Why You Should Visit Užice (and How to Get There) 🇷🇸
Alinakhoznan
4
Visa-free Serbia, hiking in Užice and Tara for tranquility and romance
Strange World Tour
serbia
Hidden Gem Alert: Užice Fortress — History & Sun-Soaked Vibes
Alinakhoznan
6
As an ordinary office worker living in Edinburgh, I’m always on the lookout for European destinations that offer rich history, good walking routes, and don't break the bank. Serbia had been on my list for a while, and it turned out to be incredibly good value for a autumn break.
Here is a record of my itinerary and experiences:
· *Days 1-2: Belgrade**
I started in the capital. The first day was spent walking along Knez Mihailova street to the Kalemegdan Fortress. The sunset views over the Danube from the fortress walls are beautiful and cost nothing. On the second day, I took a local bus (you can buy tickets at the kiosks for about 30p) to the quiet suburb of Zemun. I climbed the Gardoš Tower for the views of the red-tiled roofs, and later stopped by the famous 'Question Mark' (?) traditional tavern. I tried the Ćevapi (local minced meat sausages) which only cost about £3.50 and was very filling.
· *Days 3-4: Novi Sad**
I took the train from Belgrade, which took about an hour and a half and cost less than £3. Novi Sad is much quieter and very easy to walk around. I spent my time around Liberty Square, admiring the painted buildings and the name of Mary Church. The highlight was walking across the bridge and up to the Petrovaradin Fortress—be prepared for a lot of stone steps, so wear comfortable flat shoes. I had a wonderful, simple meal of traditional fish soup at a local spot near the river for about £7.
· *Days 5-6: Zlatibor & Drvengrad**
I took a 4-hour bus ride from Belgrade down to Užice, then headed into the mountains to Drvengrad (the Wooden Village built for the Küsturica film). The entry was just over £2. The next morning, I booked a ticket on the Šargan Eight vintage railway. It’s a lovely 2.5-hour journey through tunnels and mountain passes on a historic steam train for about £6. Up in the mountain restaurants, I tried the local roast lamb for about £9—the portion was massive.
· *A few practical tips:**
· British passport holders don't need a visa for stays up to 90 days.
· Cash is widely used; it is best to exchange some sterling for Serbian Dinars at the local 'Menjačnica' (exchange offices) which have fair rates.
· For getting around Belgrade, use the CarGo or Yandex app rather than hailing street cabs.
· Many shops and supermarkets close on Sundays, so do your food shopping on Saturday.
Overall, it was a very peaceful, budget-friendly trip with plenty of history and hearty, unfussy food. I would definitely visit again.