Nestled in the West Morava Valley, Čačak is a historic spa town south of Belgrade. It serves as a gateway to the karst landscapes of Ovčar-Kablar Gorge, which has been nicknamed the “Serbian Mount Athos” due to its abundance of monasteries.
Things to do in Čačak
Discover the region’s archaeological, ethnographic and artistic history at the National Museum in Čačak, which opened to the public in 1952. Get up close to Neolithic artefacts and religious treasures from the surrounding monasteries, then learn about the conflicts that impacted Čačak between 1804 and 1941. Traditional arts and cultural objects of significance are also on display.
Čačak is an ideal base for exploring the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge, which is an area of stunning natural beauty west of the city centre. It’s famed for its centuries-old monasteries that offer a peaceful setting for reflection and is named after the two mountains that tower above - Ovčar and Kablar. The gorge is surrounded by rugged hiking trails that offer sweeping views of the snaking Zapadna Morava River and its steeply-sided cliffs.
A highlight of the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge is the Monastery of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, which is decorated with frescoes dating back to the early 17th century. Also not to miss is the “Smoke Cave” of Kađenica, a cave-church where Serbians rebelling against the Ottoman Empire took refuge in 1814 during Hadži-Prodan’s revolt. Their remains are housed within two sarcophagi beneath the cave-church’s altar.
Getting around Čačak
Čačak is around an hour’s drive from Užice and 1.5 hours from Belgrade and Nikola Tesla Airport. Buses connect to Čačak from destinations across Serbia and also travel throughout the city. Renting a car is the best way to explore the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge and its monasteries.