General

Discover UNESCO Highlights in Serbia: Dive into Medieval History and Explore Rich Cultural Heritage

Uncover the secrets of Serbia’s medieval past as you explore iconic UNESCO listed sites, gaining profound insights into the country’s rich cultural heritage and architectural marvels. Whether you’re a history buff, art enthusiast, or simply seeking an authentic cultural immersion, with this private tour you’ll cover it all.

 

Tour in a Glance

DURATION
Day and a half
TOUR STYLE
Private
GETTING AROUND
Driven and walking
AVAILABILITY
Seasonal, 15.4-31.10.
LANGUAGE
English
DIFFICULTY
Easy for everyone

 

What to Expect From the UNESCO Sites in the Valley of Kings Tour in 2024

Expect to visit all the monasteries and churches in the valley or river Ibar which are on the UNESCO’s WHC list. With this tour you’ll understand better the medieval history of Serbia, its architecture and culture. This will be an ideal way to spend two days exploring Western Serbia and the roots of Serbian medieval state. If you just want to see the highlights of this area on a day trip, try the Monasteries Žiča and Studenica Tour.

Highlights

  • Experience the beauty of Serbia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, meet the famous medieval monasteries and churches and marvel their architectural grandeur.
  • Learn more about turbulent Serbian history from your knowledgeable guide, offering fascinating insights into local customs, traditions, and culture.
  • Journey through the picturesque Valley of Kings, discovering hidden treasures like the majestic Fortress Maglič, nestled among the stunning scenery of the River Ibar gorge.
  • Marvel at the timeless frescoes of Monastery Sopoćani and Studenica, and find out why these masterpieces are so important for the European medieval art.

First Day

#YourSerbiaHost will pick you up at your Belgrade address (usual pickup time is 9am) and you’ll travel to Western Serbia through the picturesque Šumadija region.

First stop for the day will be Monastery Zica. During the visit you’ll learn from your guide how important Žiča was in Serbian medieval life. You’ll get to explore its main church, side chapels and hear about the most valuable frescoes. But you’ll also hear about the destruction which the monastery faced during the 7 centuries long history.  You’ll hear about a belief that a king was not a king unless he was crowned in Žiča.

After Žiča we will take you to a nearby village where an old restaurant „Kod Mira“ has operated for the last 200 years. The same family runs it for the entire period and they nurture traditional hospitality. Local and homemade specialties are waiting for you to energize.

Along the route from Monastery Zica you’ll travel through the Gorge of River Ibar. The gorge holds a beautiful medieval Fortress Maglič, but it’s only possible to see it from the road.

The road continues through the valley of river Ibar, which is known as the Valley of Kings, thanks to significant number of endowments established by medieval Serbian rulers. One of those is our next stop. After a short drive, in an isolated mountainous location the Monastery Studenica will welcome you in all its glory. Regardless of your religious beliefs the sight won’t leave you indifferent. We’ll take you through the complex starting with the main church of Holy Virgin. Here you’ll see the most beautiful frescoes from the XII century, including the most famous one Crucifixion of Christ. You’ll also get to see other parts of the monastic complex during the visit.

You’ll spend the night in the Monastery’s guesthouse and you’ll share the experience of the monastic life.

Second Day

In the morning of the second day you’ll have a monastic breakfast and you’ll continue with the exploration of the UNESCO sites. Next one is St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church in the town of Novi Pazar, dating back from the X century.

From the church you’ll move on to the Monastery Đurđevi Stupovi (Tracts of St. George), from the XII century, founded by the same founder as Studenica. The position of the monastery is breathtaking, you’ll admire the views overlooking the whole area above Novi Pazar.

Following destination is the Monastery Sopoćani from the XIII century, which was built by another Serbian medieval ruler, King Stefan Uroš the First. In this monastery you’ll witness a true miracle, the frescoes which were exposed to the climate influences for 200 years, during which the church was roofless, kept their original appearance and look like those were painted recently.

After the visit to these three UNESCO sites is finished, you’ll stop by at the place which once was the frontier between the Byzantine Empire and Serbian Kingdom. Today at this point there is a local restaurant where we’ll have a lunch break before we take you back to Belgrade.

On the way back the drive goes through Novi Pazar, so if you are interested to have a walk through the town’s center and to have a coffee in one of the cafes we will make a short break.

You’ll reach Belgrade in the late evening.

Good to know

FIT THE TOUR TO MATCH YOUR NEEDS
We’ve designed this tour based on our insights and experiences of the route’s highlights. For a customized tour, just let us know your preferences.
TOUR LANGUAGE
Default language of the tour is English, but if you require #YourSerbiaHost can also give you tour in Russian, German, French, Spanish and of course Serbian – Subject to availability.
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
There are several ways to reach us. By pressing “Send inquiry” button on the top right of this page (or at the bottom of the page if you are using a mobile device). Through our Contact page, or calling our Phone|WhatsApp|Viber number +38163684466.
FREE CANCELLATION
If for any reason you need to cancel the tour up to 24 hours before the tour start time, we will refund 100% of the paid amount, no questions asked.
LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEED
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BOOKING THE TOUR
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One comment

Ralph HH
June 10, 2024
Had an excellent three day/two night customised tour really well organised by Miljan at the end of May. Really appreciated all the professional communication and detailed itinerary. It’s quite a big ask to spend three full days with someone you don’t know but Vladica, my guide, was not only a superstar but great company as well as being a very solicitous and knowledgeable guide. We saw so many wonderful sights from the monasteries at Zica and Studenica, Felix Romuliana plus the nearby museum, fabulous Raj Winery and the nearby village with its pivnice and unusual cemetery. Great Danube boat ride, then the magnificent sites of Lepenski Vir and Golubac Fortress. Wonderful countryside and adventures en route. Really appreciated the well chosen overnight stops - very comfortable accommodation in interesting towns. Also well chosen eateries to experience interesting and ‘real’ food. This was my second trip with Serbian Private Tours and now planning one for next year. They are real pros and I am very grateful for all their hard work.

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Available departures

This is a daily tour.

Unfortunately, no places are available on this tour at the moment

Details on prices and services

Tour prices (prices are per tour, not per person):
1-3 persons 559€
4-6 persons 659€
7-8 persons 859€
9-19 persons 1399€
Services included in the price:
Pickup and drop-off
Transportation
Driver/guide service
Tour organization
Bottled water
Single-use surgical face mask if you don't have your own
What is extra:
Lunches ~15€ per person*
HB in Studenica guesthouse ~20€ per person
Personal expenses and gratuities
* Price shown is an average price for lunch per person based on restaurant’s menu, but it can vary depending on guest’s demands for food and drinks.