If you have Googled ‘What to visit in Valjevo ‘, the first thing you will see is beautiful natural landscapes and monumental buildings. Or maybe the Petnica cave caught your eye.
Settled in the heart of Serbia, this beautiful city is underestimated as a Serbian tourist destination.
Valjevo is a city of rich history and culture, delicious food, and excellent wines, and is also the birthplace of some of the most famous Serbs.
So, one thing is sure: if you visit Valjevo, you will have a great time!
Now, we will make this even easier for you by providing you with a list of all the things you must see and do when you visit this Serbian city.
#1 What To Visit in Valjevo: City Centre
You should start your stay in Valjevo with a pleasant walk in the city centre so you can experience its true spirit and life.
Did you know that Valjevo is called the City with two bazaars?
These two sides of the Valjevo are opposed to each other.
On one side of the river Kolubara is the old part called Tešnjar, and on the other is today’s city centre with big spacious squares.
While you are here, don’t miss Knez Miloševa Street, the main shopping street.
#2 What to Visit in Valjevo: Tešnjar
Tešnjar is the old quarter of Valjevo and one of the most well-preserved bazaars in Serbia (in Serbian, we call this type of bazaar čaršija).
Source: Turistička organizacija Valjevo
Here, you will walk through cobblestone streets, see old buildings that were once craftsmen’s shops, and experience the spirit of old times.
Today, Tešnjar represents cultural heritage, but you can not just enjoy the view; you can also visit some of the many bohemian pubs and cafes. They are especially lively at night.
Also, there is a manifestation called Tešnjarske večeri (Tešnjar Nights), which is organised in the middle of August.
It’s not surprising that some of the most popular Serbian movies, such as Ivkova slava or Marš na Drinu were filmed right there.
#3 What to Visit in Valjevo: Narodni muzej
The National Museum of Valjevo was nominated for the best museum in Europe!
It is considered one of the most complex and best-equipped institutions of this type in the whole country.
You can enjoy four different collections. Each one contains valuable items from archaeology, history, art and ethnology.
You should not miss the museum’s installation called The Third Dimension of the Past – The View from the Future. Interesting as it sounds, it will offer you a one-of-a-kind trip through time. This setting covers the period from prehistoric caves to WWII.
Besides these attractions, there are also some other important historic places such as Muselimov konak and Kula Nenadovića.
#4 What to Visit in Valjevo: Saborna crkva
This church is the biggest in Valjevo and one of the biggest Orthodox temples in the world. It can accommodate around 2000 people.
It is located on the confluence of rivers Gradac and Kolubara, and the surroundings are beautiful as well as the church itself. There’s a lot of greenery and a charming fountain, so you can enjoy your visit even more.
#5 What to Visit in Valjevo: Park Vidrak
Park Vidrak in Valjevo is a monumental park dedicated to the Revolution warriors from 1941 to 1945. In the centre of the park, you can see the monument of Stefan Filipović, a brave revolutionist who was sentenced to death by hanging. Before he was hanged, he gave a speech that encouraged many patriots, holding his hands high in the air.
Source: Vikipedija
Besides its historic significance, this park is also a green oasis with many trees and greenery. It’s a peaceful place for walks and relaxation.
There are more parks in Valjevo worth visiting, such as Park Pećina, Park on Jadar, and Krušik Monumental Park.
Events And Manifestations in Valjevo
On the 20th of March, which is the Liberation Day of Valjevo, you can expect different events and concerts on the streets.
As we already mentioned, Valjevo is the birthplace of many famous Serbs such as writer Milovan Glišić, archpriest Mateja Nenadović, military leader Živojin Mišić and many more.
One of these people born in the village of Brankovina near Valjevo is a famous Serbian poet, Desanka Maksimović. In honour of Desanka, every 16th of May, there’s a festive program on her birthday.
Besides these events and manifestation Nights of Tešnjar, there are other important festivals in Valjevo, such as the Valjevo Jazz Festival or the international festival of string instrument musicians.
What to Visit Near Valjevo
When you come to Valjevo, you should also grab the chance to explore its surroundings.
Some of the most important places are:
- Ćelije Monastery in Lelić village
- Pustinja Monastery in the Poćuta village
- Gradac river canyon
- Vrujci Spa
- Petnica Cave
Source: Come to Serbia
As you can see, there are lots of things to see and do in Valjevo. You can create your own route or contact a local travel agency to see what excursions they offer.
So, if you thought one or two days were enough to explore this beautiful city of Serbia, think again. But don’t worry—Valjevo offers various accommodation options. You can choose between hotels, apartments, or even etno-villages (the latter are a few kilometres from Valjevo).
You want to upgrade your Valjevo experience and feel like a local? The best way is to learn to speak the Serbian language and communicate easily with the residents.
Schedule your Serbian online lessons and make the most of your visit!
