The back story
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The back story
Western Serbia: the back story
Mountain plateaus, a figure-of-eight railway and a canyon of vultures in Serbia’s high west.
Area guide · Serbia
Western Serbia: Our Favourites
The mountain resorts of Zlatibor and Kopaonik, Tara National Park and the narrow-gauge railway at Mokra Gora. For Belgrade itself, see our Belgrade guide.
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What to see and do
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3 photosA figure-of-eight line
Mokra Gora & the Šargan Eight
A narrow-gauge line between Tara and Zlatibor that loops up the mountain in a figure of eight.
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Video 5 photosA director’s wooden village
Drvengrad (Mećavnik)
Emir Kusturica’s timber village on Mećavnik hill, built in the local style above Mokra Gora.
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Video 5 photosVillage life preserved
Sirogojno Open-Air Museum
Log houses and farm buildings from across Zlatibor, rebuilt and furnished as they once were.
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3 photosUNESCO monastery
Studenica Monastery
A 12th-century monastery of white marble churches and celebrated frescoes, west of Kopaonik.
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4 photosHand-knitted heritage
Sirogojno Style
Hand-knitted wool clothing rooted in the patterned sweaters of Sirogojno’s village knitters.
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3 photosCabin in the river
The House on the Drina
A tiny wooden house perched on a rock mid-river at Bajina Bašta, a much-photographed sight.
Nature, lakes and beaches
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4 photosMeanders and vultures
Uvac Special Nature Reserve
A canyon of deep, looping meanders, watched over by a colony of griffon vultures.
Trg vojvode Petra Bojovića 3, 31320 Nova Varoš (reserve office)Explore View on map
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3 photosKopaonik’s summit
Pančićev vrh
Kopaonik’s highest point at 2,017 metres, reached on foot or by chairlift in winter and summer.
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2 photosZlatibor’s summit hike
Walk: centre to Tornik
Zlatibor’s classic hike from town to Tornik, about five hours, with the gondola for the descent.
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3 photosOver to Mokra Gora
Walk: Trčinoga to Mokra Gora
A 23-kilometre hike over the Vijogor viewpoint, past old log cabins, down to Mokra Gora.
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Video 3 photosDrina canyon wilderness
Tara National Park
Dense forests and high meadows on a great bend of the Drina, home to the rare Serbian spruce.
Eat and drink
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3 photosModern mountain cooking
Kalem by Zak Mountain Concept
Zlatibor produce cooked with a modern touch, plus wines, cocktails and a view of the centre.
Miladina Pećinara 31a, ZlatiborExplore View on map
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9 photosDinner that turns
Rotating Restaurant 360
A revolving dining room at Grand & Sky Hotel Tornik, turning slowly above the Zlatibor plateau.
Where to stay
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3 photosKopaonik’s luxury address
Viceroy Kopaonik
An international luxury brand at Serbia’s biggest ski resort, with suites, spa and après-ski.
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4 photosCentral classic
Grand Hotel & Spa
A classic Kopaonik hotel near the lifts, with pools, a spa and day passes for non-guests.
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Video 3 photosSprings at 77 °C
Jošanička Banja
A pine-forest spa village below Kopaonik, whose thermal springs reach 77 °C.
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6 photosForest base
Hotel Omorika
A forest hotel at Kaluđerske Bare on Tara, a handy base for the national park’s trails.
Getting there and around
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VideoOver Lake Ribnica
Gold Gondola
A 9-kilometre gondola from central Zlatibor up to Tornik, pausing at Lake Ribnica.
Where to go next
Questions and answers
Do I need to book the Šargan Eight?
Check the timetable and book your seats ahead in summer.
What is the Gold Gondola?
A 9-kilometre gondola from the centre of Zlatibor to the top of Tornik, stopping at Lake Ribnica; the ride takes 25 minutes.
Share your Western Serbia tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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