One-day Tour of Srem | Where to Go on an Excursion?!

After the South Banat adventure proved that even the plain has its tourist charms, the suggestion for a new one-day trip is in the opposite direction, in the wide Srem plain between the winding Sava River and the forested ridges of Fruška Gora.

The journey, rich in content, should start in the early morning hours in order to fully respect the planned itinerary.

The fastest way to reach the first destination (from Belgrade) is the highway towards Šid, and then a short drive on the newest branch of the Miloš Veliki highway to the Surčin interchange, from where you reach Boljevci via Jakovo.

 

Nautical Village "Biser"

In Boljevci, on the banks of the Sava River, there is an extraordinary and unique tourist attraction in Serbia - Nautical Village "Biser". The complex of 16 authentic and modernly equipped water houses that can be rented like apartments, represents an extremely original way to spend a weekend or even a whole annual vacation on the river. Although we do not plan to stay here for a long time, this destination simply cannot be skipped if you are in the vicinity. The bend of the Sava River in this part of its course creates the impression that you are in a kind of bay with a phenomenal view of the large river and dense forest on its right bank. Since swimming in the river is officially not allowed, water sports and fishing are the main activities in the nautical village during the summer. In the hinterland of this unique water settlement, there is also a spacious picnic area with sports fields and entertainment facilities for children, restaurants, and cafes for rest and refreshment, even if you are not a guest of the village. In addition to the beautiful ambience, an important advantage of this place is that there are usually no large crowds, which makes it ideal for rest and recreation.

Nautical Village Biser in Boljevci
Nautical Village Biser, in Boljevci (PHOTO: Nikola Igračev)

Bojčin Forest

Only 5 kilometers away from Boljevac, you will find the thick and beautiful Bojčin Forest. Once a hunting ground of King Aleksandar Karađorđević, during the Second World War, it was an important strategic point of the partisan People's Liberation Army, and today it represents a popular excursion spot with plenty of activities - hiking and jogging trails, a summer stage, a mini stud farm, and the famous Bojčinska koleba. The forest's special charm is enhanced by the fact that within a discreetly fenced area, in a completely natural environment, free-roaming and feeding Mangalica pigs can be observed, which can mostly be seen from the trail itself. However, since the forest is of the marshy type, located near the Sava riverbank, mosquito repellent is highly recommended.

Bojčin Forest
Bojčin Forest Nature Monument (PHOTO: Nikola Igračev)

Obedska Bara (The Obed Swamp)

From Bojčin Forest, we continue our journey along the left bank of the Sava river and after about twenty kilometers, we reach the village of Obrež, where the headquarters and Info Center of the Special Nature Reserve Obedska Bara are located. One of the oldest protected areas in the world (1874), it represents a true oasis of biodiversity and one of the largest bird habitats in Europe. This marsh-forest complex, formed by the intersection of a Sava river branch (oxbow lake), is also home to dozens of fish species. This unique kingdom of wildlife can be explored both on land and water through guided hiking tours, catamaran rides, or by renting wooden rowboats. Birdwatching and observing the entire area from a different perspective are also possible from the observation tower called "Kula Obeda". A complete visit to the reserve can take between three and four hours, so it would be ideal to seek refreshments and rest after this destination. An excellent opportunity for that can be found in one of the many restaurants on Fruška Gora, but on the way there, it would be worth making another stop.

Obedska Bara
Obedska Bara, an oasis of biodiversity (PHOTO: Slobodan Nogo)

 

Bread Museum "Jeremija"

In Pećinci, there is a rather unusual and unique museum in Serbia. Symbolically, in the largest grain storehouse in Europe, you will find the Serbian Bread Museum "Jeremija". The collection of over two thousand exhibits of various breads and pastries is the result of long years of research, collecting work, and enthusiasm, traveling to all parts of Serbia and learning about the history, tradition, customs, and habits of bread-making in different parts of the country. The most representative part is undoubtedly the collection of ceremonial breads, which includes 96 different types of pastries and breads, some of which are still made today in certain parts of Serbia. It's an excellent opportunity to satisfy your hunger before the break in Fruška Gora if you haven't already. However, an important note in this story is that visiting the museum is only possible on weekends and requires prior appointment.

Serbian Bread Museum Jeremija
Serbian Bread Museum Jeremija (PHOTO: Marija Lerinc)

Kovačević Winery

After visiting the Bread Museum, we leave the so-called Lower Syrmia and approach the upper, "wine" Syrmia. The southern slopes of Fruška Gora are known as a traditional wine region where some of the highest quality wines in our country are produced. Among the many producers of premium wines, the Kovačević Winery stands out the most in terms of tradition and production infrastructure. For all the lovers of the heavenly drink, this winery organizes cellar tours and a short sommelier course for visitors, along with a presentation of the process of producing top-quality wines and tasting. To complete the experience, the Kovačević Wine House, located on the Irig - Novi Sad road, can be an excellent place for lunch and rest before continuing the journey and the final third of today's tour.

Kovačević Wine House
Kovačević Wine House (PHOTO: Branislav Čelić)

New and Old Hopovo Monasteries

Just a few kilometers from the Kovačević Wine House, you will find a clearly marked turn-off for the New and Old Hopovo monasteries. It is well-known that Fruška Gora is home to as many as 16 medieval Orthodox monasteries, which is why this mountain is symbolically called the Serbian Holy Mountain. The New Hopovo Monastery is one of the most significant Serbian and Fruška Gora monasteries in general. Built in the second half of the 15th century, it has been desecrated, burned, looted many times, but always rebuilt. Since the 16th century, the relics of Saint Theodore of Tiron have been resting there. In the harmonious ambiance of the slopes of Fruška Gora, only 600 meters away from the main road, this monastery exudes extraordinary peace, as does its metochion, the Old Hopovo Monastery, located two and a half kilometers away.

Novo Hopovo Monastery
Novo Hopovo Monastery (PHOTO: Vedran Petrović)

Iriški Venac

The well-known Iriški Venac pass, on the road from Ruma to Novi Sad, represents a kind of center of Fruška Gora, where the headquarters of the national park of the same name is located, as well as the starting point for numerous hiking and biking trails that crisscross and connect this beautiful mountain. In its immediate vicinity, there are several historical monuments, with the monumental "Sloboda" being particularly prominent, as well as a viewpoint that offers a beautiful view of Novi Sad. There is also the famous TV tower, heavily damaged but not destroyed during the NATO bombing in 1999.

Fruška Gora, like the whole of Syrmia, could be explored for days, but in this case, we will descend along the mountain ridge road and head towards Belgrade, passing through Inđija towards the end of the day.

Monument Sloboda on Iriški Venac
Monument Sloboda on Iriški Venac (PHOTO: Wikimedia)

Koki Zoo Park

The last destination on this excursion route could be a mini zoo located at the entrance to Inđija from the direction of Novi Sad. It is the Koki Zoo Park, a green oasis created through the initiative and enthusiasm of one man, on the site where a wild landfill was located 25 years ago. With a clear idea and dedicated work, the founder and owner of this park, Mr. Slavko Popović, turned the mockery of Inđija into a representative park that even larger cities in Serbia would be proud of. The park, which soon became a mini zoo, is home to about 20 species of animals and over 130 individuals, with bears, parrots, monkeys, and llamas being the most attractive among them.

This beautiful idea and noble mission would also be the final stop before returning to the everyday life of Belgrade, until the next trip and new exciting attractions...

Koki Zoo Park
Koki Zoo Park (PHOTO: Don Nil)

Trip Type: One-day

Optimal Duration: 12 hours

Transportation: Car/motorcycle

Approximate Distance: 210 km

Physical Demand: 1/5

Average Budget (per person): 3,500 – 4,000 RSD