Central Serbia between monasteries, mountains and river landscapes

Mount Rudnik characterizes Central Serbia and the Šumadija region. Rudnik is covered by dense beech, maple and oak forests, crossed by clear streams and green clearings. Hiking trails on Rudnik lead to high peaks, including the 1,132-meter-high Cvijić Peak and the steep-sided volcanic rock of Ostrvica.

The Đerdap Gorge is considered the longest and largest breakthrough gorge in Europe. The Devil's Town consists of 202 earth pillars formed by erosion beneath protective rock caps; a 900-meter-long footpath leads to a viewpoint in the Devil's Town. Risovača Cave is an important archaeological and paleontological site in Central Serbia.

The natural attractions in the Mokra Gora area include Hajdučka Cave and Skakavac Waterfall. The Mokra Gora Valley and Šargan Pass form a natural connection between the Tara and Zlatibor mountains. On the section of the Šargan Eight between Mokra Gora and Šargan Vitasi, the railway passes through 22 tunnels and over five bridges. During the journey, passengers can view the surrounding landscape from five viewpoints. The museum tourist train “Nostalgija” operates on the Šargan Eight in the summer and winter seasons.

The UNESCO serial heritage site includes Sopoćani Monastery. The frescoes in the monastery church date from approximately 1270 to 1276. Studenica Monastery is considered Serbia’s largest and richest Orthodox monastery and was founded on the Studenica River in the late 12th century by Stefan Nemanja. The Church of the Mother of God and the King's Church in Studenica preserve precious collections of Byzantine paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries.

Žiča Monastery is part of the Council of Europe’s Transromanica cultural route. At Žiča Monastery, Saint Sava crowned his brother Stefan Nemanjić as the first Serbian king. Archaeological sites also have their own highlights: Lepenski Vir preserves archaeological remains of a culture dating from between 6500 and 5500 BC and includes the remains of up to 136 structures with stone hearths. The Lepenski Vir Museum displays holographic reconstructions of prehistoric houses as well as reconstructions of burial rites.

The medieval Golubac Fortress dates from the 14th century and stands on a steep, rocky promontory on the right bank of the Danube. Gamzigrad-Romuliana, the Palace of Galerius, was known as Felix Romuliana and was named after the emperor’s mother.

Kopaonik is considered Serbia’s leading ski resort and one of the leading ski resorts in the wider region. During the summer season, Kopaonik National Park organizes guided hikes to attractive destinations on the mountain. The thermomineral springs in Ovčar Banja have temperatures between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius. Catamaran trips are offered on the river in Ovčar Banja, and hiking tours to the summit of Mount Kablar are offered from Ovčar Banja.

On the slopes of Mount Goč, locals gather bilberries and wild strawberries and process them into traditional fruit preserves. Aleksandrović Winery is associated with the Tamjanika grape variety.

Other subregions of Central Serbia include Rasina District, Mačva District, Belgrade, Kopaonik, Toplica District, Pčinja District, Moravica District, Nišava District, Pomoravlje District, Jablanica District, Zaječar District, Raška District, Zlatibor District, Šumadija District and Pirot District.

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