Serbia mountain road trips are perfect for Swiss travellers seeking new adventures beyond the Alps. Imagine yourself behind the wheel of your rental car, cruising along winding roads through lush forests, deep gorges, and misty peaks. In our guide, you’ll discover five scenic drives in Serbia, from the wild western highlands to the secluded eastern ridges. Keep reading to discover every turn worth driving to.
Swiss travellers can rent a car in Belgrade, so it’s best to land at Nikola Tesla Airport if you plan to start your road trip right away. This airport has several rental desks with international and local providers. You can book your car online before your flight and pick it up after landing. This saves you time and helps you avoid last-minute issues, especially during summer or holiday travel.
You’ll find a wide range of vehicles, from compact city cars to SUVs fit for mountain roads. For scenic drives like Tara, Zlatibor, or Stara Planina, an SUV or a vehicle with higher clearance is a good idea. Most rental companies offer both manual and automatic transmissions—make sure to select your preference when booking.
Besides Belgrade, other major cities like Niš and Novi Sad also have car rental offices, especially near bus stations or airports. But for the best selection and easiest pickup, Belgrade Airport is the top choice. Once you have your rental, Serbia’s open roads are ready to explore. You can head west to the Drina River, south to Kopaonik, or east to Stara Planina mountains.
Serbia is full of mountain roads that reward you with peaceful landscapes and cultural stops. Each route offers a different side of the country, from deep river canyons to wide green plateaus.
In western Serbia, Tara National Park is a mountain paradise of thick forests and deep river canyons. It’s about a 4-hour drive from Belgrade to Tara. As you leave the highway and wind up into the mountains, the city hustle fades away and is replaced by fresh pine-scented air and sweeping vistas. Be sure to stop at Banjska Stena, a cliffside viewpoint where you can look down at the turquoise Drina River. It’s an ideal spot to stretch your legs and snap photos of the Drina River canyon below.
On your way to Tara, make time for a quick stop in Bajina Bašta, the town at the foot of the mountain. Just outside town, you can spot the whimsical Drina River House, a small wooden cabin balancing on a rock in the middle of the river. It’s an iconic sight and one of Serbia’s most photographed landmarks. Further near Lake Perućac, a short trail leads to Vrelo Waterfall, a lovely cascade known as the “Year-Round River” because the stream that feeds it is 365 meters long. There’s even a small restaurant by the falls where you can have lunch while listening to the rushing water.
Tara’s protected forests are full of wildlife, such as bears, deer, and birds of prey. However, you’ll mostly hear birdsong or catch a deer darting across the road. Head to Mokra Gora on Tara’s edge for a dose of culture. Here you can ride the historic Šargan Eight steam train, which chugs through the mountains in a figure-eight path, and then visit Drvengrad, a charming traditional wooden village.
Heading to southern Serbia, Kopaonik Mountain offers a trip into the country’s highest range, often called the “Roof of Serbia.” Kopaonik National Park is about a 4-hour drive from Belgrade. As you approach Kopaonik, you’ll drive through the picturesque Ibar River Valley, a green corridor dotted with fortress ruins and old monasteries.
As you drive higher, the road winds through fragrant pine forests and open meadows. In winter, everything is snow-dusted; in summer, wildflowers blanket the slopes. Near the top of the resort, which sits at around 1,700 meters with its peak reaching 2,017 meters, you’ll find spectacular views in every direction. You can even glimpse far-off ranges beyond Serbia’s borders on a clear day.
Kopaonik is famous for skiing, but a summer or autumn drive is equally rewarding. Once you reach the Kopaonik National Park plateau, you can park and stroll around. A short hike or chairlift ride takes you up to Pančić’s Peak, where a 360° panorama of rolling peaks and valleys awaits. Keep an eye out for local vendors along the road. In summer, villagers often sell Kopaonik honey and homemade blueberry jam by the roadside.
Western Serbia’s Zlatibor region offers a relaxing drive through rolling hills and pastures, with plenty of rewarding stops. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Belgrade to Zlatibor, famous for its fresh air and open vistas. As you cruise up to Zlatibor’s high plateau, you’ll see why Serbians have vacationed here for over a century. Zlatibor’s main town is a convenient starting point. One unique attraction here is the Gold Gondola, a 9 km-long cable car that glides from the town up to Lake Ribničko and the Tornik peak. Taking a ride is a fun way to get a bird’s-eye view of Zlatibor’s vast green landscape.
After exploring Zlatibor, drive about an hour further southwest to the Uvac Special Nature Reserve. The route leads through tucked-away villages and highland fields where sheep and cattle graze. Eventually, you’ll reach the Uvac canyon area, famous for its otherworldly river meanders.
Over millennia, the Uvac River carved deep loops through limestone cliffs, creating a spectacular zigzag pattern best seen from above. Park at a lookout trailhead, such as the Molitva viewpoint. Then, take a short hike to witness the emerald-green river dramatically twisting below. Keep your eyes peeled for rare griffon vultures gliding overhead. Uvac is home to one of Europe’s largest colonies of these majestic birds.
On your return, consider a side trip to Sirogojno, a traditional open-air museum village near Zlatibor. Walking among its 19th-century wooden cottages gives you a glimpse of old Serbian mountain life. Nature lovers can also visit Gostilje Waterfall, a 20-meter cascade hidden in the forest, for a refreshing break and some great photos.
In central Serbia, about 2 hours from Belgrade by car, you’ll find Ovčar-Kablar Gorge. This drive is shorter than the others, but it has plenty of beauty and tranquility. It’s perfect for Swiss travellers who love riverside scenery and a bit of culture. Ovčar and Kablar are twin peaks with the West Morava River winding between them. As you enter the gorge, the road narrows and clings to the riverbank. You’ll enjoy calm water views and towering green mountains on both sides. This drive stays at a low elevation unlike Alpine passes, but you’ll be surrounded by steep, forested cliffs.
Ovčar-Kablar Gorge also has a spiritual side. Nicknamed “Serbia’s Mount Athos,” it’s home to around ten monasteries tucked into the hills. Keep an eye out for signposts leading off the road. If you have time, stop at one to admire centuries-old frescoes and soak up the peace. Blagoveštenje Monastery is easily reached and adorned with beautiful 17th-century paintings.
For a relaxing break, pull into Ovčar Banja, a spa village in the heart of the gorge. It has thermal springs and a spa center. If you’re up for some exercise, a 45-minute hike to the Kablar Viewpoint will reward you with a jaw-dropping panorama of the river curling below in a giant loop. From that summit perch, the West Morava makes a huge bend through the lush gorge. It’s a stunning sight and photo op that’s well worth the effort.
If you’re looking to escape the tourist trail, eastern Serbia’s Stara Planina is the place to go. About 3.5 hours east of Belgrade, near Pirot, this remote mountain range offers wilderness that few travellers experience. As you approach Stara Planina, the landscape becomes untamed. The road winds up through dense forests and alpine meadows, climbing toward peaks that form the border with Bulgaria. A must-see is Babin Zub (“Grandma’s Tooth”), a craggy peak around 1,758 meters high.
Driving to Babin Zub is an adventure, with steep switchbacks and panoramic pull-offs that make the journey exciting. At the top, a short walk leads you to a viewpoint just below the jagged rock summit. You can see endless green hills and valleys from here, with Midžor, Serbia’s highest mountain at 2,169 meters, nearby. Stara Planina has only a few small villages and amenities.
Be sure to fuel up and pack some snacks in Pirot, because once you’re in the mountains, there are no big towns or services. The flip side is that you get the hills almost to yourself. You might stumble upon a waterfall tucked in a hidden valley or come across a herd of sheep on the road, guarded by a shepherd and his dogs.
Before diving into the routes, let’s cover some practical points. As a Swiss visitor, you’ll find driving in Serbia both familiar and refreshing. Here are key things to keep in mind before you rent a car in Serbia and hit the road:
From the turquoise Drina waters of Tara to the wild peaks of Stara Planina, you’ve sampled Serbia’s best mountain drives. Each route offers panoramic viewpoints, rich culture, warm hospitality, and the simple joy of the open road. As a Swiss traveler, you’ll find Serbia’s mountains a delightful surprise. Now all that’s left is to grab a map, rent a car in Belgrade with Final Rentals, and experience the best mountain drives in Serbia.
