Located near Serbia’s border with Romania, Majdanpek is surrounded by mountains in the valley of the Mali Pek. Its history of metallurgy dates back to the 5th century BC and the town flourished on the back of copper mining in the 17th century. Majdanpek is on the doorstep of Đerdap National Park and is surrounded by more than 100 caves.
Things to do in Majdanpek
Rising above Majdanpek is the 796-metre-high summit of Starica, which can be reached along a hiking trail offering superb views of the town. In the winter months, you can hit the ski trails of the Rajkovo Ski Centre or take advantage of its snowmobiling and tobogganing terrain.
Sprawling north of Majdanpek is Đerdap National Park, which was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2020. Hugging the Danube River, it encompasses the Iron Gates, a dramatic gorge that carves its way through the Carpathian Mountains. Lookout points and archaeological sites dot the park’s waterfront road, which also connects to several hiking trails.
On the southern edge of the park is Rajko’s Cave, which is named after a 19th-century duke who is said to have hidden treasure robbed from Turkish caravans here. The cave has been accessible to visitors since 1975, with its stalagmites and stalactites beautifully illuminated and connected along a series of walking trails. Highlights include the aptly named Crystal Hall and the Waterfall Hall, as well as the Small and Large Organ.
Getting around Majdanpek
Majdanpek is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Belgrade and Nikola Tesla Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Majdanpek and exploring the surrounding region. The town centre is small enough to navigate on foot.