The most beautiful natural sites to discover Eastern Serbia

Like most of Serbia, Zajecar has a beach in the center of the city, which is located on a bend in the Timok River. There is a wide range of infrastructure for activities: sports fields of all kinds and recreational, a mini-golf, a water polo field, a giant chess field, bocce ball, beach volleyball, skateboarding ..., as well as the beach area itself, arranged for children and adults. In short, it is a place that is a hit in the summer, especially since concerts are often given in the evening.

Take the winding road to Lipovica: 20 km to the north you will find the Gornjak Gorge. In a very green setting, the emerald-green Mlava River opens up here into a narrow gorge, with foothills more than 30 meters high. At the foot of a cliff overlooking the Mlava stands the church of the Gornjak monastery. Founded in 1380 by Prince Lazar, this monastery is located in a truly splendid setting and is decorated with wall paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries. It is known in Serbia through the poems by Djura Jaškći, "The Night at Gornjak" and "The Road to Gornjak".

The cave of Resava is the most famous and the most practicable. Opened to the public in 1972, it welcomes every year more than 50,000 visitors, who can see a total of 780 m of galleries and its stalactites, crystal columns and waterfalls. In the main hall, more than 30 m high, there is the highest stalagmite column - 20 m - as well as baths filled with water and chandeliers of stalactites. There is also a coral channel. Visits of 40 minutes. Please bring a woolen jacket as the temperature inside is a constant 7°C.

Since the 19th century, its multiple hot springs between 36 and 46 °C, as well as a high level of radioactivity, have been known to cure asthma, bronchitis and nervous diseases. Treatment and rehabilitation include thermal baths, aerosol therapy and physiotherapy. About 100 doctors, including many specialists, are present in the entire resort. The Sokobanja center is both a hotel and a hospital. With its 35 specialists and an operating room, it is able to treat rheumatism, hypertension and post-traumatic diseases. But Sokobanja is also home to numerous cold, hot and warm mineral springs scattered throughout the site. In the center of the thermal park, where the Park baths were built, there are three springs with water between 42 and 46°C. The Banjica baths, 600 m from the center above the Moravica River, have several warm water springs. Finally, the hotel Zdravljak has a mineral water spring at 20 °C. But above all, Sokobanja has two magical parks, the first along a beautiful promenade lined with old buildings, and the other, wilder, which climbs the mountain. In the center park, the Turkish Hammam is a marvel. Built in the 16th century, it is still in operation. The baths are naturally separated. On the women's side, the mosaics date from the Roman era. Of modest size, the hammam is typical of the Balkans.

From Niš, in the direction of Pirot and Sofia, about 14 km, is a part of the imposing canyon of the Sićevačka Gorge. For a distance of 17 km, the river Nišava, the same one that flows through Niš, it cuts a path between rocky cliffs and mountains. If the road leaves few places to stop, do not miss the authentic village of Sićevo, known for its excellent wines and breathtaking panorama. For the next part of the tour, we suggest you to return to Niš by another way, in a loop, through the Jelašnica Gorge. To do this, turn right towards Golobac, 5 km after the end of the gorge (^first crossroads after the gorge). You go up to the ridges by a road in bad condition, but the landscapes are then enchanting. The wild nature, the view on the Suva Planina range, everything contributes to transport you in another world. You can also make this circuit in the other direction. To do so, when turning right towards Niška Banja from Niš, immediately turn left again at the sign "Ploče". It is in these two gorges that the extreme sports agencies in Niš offer you outings. There are several mountain activities: trekking on marked routes above the Jelašnica Gorge, skiing and mountaineering on the Trem and Suva Planina. For overnight stays, mountain cabins are available for RSD 1,000 per night in the village of Donji Dušnik, which is served by buses from Niš.

An archaeological site on the road to Niška Banja that testifies to the brilliance of the Roman Naissus. This summer residence of the emperor Constantine, is no longer in very good condition, but we can see some interesting remains: fragments of the peristyle, mosaics of pavement of some villas, a baptistery and baths have kept something of their original splendor. The adjoining museum houses some valuable pieces, including a collection of 16 statuettes, faithful representations of Roman deities such as Aesculapius, Bacchus or Hercules.