Summer is the time for holidays and intensive language courses within summer schools and camps. The sea is the first association when summer is mentioned and is considered the best destination for a holiday. However, Serbia, although it has no sea, is incredibly rich in natural beauties, making it a real shame not to visit them at least once in a lifetime. Some destinations are well-known and very attractive, while others are just being discovered. In any case, both types offer unforgettable enjoyment and represent excellent places for relaxation and an escape from the city bustle and heat.
Moreover, learning the Serbian language does not have to be limited to classrooms. By visiting the natural beauties of Serbia, not only do you enjoy the breathtaking landscapes, but you also actively use and learn the language in different contexts. Communicating with locals, reading informational signs, and exploring history and culture through natural landmarks can significantly enrich your language skills.
Here are 10 destinations worth visiting. So, if you are a lover of pristine natural beauties, head towards one of the offered gems of Serbia with a Serbian language handbook to navigate situations on the road.
Uvac River Canyon
The view of the unique interconnected meanders of this river, situated between the northern slopes of Zlatar and the southern branches of the Zlatibor mountain range, leaves everyone breathless. Swimming or fishing in the Uvac or Zlatar lake offers a premium experience. Another interesting attraction is the Ice Cave, a space known for its halls connected by steep, straight, and abyssal channels. The cave features large white columns, stalactites and stalagmites, needles, cave draperies, and petrified curtains. What is particularly intriguing about this cave is that the only possible entrance is accessible by water, i.e., by boats organized by the Uvac organization and its specialized guides.
Devil’s Town
Devil’s Town is located 27 km southeast of Kuršumlija, 89 km southwest of Niš, and 320 km from Belgrade. According to legend, this very rare world natural monument was created in the conflict between the devil and a good fairy. To prevent the wedding of bewitched siblings with “devil’s water,” the fairy prayed to God, who granted her wish by turning the bridal couple and the entire wedding procession into stone. It’s truly a shame not to visit these miraculous stone pyramids of unusual colours. Here, you can also see the “devil’s water” – a very cold and extremely acidic spring (ph 1.5) with high mineralization. The content of some elements (aluminum, iron, potassium, copper, nickel, sulfur) is extremely high compared to ordinary drinking water, that is, it is increased by 10 to 1000 times. You should not miss the “Crveno vrelo” and its attractive red fan-shaped terrace.
Palić Lake
Palić Lake is located 8 km from Subotica, next to the town of Palić, which is a significant tourist centre of Vojvodina, precisely because of the lake. For lovers of the plain, a visit to this lake will be a real treat. There are numerous legends explaining the existence of Palić. One mentions a shepherd who cried so much for his lost flock that he created the lake, hence the salty water in the lake. Others think that it is the rest of the Pannonian Sea. However, the lake was mostly formed by precipitation that filled the valley. The water that flowed towards the valley dissolved the sodium chloride present in it, so the water in the lake is salty. The lake, with a diameter of almost 5 km and a maximum depth of 3.5 meters, has three arranged beaches, warm water, and represents the largest natural lake in Serbia. The lake’s shore is 17 kilometres long and is arranged along its entire length.
Cerje Cave
From the far north of Serbia, we move to the south of our country. Cerje Cave is located in the village of Cerje, 14 kilometers from Niš. The cave features corridors and halls averaging from 15 to 40 meters in height and a diverse wealth of decorations: stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, wavy draperies, cave corals, and crystal flowers. The cave is fully adapted to tourist needs and is certainly worth visiting.
Taor Springs
Taor Springs are cascading waterfalls located on the slopes of Mount Povlen near Valjevo. They spring in the village of Donji Taor and represent a natural monument. Taor Springs can be reached by the road to the Lelić monastery, after which you have to go another 40 kilometers. The road continues to the village of Mravinjci, through which you can reach Donji Taor. On a small area across the deposits of tufa, there are numerous waterfalls and cascades, creating an incredible beauty. There used to be 12 water mills in this water-rich area, but unfortunately only 2 have been preserved. Today, the most famous is Pepić’s mill, which serves homemade food and the best-prepared salads. It is highly recommended to visit this Valjevo beauty and enjoy the perfect blend of water power and its charms, as well as the views of the lush surrounding greenery.
Sopotnica Waterfalls
Sopotnica Waterfalls are protected natural assets due to their exceptional morphological and ambient values. This precious natural monument was put under protection only at the beginning of the 2000s. With its immediate surroundings, it forms a unique ambient whole that leaves no visitor indifferent. Located on the western slopes of the Jadovnik mountain, 20 kilometers from Prijepolje, in the village of the same name, the waterfalls are arranged in four levels and have a cascading shape. The highest waterfall is 25 meters high, while the others are slightly lower. In the immediate vicinity of Sopotnica, there are numerous traditional old, but also restored, mills that give this locality an ethnographic value, representing open-air ethnographic museums. In the competition of attractive natural phenomena, the Sopotnica waterfalls are at the very top.
Đerdap National Park
Đerdap National Park is located in the southeastern part of Europe, in the northeastern part of the Republic of Serbia, on the very international border with Romania. This longest and largest breakthrough gorge in Europe is a true natural phenomenon and one of the most beautiful points on the Danube. It consists of four gorges and three basins. It consists of four gorges and three basins, which are arranged in the following order: Golubačka Gorge, Ljupkovska Gorge, Gospodgin Vir Gorge, Donjomilanovac Gorge, Veliki and Mali Kazan Gorges, Oršava Gorge and Sipska Gorge. The most beautiful gorge is the Small and Large Kazan, where the Danube narrows to only 140 meters and reaches a depth of 90 meters. In addition to very rich flora and fauna, and sheltered habitats with specific microclimates and different ecological zones, along the entire Đerdap, there are remains of the cultures of Lepenski Vir, the Roman Empire, Byzantium, as well as places significant for the history of the Serbian people. The national park is a habitat for over 200 bird species and over 1100 plant species, and otters, bears, lynx, jackal, chamois, roe deer, deer.
Tara
Tara represents a mountain that can boast of untouched natural beauties and careful maintenance of the true mountain ambiance. The average altitude of Tara is 1200 meters, and the highest peak is Kozji rid at 1591 meters. It is different from other mountain peaks because it is not densely populated and offers many attractions located at various locations. Tara is fascinating to both tourists and scientific researchers who repeatedly find incredible data that nature creates. Some of the most beautiful viewpoints and places on Tara are Sokolarica Viewpoint, Crveni Potok Nature Reserve, Drina Canyon, and Banjska Stena Viewpoint – perhaps the most beautiful viewpoint in Serbia and the crown of Tara. Each of these places has its own unique story and beauty to be experienced.
Stara Planina
Stara Planina is the highest and most widespread Carpatho-Balkan mountain. It houses nature parks, nature reserves, and protected areas. Due to the large number of hiking facilities, picnic spots, and the presence of characteristic flora and fauna, Stara Planina attracts a large number of tourists. Stara Planina boasts various types of medicinal herbs. Meadows are home to St. John’s wort, yarrow, thyme. This mountain is home to over 200 species of different birds, including the protected vulture species, the Griffon Vulture. Stara Planina is also adorned with numerous waterfalls such as Tupavica, Bigar, Piljski Waterfall, and Čunguljski Skok Waterfall.
Great War Island
Many who come to Belgrade, and even some of its residents, are unaware that in the heart of the capital, there is a natural oasis worth seeing. At the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, there are Great and Small War Islands and several shoals, accessible only by boat. These are the last two oases of untouched nature, separated by water from the urban core of the Serbian capital. The untouched nature of Belgrade, the habitats of numerous plant and animal species, are things on the island you will encounter at every step. The entire island is covered with forests, between which are meadows, and along the perimeter, there are sandy beaches. Due to the high level of groundwater, there are willows, black poplars, green ash, black hawthorn, acacia and other shrubby and woody species. There are also communities of reeds, rushes and sedges. Aquatic vegetation built by lentil, water fern, water lily, mistletoe, crocus and many other herbaceous species. Walking through this area will be an unforgettable experience. Besides walking, you can also swim at Belgrade’s most famous swimming area, “Lido.” Nowhere will you be so close to the hustle and bustle of the city and so connected to the peace and quiet of nature.
By visiting these natural beauties of Serbia, not only will you experience exceptional landscapes and cultural monuments, but you will also have a unique opportunity to learn the Serbian language through direct experience and interaction. So, pack your bags, get ready for an adventure, and set off to explore the natural gems of Serbia! Be sure to visit us on your journey.
