Welcome to Serbia

Jan 29

Exploring Serbia Through a Local’s Eyes: A Journey Home After 12 Years

In the fall of 2021, I returned to Serbia—my home country—for a different kind of journey. This time, I wasn’t just visiting family or passing through. I was playing tour guide to a group of my American friends, many of whom had never been to the Balkans before. And while I grew up here, it had been over 12 years since I left. So in many ways, I was rediscovering these places for the first time too.

We spent several weeks traveling across Serbia, weaving through medieval towns, mountain villages, and ancient fortresses. With every stop, I was reminded of how much beauty exists in this small but richly layered country. Below are just a few of the places that left a lasting impression—both for me, and for my guests.

Golubac Fortress: Where the Danube Meets History

Nestled at the entrance to the Iron Gates gorge, Golubac Fortress is one of Serbia’s most iconic medieval sites. With its towering walls perched dramatically over the Danube River, it’s easy to see why it’s been the backdrop of folklore and battles for centuries. We arrived just after sunrise—mist rising from the water, light hitting the stone walls—and it was pure photographic magic.

(Want to bring this view home? Browse my Serbia Fine Art Prints for images captured at Golubac and beyond.)

Tara National Park & Bajina Basta: Nature's Quiet Power

Tucked away in western Serbia near the border with Bosnia, Tara National Park was one of the biggest surprises for the group. Towering pine forests, turquoise rivers, and crisp autumn air—it’s a dream for lovers of landscape and nature photography. We stayed in a wooden cabin in Bajina Bašta, just outside the park, and hiked along the Drina River, where the iconic House on the Rock balances improbably in the middle of the water.

For those who love peaceful landscapes, this region offers endless inspiration and quiet reflection.

Belgrade & Zemun: Where Past Meets Present

No visit to Serbia is complete without spending time in Belgrade, a city where brutalist architecture collides with bohemian charm. We wandered through Kalemegdan Fortress, explored the cobblestone streets of Zemun, and took sunset walks along the Danube. My friends were especially fascinated by Belgrade’s contrasts—Soviet blocks standing beside vibrant cafes, historic battle sites next to modern art galleries.

It was a reminder that Serbia’s beauty isn’t just in its nature—it’s in its layers of history and resilience.

Connecting Back Through Photography

As a documentary photographer, I’ve spent years telling stories through visuals—from Colorado’s rugged mountain landscapes to the icy wilderness of Antarctica. But this trip was personal. Photographing Serbia after so long away allowed me to see my homeland with fresh eyes. Many of the photographs from this journey are now part of my Serbia Fine Art Collection—a love letter to a place that shaped me.

If you’re curious about other parts of the Balkans, don’t miss my collections from Bosnia and Slovenia as well.

A Personal Journey, A Shared Experience

Sharing Serbia with my friends—and with you, through photography—was a deeply meaningful experience. It reminded me that while borders and politics may shift, the land and its stories endure. For anyone longing to explore a lesser-known part of Europe, Serbia is full of untouched beauty, photographic wonder, and soulful surprises.