Active Holidays in Serbia
A holiday is not necessarily always about visiting bustling urban destinations or visiting cultural landmarks. Sometimes an escape into nature is what we need to give our minds a break from the hectic pace of modern life.
Take the opportunity to enjoy light hiking through meadows or challenge yourself to a more demanding climb through the hills – however you choose to exert yourself just remember to enjoy breathing in the fresh air and feasting your eyes on the stunning landscape.
If you fancy a more adrenaline pumping challenge Serbia’s rapid, untamed rivers which run through steep canyons are ideal for exploring by kayak or raft. Whilst on its wide, calm rivers you can experience a boat cruise or take part in one of the many regattas – all while basking in the glorious sunshine.
You can complete your journey by scaling a mountain peak. During warmer months you can enjoy cycling down the sides of the mountain or paraglide from the summit to the lush meadows in the valleys below. In the wintertime you can blaze a trail down its steep, snow-covered slopes on skis or a snowboard.
Serbia’s diverse caves, pits and canyons, are a challenge any true explorer or adventurer will find hard to resist. These awe-inspiring natural formations are gates to a unique subterranean world brimming with excitement, fun and opportunities to learn something new.
And as you enjoy nature, you will also have the opportunity to learn more about Serbia’s diverse wildlife.
Hiking and Mountaineering
Hiking is undoubtedly the best way to explore the natural beauty and tourist amenities of any country whilst getting to know its people and learning about their unique customs and culture. Serbia’s lush forests, verdant pastures and towering mountain peaks pose a genuine challenge even to the most experienced of mountaineers.As you hike across Serbia, you will be able to enjoy breath-taking natural beauty and stunning vistas whilst also learning first-hand about some of its hidden treasures and their immense cultural and historic significance.
When we think of hiking, we usually imagine nature, with its vast verdant expanse and crisp clean air; however, some of the more interesting walking tours are available in cities and their immediate and wider surroundings.
The areas surrounding many Serbian cities, towns and small communities provide a perfect blend of natural beauty and historic heritage.
In Belgrade, for example, the captivating forest of Košutnjak, situated just several kilometres from the urban heart of the city, offers many hiking and running trails. Also nearby is Avala mountain, with the Avala Tower and the Monument to the Unknown Hero perched on its peak.
Fruška gora, a mountain near the city of Novi Sad interspersed with mountaineering and hiking trails, is home to numerous monasteries and monuments.
Mountaineering is one of the most popular activities beside hiking, due to Serbia’s abundant and diverse mountains, which make the country’s relief a highly dynamic one. This activity is becoming increasingly popular among the young and there are now many tours available for beginners, not just skilled mountaineers.
Cycling
Whether you’re a hardcore cycling aficionado or only cycle recreationally from time to time, Serbia’s diverse terrain provides the perfect backdrop for your passion.From undemanding rides on the cities cycle lanes to the international cycling race “Tour de Serbie”, Serbia offers plenty of ways for you to enjoy the sport.
Serbia also sits on the European cycling route Eurovelo 6, which connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Black Sea. The route through Serbia follows the course of the Danube, guaranteeing enjoyment of Serbia’s natural and historic landmarks. If you prefer exploring more urban areas, you can also visit Serbia’s city centres by bicycle.
And if excitement and an adrenaline rush is what you’re after, we recommend mountain biking. Challenging rides down steep alpine paths offers the perfect mix of cycling and exploration. No other experience can match the sensation you feel as you speed down challenging rocky paths! This is also an unconventional way to get to know Serbia’s many mountains outside of the skiing season.
Rafting
If blazing down fast-flowing alpine rivers on inflatable rafts is your idea of a good adventure, you will enjoy rafting on the rapids of Serbia’s rivers. Here, rafting enthusiasts get to experience the thrill of navigating down winding and roaring rivers.
Navigating through untamed water gives an unrivalled adrenaline rush and is the perfect antidote to the daily grind. It’s also the best way to take in the beauty of the natural surroundings from a completely new angle.
The Lim is one of the most exciting rivers for rafting, its rapid and furious water posing a true challenge to all adventurers. If you visit this river in May, make sure to enjoy the traditional “Lim Regatta”, a three-day tourist and sporting event.
The “Merry Ride” is a sporting event that takes place in late June on the river Ibar. If after rafting down the Lim you can muster up the strength to embark on another adventure, take a ride down the 25-kilometre stream of the Ibar.
The river Drina, with its fairy tale-like backdrop and verdant surroundings, is also a must-see. Rafting aficionados find its thrilling rapids hard to resist. It’s worth noting that the waters of the Drina become much calmer further downstream, allowing you to enjoy tranquil, almost meditative rafting and immerse yourself in the surreal beauty of your surroundings.
Skiing
Serbian mountains are a paradise for winter sport enthusiasts. Here, you will find everything, from skiing to snowboarding to Nordic skiing! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier, Serbia’s ski slopes have something for everyone.
Ski resorts on Serbia’s mountains feature impeccably maintained ski slopes. The greatest tourist magnet are the slopes with floodlights for night skiing – a magical and unforgettable experience.
For children and complete beginners, the good range of beginners’ slopes coupled with patient instructors will help ensure your ski adventure gets off to the best possible start.
The best developed and most popular ski resorts in Serbia are Kopaonik, Tornik on Mt. Zlatibor and Stara planina. With their challenging ski slopes equipped with the full range of skiing facilities, these mountains have become a mainstay on the map of the International Ski Federation. On snowy days, skiers can also enjoy our country’s smaller ski resorts, including those on Divčibare, Tara, Zlatar and Goč mountains.
Birdwatching
The lush fields and thick forests that cover much of Serbia provide perfect habitats for numerous bird species. With a little patience, bird lovers and nature enthusiasts can spot more than 300 different species here. Birdwatching is recommended in the spring, when the vegetation increases, creating a natural shelter for the avid birdwatcher.
Of course, the choice of the right time of the year to visit Serbia will ultimately depend on the species your most interested to spot.If you wish to enjoy the twitter of smaller birds, you should visit in late August and early September, while larger birds like herons are best observed in the second half of September and in October as they prepare to migrate to warmer climates.
And if you’re visiting in late autumn – brace yourself for the breath-taking sight of thousands of cranes flying through the Serbian skies.
There are as many as 42 IBAs (Important Bird Areas) in Serbia, where you can enjoy watching protected and rare bird species in unspoiled nature.
Free Climbing
Serbia has a lot to offer to those who love free climbing – a sport that, other than safety gear, doesn’t involve the use of traditional climbing equipment.
Our country’s rich and diverse relief offers ideal conditions for free climbing; whether you want to try your hand at climbing natural or artificial rocks in the city or you’d prefer to escape the urban hustle and bustle by immersing yourself in the sounds of nature as you climb a natural rock. There is something here for everyone.
Free climbing tests strength and agility, climbers regularly exceed the limits of standard human physical ability, whilst at the same time offering unrivalled views of the magnificent natural surrounds from otherwise inaccessible viewpoints.
Although climbing requires both courage and physical fitness, there are also numerous artificial rocks designed specifically for beginners. Thus, virtually everyone, from amateurs to professionals, can enjoy this sport in Serbia.
Other Activities
Kayaking is an increasingly popular sport. If you’re a fan, be sure to include the Zemun Quay in your itinerary when visiting Belgrade. At the first sign of warmer weather, swans take to the water on some of the many rivers and lakes across Serbia.
As well as the Danube, you can also test your kayaking skills on the rivers Drina and Uvac, or on Vlasina Lake or Bovan Lake – this is also an excellent way to discover the Serbia’s unspoiled nature.
If you like to experience nature hands-on, you will relish the adventures offered by canyoning. This sport will allow you to explore some of the most beautiful canyons, even the remotest parts, through which Serbian rivers flow.
Even if you’ve never taken part in this type of activity there’s no reason to worry, experienced experts are on hand to ensure you’re properly prepared and provide training and equipment.
The most popular spots for this sport are the canyons of the Tribuća river, the Porečka river and the Rača river, as well as Dabrov kanjon (Beaver’s Canyon).
