Things to do
Things to do in Vrnjačka Banja
The spa is more than a treatment centre. In a single day you can drink from four springs, stroll to the Bridge of Love, head up Goč and still be back for an evening concert on the promenade. Here is an overview of everything Vrnjačka Banja has to offer, by type of holiday.
A walk around the springs and park
The best introduction to the spa is a walk from the Topla voda spring in the centre, past the Roman spring under its glass pyramid, through the central park to the Jezero, Snežnik and Slatina springs. Along the way you pass early 20th-century villas and the river with the Bridge of Love. Bring a cup or small bottle — the water at the springs is drunk on the spot. The story behind the buildings you pass is told in our piece on the architecture of Vrnjačka Banja.
Nature and the mountain
Goč rises right above the spa. Half an hour's drive takes you into beech and conifer forests, onto hiking trails and, in winter, to the ski slope. What awaits you up there and how to get there is described in our piece on Mount Goč.
Day trips in the area
The spa sits at the gateway to the medieval Serbian heartland of Raška: Žiča monastery is half an hour's drive away, Ljubostinja and Kruševac less than an hour, Studenica about an hour and a half, and the vineyards of the Župa region and the fishing waters of the Western Morava are close by. An overview with distances and tips for each trip is on our page on day trips from Vrnjačka Banja.
Festivals, concerts and the carnival
From June to September the spa has something on almost every evening: classical music and screenwriting festivals, literary evenings, theatre and, as the highlight, the Vrnjačka Banja Carnival in July. Details are in our overview of events in Vrnjačka Banja. Most of the programme is in Serbian, but concerts, parades and street performers need no translation.
A holiday to suit you
- A short break from the city — two days, spa and walks: see our weekend plan.
- Sport and recreation — pitches, pools, training camps, fishing and hunting.
- Business — the spa is one of Serbia's most important conference venues.
- Health — treatments at the Merkur centre and hotel wellness centres.
Each of these topics has its own page; you will find the links in the "Things to do" section at the bottom of every page.
For the current programme — concert and festival dates change every year. Before you travel, check the events calendar on the website of the Vrnjačka Banja Tourist Organisation.
Frequently asked questions
What should I see in Vrnjačka Banja on a first visit?
The Topla voda spring and the Roman spring in the centre, a walk through the park and along the promenade to the Snežnik and Slatina springs, the Bridge of Love and the Belimarković castle. With an extra day, take a trip to Goč or to Žiča monastery.
Is there anything to do in Vrnjačka Banja in winter?
Yes: the New Year and Orthodox Christmas programme in the centre, wellness in the hotels, treatments, and sledging or skiing on Goč when there is snow. Winter is also the cheapest time for accommodation.
Is Vrnjačka Banja good for families with children?
Yes. The park, outdoor pools in summer, children's programmes during the carnival, short walks without climbs and plenty of apartments with kitchens make it one of the easiest family destinations in Serbia.