1Belgrade Fortress (Kalemegdan)
A fortress and park at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube. The route starts here: climb the walls for views of the rivers and the modern city.
DURATION
4 daysDISTANCE
≈ 700 kmSEASON
Year-roundDIFFICULTY
EasyCOUNTRIES
SerbiaRoute on the map
Open in Google Maps ↗The line shows the approximate driving route and the return to Belgrade. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1Day 1Belgrade → Manasija Monastery → Kraljevo
A 15th-century fortified monastery and a drive through central Serbia.
- 2Day 2Kraljevo → Žiča → Studenica
Žiča Monastery and Studenica, which is UNESCO-listed.
- 3Day 3Studenica → Novi Pazar
Stari Ras and Sopoćani (UNESCO), Petrova Church, Đurđevi Stupovi and the old bazaar of Novi Pazar.
- 4Day 4Novi Pazar → Belgrade
The drive back along the Ibar Highway.
What to see along the way
The stops in order: the numbers match the markers on the map.
1
2Manasija Monastery
The fortified monastery of Despot Stefan Lazarević from the early 15th century, with mighty towers and surviving frescoes.
3Žiča Monastery
A red 13th-century monastery where the first Serbian kings were crowned and the first Serbian archbishopric was seated.
4Studenica Monastery
The main monastery of the Nemanjić dynasty, founded in the late 12th century. The Church of the Virgin is clad in white marble; a UNESCO site.
5Sopoćani Monastery
A 13th-century monastery known for frescoes regarded as the peak of medieval Serbian painting. A UNESCO site.
6Peter's Church
One of the oldest churches in Serbia near Novi Pazar, surrounded by medieval tombstones. Part of the UNESCO site “Stari Ras and Sopoćani”.
7Đurđevi Stupovi Monastery
A 12th-century monastery on a hill above Novi Pazar, one of the first founded by Stefan Nemanja.
8Novi Pazar
A city in south-west Serbia with an Ottoman heritage: an old bazaar, a fortress and mosques. A good stop for dinner and an overnight stay.
Photos of the places: Wikimedia Commons, free licences. The author and licence of every photo are listed on the page «Photo credits».
Suitable vehicles
These vehicles suit this route.
CompactCross-border allowed
Toyota Yaris Hybrid
5 seatsAutomatichybrid300 km/day
from €28
per day for rentals of 7+ days
Sedan / estateCross-border allowed
Škoda Octavia Combi
5 seatsAutomaticdiesel300 km/day
from €34
per day for rentals of 7+ days
Sedan / estateCross-border allowed
Škoda Superb
5 seatsAutomaticdiesel300 km/day
from €42
per day for rentals of 7+ days
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