Orthodox monasteries of Serbia and Macedonia

10 days / Highlights: Belgrade - Novi Sad - Studenica - Decani - Skopje - Ohrid

Travel itinerary

1. Day: Arrival in Belgrade

Arrival in Belgrade and check in at our hotel in Belgrade. Then panoramic city tour of Belgrade with the Kalemegdan fortress, Republic square, national theatre and museum, the famous knez Mihajlova Street, the Parliament and the Church of St. Marco. Then return to the hotel and dinner.

2. Day: Belgrade - Sremski Karlovac - Novi Sad - Belgrad

After breakfast visit of the Serbian Patriachatschurch and the Cathedral. Then visit the Church of Sv. Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches of the world. Journey to Sremski Karlovac (60 km away from Belgrade). Here we visit the old Patriachatschurch. Visit the fortress Petrovar near the Danube in Novi Sad. We enjoy a unique view from the fortress of the town and the Danube valley. On the way back to Belgrade we visit to the Novo Hopovo monastery from the 16th century located in the Frushka Gora mountains. Dinner in a traditional Serbian restaurant in quarter Skadarlija. Overnight in the hotel in Belgrade.

3. Day: Belgrade - Oplenac - Zicha - Studenica

In the morning we leave Belgrade and first we go to Oplenac. Here we visit the Orthodox Church and the mausoleum of the famous Serbian royal family Karadjorgjevic. Then journey to Zicha, seat of the first Serbian archbishops and also cultural center of Serbia in the 13th century. After a break for lunch ride to Studenica. Studenica Monastery is one of the holiest places of Serbia. It was founded in the 12th. century and consists of 3 monasteries, UNESCO World Heritage site. Unique icons and frescoes of the middle ages await us. Dinner and overnight stay in our hotel in Studenica.

4. Day: Studenica - Sopocani - Decani (Kosovo) - Pec - Skopje

In the morning trip to the UNESCO listed monastery Sopocanin from the 13th century. This monastery is famous for its frescoes and exemplary for the following art of this period. Then we leave Serbia and reach the Kosovar border. Here we visit the Decani monastery from the 14th century, one of the largest churches in Serbia in the middle ages. Visit of the former Patriachartschurch from Pécs from the 13th century completes our cultural program. Passing Prishtina we reach soon the Macedonian border and the capital Skopje. We drive on the local mountain Vodno, unique panoramic views await us. Here we visit the monastery Sv. Panteleimon, famous for its Byzantine frescoes. Dinner and overnight in Skopje

5. Day: Skopje - Markov Monastery

After breakfast visit of the Macedonian capital, Skopje. First we see the old town with its Oriental charm. The famous Church Sveti Spas, a mosque from the 14th century fortress Kale Century as the old stone bridge - the landmark of the city. In the new town we see the Mother Teresa House. In the afternoon excursion to the Markov monastery from the 14th century, located in a unique nature. In the evening, a typical dinner with music at a restaurant in Skopje awaits us. Overnight stay in Skopje.

6. Day: Skopje - Tetovo - Struga - Ohrid

We leave Skopje and drive in the city of Tetovo, where we visit the famous "colorful" mosque from the 16th century. Journey through the enchanting National Park of Mavrovo, where we take some photo stops and a coffee break. A impressive journey through the Radika Canyon enchants us before we visit the unique monastery Sv. Jovan Bigorski. In Debar on the shores of the Lake time for lunch. We arrive in Struga, near the city we experience with Kalista and Radozda cave monasteries used in the past by the monks to isolate and pray. In the evening we reach our hotel in the UNESCO city Ohrid. Dinner and overnight

7. Day: Ohrid

Today we have another highlight of our trip - the city of Ohrid, intellectual Centre of the Orthodox world with approximately 365 churches and monasteries. Ohrid is called Jerusalem of the Balkans. We start the day with a boat trip on the charming Lake, we explore the city on foot and see the King Samuel fortress and the most famous churches St. Climent, Sv. Sofia. After lunch, trip to the sanctuary of Sv. Naum, near the Albanian border. First we will take a little ride with a row boat to the underground sources of the Ohrid Lake before we visit the monastery. This is a part of the National Park Galicica. In the evening return to our hotel in Ohrid. Dinner and overnight

8. Day: Ohrid - Bitola - Prilep - Strumica

We leave Ohrid and go to the city of Bitola. In the Ottoman period the most important city in the region and diplomatic centre. We will take a city tour, visit of the archaeological ruins of Heraclea Lincestis, founded by Filip II., father of Alexander of the Great. Journey to Prilep, where we visit the monastery of the Archangel Michael, created on a rock, similar to the Meteora monasteries in Greece. A tasting of the Macedonian wines with a little snack awaits us for lunch. In good mood, we reach our hotel in the area of Strumica in the evening. Dinner and overnight

9. Day: Strumica - Stobi - Kumanovo - Nis

After breakfast we visit the famous waterfalls of Smolari near Strumica. Then we see two wellknown monasteries, Veljeusa and Vodoca. From now on it goes again northward and we reach the town of Kumanovo, close to the Serbian border. The monastery Staro Nagoričane Sv. George from the 14th century ends our sightseeing in Macedonia. We visit the city of Nis with the famous skull fortress from the 19th century. Dinner and overnight stay in the area of Nis.

10. Day: Nis - Belgrade (Airport)

Country information for tour