Things to do in Vranje, Serbia
Vranje is a small city in the eastern Balkan nation of Serbia. Few people from outside the country will be aware of this UNESCO location. However, it is a city full of surprises. Definitely not your typical tourist destination, there are many engaging things to do in Vranje
Where is Vranje
Vranje is located in Southern Serbia, close to the border with North Macedonia. This makes it a great idea as a day trip from Skopje! Vranje is pronounced vran-ya.
How to Get There
There are a few way to get to Vranje. There is no airport in Vranje but it is not difficult to get there and definitely worth exploring. The nearest large city, as we mentioned, is Skopje. Check out the below table for the different travel options.
| Skopje to Vranje | ||||
| Travel time (hours) | Cost (1 way) | Distance (km) | Comfort Factor | |
| Bus | 1.5 – 2 | 4 Euro | 92 | ** |
| Car | 1 – 1.5 | 10 – 15 Euros (tolls) | 94 | **** |
| Train | 3 | 7 – 20 Euros | 96 | **** |
It is also possible to travel from Belgrade to Vranje. However, the distance is far greater.
| Belgrade to Vranje | ||||
| Travel time (hours) | Cost (1 way) | Distance (km) | Comfort Factor | |
| Bus | 5.5 – 6 | 13 – 18 Euro | 340 | *** |
| Car | 3.5 | 30 – 50 Euros (tolls) | 340 | **** |
| Train | 8.5 – 9 | 9 – 20 Euros | dependant on route | **** |
Things to Do in Vranje, Serbia
Vranje is a tiny city but has maintained it history and culture as well as progressing with the times. This makes it a fascinating place to explore and absorb and it means there are many fantastic things to do in Vranje, Serbia
The White Bridge
The White Bridge, or Beli Most is one of the oldest attractions in the city. It had been recommended to us as a pretty site to visit in the town so we walked for around 15 minutes from the centre of town to find it. The bridge is a small Ottoman era footbridge and has become an emblem of Vranje.
Address: 9.Jugovica, Vranje, Serbia
As we are in the Balkans, there is of course a legend behind the building of the bridge. Also known as the “Bridge of Love” it is said that the daughter of the Ottoman governor in Vranje, Aisha, fell in love with Stojan, a shepherd. One day they met by the river. Aisha’s father caught them and tried to kill Stojan. In his attempt to do so, he killed his own daughter as she threw herself in front of her love. Stojan later took his own life.
The marble plaque on the side of the bridge (roughly translated) reads:
“This bridge is called White Bridge, and it will serve to help people. The water that is flowing beneath it, will serve for the people’s health! Passers-by, cross the bridge and cross it back. You will see that it was built for the good of every man. Muhamed, Mustafa, help the human Aisha the owner. Guardian, forgive the sins of the beautiful and good Aisha and the sins of her parents!”
“Cursed shall be the one who divides what love unites.”
The walk up through the quiet neighbourhood is worth it though and you get a wonderful feel for the small city.
The Museum of Bora Stankovic
A visit to the Museum of Bora Stankovic – Vranje’s famous writer – is another one of the great things to do in Vranje. The exhibition has been created in the writer’s former house and is a bit like going back in time time. Well worth a visit if you like Serbian history or literature.
Address: Baba Zlatina 9, Vranje 17500, Serbia
The Čika Mitke Statue
Or Uncle Mitke as he’s affectionately known… Standing proud and overlooking the city centre is the Čika Mitke Statue. The monument was erected in 1903 to celebrate the Liberation of Vranje in 1878.
Located HERE
The Old Hammam
The old Hammam is a great place to appreciate the history of the town. Built by the Ottomans when they occupied Serbia and the building has survived to this day. Unfortunately, it is no longer a functioning Hammam. However, it’s still worth a look if you’re nearby as the building is historic.
Address: Амам, Poljanička, Vranje, Serbia
Spend Some Time in City Park
City Park lies just off the pedestrian centre and is a beautiful part of the city to to take a stroll. We enjoyed some shade from the burning sun and a few interesting statues before heading off for some dinner. More on that later…
Address: Kneza Miloša 58, Vranje, Serbia
Hiking in Vranje
The small city has mountains to the north so there is some good hiking in Vranje. Even a simple walk around the old part of the city is very interesting.
Markovo Kale
Just 4 kilometres north of Vranje, Markovo Kale makes an interesting destination. Around 750 meters above sea level sits the remains of an ancient fortification. Not much is known about this site and it is not maintained by anyone. But, it is thought that Roman Emperor Justinian I built a city here in the VI century.
This state of abandonment almost guarantees you will have the place to yourself. So immerse yourself in history and tranquillity.
It is about 15 minutes in the car from the centre of Vranje. Or you can walk the whole way in just over an hour.
Address: Марково, Vranje 17500, Serbia
Vlasina Lake
Vlasina Lake is the highest artificial lake in Serbia sitting 12km long at 1,213 meters above sea level. There are plenty of hikes, wild swimming and loads of other activities around the lake and the surroundings are particularly beautiful.
It is an hours drive from Vranje to Vlasina Lake but it is really great to escape the city on a scorching hot summer’s day.
Where to Eat in Vranje
So, we return to dinner… We stopped at Simple Caffé and Restaurant in the centre of town. This place had a good choice of food and really friendly staff who spoke a little english.
There are loads of great cafes in the centre. There seems to be a real cafe culture in Vranje – which we loved! We sampled a few, of course. However, they were all pretty good. Our advice would be to explore and try a few places. You won’t be disappointed.
There were also a few ice cream shops open during the summer.
Just be aware that many eateries are closed between their lunch and dinner service so check the opening times and don’t get caught out… like we did…
When to Visit
We visited in the summer, August. The heat was almost unbearable (for two pale Scots anyway). The town was quiet and we didn’t see a single western tourist. If, like us, you can’t stand 40°C for too long, perhaps it’s better to visit in the shoulder seasons or early summer. Tourism and crowds are certainly not an issue at any time of the year when visiting Vranje. It is definitely not a tourist hot spot, which we loved, and it felt very authentic.
What is the Weather Like
As we just mentioned the summer is BOILING! The spring and autumn are much more pleasant weather wise. Winter can be very cold and snowy with temperatures dipping below freezing.
What Currency Should we Use in Vranje
The Serbian Dinar is the currency used in Serbia and therefore in Vranje. We passed a few banks where we could withdraw some local currency – 6000 RSD (Serbian Dinar) equates to around €50. The larger shops take card so we didn’t need a lot of cash for a day.
How Long to Stay in the City
It is very easy to visit Vranje from Skopje in a day. However, if you plan to explore the area further, we would certainly recommend staying for a night or two.
Where to Stay in Vranje
If you decide to spend some time in Vranje, here are a few of the best options for accommodation –
Budget – Snezana home is a cute apartment just a little outside the centre or Vranje. It is self catering but offers a delicous breakfast for around €3 per person.
Mid Range – Apartman Vranje is located in a quiet but central neighbourhood making it a great base for exploring.
Luxury – Hotel Royal Putnik is near the centre of Vranje and has private parking, a fitness centre, a bar and city views.
How Expensive is Vranje
Vranje is a very affordable city. For example, a three course meal for two at a good restaurant can be found for around €30. A regular coffee costs from as little as around €0.70 in a café and you can buy a half litre of Serbian beer for €1.
Is Vranje Safe
Yes, very! It is a small and sleepy city with a very chilled vibe. We found people to be friendly and curious about our visit. The only thing to be aware of, perhaps, is that we were advised to avoid the Preševo Valley region south of the city. It is thought that there may still be lingering tensions between Serbs and ethnic Albanians and possibly some unexploded mines in the countryside.
What to Pack for a Trip to Vranje
We have put together a convenient, basic packing list for your trip.
- Passport
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack
- Snacks for the journey
- Book/audiobook for the journey
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing such as windbreaker, hiking socks, buff/hat, and fleece. Make sure to wear layers to account for the changing conditions if you plan on hiking
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone
- Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of this quirky little city
The Serbian Language
Many Serbians in the cities speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases in Serbian. It is certainly not an easy language for English speakers but any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:
| English | Serbian | Pronounced |
| Yes | Da | dah |
| No | Ne | neh |
| Please | Molim | moleem |
| Thank you | Hvala Vam | hvahlah vahm |
| Hello | Zdravo | zdrahvo |
| Good bye | Do viđenja | doveejehñah |
Where to Go Next
Ready for another adventure? Why not try travelling to Skopje? There is plenty more to discover in beautiful North Macedonia.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited any Vranje or Serbia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
Oh, I missed visiting Vranje the last time I went to Serbia. But it sure does look like a place that I need to add for my next visit. Is there an entrance fee to the old hammam? 🙂
Such an informative post with great photos and tips for visiting Serbia. Thanls so much for sharing!
We almost got to Serbia in 2019 but spent the rest of our trip in Macedonia. Its at the top of the list for next time and would love to visit Vranje too.
This is such a great post! I definitely want to visit now. Thanks for sharing such detailed information
This is such a great post and definitely made me want to visit! Thanks for all the detailed info
Glad you found us too! If you have any questions just give us a shout ☺️
I am so glad I came across your blog! I am planning a trip to the Balkans this summer so I’m glad that I found a fantastic resource like this.
This definitely looks off the beaten path, which I love! The Markovo Vale is in a beautiful location. I hope I have the chance to explore this cute town!