Good results in team sports
Soccer. Before his death, the great Yugoslavia shone in particular thanks to the formidable vision of the game of PSG player Safet Sušić or Dragan Stojković in the 1980s and 1990s. Stojković is a legendary player, who is now coach of the Serbian national team. He also rocked the mythical Red Star Belgrade club, the country's flagship team. Red Star is a real institution in Serbia, attracting fans from all walks of life and, above all, drawing boiling fans ready to ignite every match in the incandescent Rajko Mitić Stadium. The other major club in the country, Partizan Belgrade, regularly competes with it for the leadership of the capital in the "eternal derby".
Basketball. In basketball, too, the Yugoslav legacy has allowed Serbia to shine on the European and international scene. Most recently, the Eagles won the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics (after a loss to the unbeatable Americans), finished runner-up in the 2014 World Championship and runner-up in the 2009 and 2017 European Championships. It is a whole people who are now waiting to see their protégés win a first international gold medal since the Yugoslavian golden age
Water polo. Confidential in France, this game is major in the Balkans. The Serbs are among the world's elite in the discipline: they won Olympic gold in Rio in 2016, before retaining their title in 2021 at the Tokyo Games by beating the United States in the final. They also won the World Championships in 2009, 2015 and 2017 and the European Championships in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.
Volleyball. Finally, in volleyball, too, Serbia regularly shows its strengths. It was the European champion in 2019 and won the World League in 2016
Novak Djoković and the little yellow ball
The biggest Serbian star, the one who has carried the country's colors high to the four corners of the world, is undoubtedly tennis player Novak Djoković. One of the greatest players - the greatest even according to some observers - in the history of tennis has won everything with no less than twenty grand slam titles (as of spring 2022): nine Australian Open, two French Open, six Wimbledon, three US Open. At the same date, he had spent more than 350 weeks at the top of the world rankings. A record, with the mythical Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the rearview mirror. The native of Belgrade (in 1987) is now a legend and has definitely entered the hearts of Serbs. Other great local players in recent years are Nenad Zimonjić, Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarević.
In the women's game, if Monica Seles, born in Novi Sad in 1973, made history, it was in American colors. Since then Jelena Janković and Ana Ivanović have reached the top world rankings in the late 2000s.
A nature activity paradise
Between mountains, hills and plains, Serbia offers many opportunities for nature tourism. The mountainous slopes of all sizes, situated in splendid landscapes, invite, winter as well as summer, to the practice of mountain biking, paragliding and skiing. The sometimes steep slopes will delight climbing enthusiasts. The canyons, gorges and rapids allow kayaking and rafting on the Tara, Uvac or Drina rivers. Finally, huge areas at medium altitude, deserted but with resplendent flora, offer the opportunity for interesting hikes, trekking and photo safaris as well as the high lakes. The bird sanctuaries around Belgrade and in Vojvodina, as well as the Uvac Canyon (home to the last vultures in Europe) and Carska Bara, promise to amaze the birdwatcher
To keep up with the demand and to exploit this tourist potential, lodgings and rural tourism activities have developed at full speed in recent years, providing a very modern quality of service. Among this radiant green economy, the villages around Valjevo, Kosjerić, Kraljevo and Kruševac stand out. In Vojvodina, the business of salaš, rustic farmhouses/guesthouses, is very successful
Caving enthusiasts will also be able to enjoy themselves with superb sites. Most of the geological sites are of majestic beauty and you will have the privilege of being almost alone! For the amateurs, the Resava and Ceremošnja caves, 3 hours drive from Belgrade, are quite popular and well equipped for a family visit.
In winter, skiers will mainly go to the Kopaonik National Park. Its mountain range is home to the most developed ski resort in the country with about 50 kilometers of slopes
A spa destination
About forty thermal spas and countless natural springs are exploited in Serbia today. Some of the country's renowned thermal springs have been used since Roman times for their healing properties. Thus, among the most visited spas are the center of Vrnjačka Banja, which has seven mineral springs, Banja Koviljača, the oldest in the country, Sokobanja, the "royal" bath of Turkish origin of the Serbian elite, the huge center of the thermal spring of Čigota in Zlatibor or Niška Banja, with radioactive water. Besides their paramedical activity, these sites are usually huge tourist complexes combining natural surroundings, luxury hotels, restaurants, sports and relaxation activities. Some of these resorts, such as Aranđelovac or Vrnjačka Banja, even go so far as to organize festivals and cultural events on site
Campaigns with the rhythm of hunting and fishing
Hunting and fishing are also very popular activities in the Serbian countryside. Hunting is supported by numerous local associations and hundreds of hunting grounds covering almost 9 million hectares. Vojvodina has many of them, the most famous being Karadjordjevo and Jermenovci near Belgrade. Fishing is practiced in waters that are always clear, and the numerous springs and rivers full of fish are a pleasure for fishermen. Serbians are used to going on weekends with a fishing rod in their trunk.
