Situated in a idyllic location in Eastern Serbia, surrounded by lovely hills & forests and overlooked by mountains, Soko Banja is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Serbia.
The main purpose for visiting this small municipality is "taking in the healing waters" - the hot springs, with radioactive elements, are well-known and recommended for those suffering from asthma, hepatitis or chronic rheumatism...
Yet Soko Banja and its surroundings has much more to offer to suit all travelers.
For the inveterate fishermen, lake Bovan (some 10km away from the town) is heaven - nor rain, nor shine, or nor a cold March day can hold them back from a few peaceful hours on the lake shore, with rod in hand...
Many hiking paths criss-cross the hills and forests in the vicinity of the spa town, which makes it ideal of active outings, with friends and family...
The area is teeming with relevant Serbian history too - the names of Milos Obrenovic, Ivo Andric, Branislav Nusic and Stefan Sremac are inextricably linked with Soko Banja's.
Definetly, the one excursion which combines both beautiful nature and turbulent medieval history, is the hike to Soko Grad.
Whether you take the longer version, starting on foot in town center, or drive up to Lepterija picnic area and then continue along the picturesque path by the river, the trip to Sokograd is a treat.
Here are some of the sites you pass along the way:
In spring, many beautiful wild flowers adorn the ground and brighten up your path:
And then it starts uphill...
The fortification known as Soko Grad (the Falcon's Town), first mentioned in the time of Stefan Nemanja (15th century), was originally built and owned by the Serbs, but then was conquered by the Turks who fortified it and ruled over it until the 19th century. When it changed hands again, the new Serbian masters made sure to bring it to ruins, lest it fell again in Turkish hands...
This beautiful ruin crowns a rocky peak overlooking the whole valley, with breathtaking views of the surrounding area:
Tours2Serbia definetly recommends visiting Sokograd in nice, dry weather - you can do a by-drive from Nis or Zajecar, combine it with a day at the spa (or in summer, with amazing fun at the local Aquapark "Podina"), or throw in a handfull of monasteries too - two of Serbia's best known ones, Manasija and Ravanica are on your way from Sokobanja to Belgrade...
See you soon in Eastern Serbia, Soko Banja, Sokograd...
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| Soko Banja - picture curtesy of the local tourist organisation |
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| Soko Banja - town center - picture curtesy of Wikipedia |
Yet Soko Banja and its surroundings has much more to offer to suit all travelers.
For the inveterate fishermen, lake Bovan (some 10km away from the town) is heaven - nor rain, nor shine, or nor a cold March day can hold them back from a few peaceful hours on the lake shore, with rod in hand...
 |
| Bovan Lake and Mt Rtanj in the background |
 |
| Fishermen "in action" on the shores of Bovan Lake |
Many hiking paths criss-cross the hills and forests in the vicinity of the spa town, which makes it ideal of active outings, with friends and family...
The area is teeming with relevant Serbian history too - the names of Milos Obrenovic, Ivo Andric, Branislav Nusic and Stefan Sremac are inextricably linked with Soko Banja's.
Definetly, the one excursion which combines both beautiful nature and turbulent medieval history, is the hike to Soko Grad.
Here are some of the sites you pass along the way:
In spring, many beautiful wild flowers adorn the ground and brighten up your path:
The fortification known as Soko Grad (the Falcon's Town), first mentioned in the time of Stefan Nemanja (15th century), was originally built and owned by the Serbs, but then was conquered by the Turks who fortified it and ruled over it until the 19th century. When it changed hands again, the new Serbian masters made sure to bring it to ruins, lest it fell again in Turkish hands...
This beautiful ruin crowns a rocky peak overlooking the whole valley, with breathtaking views of the surrounding area:
Tours2Serbia definetly recommends visiting Sokograd in nice, dry weather - you can do a by-drive from Nis or Zajecar, combine it with a day at the spa (or in summer, with amazing fun at the local Aquapark "Podina"), or throw in a handfull of monasteries too - two of Serbia's best known ones, Manasija and Ravanica are on your way from Sokobanja to Belgrade...
See you soon in Eastern Serbia, Soko Banja, Sokograd...
