Serbia in 4 Days – Private Tour

Upon your arrival (or at your location in Belgrade if you are already in the country), your local Authentic Treks guide will greet you, and your incredible 4-day journey will begin. Heading east towards the Romanian border, the first stop will be at the famed Golubac Fortress. Constructed on the banks of the mighty Danube at the widest point (7 km between each side) along its entire stretch, you will have a chance to walk the towers and ramparts of this medieval fortress while taking in lovely views of the river and imagining how it served as such a strategic point throughout history.

From Golubac Fortress, we will drive to another significant historical site: the 8000-year-old settlement of Lepenski Vir. Situated in the heart of the Đerdap National Park, this archeological wonder is often referred to as “the first city in Europe” and provides an amazing insight into what daily life was like in his area during prehistoric times.

Around lunchtime, we will head to the village of Donji Milanova and the beloved ethno-complex Captain Misa’s Hill to have our first meal together with the local family who runs it. Traditional Serbian food will be on the menu and you’ll gain some insight into life in this part of Serbia. After a nice break and a hearty meal, we will continue to the most scenic points of the gorge, the ravines of Mali and Veliki Kazan. From these viewpoints, you’ll be able to enjoy the most iconic views of the Danube overlooking the gorge and the sculpture of the Dacian king Decebalus (Decibel) which is meticulously carved into a rock on the Romanian side.

With so many stimulating sights and activities, at this point, you’ll probably be ready to relax and prepare for another action-packed day ahead so we’ll take you to your hotel for the evening. Located at the foot of Rtanj Mountain, you can spend the rest of the evening here however you’d like, whether at the hotel’s pool or taking a stroll around the area.

Our adventure through Serbia will continue on the second day after breakfast with more amazing historical sites to explore. Heading slightly northeast, we will drive to the 4th-century Roman palace Felix Romuliana, a UNESCO heritage site built by Roman Emperor Galerius. From Roman times to medieval times, we will then make our way from Felix Romuliana to the second stop of the day, Ravanica. A symbol of national pride and identity for Serbians, this XIV-century monastery is of great significance and is where Prince Lazar of Serbia is buried.

Once we’ve finished showing you Ravanica, it will be time for a midday break and lunch served with a side of nature at Veliki Buk, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Serbia where you will be surrounded by nature and will have the possibility to swim if it’s warm enough. We’ll be served local specialties for lunch in a quaint restaurant that’s just beside a tranquil creek.

After a rejuvenating pause at Veliki Buk, we’ll drive to the 15th-century monastery of Manasija where you’ll learn about the origins of the title “Despot” for medieval rulers and the interesting life of one of Serbia’s most revered/notorious, Despot Stefan Lazarević. After the day’s final historical highlight, we’ll continue west from Manasija towards Šumadija, a region famed for its wine, and to your accommodation for the evening.

We’re certain you will find House of Čolović, a charming rural guesthouse in the village of Mala Vrbica where we will spend the night, an inviting and comfortable place to relax and recharge. This last part of the day will be all about Serbian hospitality, meeting locals, and learning more about Serbian culture while feasting on another delightful sampling of traditional foods.

After a delicious homemade breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to our new friends in Mala Vrbica and continue our journey through Šumadija to the nearby town of Topola. It’s in this area that the renewal of the modern Serbian state began in 1804 and is where the Oplenac Mausoleum is located. We’ll visit this royal mausoleum on the tip of Oplenac Hill and the church where 27 members of the royal family are buried. A highlight here is its mosaics which are decorated with some 40 million tiny pieces in 15,000 different color shades.

The rest of this day will be reserved for getting to know (and taste) Šumadija’s celebrated wine. Our first stop will be at the Royal wine cellar, established in the 1930s by a Serbian king, followed by a visit to Aleksandrović, the most prominent winery in Serbia. For a more authentic end to your wine tour through Šumadija, you will enjoy a traditional lunch with a wine tasting hosted by the young winemakers of a local, family-owned winery.

From Šumadija, we will make our way back to Belgrade and check you into your accommodation for the final evening, the highly-rated Hotel City Savoy. Located in the city center close to all of Belgrade’s main attractions, you have the rest of the day to explore the capital city on your own or relax in the hotel.

The fourth and final day of this tour is reserved for a comprehensive introduction to Belgrade and will start at the capital city’s most iconic landmark, Belgrade Fortress.

Moving on from the center of the city, you will be driven from Belgrade Fortress to the posh neighborhood of Dedinje for a visit to the House of Flowers. This mausoleum is the final resting spot for Josip Broz Tito, the controversial leader who served as president of former Yugoslavia for 27 years. Connected to the Museum of Yugoslav History, your local guide will provide you with a deeper understanding of Tito as a cult-like figure during his lifetime, and how his cult of personality has endured even to this day.

From Tito’s tomb, your next stop will be at the impressive St. Sava Church, another one of Belgrade’s most celebrated landmarks. St. Sava is the largest Orthodox temple in the Balkans built in honor of the eponymous saint who was born during the 12th century and is credited for bringing autonomy to the Serbian Orthodox Church in the 13th century. Following our visit to St. Sava, we will make a brief stop for lunch at a popular restaurant in the same neighborhood for traditional Serbian food with a modern twist.

Once finished with lunch, it will be time to cross over to the other side of the Danube and explore Zemun, an older part of Belgrade that was actually a separate town until 1934 and at one point, the final frontier of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Here we’ll give you some time to stroll the Danube promenade alongside locals, walk up to Gardoš Hill for a better look at its unique tower, and/or stop for a drink in one of the local cafes.

This is where your 4 days in Serbia with Authentic Treks will conclude and you will say doviđenja/farewell to your local guide. You have the option to be taken directly to the airport or point of departure or back to your hotel if you choose to stay another night in Belgrade on your own.