Tara National Park: The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Visitors
Known for its dramatic canyons, fairy-tale lakes, majestic waterfalls, and spectacular viewpoints, Tara National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Serbia. This national park is an ideal place to escape the fast pace of busy city life and reconnect with nature.
Are you wondering what is there to do in Tara National Park? The park offers something for everyone, including incredible hiking opportunities with well-defined and marked hiking trails, or beautiful panoramic viewpoints.
I have visited Tara National Park on numerous occasions, so I decided to create this ultimate guide to help first-time visitors enjoy Tara as much as possible. From how to get there and things to do in the park to which festivals to attend, where to eat, and where to stay, this guide covers pretty much anything you can think of.
How to get to Tara National Park
Thinking about visiting Tara National Park, but not sure how to get there? The park is located in the west of Serbia, not far from the small town of Bajina Bašta. Driving your car in Serbia is an option, as well as taking public transportation to reach the national park. Below, I will cover in more detail each transport option for getting to Tara National Park using Belgrade as a starting point of reference.
By Car: The capital of Serbia, Belgrade, is about 200 km away. The easiest way to reach the park from Belgrade is to take the highway Miloš Veliki that takes you to the city of Čačak, from where you have to drive to Bajina Bašta.
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
Public Transportation: Travelers can also hop on a daily bus to Tara. The bus leaves early in the morning from Belgrade and stops in towns like Lajkovac, Valjevo, and Bajina Bašta. From there, you can call a taxi to reach one of the entrances at Tara National Park.
Driving in Tara National Park
Tara National Park is massive. There is no reliable public transportation in the park and getting from one attraction to another on foot is not an easy task. The best way to explore the area is by having your own vehicle, whether it is a rental or your private car.
I suggest picking up the park brochures from the tourist office at the Tara National Park. In these brochures, travelers will find directions to important landmarks and attractions. You can also look out for the signboards in the park, but keep in mind that most of them are in Cyrillic.
Below are the places I recommend visiting during your day at Tara National Park.
Read also: Driving in Serbia as a foreigner, what you need to know
Top things to see in Tara National Park
Zaovine Lake
Zaovine Lake is one of my favorite spots to visit in Tara National Park. Covering approximately 15 square kilometers, this picturesque lake is located right next to the Zaovine village where you can find accommodation.
If you wish to stay right on the lake, there are a few small floating houses that you can rent and enjoy your stay right on the edge of the water. In summer, this artificial lake is an ideal place to enjoy water activities like swimming, fishing, and paddle boarding.
Perućac Lake
Located right next to the Drina River, Perućac Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in western Serbia. Here, you will find a small tourist complex that includes a pontoon beach, accommodation, a few restaurants, and bars.
The popular floating houses with private boats and BBQ equipment are definitely the best option for accommodation here on this artificial lake. Some of the most popular activities on the lake include kayaking, swimming, and going on organized boat tours to experience the lake from a unique perspective.
House on the Drina
No visit to Tara National Park is complete without taking a photo of the iconic House on the Drina.
Built in 1969, this small red cabin with a cute red roof is actually located in the middle of the river Drina on a lonely rock. Nowadays, the house is a symbol of Mount Tara and one of the most photographed cabins in the national park.
Carpet Meadow
A part of the park’s natural reserve Red Creek, Carpet Meadow is one of the most amazing places that you will see while visiting Tara National Park. This airy meadow has a jungle vibe with its lush forest and deposits of peat.
Although the meadow looks wild, I like that the walking paths here are well marked and it is impossible to get lost. Carpet Meadow is also an ideal place to take photographs of the surrounding area.
Tara National Park’s best viewpoints
One of the best things to do during your visit to the Tara National Park is to check out some of the viewpoints. This nature paradise is famous for its panoramic viewpoints from which travelers can enjoy breathtaking views of lakes and the canyon of the Drina River.
Here are some of the best viewpoints in Tara National Park:
Lookout Banjska Stena
An unavoidable spot for visitors, Banjska Stena is the most popular panoramic viewpoint in the park. It is located just a short drive from Mitrovac, making it easily reachable. 1065 meters above sea level, Banjska Stena offers majestic views of Perućac Lake and the canyon of the Drina River.
How to get to Banjska Stena? You can reach the viewpoint by car or by going on a hike which takes about 2 hours.
Hiking Gear recommendation
Check out our favorite hiking gear and essentials which we always bring with us.
Osluša Lookout Tower
Located 964 meters above sea level, Osluša Lookout Tower is an adorable viewpoint equipped with benches, tables, and a gazebo. The views of the Drina River from the tower are simply amazing. Osluša is also a popular spot for paragliding.
Some of the other popular viewpoints in the park include Biljeska stena, Crnjeskovo, and Sjenic
Best tour to visit Tara National Park
Travelers visiting Tara National Park and looking for a guided tour can book the Tara National Park & Drina River Valley Tour. This organized tour starts in Belgrade and lasts for about 12 hours. Hotel pick-up is included in the price, as well as a driver, guide, and a small souvenir.
The highlights of this guided tour include views of Bajina Basta from the ‘Gate of Podrinje’, a visit to Banjska Rock viewpoint, and the House on the Drina attraction.
Hiking in Tara National Park
Hikers visiting Tara National Park will be delighted to hear that the area is home to a well-maintained network of over 30 official trails. Most of these trails are not demanding and suitable for families with children. Of course, these short trails can be combined with longer paths.
I recommend purchasing the official Tara National Park trail map at one of the tourist information centers in Bajina Bašta, Mitrovac, and Gaočići for less than 2 euros.
These are two hikes I recommend doing at Tara National Park:
- Raca trail is one of the easiest paths in the park. This 2 km-long hiking trail starts at Raca Monastery and ends at thermal springs near Ladevac.
- 3 kilometers long, the Jarevac trail is also an easy path. It follows the mountain stream Jarevac and ends at Brana Jarevac.
Read also: The best hiking destinations in Serbia
Other Activities in Tara National Park
Cycling
There are three marked cycling routes in the national park. Keep in mind that all three also serve as hiking trails. I suggest taking the cycling route from the town of Zlatibor to Tara.
Don’t have a bicycle with you? No worries. You can rent a bicycle at the park for the whole day for just 5 euros.
Kayaking
Being home to many artificial lakes, Tara National Park is an ideal place to enjoy kayaking. You can rent a kayak for 7 euros a day.
Events and festivals at Tara National Park
In addition to spectacular nature, epic viewpoints, and tourist attractions, Tara National Park hosts a wide range of cool events throughout the year. Here are some of my favorite events happening at the Tara National Park:
- Nikola Tesla Days
- Garden Fest
- Tribalion
- Drina regatta
- Swimming for the Holy Cross
- Rača Days
Where to stay in Tara National Park
Tara National Park offers a wide range of accommodation options. You can rent a room, an entire house, or a small floating house right on the edge of a lake. Of course, there are a few amazing hotels in the area.
For example, my personal favorite is the old-school Omorika Hotel. This 3-star hotel is located just a short drive from the Raca Monastery and offers an indoor pool, sauna, and a casual buffet restaurant. If you are traveling on a budget, but want to be close to Lake Perućac, book a room at the Garni Hotel Vila Drina.
Wish to stay right on the water’s edge of Perucac Lake? Book your stay at the Lake House Perucac.
Where to eat in Tara National Park?
Foodies visiting Tara National Park will not be disappointed. After a long day of exploring the park’s attractions, you can enjoy a wide range of gourmet Serbian dishes at one of the many local restaurants.
Restaurant Tarsko Jezero is a great place to try trout, local cheeses, and grilled meats. For the most delicious fish soup, go to Restaurant Kod Pece. If you are in the mood for some veal and lamb, book a table at Restaurant Tara in Bajina Basta.
FAQ – Popular questions about visiting Tara National Park
What wildlife is in Tara National Park?
With nearly 60 mammalian species, Tara is rich with wildlife. Some of the species include wildcat, pine marten, jackal, wolf, roe deer, and the protected brown bear.
How many days do I need in Tara National Park?
As this national park is huge, I would recommend spending at least 3 days in Tara National Park to be able to fully explore it.
However, if you have limited time, many people also choose to do a day trip visit to Tara National Park from Belgrade, such as this tour option.
Read also: How many days do I need when visiting Serbia?
Should I visit Tara National Park in summer or winter?
My vote here goes to the summer season. Tara is a place where travelers come to enjoy the views, swim in the lakes, and reconnect with nature. In winter, the national park is quiet and most tourists are staying in ski resort towns like Kopaonik and Zlatibor.
Read also: What to do in Serbia during winter
If you are searching for a peaceful mountain weekend getaway, look no further than Tara National Park. Blessed with artificial lakes, stunning nature, and spectacular viewpoints, this national park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Serbia.
Additional resources to help you plan your trip
Here are a few other guides that may be interesting to you:
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Serbia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Serbia on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
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