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Šargan Eight

Šargan Eight: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Belgrade: Full-Day Guided Tour of West Serbia

1. From Belgrade: Full-Day Guided Tour of West Serbia

Prepare yourself for an exciting and unforgettable adventure set in Western Serbia, the most naturally vibrant region in the country. With a morning departure from Belgrade, this unforgettable day will start with a drive to wild and almost untouched nature, tasty cuisine, and friendly and hospitable people. The route leads us to drive along the gorgeous Drina River where we will have a unique opportunity to see the world-famous attraction, “The House on the Drina” an isolated house made of logs on a river stone. The cherry on top will be the breathtaking view from the viewpoint positioned above the stunning landscape composed of high mountains and the Drina River itself. Our first goal on the tour is a unique retro “Šargan 8 Railway”. The unique drive with the retro-train called “Nostalgy” will bring you back to times passed and let you fully enjoy the scenery and numerous tunnels. While you are enjoying amazing landscapes you will learn how this project was a huge victory of technology over nature, why it is named by a number, and how it became Europe’s most attractive narrow gauge railway. After this “time travel” ride, something equally fabulous awaits us in the continuation of the tour. Film fans will be overjoyed to visit the breathtaking Ethno-village “Wooden Town” that famous director Emir Kusturica built. All the objects at this charming complex are made from natural materials, mostly wood. An especially interesting and glamorous event happening in this town is the film festival “Kustendorf”, a highly respected annual celebration of motion picture. Drive through the picturesque Ovčar-Kablar Canyon that extends above the meanders of the Western Morava River. Enjoy more of the beautiful Western Serbia scenery before heading back to Belgrade.

From Belgrade: Drina River House, Sargan 8 Train & Drvengrad

2. From Belgrade: Drina River House, Sargan 8 Train & Drvengrad

Go off the beaten path and explore the best of western Serbia. Photograph the peculiar Drina River house – the only Serbian landmark posted on the cover of National Geographic Magazine, and travel back in time on a scenic ride on the Sargan 8 train. Explore a wooden town created as a movie set and enjoy spectacular views along the way on this private or small-group tour.  The tour starts at 7:00 AM from your accommodation in Belgrade. Travel for 2.5 hours in an air-conditioned car or minivan and arrive at the Gate of Podrinje viewpoint, marking the entrance to the magical Drina River Valley. Continue to Bajina Basta, a small city famous for being the home of the Drina River house. This unusual house was built in 1968 by local students and was made famous by National Geographic Magazine. Take a quick break to explore the area and enjoy a coffee or tea.  Next, drive 45 minutes towards Mokra Gora Railway Station, where you will start the Sargan 8 railroad ride. Authentic cars with wooden seats will take you back to 1925 when this railroad connected Belgrade with the Adriatic Sea. Hop on the train "Nostalgia" and ride up to the cliff at Jatare Station where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. After a 2.5-hour ride, you will return to the starting point.  The last stop is in Drvengrad or "Woodentown," an ethno village developed by the well-known movie director, Emir Kusturica, as a set for his movie Life is Miracle. All the objects including the hotel, shops, church, and cinema are made of natural materials. Before starting the return trip, break for lunch and try some regional specialties. Drop-off will be provided at your accommodation in Belgrade at approximately 8:00 PM.

From Belgrade: Sargan 8 Railway and Wooden City 1 Day Tour

3. From Belgrade: Sargan 8 Railway and Wooden City 1 Day Tour

This tour starts with pickup from your accommodation and then heads toward Western Serbia. After a 2.5-hour ride, you’ll reach “The House on the Drina,” an isolated house made of logs on a river stone. Then, depart on the famous Sargan 8 scenic train. During your ride, pass and stop at several viewpoints, where you can see fabulous views over Mokra Gora.   After an almost 2.5-hour ride, return to the station and continue your journey to the nearby Mećavnik, or Drvengrad (Wooden City). The famous director Emir Kusturica, a two-time Palme D'Or award winner at the Cannes Film Festival, built it during the shooting of his film, Life is a Miracle. After a meal, head back to Belgrade, arriving in the late afternoon. Sargan 8 scenic train only operates from April 1st to October 31st each year, you'll not be able to take the train at other times. Instead, you'll be taken on a tour of Rača Monastery, the oldest in the Tara Mountains, and learn about the ancient history of the area while admiring the scenery along the way.

Sarajevo: Visegrad, Sarkan Eight Railway & Kurstendorf Tour

4. Sarajevo: Visegrad, Sarkan Eight Railway & Kurstendorf Tour

Start with pickup from your hotel in Sarajevo. Begin the journey towards the eastern region of Bosnia, taking in views of beautiful mountains and small villages throughout the journey. First, stop at the town of Visegrad and walk across the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Drina River, with exceptional views of the bridge and the surrounding landscapes.  Continue towards the nearby town of Andric, recently built in honor of Nobel Prize winner and writer, Ivo Andric. Cross the border into Serbia and discover Sargan Eight, a narrow-gauge heritage railway line built shortly after WWI. Ride the Ciro locomotive along this scenic route through 22 tunnels, and capture panoramic views of a picturesque region.  After the train ride, travel to Kurstendorf. Also known as Drvengrad, discover a village that was purpose-built for the 2004 film "Life is a Miracle" directed by Emir Kusturica. Explore this charming replica of a traditional Serbian village, which has a hotel, cinema, chapel gallery, and restaurants. Enjoy some time for lunch, at your own expense, before returning to Sarajevo.

From Belgrade to Sarajevo: Western Serbia Private Day Tour

5. From Belgrade to Sarajevo: Western Serbia Private Day Tour

Explore the beauty, culture, and heritage of Western Serbia on a full-day guided tour from Belgrade to Sarajevo. Experience the unique Timbertown, the scenic Sargan Eight Railway, and authentic traditional lunch. Starting from Belgrade, the first stop is Mećavnik-Drvengrad or Timbertown. It was built by the famous Serbian director Emir Kusturica (two times Palme D’Or winner) during the shooting of his film Life Is a Miracle. See unique wooden architecture and sites where vintage cars are parked on twisting streets named after celebrities such as Bruce Lee and Diego Maradona. Next up, stop for a delicious traditional lunch made of local specialties (cost not included). Enjoy a train ride on the historic Sargan Eight Railway. Authentic cars with wooden seats, wood-burning stoves, and characteristic rattling sounds will take you back to 1925 when this train was started, connecting Belgrade to the Adriatic Sea. Soak in the ethereal views of the Mokra Gora as you pass through and stop at several viewpoints throughout the two-and-a-half-hour ride. Return to the departing station and arrive at Sarajevo by car or van in the evening.

Top sights near Šargan Eight

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What people are saying about Šargan Eight

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 28 reviews

The fact that this tour isn't as popular as the others is what intrigued me to begin with. The scenery is outstanding. Andricgrad and Kurstendorf are fascinating projects and definitely worth visiting. The train ride is also a must-see, kind of like time traveling in the past to experience how people used to travel. Visegrad is a beautiful city and the bridge is sureal. The tour guide was as good as can be, friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable and just an overall pleasant down to earth individual. I'm glad I booked and wish to bring some friends along next time!

Kenan was our guide and our driver for the tour to Visigrad. He took us from our hotel in Sarajevo. We were 3 persons. Kenan don't speak much. But he answered every question that we asked him. As a matter of fact , i liked that kind of guidness. what i didn't like about : Kenan is driving too fast. I was expected to get explantions about the history of Visigrad bridge according to the book "the bridge on the Drina", but Kenan didn't know. He came with no serbian money so we had to look for bank or exchane. In total, I liked the tour and Kenan very much.

Jovan was very attentive, nice and knowledgeable in everything he spoke about. He managed to be on schedule at all times while giving us maximum time at our destinations. He was also very caring and kind to the sick tourist in our van due to motion sickness. Be careful - windy and bumpy roads to the mountains can be very stressful to the body - take motion sickness tablets.

Really nice tour with a friendly, competent and very helpful guide for every request

Very interesting tour. Highly recommend to all who admire Emir Kusturica's films.