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Belgrade -

The capital of Serbia, Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with a history spanning 7,000 years or so. The central economic hub of the country, and the seat of culture, education, and science, Belgrade provides plenty of good reasons to linger and absorb its wealth of fascinating visitor attractions.

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Belgrade Fortress -

Belgrade's imposing fortress, also known as Kalemegdan, looms large over the city. The old citadel is built on foundations that date back to 279 BCE, during Celtic times. The Romans extended the fortifications during the settlement of Singidunum, Belgrade's Roman name. Much of what stands today is the result of 18th-century Austro-Hungarian and Turkish reconstructions.

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Church of Saint Sava -

The Church of Saint Sava is dedicated to Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church and an influential figure in medieval Serbia.

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Church of Saint Sava interior -

Also known as the Temple of Saint Sava, this is the Balkans' biggest (and the world's second biggest) Orthodox church. Its interior is an astonishing canvas of gilded and ornate mosaics and vibrant frescoes surrounding an extraordinary 12-sided wheel chandelier.

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Gardos Tower -

Standing since 1896, the brick-built Gardos Tower houses an engaging art gallery and encloses a spiral staircase that leads to a scenic viewpoint.

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Belgrade Tower -

Belgrade Tower is the tallest building in Belgrade, and the western Balkans region. The 168-m (551 ft) tall skyscraper's observation deck commands unrivaled views of the Serbian capital.

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Museum of Yugoslavia -

To glean a better understanding of the tumultuous history of Yugoslavia and Serbia, browse the more than 200,000 artifacts that chronicle the region's complex and often violent past. A highlight is Yugoslav communist revolutionary and statesman Josip Broz Tito's mausoleum.

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Nikola Tesla Museum -

One of Belgrade's best museums is dedicated to the life and work of Nikola Tesla. The scientist and inventor is known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system. Tesla's ashes are kept here in a glowing, golden orb.

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Avala Tower -

The 204-m (672-ft) tall Avala telecommunications tower is set on Mount Avala, 16 km (10 mi) from the city center. The base of the tower serves as a tourist complex and includes, among other facilities, a restaurant, ethno-gallery, souvenir shop, sports fields, and outdoor gym.

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Museum of Contemporary Art -

A top cultural draw, Belgrade's Museum of Contemporary Art was founded in 1958. Collections include the most important works by Serbia and Yugoslavian artists since 1900.

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National Museum of Serbia -

Designated a Monument of Culture of Great Importance, this museum is a must for anyone smitten by archaeology, numismatics, and European art.

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Miroslav Gospels -

Museum highlights include Serbian painter Stevan Aleksić's 'The Burning of the Remains of St Sava' (1912), and a medieval-era gem, the illustrated 362-page manuscript of the Miroslav Gospels (pictured) written in 1186. The manuscript has earned a place on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in recognition of its historical value.

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Novi Dvor -

Completed in 1922, Novi Dvor (New Palace) serves as the seat of the President of Serbia. You can visit the building, but only as part of an organized tour booked at any one of the numerous tourist stands that dot the city.

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Petrovaradin Fortress -

Away from the capital, one of Serbia's most cherished national monuments is Petrovaradin Fortress, a 17th-century citadel in the town of Petrovaradin, itself part of the city of Novi Sad. The stronghold sits on the Danube river and is one of Europe's best-preserved garrison structures.

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Gallery of Matica Srpska -

Novi Sad is Serbia's second-largest city. Your first stop in Novi Sad should be Matica Srpska. As one of the largest and oldest galleries in Serbia, this is an important cultural institution of considerable merit, housing as it does priceless Serbian artworks from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.

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Stari Grad -

Stari Grad is the city's historical hub, where many monuments, museums, cafés, restaurants, and shops are clustered. Located on the Trg Slobode (Liberty Square) is the landmark 19th-century Name of Mary Church.

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EXIT -

Every year, Novi Sad hosts one of the biggest summer music festivals in Europe: EXIT. Founded in 2000, this epic gig held at the Petrovaradin Fortress takes place over four days, starting on the first Thursday of July.

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Sopocani Monastery, Novi Pazar -

The Serbian countryside is dotted with numerous Orthodox monasteries, a fact that promotes Christian pilgrimage to places like Sopocani. Located 15 km (10 mi) west of the town of Novi Pazar, the monastery, founded in the 13th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Mileseva Monastery, Prijepolje -

Founded by King Stefan Vladislav I in 1234, Mileseva Monastery is endowed with some truly remarkable frescoes. In fact, it contains what is considered to be some of the most beautiful works of European medieval art.

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The White Angel fresco -

The most famous fresco in Mileseva Monastery is the "White Angel," which depicts an angel at Christ's tomb. It's dated back to 1235.

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Studenica Monastery, Kraljevo -

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Studenica Monastery is equally celebrated for its splendid medieval interior design.

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Studenica frescoes -

The monastery's collection of 13th- and 14th-century Byzantine-style fresco paintings rank among the finest found in Europe.

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Synagogue, Subotica -

Make sure to visit Subotica, a city unique in Serbia for its Art Nouveau heritage. Exemplifying the architecture is Subotica Synagogue, renowned for its outstanding beauty.

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Crveni Krst Concentration Camp, Nis -

Also known rather bizarrely as the Red Cross Concentration Camp after a Red Cross facility that once stood near its boundaries, Crveni Krst is one of the best-preserved Nazi camps in Europe. Established by the Gestapo, it served as a transit camp for captured Serbs, Jews, and Roma. A memorial museum provides a  harrowing account of what befell those unfortunate enough to be held within the camp confines.

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Golubac Fortress -

Another evocative example of medieval Serbian military architecture, the 14th-century fortress of Golubac boasts a turbulent history, in its time successfully repelling over 120 attacks. The only invaders today are tourists either approaching on foot or as passengers on Danube sightseeing river cruises.

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Uvac Canyon -

Serbia counts the jaw-dropping Uvac Canyon as its standout natural wonder. The canyon is known for its breach meanders that the river cut into the limestone rocks over millennia. From the air, the ravine resembles a huge twisting serpent.

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Djerdap National Park -

Outdoor enthusiasts can also seek communion with nature in Djerdap National Park. Its flora and fauna, plus a historic landscape that features the Tabula Traiana, a rare Roman-era memorial plaque, has earned Djerdap UNESCO global geopark status.

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Tara National Park -

Tara National Park is named for Tara Mountain, which summits at 1,590 m (5,220 ft) above sea level. The park is embroidered with Serbian spruce forests, a protected and endangered species.

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Sirogojno Open-Air Museum -

Serbia's delightful open-air museum at Sirogojno recreates a traditional 19th-century village by way of a collection of A-framed, fully furnished wooden houses spread across a pleasant mountainside. Each contain artifacts covering life in old Serbia. For those who want to linger, lodging is available in snug, on-site cabins.

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Zlatibor -

Zlatibor is a favorite year-round tourist resort. In summer, its wooded undulating mountains attract hikers. Winter brings with it skiers from across the region. The Zlatibor Gold Gondola (pictured) is a lift that spans an incredible 9 km (6 mi)—the longest panoramic gondola in the world—and connects the town center with Tornik ski resort.

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Kopaonik ski resort -

Besides Tornik, there's also Kopaonik ski resort to explore. A popular mountain resort, Kopaonik is the largest center of winter tourism in Serbia.

Sources: (Britannica) (Biography)

See also: Europe's most budget-friendly skiing trips

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