Zlatibor

11 MIN

This mountain resort with the longest tradition of tourism in Serbia was opened to visitors back in 1893, when it was visited by Serbian King Aleksandar Obrenović.

Nature

Thanks to its delicate balance of forested areas and vast meadows, maintained ski slopes, hiking trails and cycling routes, Zlatibor has evolved into a major tourist resort, attracting thousands of Serbian and international visitors both during the winter and in the summer season.
This mountain resort with the longest tradition of tourism in Serbia was opened to visitors back in 1893, when it was visited by Serbian King Aleksandar Obrenović.
The mountain is also the venue of many congresses, seminars and symposia every year. Due to its clean air and therapeutic climate, it has also been declared a major climatic health resort.

Zlatibor is a mountain known for its herbs, such as the great yellow gentian, common centaury, Breckland thyme, yarrow and St. John’s wart, which you can pick yourself or buy from local herbalists, who use them as ingredients in their unique tea blends and ointments.

At Gostilje village, 30 kilometres from the centre of Zlatibor, you will find the breath-taking waterfall of the same name.

The grassy pastures chequered with forests of Scots pine, black pine, fir, spruce, beech and linden create a spectacular landscape, to which visitors return over and over again.
Zlatibor is interspersed with rivers, the largest of which are the Crni Rzav and the Katušnica. These rivers and the nearby streams are filled with many types of fish including trout, gudgeon and common nase.
At Gostilje village, 30 kilometres from the centre of Zlatibor, you will find the breath-taking waterfall of the same name. On the mountain itself, you can rest by the side of two artificial lakes – Ribnica Lake on the river Crni Rzav and the lake at the heart of the Zlatibor resort.
The forests of Zlatibor flourish with wild strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, while edible mushrooms, including the parasol mushroom, suillus granulatus, chanterelle and the horse mushroom, can be found on the mountain’s slopes.
This mountain is also home to various bird species, including grey partridges, rock partridges or quails, as well as mammals such as wolves, foxes, wild boars, roe deer, otters and wildcats.

Amenities

Zlatibor is one of Serbia’s largest ski resorts. Beginners will improve their skiing skills in no time on the gentle slopes of Obudovica, while Tornik sports centre is ideal for slightly more experienced skiers.
The tubing track at Tornik provides visitors with an opportunity to ride on inner tubes year-round. Both the tubing facilities and the ski lift at Tornik can be used in the summer and in the winter and are a source of an immense adrenaline rush for anyone daring enough to try them. The favourite pastime among Zlatibor’s many visitors is hiking on the numerous trails which criss-cross the mountain. Because of the mild inclination of the terrain, Zlatibor is also a favourite cycling destination in Serbia. Thousands of kilometres of cycling trails will take you through the marvellous scenery of Zlatibor all the way to Mokra gora and Sirogojno villages, as well as to the town of Čajetina, the administrative centre of the region.
As it features fully-fitted gyms, as well as football and basketball fields and tennis courts, professional athletes often choose Zlatibor as a base for training. And if you want to try your hand at horse-riding, you can choose between Farma or Zova riding schools.
In recent years, this mountain has become an increasingly popular destination for paragliding, owing primarily to its favourable terrain shape and tameable jet streams.

Zlatibor is one of Serbia’s largest ski resorts.

A must-see for all speleology enthusiasts is Stopića Cave, with its huge tufa pools and an underground waterfall.

Landmarks

As well as its captivating nature, Zlatibor is also known for its delicious food.
Enjoy cheese and kaymak (a creamy dairy product similar to clotted cream) and other dishes specific to this region against the traditional rural backdrop of Sirogojno village. This is the site of the only open-air museum in Serbia, the “Old Village”, featuring genuine 19^th century houses and yards.
Or discover the majestic nature of the Uvac river canyon, one of the few remaining European habitats of the endangered griffon vulture. The river, which flows through the southern slopes of the Zlatibor massif, attracts thousands of tourists every year with its Uvac Kayaking Adventure.
A must-see for all speleology enthusiasts is Stopića Cave, with its huge tufa pools and an underground waterfall.
Perched atop the nearby Mećavnik hill, you will find an ethno-village built in the local architectural style, the brainchild of famed film director Emir Kusturica. The cycling route which connects Zlatibor and Mokra Gora will take you straight to this ethno-village. And if you prefer a romantic train ride to cycling, we suggest you book a tour of the area on the heritage narrow-gauge railway known as the “Šargan Eight”.