxed atmosphere.
Its yearly Exit music festival, which takes place in July at Petrovaradin, an ancient stronghold that has never been taken, is arguably the reason it is most well-known. Among the buildings of note are the Church of the Great Martyr St. George, a Serbian Orthodox church; Dvorac Dundjerski, an old castle that has been restored; and the historic town hall, which is situated on the main plaza.
- Zlatibor: Located in the western Serbian Alps, Zlatibor is a well-liked tourist attraction. There are plenty of amenities to keep you content and healthy, like hiking and skiing in the summer and winter. The highest mountain in Zlatibor, Tornik, has a ski resort with routes that can accommodate 5,400 skiers per hour.
Large fields and charming old villages abound in this picturesque area. Top attractions include an outdoor museum with hold houses and historic wooden churches. Savour the flavours of Zlatiborian prsuta, a dried pork, and slivovitz, a plum brandy, here after spending a day touring the area.
- Studenica Monastery: The two white marble churches (Church of the King and Church of the Virgin) and the lush green grass at the Studenica Monastery in central Serbia are only two of the site's many impressive features. However, the most notable feature of this 12th-century monastery is its exceptional collection of Byzantine paintings, murals, and other elaborate decorations from the 13th and 14th centuries, which are located in several of the monastery's churches.
The monastery's status as the wealthiest in Serbia and the progenitor of all Serbian Orthodox monasteries is consistent with this. Slumbed on the premises is Stefan Nemanja, the man who established both Serbia and the monastery.
- Derdap National Park: Derdap National Park contains four gorges that run 115 km (72 miles) through the lowlands; China may have its Three Gorges. One of the world's deepest rivers flows through the Gospodin Vit gorge. The Carpathian Mountains' southern entryway, known as the Iron Gate, is formed by the combination of these gorges, which make up Derdap Gorge.
Situated close to the majestic riverfront Golubac fortification, the park is situated on the Danube River. The park, which has a wealth of flora and fauna, is one of Serbia's most popular destinations because of a lake created by a hydroelectric plant.
- Prizren: Although Prizren was formerly the capital of mediaeval Serbia, it is now a part of Kosovo with elected authorities of its own, despite the fact that Serbia views the province as illegally divided and that Serbians make up a small minority in the area. The main draw here is the mediaeval Prizren Fortress, which was under Ottoman dominion for 4 and a half centuries, giving it its current appearance.
Given that most things are close to one another, Prizren is a nice city for strolling. The city centre is home to a number of churches, the most renowned of which being the Church of Our Lady of Ljovis, a stunning example of Serbian mediaeval architecture.
- Kopaonik National Park: The tallest peak in Serbia, Kopaonik, was designated as a national park in 1981. With 25 lifts that can accommodate 32,000 skiers per hour, Serbia's primary ski resort is located in this rugged and picturesque area, where the snowfall occurs from November to May.
With a diverse range of plants and animals, it's an excellent spot for summer hiking. In the past, miners have extracted gold, silver, iron, and zinc from the mountain, which is also well-known for its mineral wealth. The park also features waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, and unusual rock formations-many of which have names.
- Devil's Town: Devil's Town, so named because of the peculiar rock formations, is one of Serbia's most impressive examples of erosion-caused rock formations. According to a local tradition, the rocks represent bridegrooms who were petrified by the devil. Devil's water, often referred to as Djavolja voda, is a very acidic water that also played a role in this geologic occurrence.
Devil's Town, which spans two valleys on the slopes of Radan Mountain in southern Serbia, is made up of more than 200 distinct rock formations that loom over the surrounding area. The pillars are a work in progress; when they fall, new structures can take their place.
- Nis: The third largest city in Serbia, Niš, is a bustling university town and a convenient place to stop between Belgrade and Skopje or Sofia. With a history that dates to 279 BC, it is among the oldest cities in Europe and the Balkans. This is the birthplace of Constantinople's founder, Constantine the Great, whose memorial is located in the city's centre.
The ruins of a Turkish fortification from the eighteenth century can also be found in the city centre. Skull Tower is a macabre sight, but it's unique: it's made from the skulls of Serbians who were beheaded by the Ottomans. The popular spa of Niška Banja, southeast of the city, is well-known for its therapeutic hot springs that aid in the treatment of rheumatic ailments.