Things to do in Komarani

Mileseva Monastery

Mileseva Monastery is located in the Mileseva River valley and is one of the important holy sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church, founded by King Stefan Vladislav I. The church belongs to the Raška architectural school and incorporates Byzantine style. Its single-nave floor plan gradually widens from west to east, and the dome is supported by stepped arches, a layout that is quite distinctive among medieval churches. The monastery is famous for its 13th-century frescoes, created by highly skilled painters of the time and considered one of the representative works of European painting from that period. Among them, the "White Angel" is widely known: it is part of a fresco depicting the women at Christ's tomb, where the angel in white sits by the tombstone with a serene and gentle appearance. It has now become one of the iconic images of Serbian culture and was even transmitted to North America via transatlantic satellite television in the 1960s. The church also preserves realistic portraits painted while Saint Sava was alive, group portraits of members of the Nemanjić dynasty, and scenes such as the Last Judgment, which serve as primary sources for studying medieval Balkan art and the history of the Serbian dynasty. King Vladislav moved the remains of his uncle, Saint Sava, from Bulgaria to the monastery for veneration; more than two centuries later, the remains were transported to Belgrade by the Ottoman army and burned, an event that gives this monastery a particularly special place in the hearts of the Serbian people. The monastery is located in a valley surrounded by mountains and forests, and it is still frequently visited by pilgrims and travelers today.

Uvac Special Nature Reserve

Located in southwestern Serbia, the Uvak Special Nature Reserve attracts many tourists with its spectacular natural landscapes and rich biodiversity. The reserve is famous for the winding channels of the Uvak River, which form unique snake-like bends and are a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Visitors can reach several viewpoints through hiking to admire these magnificent natural landscapes. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, one of the most notable of which is the white-headed vulture. This is one of the largest white-headed vulture colonies in Europe, and visitors have the opportunity to observe these majestic birds in their natural environment. In addition to bird watching, visitors can also enjoy the tranquility of nature by engaging in activities such as boating and fishing in the reserve. Visitors are recommended to visit the Uvak Special Nature Reserve in spring and autumn, when the climate is pleasant and suitable for outdoor activities. Whether for nature lovers or travelers seeking tranquility, the Uvak Special Nature Reserve provides an ideal opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Zlatarsko jezero

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Central Serbia

Drvengrad

Drvengrad is located near Mokra Gora in the Zlatibor region of western Serbia and is a traditional wooden village built by director Emir Kusturica for the filming of "Life Is a Miracle." The village's buildings are almost entirely constructed of wood, and everything from the houses and churches to the street facilities reflects a rich Balkan folk style. The streets in the village are named after figures admired by Kusturica—names such as Nikola Tesla, Fellini, Bergman, and Maradona appear on street signs, while the main street is named after Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić. In the center of the village stands the Saint Sava Orthodox Church, surrounded by facilities such as a cinema named after Stanley Kubrick, the Ivo Andrić Library, an art gallery, a sports hall, restaurants, and a cake shop. The village is built into the mountainside and is surrounded by open fields and rolling mountains. The wooden architecture blends seamlessly with the natural environment, while the sculptures and flowers scattered throughout add a fairytale-like atmosphere.

Filipov breg

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Central Serbia

Gold Gondola Zlatibor

Gold Gondola Zlatibor is a high-altitude sightseeing cable car in the Zlatibor mountain region. It starts in the town center, crosses over Ribnica Lake, and ends at the summit of Tornik at an altitude of 1,496 m. The entire line is approx. 9 km long, making it one of the longest panoramic cable car lines in the world. When riding in the cable car, you can see rolling hills, meadows, dense pine forests, and villages scattered across the mountains below. The scenery changes with the seasons: lush green in summer, colorful foliage in fall, and a ski resort on the mountain in winter. "Zlatibor" means "golden pine" in Serbian. As the cable car slowly climbs, you can get a close look at this mountain area covered in golden pine forests from the air. A highlight along the way is the Ribnica Lake station. You can get off here to walk along the lake and take photos, then board a subsequent cable car to continue upward. Upon arriving at Tornik, there is a viewing platform near the summit where you can overlook the entire mountain area and the town below.

Dubnica Monastery

Crkva brvnara

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Serbia

Belgrade Fortress

Belgrade Fortress stands on a hill at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube River and is the heart of the city's history. The history of the fortress dates back to the Roman period, and since then, the Byzantines, Ottomans, and Austrians have successively built and fortified it. The layers of walls and towers bear the marks of different civilizations—the Upper Town preserves foundation ruins from the Roman period, the clock tower built by the Ottomans still stands today, and the fortifications reinforced during the Austrian period are also clearly visible. The fortress is divided into the Upper Town and the Lower Town, with Kalemegdan on its perimeter, where statues of Serbian writers and poets are scattered along the walking paths. In the evening, the sunset turns the confluence of the Sava and the Danube River a golden red. Standing on the fortress walls, you can take in the skylines of both banks, and the sunset view is particularly stunning.

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Serbia

Kalemegdan

Kalemegdan is located in the center of Belgrade, occupying a strategic height at the confluence of the Danube River and the Sava. It is an important park in Belgrade and one of the city's core historical landmarks. The park is integrated with Belgrade Fortress, and the fortifications in the core area are layered—ranging from Roman military camp ruins and Byzantine-era renovations to Ottoman-era gates and towers, as well as Austrian-era fortress reinforcements—almost condensing over 2,000 years of military and political changes in the Balkan Peninsula. Walking along the rampart paths, you can see the Victor statue standing in the Upper Town of the fortress and an observation deck with expansive views, where the Sava flows into the Danube River, offering unobstructed views of Great War Island in the distance and the city skyline along the riverbanks. The park also features a military museum, with an outdoor exhibition of historical equipment such as tanks and artillery, creating a unique contrast with the ancient fortress walls. The park's green spaces are also worth a visit, with tree-lined paths, lawns, and benches scattered among the walls and flower beds, making it a place for local residents to take daily walks and relax. In summer, the park often hosts open-air concerts and cultural performances, adding a touch of contemporary urban life to this ancient space.