Southern Serbia is an excellent choice for a road trip. From historic towns and fortresses to mountains, gorges, spas and unusual natural attractions, this part of Serbia offers plenty of options for a day trip, weekend getaway or longer holiday.
What makes it particularly interesting is that several destinations can easily be combined into a single route. Niš can be a starting point for exploring the Sićevo Gorge and Suva Planina, while Pirot and Stara Planina can be combined into several days of exploring this part of the country. Similarly, Kuršumlija, Prolom Banja and Đavolja Varoš make an excellent combination for a road trip.
Below, we highlight ten places that are particularly worth visiting in Southern Serbia. If you would also like to explore other parts of the country, take a look at our guides to the most beautiful places in Eastern Serbia and the most interesting destinations in Vojvodina.
1. Niš – history, culture and gastronomy
Niš is one of the oldest cities in Serbia and a natural starting point for exploring Southern Serbia. Thanks to its location, historical significance and wide range of attractions, it is an excellent choice both for a short city break and for a stay of several days.
Among the city's best-known landmarks is Niš Fortress, one of the best-preserved fortresses in Serbia. Other places worth visiting include Skull Tower, Kazandžijsko Sokače and the archaeological site of Mediana, a former Roman imperial residence of Emperor Constantine the Great.
Niš is also well known for its gastronomy, so exploring the city can easily be combined with discovering the local cuisine. Beyond the city itself, its location makes it easy to continue by car towards the Sićevo Gorge, Suva Planina or other destinations in Southern Serbia.
2. Stara Planina – nature, hiking and waterfalls
Stara Planina is one of the best destinations in Serbia for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The area around Babin Zub, Midžor and the numerous mountain trails offers excellent opportunities for walking, hiking and enjoying spectacular landscapes.
The many waterfalls and canyons are particularly attractive, while the mountain scenery offers a completely different experience in each season. Due to its distance from Belgrade, Stara Planina is better suited to a weekend or longer stay than a traditional day trip.
3. Đavolja Varoš – one of Serbia's most unusual natural phenomena
Đavolja Varoš near Kuršumlija is one of Serbia's best-known natural wonders. More than 200 earthen formations of different shapes and heights can be found in the Radan area. Created by natural processes, they form one of the most unusual landscapes in the country.
A visit to Đavolja Varoš can easily be combined with a trip to Prolom Banja and Kuršumlija, making this destination particularly suitable for a road trip. One day is enough to visit Đavolja Varoš itself, while a weekend is recommended if you want to explore the surrounding attractions as well.
4. Pirot – fortress, traditional carpets and local cuisine
Pirot is an interesting combination of history, culture, nature and gastronomy. The city is home to Momčilov Grad Fortress, while Pirot is known throughout Serbia for its traditional carpet-making and specialties such as Pirot kačkavalj cheese.
The city is also an excellent starting point for exploring Stara Planina, making it possible to combine Pirot with the surrounding mountain areas as part of a multi-day trip.
5. Vlasina Lake – peace, nature and floating islands
Vlasina Lake is one of the best places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It is best known for its floating islands, unspoiled nature and peaceful surroundings.
Due to its distance from Belgrade, it is ideal for a weekend getaway or several days of relaxation.
6. Sićevo Gorge – nature near Niš
The Sićevo Gorge offers one of the most beautiful landscapes in the vicinity of Niš. Over the centuries, the Nišava River has carved a deep gorge between the surrounding mountains, making the area interesting for nature lovers, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Its proximity to Niš makes it easy to visit as part of a day trip.
7. Prolom Banja – relaxation at the foot of Radan Mountain
Prolom Banja is located on the slopes of Radan Mountain and is known for its mineral water and peaceful natural surroundings. Its proximity to Đavolja Varoš makes it particularly interesting, as the two destinations can easily be visited during the same trip.
8. Leskovac – the city of barbecue and southern Serbian cuisine
Leskovac is one of the best destinations for lovers of traditional southern Serbian cuisine. The city is particularly famous for its barbecue and local specialties, making gastronomy one of the main reasons to visit.
Leskovac can also be a convenient stop during a longer journey through Southern Serbia.
9. Kuršumlija – history, spas and nature
Kuršumlija is interesting for its historical heritage and its location close to several important natural and spa destinations. Prolom Banja and Đavolja Varoš are nearby, making it possible to combine several attractions into one road trip.
10. Suva Planina – for hiking enthusiasts
Suva Planina is an excellent choice for those looking for an active holiday and hiking opportunities. One of its best-known peaks is Trem, while the mountain is known for its expansive landscapes, viewpoints and more demanding hiking trails.
Due to its proximity to Niš, Suva Planina can easily be combined with a visit to the city and the Sićevo Gorge.
How far are the most beautiful places in Southern Serbia from Belgrade?
Distances and travel times are approximate and may vary depending on the exact starting point in Belgrade, the chosen route, traffic and road conditions. The figures below refer to typical driving times without long stops.
| Destination | Best for | Distance from Belgrade | Typical travel time | Ideal duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niš | history, culture and gastronomy | around 237 km | around 2 h | 1–2 days |
| Stara Planina / Babin Zub | hiking, nature and waterfalls | around 299 km | around 4 h 20 min | 2–3 days |
| Đavolja Varoš | nature and unusual landscapes | around 292 km | around 3 h 40 min | 1 day |
| Pirot | history, gastronomy and nature | around 303 km | around 2 h 50 min | 1–2 days |
| Vlasina Lake | nature and relaxation | around 333 km | around 4 h | 1–2 days |
| Sićevo Gorge / Sićevo | nature and day trips | around 253 km | around 2 h 30 min | 1 day |
| Prolom Banja | spa, relaxation and nature | around 283 km | around 3 h 20 min | 1–2 days |
| Leskovac | gastronomy and local culture | around 272 km | around 2 h 30 min | 1 day |
| Kuršumlija | history, spas and nature | around 264 km | around 3 h | 1 day |
| Suva Planina | hiking and active holidays | around 288 km | around 3 h 20 min | 1–2 days |
Southern Serbia is made for road trips
Southern Serbia is diverse enough for one trip to combine cities, mountains, spas, historical landmarks and natural attractions. Niš is an excellent starting point for shorter excursions, while Pirot, Stara Planina, Vlasina Lake and the Radan area offer opportunities for longer weekend trips.
A car is particularly convenient when you want to visit several destinations during the same journey. Instead of staying in just one city, you can create your own route and visit places that lie away from the main tourist routes along the way.
If you plan to continue exploring Serbia, take a look at our guides to the most beautiful places in Western Serbia and the most interesting places in Central Serbia.
If you need a safe and reliable car for this trip or any other journey around Serbia, GoCar rent a car Belgrade offers a range of vehicles for short-term and multi-day rentals, with the option of having the vehicle delivered to an address in Belgrade.