This western Serbian town has a medieval fortress overlooking the Drina River. Visitors can explore local cafes, hike through nearby forests, and see monuments from the Middle Ages.
Užice, a city of 55,000 people in western Serbia, sits in a dramatic limestone gorge along the Đetinja River. In the city center, you'll find the concrete Hotel Zlatibor rising 16 stories high, a 14th-century fortress on limestone cliffs, and the 1900 hydroelectric power plant - among Europe's first. Within a 30-minute drive, you can ski on Zlatibor mountain's slopes, take the Šargan Eight railway through mountain tunnels, or walk the wooden streets of Mokra Gora village.
Getting to Užice
Six daily trains connect Belgrade to Užice, with journey times between 3 hours 12 minutes and 3 hours 53 minutes. The train and bus stations sit next to each other across the river from the center, about a 5-minute walk from the main attractions. Regular bus services run from major Serbian cities and from Sarajevo.
Walking Around the City Center
The main street, Dimitrija Tucovića, includes a pedestrian zone where locals gather in the evenings. The central Partisan Square has over 20 cafes and restaurants. The 1981 Hotel Zlatibor rises above the square - its concrete architecture reflecting the bold Yugoslav modernist style of its era.
Along the Đetinja River
Engineers altered the river's course in 1952 to create a beach area. The shallow water (depth 0.5-1.5m) and pebble beach draw hundreds of locals on summer days. Walking paths follow the river gorge, and the old railway bridge now serves as a pedestrian and cycling route. You can rent kayaks (1000 dinars/hour) or paddle boats (800 dinars/hour) to explore the river.
Historical Sites and Museums
The National Museum occupies two pre-World War II bank buildings. The exhibits detail the 1941 Republic of Užice, when resistance fighters controlled the region for 67 days during Nazi occupation. You can explore the underground tunnels where they manufactured rifles and ammunition. On a limestone cliff 100m above the city, a fortress from the 1300s overlooks the river valley.
Local Food Scene
Many restaurants around Partisan Square make komplet lepinja - a breakfast dish of fresh flatbread filled with kajmak cream and egg, then baked in traditional stone ovens. Try it at Restoran Gradska (600 dinars). The fast food spot C'est la Vie near the main square serves quick meals.
Day Trips from Užice
Zlatibor mountain, 25 kilometers south, has 5 ski runs operating from December to March, and 300 kilometers of marked hiking trails. At Mokra Gora village, the Šargan Eight railway climbs 300 meters through 22 tunnels and over 5 bridges. The 90-minute trip costs 600 dinars (€5).
Where to Stay
Hotel Zlatibor in the city center charges €20-25 per night. Two hostels opened recently: Hostel Užice near the train station (rated 8.9/10) and Eco Hostel Republik, which includes free museum access and discounts on local activities. Both hostels cost around €10 per night.
