Serbia Travel Guide: Tara National Park & Lake Perućac
Explore Tara National Park and Lake Perućac in Serbia, with floating-house tips, viewpoints, transport advice and my real experience.
Stafa
11/3/202610 min read
I didn't really know what to expect from Serbia. We were travelling around when someone recommended a place with supposedly one of the best views in the country. So we decided to check it out.
That decision took us through the forests of Tara, down to Lake Perućac and eventually to a floating house where we spent the night.
Along the way, we met some lovely people, got shown around by an older Serbian man who barely spoke English, and had one of those conversations that makes you think differently about a place.
And yes, the scenery was incredible. The accommodation? Well, let's just say the views were better than the sleep. If you're planning a trip to Serbia yourself, I'll share what happened, where to go, how to get around and a few things I'd do differently.
Quick guide: Visiting Tara National Park and Lake Perućac
Where: Western Serbia, close to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Best for: Mountain scenery, forest walks, viewpoints, lake swimming, floating accommodation and getting away from busy city destinations.
How long to stay: I'd suggest two or three days if you want to enjoy the area without rushing.
Getting there: Driving gives you the most flexibility. Public transport is possible, but you'll need to plan how to reach the smaller places around Tara.
Where to stay: A floating house on Lake Perućac for something different, or accommodation around Mitrovac or Bajina Bašta.
What not to forget: Insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes, water, sun protection and food supplies if your accommodation is remote.
My favourite part: The views were brilliant, but meeting people along the way made the trip special.
1. Getting to Tara National Park
Tara National Park is in western Serbia. It's a beautiful area of mountains, forests and viewpoints overlooking the Drina River and Lake Perućac.
If you're coming from Belgrade, allow roughly four hours for the drive, depending on traffic and your destination.
I'd recommend hiring a car if you want to visit several viewpoints, the lake and different villages. The places are spread out, and having your own transport makes the whole experience easier.
Can you visit without a car?
Yes, but you'll need to plan ahead. You can travel by bus towards Bajina Bašta, one of the main gateway towns for the area. Some services also reach the Kaluđerske Bare part of Tara.
The important thing is that getting to Bajina Bašta doesn't necessarily get you to your accommodation or hiking trail. If you're travelling without a car, check whether your accommodation can arrange a transfer and confirm your return journey before you arrive. I wouldn't recommend turning up in the evening with no onward transport arranged.
Where should you base yourself?
It depends on what you want to do.
Bajina Bašta: A practical base if you want shops, restaurants and transport connections.
Mitrovac: A good location for exploring Tara National Park and walking towards viewpoints such as Banjska Stena.
Lake Perućac: Best if you want to spend time on the water or experience one of the floating houses.
If you're staying in a floating house, check exactly where it's located. Being somewhere on the lake doesn't automatically mean you're close to everything else
2. Hiking to one of the best views I'd seen in Serbia
We were walking through the woods towards a viewpoint someone had recommended. Now, apparently, this was one of the best views in Serbia. That's a big claim. On the way, I started seeing signs warning about bears. And I'm thinking, what am I actually supposed to do if one appears? Do I run? Shout? Stand still? I genuinely didn't know. Then I spotted a snake as well. Lovely.
But as we got higher, the scenery started opening up. When we finally reached the viewpoint, I understood why people had told us to come. There were mountains all around us and this incredible stretch of water below. The colour was beautiful. It reminded me a little of the fjords in Norway.
I remember looking around and thinking, I really didn't expect this.
Which viewpoint should you visit?
One of Tara's best-known viewpoints is Banjska Stena, overlooking Lake Perućac and the Drina canyon.
It's around 6 km from Mitrovac, with marked walking trails numbered 9 and 9a. There's also a gravel-road approach.
The standard walk from Mitrovac is generally considered a manageable forest route, but you should allow enough time for the return and check conditions before setting off.
There are other viewpoints around Tara too, including Bilješka Stena.
What to bring for the viewpoint walk
I'd take comfortable shoes, drinking water, sun protection, a charged phone with an offline map and something for changing weather.
Check the national park's current wildlife advice before hiking. We saw bear-warning signs, so this isn't somewhere I'd recommend wandering off marked paths without knowing where you're going.
3. An unexpected encounter with a local man
One of the funniest parts of the trip happened when we met an older local man. He didn't speak much English, and we couldn't really have a normal conversation. But somehow, we got along just fine.
There was a lot of pointing and trying to understand each other. At one point, he was holding my hand and leading me towards another view. I was laughing, saying, "Grandad, you're taking me to good places right now!" And he really was.
He showed us around and helped us find somewhere to eat. There were apparently two restaurant options: one more expensive and another more budget-friendly.
You can imagine which one interested me. It's the sort of thing I enjoy most about travelling. We didn't know each other. We didn't even speak the same language properly. But we still had a good time.
4. Staying in a floating house on Lake Perućac
After exploring the viewpoints, we headed down towards the lake. I'd seen the floating houses from above, and now we were actually going to stay in one. I thought that was pretty cool.
There were houses sitting on the water, people swimming and families enjoying themselves. It was hot, around 35°C when I was filming, so being near the lake was a welcome change. The swimming area had floating platforms, places to sit and sections for different swimmers. The atmosphere was really relaxed.
There was also a small shop where we could pick up drinks, fruit and a few things for dinner. But the food selection was limited.
If you're staying here and want to cook, I would recommend bringing supplies before arriving.
Are the floating houses worth booking?
I think so, especially if you want something different from a normal hotel. But I'd be careful about choosing purely from photographs. Our floating house had an amazing setting. The actual sleeping arrangements weren't great. There were mosquitoes, rough covers and no air conditioning.
I woke up with a headache after a pretty uncomfortable night. When morning arrived, though, the sunrise over the lake was beautiful. That's the thing.
I loved the location, but I wouldn't pretend every part of the stay was perfect.
Questions to ask before booking a floating house
Before paying for one, I'd ask the owner:
Is there air conditioning, a fan or another way to keep cool?
Are mosquito nets fitted properly?
Are bedding and towels provided?
Is there a proper kitchen, fridge and drinking water?
Can you reach the house by car or do you need a boat?
Is parking included?
Are there restaurants or shops within walking distance?
Is the accommodation suitable for children or anyone uncomfortable around deep water?
What are the check-in arrangements and cancellation rules?
If I went back, those are the things I'd check more carefully.
I'd also look at recent guest reviews, particularly comments about cleanliness, insects and sleeping comfort.
5. What can you do around Lake Perućac?
You don't have to stay in a floating house to enjoy the lake. There are swimming areas, opportunities for boat trips and places to relax by the water.
At the public swimming area near Perućac, you'll find facilities designed for visitors, including designated swimming sections. There are also boat excursions through the Drina canyon. If that interests you, check the current departure schedules and prices before travelling.
The lake is part of the Drina River system and stretches towards the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. One thing worth remembering is that parts of it are very deep, with steep banks. Stick to designated swimming areas and follow local safety instructions.
Other places worth researching nearby
If you have more time in western Serbia, these are good options to consider:
Zaovine Lake: Another lake surrounded by forest and mountains.
Rača Monastery: A historic monastery in the Tara area.
Drina River House: The famous little house sitting on a rock in the river near Bajina Bašta.
More Tara viewpoints: There's more to the park than one viewpoint, so you could easily spend another day exploring.
I haven't personally verified every one of these stops through my own trip, so they're suggestions for extending your itinerary rather than places I'm claiming to have visited.
6. A conversation about Serbian people that stayed with me
The next morning, I met a Serbian neighbour staying nearby. We started chatting, and he seemed surprised we'd found the place. According to him, it wasn't somewhere many international tourists knew about.
We talked about the lake, tourism and the possibility of the area becoming much busier in the future. I told him I hoped it wouldn't become too touristy and lose the things that made it special.
Then we started talking about Serbian people and the stereotypes that exist about the country. He spoke about how important hospitality is in Serbian culture. Traditionally, when someone comes to visit, you offer them food, drinks and somewhere to rest.
And from my experience, people had been really welcoming. He also made a point I agreed with. You can't judge an entire country based on its politics or the actions of certain individuals. Every place has its problems. But meeting ordinary people gives you the chance to form your own opinions.
When I asked him what he'd like to say to people watching, his message was simple. Come with an open mind and an open heart. I liked that.
7. How much does visiting Tara and Lake Perućac cost?
The biggest expenses will probably be transport, accommodation and food. The exact amount depends on whether you're driving, travelling by bus, staying in a basic room or booking a floating house.
Here are a few useful things to budget for.
Transport: Include fuel or bus tickets, plus local taxis or transfers if you aren't driving.
National park vehicle fee: Tara has a vehicle charge. The published daily fee for a standard passenger car is 300 Serbian dinars, subject to current rates.
Accommodation: Floating-house prices depend on the property, size, facilities and dates. Compare the final price including cleaning and other charges.
Food: If you're staying by the lake, buying groceries before arrival may be easier than relying on a small local shop.
Activities: Allow extra for organised boat trips, equipment rental or guided activities.
I don't want to give you an invented accommodation price or claim I spent a certain amount when I haven't checked the receipts.
For a realistic budget, compare the actual accommodation rate for your dates, transport costs and the activities you want to do.
8. A simple two-day itinerary
If I were planning a similar trip again, this is how I'd organise it.
Day 1: Tara viewpoints and the lake
Arrive in western Serbia and head towards Tara National Park.
Choose a viewpoint walk based on the weather, your fitness and your transport.
If you're staying near Mitrovac, Banjska Stena is a well-known option.
Take your time at the viewpoint rather than rushing to the next stop.
Later, head towards Lake Perućac, pick up food and check into your accommodation.
If you're staying in a floating house, enjoy the evening on the water.
And make sure you've sorted out the mosquito situation before going to bed.
Trust me.
Day 2: Lake Perućac and exploring the area
Wake up early and enjoy the lake.
Spend some time at the designated swimming area if conditions are suitable, or look into a boat trip.
Have lunch nearby and allow some time for an extra local attraction before leaving.
You could also extend your stay to visit Zaovine Lake or explore another part of Tara.
This is my suggested itinerary based on the area, not an exact reconstruction of my travel schedule.
9. When is the best time to visit?
For hiking and enjoying the viewpoints, late spring and early autumn are worth considering if you prefer milder temperatures. Summer is appealing for swimming and lake stays, but it can get hot.
We experienced temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s, and sleeping without air conditioning wasn't comfortable. If you're planning a summer trip, take the heat seriously.
In cooler months, expect different hiking conditions and check whether lake accommodation and activities are operating. Personally, if I returned for the scenery and walking, I'd look for a period when it wasn't quite so hot.
10. My biggest tips before visiting
If there's anything I'd want you to take away from my experience, it's this.
Don't rush the region. There is plenty to see, and the viewpoints deserve time.
Book accommodation carefully. Floating houses can be brilliant, but check the facilities instead of assuming they'll be comfortable.
Bring food if you're staying somewhere remote. Not every little shop will have what you need.
Plan your transport. Tara isn't one compact destination where everything is within walking distance.
Respect the wildlife and the water. Follow marked trails and use designated swimming areas.
Talk to people. Some of my favourite memories came from meeting people I never expected to meet.
And remember that a trip doesn't need to be perfect to be memorable. Sometimes the uncomfortable bits become the stories you end up telling afterwards.
Would I recommend Serbia?
Definitely. The scenery around Tara and Lake Perućac was beautiful, but it was the people who really made the experience for me. I loved the mountain views, the unexpected encounters and spending time on the lake. I didn't love the mosquitoes or the terrible sleep. But that's travel. You take the good with the bad.
And when I think about Serbia now, I remember the people who made us feel welcome, the older man showing us around and waking up surrounded by that incredible scenery.
That's what makes me want to go back.
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