Tara National Park guide
Forested mountains above the Drina canyon, quiet lakes and some of the best viewpoints in Serbia.
Photo: Unsplash
Why visit Tara National Park
Tara National Park covers forested mountains in western Serbia above the deep canyon of the Drina, on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most people come for the views: Banjska stena looks straight down on the canyon and Perućac lake. Add a boat trip on the Drina, the famous little house on a rock near Bajina Bašta, misty Zaovine lake and long forest walks, and it is easy to stay two or three days.
Tara National Park at a glance
The basics, the weather this week and where it is.
Key facts
- Type
- National park
- Region
- Western Serbia
- Established
- 1981
- Area
- 249.92 km²
- Elevation
- 1,000 to 1,590 m
- From Belgrade
- about 130 km in a straight line
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
5-day forecast
For Mitrovac
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Weather data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), summarised by day.
On the map
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, SRTM; style © OpenTopoMap (CC BY-SA). The zoomable map loads from OpenTopoMap, which receives your IP address. Open in Google Maps
Best things to do in Tara National Park
Where to start, and how long each one takes.
FreeFree
Free
Paid
Free
PaidTop-rated tours in Tara National Park
Hand-picked. Free cancellation on most. Affiliate links.
Where to stay in Tara National Park
The areas compared, with hotels for your dates.
Food and nightlife
Food at Tara is simple and local: river trout, lamb, kajmak and cheese from the villages, and home cooking in family guesthouses. Shops and restaurants are spread out, so bring snacks for the day.
- Must try: Trout, lamb, kajmak
- Where: Guesthouses and riverside restaurants around Bajina Bašta
- Tip: Bring snacks and cash; shops are far apart
Getting there and around
About 3 hours by car.
A car is almost essential.
Day tours run from Belgrade and Zlatibor.
Get a trail map at the park visitor center.
Tip: Go early on weekends, as parking near Banjska stena can fill up. It is cooler up here than in the valley, so bring a layer, and take the bear warning at the trailhead seriously.
Go for a hike
A route with a map, elevation chart and GPX download.
Nearby and day trips
Easy to add from Tara National Park.
More Tara National Park guides
Tara National Park FAQ
How many days do you need at Tara?
Two to three days for viewpoints, lakes and a boat trip.
Can I visit Tara without a car?
Yes, on a day tour from Belgrade or Zlatibor.
When is the best time to visit Tara?
May to October for hiking and boat trips.
Sources
Checked 27 October 2026.
Going to Tara National Park? Take the cheat sheet
Prices, apps, transport and scams to avoid, on one printable page.
