This calm Serbian town near the Macedonian border has a lively main square with local cafes and a fresh produce market. The surrounding area includes old monasteries and traditional villages.
Vranje, a city of 55,000 people in southern Serbia, sits at the base of three mountains: Pljačkovica, Krstilovice, and Pržar. The city's brass bands play traditional music in its streets, cafes, and festivals throughout the year. You can visit the 1844 White Bridge with its Arabic inscriptions, walk through the 13th-century Church of St. Petka, or relax in Vranjska Banja's thermal pools, fed by Europe's hottest springs at 110°C.
Getting to Vranje
Vranje lies 347 kilometers south of Belgrade and 300 kilometers north of Thessaloniki, Greece. You can take regular buses from Belgrade through Niš and Leskovac, with the journey taking about 5 hours. Trains run daily from Belgrade, though they take longer than buses. The city's position on Corridor 10 makes it easy to reach when traveling between Serbia and North Macedonia.
Mountains and Hot Springs
Three mountains surround Vranje: Pljačkovica (1,231 meters), Krstilovice (1,154 meters), and Pržar (731 meters). You can follow marked trails to each peak between April and October. The trails range from easy 2-hour walks to challenging 6-hour hikes. At Vranjska Banja, you'll find several pools filled with mineral water from the 110°C spring. The spa complex cools the water to comfortable temperatures for swimming and therapy.
Musical Traditions and Events
Roma musicians lead many of the city's brass bands, performing at weddings, festivals, and street celebrations. You can hear classical performances during the Piano Summer Festival in July and August. Local restaurants often play traditional songs from "Koštana," a famous theater piece about Vranje. At the city's music school, you can watch student performances combining classical and folk music traditions.
Local Food Scene
The morning market on Central Square sells homemade cheese, kajmak (a creamy dairy spread), and vegetables from nearby villages. In the old town's restaurants, you'll find grilled ćevapi, burek filled with meat or cheese, and several varieties of pita. Many cafes serve Turkish coffee in traditional copper džezva pots.
Historical Sites
The White Bridge from 1844 crosses the Vranjska River, with Arabic text carved into its stone railings. You can visit writer Bora Stanković's preserved 1850s house to see his original furniture and manuscripts. The National Museum, housed in an 18th-century Ottoman residence, displays rooms with original Turkish decorations and exhibits about daily life during the Turkish period.
