Things to do in
Bajina Basta

Our most recommended things to do in Bajina Basta

Western Serbia 1-Day Tour of the Key Sites from Belgrade

Western Serbia 1-Day Tour of the Key Sites from Belgrade

Be collected from your accommodation in Belgrade and head to the countryside of Western Serbia, which is known for wild and untouched nature. For just over two hours, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Listen to interesting stories about this part of the country from your guide.  You will stop at an amazing viewpoint then head to Bajina Bašta, which is a small town in the foothill of Mt. Tara. Here, you will see the world-famous attraction The House on the Drina. This is an isolated house made of logs, which is perched precariously on a river stone. Next, head to the Sargan Eight train and ride this narrow railway. You will pass several viewpoints of the stunning Mokra Gora along the way. The authentic cars with wooden seats, wood burning stoves, and characteristic rattling sound will take you back to 1925, which is when this railway was put in operation. After the ride, continue your journey to the nearby Mećavnik, which is known as the Wooden City. The famous director Emir Kusturica decided to build it during the shooting of his film Life is a Miracle. Here, you will stop to enjoy a traditional lunch. After the meal, you will head back to Belgrade where you will arrive late in the afternoon.

Belgrade: Best of West (Drina House, Drvengrad and Sargan 8)

Belgrade: Best of West (Drina House, Drvengrad and Sargan 8)

Join a day trip from Belgrade to explore the beautiful landscapes of Western Serbia's countryside. Gaze at the unusual Drina River House, explore the Mokra Gora Wooden Village, and discover the historic Sargan 8 Railroad in the company of your guide. Our first stop is Drina River House, a unique house built on a rock in the middle of the Drina River. Take in the stunning scenery and snap some unforgettable photos of this specific sight. This part of Serbia is known for growing raspberries and we recommend that you try the homemade raspberry juice here. Next, we'll head to Mokra Gora Wooden Village, a picturesque village located in the mountains. Enjoy the fresh mountain air and explore the charming wooden houses and streets. The village was built as a filming location by the famous director Emir Kusturica. Our final stop will be at the Sargan 8 Railroad, a narrow-gauge heritage railway that winds through the stunning mountain landscapes. We'll board the train and embark on a journey of breathtaking views, including tunnels, bridges, and impressive curves, all while enjoying the cozy atmosphere of the historic train. After the train ride we will have some time for late lunch and we suggest you to try some local specialties, such as roasted lamb or "komplet lepinja" - bread that is filled with kajmak (a type of Balkan cream cheese) and two fried eggs. Throughout the day, you'll have a knowledgeable and friendly guide at your disposal, who will share with you interesting facts and stories about the history, culture, and people of Serbia. Our mini vans for tours are comfortable, well-maintained, ensuring a pleasant and reliable travel experience. IMPORTANT: From November 17th to April 1st (except December 21st to January 19th), the Šargan 8 Railroad is closed for visits. During this period, instead of the train ride, you'll have the chance to explore Tara National Park (3 Eur per person) with a visit to the scenic Banjska Stena viewpoint, an easy hiking activity. In case of rain or snow, we’ll take you to the center of Zlatibor, one of Serbia's most beloved destinations for leisure.

From Belgrade: Tara National Park & Drina River Valley Tour

From Belgrade: Tara National Park & Drina River Valley Tour

Beginning from your accommodation in Belgrade, journey to the Gate of Podrinje: the entrance to the magical Drina river valley. Proceed to see the unique "House on the Rock," a solitary house built in the middle of the Drina River that has been attracting curious travelers from across the globe since an image of the house was first published in National Geographic magazine. Then, be enchanted by the Tara National Park, where you will have the opportunity to see the Banjska Rock, thought by many to be the most beautiful viewpoint in Serbia. Soak in the splendid panoramic views over the Drina River Canyon and take some breathtaking photos of the glorious scenery before you, before returning to Belgrade in the late evening hours.

Serbia: Drina River House & Tara National Park Full Day Tour

Serbia: Drina River House & Tara National Park Full Day Tour

On a jam-packed day trip from Belgrade, be impressed by the House on the Drina, a famously isolated house made of logs on a river stone. Gaze at the Tara Valley, a top destination for travelers to Western Serbia. Be picked up from your accommodation in Belgrade, then head toward Western Serbia. Reach the secluded house itself and enjoy the quiet. Then head to Tara National Park, travel through dense virgin forests and experience the biodiversity of the Tara Mountains. The trip concludes on the viewing platform at the top of the mountain, which overlooks the entire Tara Valley. Find a good angle on the viewing platform and take a panoramic photo to preserve the memory of your visit.

From Belgrade: Drina River House, Sargan 8 Train & Drvengrad

From Belgrade: Drina River House, Sargan 8 Train & Drvengrad

Go off the beaten path and explore the best of western Serbia. Photograph the peculiar Drina River house – the only Serbian landmark posted on the cover of National Geographic Magazine, and travel back in time on a scenic ride on the Sargan 8 train. Explore a wooden town created as a movie set and enjoy spectacular views along the way on this private or small-group tour.  The tour starts at 7:00 AM from your accommodation in Belgrade. Travel for 2.5 hours in an air-conditioned car or minivan and arrive at the Gate of Podrinje viewpoint, marking the entrance to the magical Drina River Valley. Continue to Bajina Basta, a small city famous for being the home of the Drina River house. This unusual house was built in 1968 by local students and was made famous by National Geographic Magazine. Take a quick break to explore the area and enjoy a coffee or tea.  Next, drive 45 minutes towards Mokra Gora Railway Station, where you will start the Sargan 8 railroad ride. Authentic cars with wooden seats will take you back to 1925 when this railroad connected Belgrade with the Adriatic Sea. Hop on the train "Nostalgia" and ride up to the cliff at Jatare Station where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. After a 2.5-hour ride, you will return to the starting point.  The last stop is in Drvengrad or "Woodentown," an ethno village developed by the well-known movie director, Emir Kusturica, as a set for his movie Life is Miracle. All the objects including the hotel, shops, church, and cinema are made of natural materials. Before starting the return trip, break for lunch and try some regional specialties. Drop-off will be provided at your accommodation in Belgrade at approximately 8:00 PM.

From Belgrade: Sargan 8 Railway and Wooden City 1 Day Tour

From Belgrade: Sargan 8 Railway and Wooden City 1 Day Tour

This tour starts with pickup from your accommodation and then heads toward Western Serbia. After a 2.5-hour ride, you’ll reach “The House on the Drina,” an isolated house made of logs on a river stone. Then, depart on the famous Sargan 8 scenic train. During your ride, pass and stop at several viewpoints, where you can see fabulous views over Mokra Gora.   After an almost 2.5-hour ride, return to the station and continue your journey to the nearby Mećavnik, or Drvengrad (Wooden City). The famous director Emir Kusturica, a two-time Palme D'Or award winner at the Cannes Film Festival, built it during the shooting of his film, Life is a Miracle. After a meal, head back to Belgrade, arriving in the late afternoon. Sargan 8 scenic train only operates from April 1st to October 31st each year, you'll not be able to take the train at other times. Instead, you'll be taken on a tour of Rača Monastery, the oldest in the Tara Mountains, and learn about the ancient history of the area while admiring the scenery along the way.

Sargan Eight railroad train ride & Tara mountain

Sargan Eight railroad train ride & Tara mountain

The Sargan Eight railroad, hailed as Europe’s most captivating narrow gauge museum railway, is a true masterpiece that deserves a top spot on every traveler’s bucket list. Constructed during the early 20th century, the Sargan Eight railway served as a vital link between three prominent cities: Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Dubrovnik. Its operation spanned from 1925 to 1974, leaving a rich historical legacy. In the summer of 2003, the inaugural train traversed the newly restored line, reestablishing the connection between Mokra Gora and Šargan Vitasi. Further extending its reach, the railway line was expanded in 2010 to include Visegrad in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is no words that can describe this train ride, step aboard and immerse yourself in the spirit of the past as you traverse the picturesque landscapes. Following this unforgettable train ride, we will venture to the Wooden Town, a unique tourism resort nestled upon one of the hills of Mokra Gora, entirely crafted from wood. Serbian film director Emir Kusturica, the visionary behind this remarkable attraction, meticulously planned every detail to ensure an awe-inspiring experience. Our path will then lead us to the majestic peaks of Mokra Gora and Tara, where we will bear witness to the unparalleled beauty of this national park and brown bear county. Tara National Park is one of the most stunning places to visit in Serbia – from the magnificent viewpoints to the hidden recesses rich in flora and fauna, fairy-tale lakes, religious buildings, many wonders of nature and of course brown bears! As we descend from Tara, you will be taken to breathtaking vistas from various viewpoints along the way. Tara has the most iconic viewpoint in Serbia, Banjska Stena is the biggest photo attraction of Tara mountain. After reaching the banks of the Drina River, you will have the opportunity to witness the famous Drina Riverhouse, an iconic sight that was immortalized with a photograph featured in National Geographic magazine, earning it the prestigious title of “Photo of the Year.” By evening, we will return to Belgrade and escort you to your hotel, marking the end of this extraordinary journey through time and nature.

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What people are saying about Bajina Basta

Overall rating

4.5
(22 reviews)

Special thanks to our guide Uroš, a positive person, knows a lot about Serbia, his stories were interesting. The car was comfortable, with Wi-Fi, so I was always in touch. All the details were provided in advance, they wrote how much money to take for what, and how to pay. For me personally, the journey itself was difficult, because the road in the mountains is winding, people who get motion sickness should drink (or take with them) medicine before the trip. I did not see this information on the tour page. For me, the house on the river, to which we were going, was not of great value, I would replace this point with another stop in the mountains along the way, because the places are very picturesque.

Myself and my husband thoroughly enjoyed this day trip. It was very well organised, with the tour guide picking us up on time and heading out of the city before 8am. Although it was a long drive, the minibus was very comfortable and we had comfort stops along the way. The group size was 5 of us, so I thought that was perfect. Each of the locations are really beautiful, and our guide Uroš was extremely knowledgeable, giving us key information at every stop. The train ride was definitely a highlight, but being so close to the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina was also pretty amazing. We will definitely be recommending this excursion to our friends and family.

Nice tour. Good way to visit this part of Serbia if you haven't rented a car. Nature is picturesque and I was delighted by Shargan railroad. Guide Jovan is very caring, friendly, responsible and reliable person who was ready to discuss any topic related to Serbia and I got a lot of useful nformation from him. So, thanks a lot for this tour.

It was just as I had expected. The spots visited were nice, and the guide was knowledgeable and made the van ride interesting with his insights on the Serbian history. Would recommend this day trip to escape the ordinary of Belgrade.

The itinerary is compact and the tour guide is responsible. Although the journey is long, the trains to several scenic spots in the west are included, which is cost-effective!