Western Serbia is one of the country’s most beautiful and unspoiled regions. On this road trip, you’ll drive along scenic roads past emerald river canyons, tranquil lakes, and rolling highland meadows. In this guide, you’ll learn how to plan a western Serbia road trip in all seasons, with tips on how to rent a car, navigate mountains and explore the best places to visit for stunning mountain and lake views.
Western Serbia spans a diverse landscape of mountains, forests, and rivers best explored by car. Key attractions like Tara National Park, Zlatibor, and Uvac Canyon are only a few hours’ drive from Belgrade. Always plan for slower speeds on mountain routes and ensure your vehicle is suitable for mountain drives in Serbia.
To truly experience Western Serbia’s highlights, plan for at least 3 days in the region. You might start from Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, and drive west or southwest toward the mountains. In about 4 hours, you can reach Tara National Park. From there, you could spend a day exploring Tara and the Drina River canyon, then drive south for an hour or two to the Zlatibor area. Further south, the Uvac Canyon and its lake meanders await. Each stop offers unique landscapes and activities, which we’ll detail shortly. Remember to factor in breaks, as the journey is just as enjoyable as the destinations, with quaint villages and viewpoints.
Serbia’s major roads and highways are generally well-maintained. However, roads become curvy and narrower once you turn off into the mountains. Keep your speed in check and be prepared for occasional potholes or gravel in remote stretches. Some mountain roads might be snowy or icy if you travel in winter. Road signs are usually in Cyrillic and Latin scripts. Download offline maps, as the mobile signal can drop in the deep valleys.
There are a couple of popular routes through Western Serbia. One scenic option is to head from Belgrade to Užice, then onward to Tara National Park, and later loop toward Zlatibor and Uvac before returning. Alternatively, you could drive via Čačak and pass through the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge to Zlatibor. This gorge has calm river vistas and monasteries tucked into the hills. Both routes showcase the region’s stunning geography. Whichever way you go, fuel up in towns and carry some cash for fuel and highway tolls. Some sections of Serbia’s A2 motorway toward western Serbia have tolls.
Renting a car in Serbia gives you the freedom to explore less-visited places. Foreign drivers need a valid driving licence, and an International Driving Permit is required for most non-EU residents. The typical minimum age to rent a car in Serbia is around 21 to 23 years, depending on the company, and drivers under 25 may incur a surcharge.
The easiest places to rent a car are in Belgrade and Nis. To secure your preferred vehicle, booking online in advance is recommended, especially during the summer high season. Belgrade offers the widest selection of rentals, from compact city cars to sturdy SUVs. Consider renting a comfortable SUV or a vehicle with good ground clearance for a Western Serbia road trip with mountain drives.
In Serbia, you drive on the right-hand side of the road. Always bring your passport, driving licence, car rental documents, and proof of insurance when driving. There are a few traffic rules worth noting: headlights must be on at all times, even during the day; seat belts are mandatory; and the blood-alcohol limit is practically zero (0.02% BAC), so it’s best not to drink at all before driving.
Be prepared for toll booths if you use the main highways, such as the A2 from Belgrade toward Čačak and Užice. Tolls can be paid in Serbian dinars, and euros or credit cards are often accepted. Fuel is readily available in towns and along highways, but top up your tank before heading into remote mountain areas like Tara or Uvac. Parking is usually easy in smaller towns. In cities like Belgrade, you must use marked zones or garages. Belgrade’s street parking operates with a zone system and time limits.
Western Serbia is a year-round destination. The region has a temperate continental climate in the valleys and a colder mountain climate at higher altitudes. Summers are warm, with average highs around 25°C in the mountains, while winters bring snowfall and freezing temperatures, especially above 1,000 metres.
As snow melts, western Serbia comes alive with green valleys and wildflowers. Spring is a fantastic time for hiking to waterfalls and for seeing lush and vibrant nature reserves like Uvac. Temperatures in April and May are comfortably cool-warm (15 to 20°C in daytime). Pack a waterproof jacket, as spring showers are common. The roads are usually clear of snow by mid-spring.
Summer is the peak season for Western Serbia. Long, sunny days, with daylight sometimes lasting until 9 p.m. in June, allow you to fit in plenty of activities. Lake views in the region are stunning at this time. Lakes like Perućac and Zaovine on Tara Mountain turn a striking jade-green, and swimming or boating is possible in summer.
The famous Drina River rafting regatta takes place in July in Bajina Bašta and attracts adventure enthusiasts. Temperatures can reach 30°C in lower elevations, but the mountains, such as Zlatibor and Tara, are cooler and pleasant. This is an ideal time for mountain drives through Serbia’s highlands. Popular spots may be more crowded, so book accommodation in advance. Summer thunderstorms can also occur, so watch the weather forecast, especially if you plan outdoor hikes.
Autumn is the most beautiful season in Western Serbia. Forests explode in gold, red, and orange hues, especially across Tara National Park and the hills of Zlatibor. The air is crisp and clear, perfect for photography at viewpoints like Banjska Stena or Molitva above Uvac Canyon. Early autumn, in September and early October, usually brings stable, mild weather with temperatures around 15 to 20°C, ideal for driving and hiking.
It is also harvest season, so you’ll find locals selling fresh apples, plums, and mountain honey by the roadside. By November, it gets chillier, and the first dusting of snow may appear on higher peaks. Roads generally remain open, but it is always wise to check if any higher-elevation passes have early snow.
Winter in Western Serbia is magical for those who love snowy mountain landscapes. Zlatibor and Tara transform into winter wonderlands, with pine forests covered in snow and frozen lake shores. Small ski centers operate on Zlatibor and Tara, and the heritage Šargan Eight train may run on a limited schedule, so it is best to check winter timetables in advance. Driving in winter is possible since roads are ploughed, but winter tyres are required by law from November to April in mountainous areas. Some mountain roads may be slow or occasionally closed in extreme weather. Temperatures can drop well below 0°C, and high elevations often have a thick snowpack.
Western Serbia’s roads are made for those who love adventure behind the wheel. The Dinaric Alps dominate the region’s geography. Safety and enjoyment go hand in hand when you embark on these mountain drives. Start with a reliable vehicle, such as an SUV for rough sections, and ensure your brakes and tires are in good condition.
The drive up to Banjska Stena viewpoint in Tara National Park takes you through dense pine forests onto a high cliffside perch. At the top, you will see Lake Perućac and the Drina River Canyon, which plunges around 1,000 metres deep. It is one of Europe’s deepest river canyons. The last stretch to this viewpoint is narrow and steep, but a parking area near the top makes it accessible. From there, it is a short walk to the lookout, which is fenced for safety.
Another thrilling drive is along the ridge above Uvac Canyon. Narrow paved lanes twist through karst hills until you reach a trailhead like the Molitva viewpoint. Park and hike a short distance, and you can gaze down at the Uvac River’s spectacular zigzag loops far below.
Western Serbia offers a wealth of attractions, from towering mountains and deep gorges to historic villages and serene lakes. Some of the top highlights include Zlatibor, Tara, Sirogojno, Stopića Cave, Drvengrad, Bajina Bašta, and Uvac Canyon.
Banjska Stena viewpoint offers one of Tara’s most famous panoramas, overlooking the turquoise Perućac Lake and the Drina River Canyon far below. Tara National Park spans about 220 square kilometres of protected forests and peaks up to ~1,500 metres high. It’s a haven for nature lovers. About 80% of the park is forested, home to brown bears, deer, and over a hundred bird species. The Banjska Stena viewpoint is a must-see, which is about 1,065 metres high and offers lake views and canyon vistas. The lake you see is Lake Perućac, an artificial lake on the Drina River that’s great for boating, fishing, and even swimming in summer.
If time permits, drive down to the lake’s shore at Perućac village. A short trail to Vrelo Waterfall nearby is known as the “Year-Round Waterfall” because the stream feeding it is 365 metres long. Tara is also crisscrossed with hiking trails and quiet roads where you might spot wildlife. Don’t leave Tara without seeing the Drina River House near Bajina Bašta, a tiny wooden cabin balancing on a rock in the middle of the Drina River.
Zlatibor is one of Serbia’s most beloved mountain resorts, famed for its golden pine forests, rolling pastures, and fresh air. The drive from Belgrade to Zlatibor’s plateau takes about three hours, and the town reaches an elevation of around 1,000 metres. The main town, Zlatibor or Kraljeve Vode, has cafes, a lake, and hotels, but the real charm lies in exploring the surroundings. A highlight here is the Gold Gondola, a 9-kilometer cable car and one of the longest in the world. It links the town to Lake Ribničko and the peak of Tornik at 1,496 metres. Riding this gondola gives you a bird’s-eye view of Zlatibor.
You can visit Stopića Cave, a limestone cavern with a massive 18-meter-high entrance and an underground waterfall not far from town. Inside, you’ll find unique tufa terraces filled with water, a true geological wonder. Nearby, Sirogojno Village offers a step back in time with its open-air museum that recreates 19th-century mountain life. Wooden cottages and ethno exhibits on traditional crafts give the village a timeless feel, and it is also famous for its woolen hand-knit sweaters, a perfect local souvenir. For another dose of nature, head to Gostilje Waterfall, about 24 kilometres from Zlatibor. Here, a 20-meter waterfall cascades through a lush gorge, with picnic areas.
The Uvac River’s iconic meanders create a stunning zigzagging lake canyon, a sight you’ll remember forever. The Uvac Special Nature Reserve in southwestern Serbia protects a 75-square-kilometer canyon system where the river winds dramatically through limestone gorges. Driving from Zlatibor to Uvac takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, leading you through remote highlands where you may share the road with sheep and shepherds.
The highlight of any visit is reaching a viewpoint such as Molitva or Veliki Vrh, where you can look down on the Uvac’s looping curves. The river has been dammed to form calm lakes between the twists, and the water often gleams an emerald green, making this one of the most spectacular lake views in Western Serbia.
Uvac is also famous for its wildlife. The reserve is home to one of Europe’s largest colonies of griffon vultures, with over 500 birds gliding on the thermals above the canyon. If time allows, you can join a guided boat tour on Uvac Lake, which includes exploring the Ice Cave and seeing the meanders from below.
Aside from a small information center and occasional seasonal food stand, there is very little development here. For the best views, visit in the morning, when the light is soft, or at sunset, when long shadows create contrasts across the canyon. Since the road in and out is the same, take it slowly and enjoy the changing perspectives as you depart this natural wonder.
Mokra Gora is tucked between Tara and Zlatibor. It is a mountain valley famous for two unique attractions. The first is the Šargan Eight Railway, a narrow-gauge heritage train that climbs a steep mountain track like a figure eight. Riding this old-fashioned train feels like stepping back into the 1920s. It covers 15 kilometres of track, passing through 22 tunnels and crossing five bridges as it winds up the Šargan Pass. The round-trip journey of about 2 hours begins at the Mokra Gora station. It’s a great break from driving, and the railway runs more frequently during the summer.
The second attraction is Drvengrad (Mećavnik), a traditional wooden village on a hillside above Mokra Gora. It was built for a movie set, and it has since grown into a living ethno-village with wooden houses, a small church, art galleries, and guest accommodations. Walking through Drvengrad’s timber cottages and cobbled paths feels like stepping into a Serbian fairy tale. The village often hosts cultural events and film festivals.
Western Serbia is the kind of place you leave with stories to tell and photos to treasure. You’ll remember the calm mountain lakes, Tara's sharp cliffs, and the winding beauty of Uvac. The small villages and old railways add colour to your road trip, making every stop feel unique and memorable.To make your journey smooth and flexible, rent a car in Serbia with Final Rentals. Choose from compact cars to SUVs, with clear pricing and no hidden fees. You can easily pick up your vehicle at Belgrade or Niš Airport to begin your Western Serbia adventure right after you land.
