Ski resorts
According to indexdotcom, the mountains of Serbia are popular both in summer and winter. From hiking trails through endless meadows and forests to extreme mountaineering – all this will be found in Serbia by lovers of adventure, new discoveries and pioneers. In winter, ski resorts with slopes and lifts operate in the mountains, and ski schools are organized for beginners and children.
The most famous ski resort in Serbia is the Kopaonik Mountains, the largest mountain range in the country. The highest point of Kopaonik is Pancicev Vrh (2017 m). The Mountains of the Sun, declared a National Park in 1981, boast over 200 days of sunshine a year. Dense coniferous forests, rich pastures, green meadows and ridges make up the well-known landscape of Kopaonik. The tourist center has 24 lifts, the total length of slopes is 55 km, and 97% of the center is provided with an artificial snow system.
Zlatibor is a summer and winter tourist center with the longest tourist tradition among the Serbian mountains. The official beginning of tourism on Zlatibor is considered to be 1893, when King Aleksandar Obrenović came to rest in Kulasevac (the center of Zlatibor), which was renamed “Royal Waters”. In addition to a large number of sunny days, Zlatibor is proud of the harmony of coniferous forests, where spruce and pine trees grow, endless meadows with picturesque grasses, rivers and streams. Clean, unpolluted air, healthy and clear water, the hospitality of the owners and the delicacies of the local cuisine attract guests throughout the year. The highest point of Zlatibor is Mount Tornik (1496 m), where the ski center is located.
Western Serbia also has one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Serbia – Tara. The Tara National Park is rich in diverse fauna, among which Serbian spruce stands out, growing only here, and the fauna boasts of a brown bear, chamois and golden eagles. The highest point of Tara is Goat Reed (1591 m). Tara is covered with dense forests, colorful meadows, cliffs and caves. The park has many hiking trails (10 km), jogging and cycling paths, several sports grounds, and ski slopes and ski lifts are open in winter.
SPA & Wellness Resorts
The beginning of the development of balneological resorts and spa tourism in Serbia dates back to the times of the Roman Empire, around the 2nd century AD. Many archaeological finds: pools, coins, plumbing and heat pipes, a lot of written evidence, suggest that the Romans had some kind of cult of thermal waters, and therefore Serbia boasts several resorts that were founded by the Romans. Later, the Serbian baths were influenced by the 500-year presence of the Ottoman conquerors, and the main trace of that time is the preserved Turkish baths – hammams, the forerunners of modern Spa and Wellness centers.
Today, 1000 thermal springs and 50 working baths of the country rank Serbia among the richest countries in Europe, while health tourism is one of the foundations for the development of the state’s tourism business. In addition to the classic balneological treatment with water, mud and gases, Serbia offers favorable conditions for recreational, sports and business tourism. Rich forests and clean air, the influence of various climatic conditions in Serbia made possible the existence of air resorts, the most famous of which are Zlatibor and Zlatar.
Treatment with water, mud, gas or just a pleasant climate is carried out through a variety of therapies: hydro, physio, kinesi, climatic, electro, magnetic, helio, thermo, etc. These types of treatments help with various diseases: respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, kidney and urinary tract diseases, rheumatism, post-operative conditions, digestive tract diseases, gynecological problems, diabetes, etc.
Vrnjacka bath
Vrnjačka banya is the metropolis of water spas and the most popular bathhouse in Serbia and the Balkans. Banya is located in Central Serbia, 25 km from the city of Kraljevo, at the foot of Mount Goč near the West Morava River. Vrnjacka bath was known even in Roman times: archaeologists have discovered Roman baths and a Roman spring “Fons Romanus” and more than 500 metal coins from the beginning of the 2nd century on the territory of modern Vrnjacka bath. The flourishing of tourism in Vrnjacka Spa began in 1868, when the first tourist organization in Serbia was founded.
Vrnjačka banya owes its popularity, first of all, to the springs of mineral water. Here, water is in full swing in 7 places, 4 springs are used for therapy and treatment, and the remaining 3 are used for bottling water and drinking. The water temperature varies from 14°C to 36.5°C. Water is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, chronic intestinal inflammation, diseases of the gallbladder and ducts, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gynecological and rheumatological diseases, etc.
Vrnjacka Spa is known not only for the healing properties of its waters, but also for its developed infrastructure for holding congresses, sports events and festivals. The local sports and recreation center holds sports camps and competitions, increasing the number of guests from year to year. It also hosts the Screenplay Festival, the local carnival, Lovefest – the second most popular music festival in Serbia, and many others.
