Zica and Studenica Monasteries Private Day Tour from Belgrade
Description
This one-day private tour combines beautiful medieval monasteries Žica and Studenica with picturesque nature in central Serbia. Learn why this area is called the valley of the kings. Visit a place where Serbian kings had their coronations in this bright red Serbian Orthodox Church. The second monastery Studenica is a UNESCO site that keeps more than 800 years of history together with fascinating medieval fresco art. A private guide will explain to you the importance of these spiritual places and their value for the whole Christian world. Try local specialties at a 200 years old restaurant. ✅ Guided private tour of two medieval monasteries in the Serbian countryside ✅ Learn about culture, history, art, and politics that shaped Serbian medieval state ✅ See UNESCO site and its world-known fresco art ✅ Discover the famous valley of the kings and Maglic fortress ✅ Stop at an authentic local village after the tour for lunch
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your private guide will pick you up in Belgrade and take you south toward central Serbia. Along the way, you’ll pass through the town of Kraljevo, whose name literally means “King’s Town.” As you travel, your guide will explain the royal story behind the name, adding context that naturally connects this stop with the monasteries you’ll explore later in the day.
The first major stop of the tour is Žiča Monastery, instantly recognizable by its vivid red façade. As you explore the grounds, you’ll learn why this monastery became closely linked to Serbian kingship and why it still holds a special place in the country’s cultural memory. Beyond its striking appearance, Žiča offers a calm and spacious setting where your guide helps connect the site’s meaning to the wider story of medieval Serbia — without turning the visit into a history lecture.
Between two stops, you will enjoy a magnificent landscape during a ride through a Valley of the kings. If you pay close attention you can spot the remains of the marvelous Maglic fortress which is another attraction in this area. This medieval fortress overlooks this historic valley and still stands as a monument from ancient times.
Following the scenic Ibar River valley, you’ll travel through quiet landscapes to Studenica Monastery, one of Serbia’s most peaceful and inspiring sacred sites. Surrounded by nature, Studenica invites you to slow down and take in the calm atmosphere that defines this remote valley. Inside the main church, you’ll admire remarkably preserved medieval frescoes, while your guide helps you understand what makes this place so special — not through dates and facts, but through stories, symbolism, and the feeling of standing inside an active UNESCO World Heritage site.
Having finished with the main part, on the way back you'll stop by to a local village to have lunch in an authentic restaurant “Kod Mira”. This place exists for more than 200 years and overall that time is owned by the same family – that is the best verification of the quality of their food.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
If you want to be picked up from other location which isn't listed (airbnb or an apartment) please specify. We can also pick you up from Belgrade port where cruiser boats dock.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Reviews(4)
This was my second trip with Serbian Private Tours - I was keen to revisit after the first one last year. I actually did a combination of two day trips made into a three day/two night trip which was truly fantastic and the flexibility to plan something like this was greatly appreciated. The trip was superbly organised by the owner who is highly professional, has very good connections with all the suppliers en route to ensure that the guest has a good experience and chooses good guides if he can't do the trip himself. My guide for the three days was Vladica, a very charming and knowledgeable young man who could not have been more solicitous and was excellent company for the three days. On day one we says the monasteries at Zica and Studenica which are most impressive and interesting, so worthwhile. We had lunch at a lovely traditional restaurant and later had an overnight in Vrnjačka Banja, a lovely spa town. The next morning we visited the Imperial Palace of Gaius Valerius at Felix Romuliana and the associated museum in the nearby town of Zaječar which have a serious wow factor. We then drove to the wonderful Raj Winery (near Rajac) where we were royally entertained and enjoyed their fine wines before visiting the pivnice in the village above as well as the extraordinary cemetery. Overnight in Negotin and the next morning a wonderful motorboat trip on the Rhine, delicious lunch on land cooked by the captain's wife before setting off for the pre-historic settlement of Lepenski Vir with amazing artefacts from 6000 BC before our final stop at Golubac Fortress as fascinating and stunning castle on the Danube. Just a brilliant trip and I will certainly be using Serbian Private Tours again.
We had a really special day, experienced Serbia in the best way - visiting 2 most important monasteries for the Serbian people and their history. And our guide Miljan is superb guide, he made us feeling as he was also part of our family that day. We are comming agian to experience more!
Please do your self a favour and make the booking to visit the amazing and spectacular Monasteries that is Zica and Studenica. I booked through Balkan Travel Centar and our personal tour guide Nemanja picked us up from our hotels ready for the 3 hour trip. It’s so worth the drive and day trip. Both Monasteries are stunning but for me Studenica was just magical and surreal. We then stopped off and had the most amazing home cooked local food with a variety of food to cater to all types. Truly blessed to have experienced this tour highly recommend for it to be on your list.
When we thought that we'd have to give up Monasteries Žiča and Studenica because of the complicated transportation we happened to see Serbian Private Tours and had a wonderful day trip from Belgrade to the monasteries. Besides the amazing culture and frescos it impressed me so much with our kind tour guide, his knowledge about whatever we wanted to know, the easy and comfortable trip, the fast online reply of the team and the cheap and nice restaurant (especially the dessert I loved it). The route was so well designed and the trip is definitely worth taking. Thank you so much for today and we'll come back to travel with you again!
