The English guide to the banje
Serbia's Thermal Spa Towns
Mineral springs, mountain air and a century of ritual — a traveller's guide to the historic spa towns where Serbia goes to take the waters.
What is a banja?
Serbia has more than fifty thermal spa towns — known locally as banje — where mineral-rich springs have been used for bathing and healing since Roman times. They range from Vrnjačka Banja, the elegant “queen” of Serbian spas, to Vranjska Banja, home to some of the hottest springs in Europe, and from grand royal resorts to quiet mountain cures. This is the first comprehensive English-language guide to them: what each spa's water treats, what it's like to visit, and how to get there from Belgrade.
- 39
- Thermal spas
- 96°C
- Hottest spring
- 28 min
- Closest to Belgrade
Start here
The essential Serbian spas
Six of Serbia's ten flagship spa towns, each with its own character — from Europe's hottest springs to a marble-filled royal park.
Southern Serbia
Niška Banja
Niška Banja is a historic thermal spa on the edge of Niš, in southern Serbia, and one of the country's best-known health resorts — the third most visited spa…
38°
245 km from Belgrade · 2h 35m by car · Direct bus
- rheumatism
- cardiovascular
- neurological
Central Serbia
Ribarska Banja
Ribarska Banja is one of Serbia's oldest spas, tucked into the wooded slopes of Mount Jastrebac at around 540 m, about 35 km from the historic town of…
42°
210 km from Belgrade · 3h by car · Direct bus
- rheumatism
- musculoskeletal
- neurological
Eastern Serbia
Sokobanja
Sokobanja is a thermal spa town in eastern Serbia, set in a green valley between the Ozren and Rtanj mountains, about 60 km north of Niš and 220 km south of…
45°
221 km from Belgrade · 2h 30m by car · Direct bus
- respiratory
- cardiovascular
- stress
- +1
Southern Serbia
Vranjska Banja
Vranjska Banja is a thermal spa town in the far south of Serbia, 12 km from the city of Vranje, famous for having some of the hottest thermal springs in Europe…
96°
320 km from Belgrade · 3h 20m by car · Direct bus
- rheumatism
- neurological
- skin
Central Serbia
Vrnjačka Banja
Vrnjačka Banja is Serbia's largest and most visited spa, a green resort town of parks, bridges and promenades on the northern slopes of Mount Goč, about 200 km…
36°
200 km from Belgrade · 2h 30m by car · Direct bus
- diabetes
- gastrointestinal
- gynecological
- +1
Western Serbia
Banja Koviljača
Banja Koviljača is one of Serbia's oldest and grandest spas, set on the banks of the Drina river at the foot of Mount Gučevo in western Serbia, just 6 km from…
29°
140 km from Belgrade · 1h 30m by car · Direct bus
- rheumatism
- gynecological
- skin
By region
Explore Serbia's spa regions
Serbia's banje cluster in five regions, each with its own landscape and character — the mountains of the south, the royal spas of the centre, the vineyards of Vojvodina.
Find your fit
Find your kind of spa
Whether you want scalding sulphur springs, an easy weekend from Belgrade, or a family pool day, there's a banja for it.
From Belgrade
Close enough for a day
Under 90 minutes by car, so a late start still leaves an afternoon in the water.
Not sure where to start?
Which Serbian spa is right for you?
Thermal heat or gentle mineral water? Medical cure or a wellness weekend? Our decision guide matches you to the right banja in a few questions.
The only comprehensive English-language guide to Serbia's thermal spa towns — researched, sourced, and written for travellers.