Set on the banks of the meandering Sava River, Šabac is a centuries-old city in western Serbia that has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. A Slavic settlement was established here in the Middle Ages but soon fell to the Ottoman Empire, with the remains of a 15th-century fortress still visible today.
Things to do in Šabac
For insight into the local history, pay a visit to the National Museum Šabac, which occupies a magnificent old school in the heart of the city. Learn about the building’s use as a military hospital and a public library before it was transformed into a museum following World War II. In addition to ethnographical artefacts and folk costumes from the region, the permanent collection includes old industrial equipment.
Overlooking the Sava River is the ruined Šabac Fortress, which was constructed in 1471 by Isa-Beg Ishakovic. It was ruled by Vlad the Impaler and Suleiman the Magnificent throughout the successive centuries before undergoing an expansion during the Austrian occupation. A walking trail hugs the fortress walls and there’s a children’s playground where kids can let off some steam.
Šabac makes a good base for exploring the Special Nature Reserve Obedska Bara, which encompasses a riverside marshland with an abundance of bird life. Begin your visit at the information centre in Obrež to learn about the reserve’s unique ecology, then follow the circular walking trail dotted with interpretive panels. Boats can be rented for exploring the waterways at your leisure.
Getting around Šabac
Šabac is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Belgrade and one hour from Nikola Tesla Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular buses connect to Šabac and travel throughout the city. The centre of Šabac is compact enough to explore on foot.