On the territory of eastern Serbia, near the community of Knjaževac, there is an old mountain range – the highest in this region.
Here, in the heart of pristine mountain nature, in one of the most beautiful places in Serbia, the Stara Planina resort is located.
A resort with great potential
For the state, this object has a serious potential for tourism development.
Stara Planina lies at an altitude of almost 1,800 meters, which makes it possible to form excellent quality trails.
“Babyn Zub” with a height of 1,758 m is recognized as the most picturesque mountain peak here. This point is a nature reserve.
Weather
Snow, with an average thickness of 1.2 meters, covers the local nature for 5 months of the year (from November to March).
On the peaks, the humidity is higher and the temperatures are lower than in the lowlands. The lowest temperatures are in January, when the average indicator is 0 ° C. Summarizing, we can say that the climate here is similar to the western – Ukrainian.
“Stara Planina” as a ski resort
- Features of the ski service in Staraya Planina are as follows:
- the maximum height is Mount Midzor (2,169 m);
- the greatest height difference is 495 m;
- the average altitude is 1,723 m above sea level;
- total length of tracks — 13 km;
- the total number of tracks is 7, of which 2 are black, 3 are red and 3 are blue;
- number of FIS tracks for snowboarders – 2;
- the length of the largest track is 1,155 m;
- the number of lifts is 6, of which: 1 gondola (for 8 people), 1 cable car – “plate”, 1 double – “anchor”, 1 belt conveyor, 2 four-seater;
- availability of night routes with good lighting; artificial snow technology (30% of tracks);
- accompanying ski service (rental, repair, storage of equipment and inventory);
- ski school
Stara Planina is a young ski resort, but at the same time with excellent organization, technical equipment, and high-quality prepared mountain slopes.
In winter, it is an ideal place for active skiing and family sports and recreation.
Tourists note: real professionals work in training schools – in 3 days, seven-year-old children who have never stood up on skis are already skiing well and are not afraid.
The quality of the tracks is constantly maintained at an appropriate level. The slopes are well spent. Elevators work without interruptions.
Skiing down the mountain slopes is a pleasure! Good service and polite service also leave a pleasant residue from such “winter vacations”.
Where to stay
Hotel Stara Planina 4-star hotel
Stara Planina Spa Hotel is located in the immediate vicinity of the ski lift and slopes. Opened in 2012, this hotel offers guests an impressive range of wellness services, including hot tubs, a gym and a swimming pool.
The hotel operates under the “all inclusive – light” system, guests are served a buffet breakfast and dinner, a light lunch and drinks during the meal.
Guests at Stara Planina Spa Hotel can rent ski equipment and take skiing lessons. The hotel also has an à la carte restaurant, a bar and several shops. Children can play in the playroom or on the children’s playground.
Rooms and apartments with bathrooms are designed in an elegant and modern style. Amenities include a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and free Wi-Fi.
This secluded oasis is surrounded by dense forests and mountain scenery. The village of Kalna is 30 km away.
Guesthouse Babin Zub 2 stars
Featuring a restaurant, bar and free WiFi throughout the property, Babin Zub Guest House is located in Crni Vrh, a few steps from Sunc • ana Dolina T-bar and 7 km from Babin Zub Chairlift. The guest house has family rooms at its disposal.
At the guest house, every room is fitted with a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. All rooms have a wardrobe.
Babin Zub offers a buffet breakfast in the morning.
Guests can engage in various activities, including skiing.
Babin Zub Guest House is 91 km from Constantine the Great Airport.
Vila Vesela Kuca 4 stars
Featuring a garden and a terrace, Villa Vesela Kuca is located in Yalovyk-Izvor. It features a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a shared kitchen, as well as free Wi-Fi. In the evenings, the guest house hosts an entertainment program.
At the guest house, all rooms have a patio with a garden view. All rooms have a private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer and free toiletries. The rooms have a wardrobe.
Guests at Villa Vesela Kuca can enjoy a continental or a Full English/Irish breakfast.
There is a children’s playground on the territory. You can play table tennis at Villa Vesela Kuca, and the area is popular for skiing and cycling.
The distance to the nearest airport – Constantine the Great – is 62 km. Airport transfer is available for an additional fee.
Sin-Kom Hotel Garni 3-star hotel
Hotel Sin-Kom is located just a 5-minute walk from the center of Pirot and 600 meters from the main train station. Free Wi-Fi is available in all hotel rooms. In addition, there is a 24-hour reception desk and parking with video surveillance.
All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and satellite TV.
Hotel Sin-Kom is a 20-minute drive from Temska Monastery. Bela Palanka is a 30-minute drive away.
Hotel Ana Lux Spa 4-star hotel
Ana Lux Spa Hotel is located in the center of the city of Pirot. It offers modern rooms with free Wi-Fi, as well as a spa with a sauna, hot tub and gym. Free parking is available on the territory.
Decorated in light colors, the air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries.
The hotel has a Caffe bar, City Tavern, a fast food restaurant, a breakfast room, a banquet hall, a 24-hour reception desk and a conference room with a capacity of 100 people.
Ana Lux Spa Hotel is located 18 km from Stara Planina Nature Park and 65 km from the city of Nis.
Apres-ski
The main services on Staraya Planina are complemented by the Apres-ski service. Then the resting client will be in maximum comfort, relaxation and will not be bored.
The resort provides the following services:
- a sports hall with the latest technical equipment and the services of a personal sports trainer;
- yoga;
- aqua gymnastics;
- pilates;
- massage;
- bathhouse and sauna;
- basin;
- spa services;
- public catering places:
- restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs;
- night clubs, discotheques.
Other entertainment
Hiking.
There are quite a few hiking routes in Stara Planina, created by experienced tourist clubs and organizations.
The trails pass through the most picturesque, expressive and inspiring places of the Balkan Mountains and foothills.
In the summer, wonderful cycling routes open here.
photo
There is a place to turn around.
Riding on the gondola lift.
While in Staraya Planina, one cannot fail to see the beauty of this place from the height of the gondola. From here you can see a stunning panorama of the resort.
Banjica sports and health center.
Banitsa – the center is designed for “warm” bathing. There are pools of various sizes, even for children. The water temperature in them is about 27°C.
Extreme
The slopes of Staraya Planina are sometimes used as freeride zones – descent from the mountain without paved tracks.
Paragliding and paragliding in Serbia is attracting more and more people without tower risk extremes.
Hunting, fishing.
From the east, the hunting farm is located on the mountain slopes. Among the prey are deer, wild boars, pheasants, wolves, foxes, partridges, etc
Serbia has an impressive number of water bodies. And here, in the mountains of Staraya Planina, there are many streams and lakes where avid fishermen like to spend their vacation time.
Attractions
Among the interesting architectural and archaeological monuments, tourists are advised to visit the following:
- The Church of the Virgin, dated to the 14th century (Donya Kamianitsa village). This is a vivid example of a combination of Gothic and Romanesque – Moravian style of building, a valuable religious monument of Serbia.
- Drevnyi Sviato – Trinity Monastery with a unique ancient library.
- Collection of ethno-monuments of the first century AD. e. in the areas of archaeological excavations, diverse and numerous.
Tourists advise: if possible, visit winemakers in villages or a wine museum: tasting drinks is an incredible event. Impressions will be unforgettable!
Prices: accommodation and ski pass
Resorts in Serbia, according to travelers, are very cheap. In combination with the excellent quality of resort services, this is a godsend!
Accommodation can be found with any requirements: hotel room, apartment, chalet or boarding house.
The average price for a standard room in a hotel for 1 person per day is about 800 hryvnias.
Ski pass.
Subscription prices are as follows:
For 1 day: for an adult – UAH 360.
for the elderly – UAH 320.
for a child – UAH 280
For 6 days:
for an adult – UAH 1,240.
for the elderly – 1,040 UAH. for a child – 800 UAH.
For 10 days:
for an adult – UAH 2320:
for the elderly – UAH 2,100.
for a child – UAH 1,680.
Please note that prices may vary. All changes are displayed on a special electronic stand.
How to get to Staraya Planina
Step 1 – Flight (to Belgrade or Niš). Step 2 – car rental, bus + taxi, or ordered transfer.
If you go by car, you need to cover a distance of 330 km (4 hours) from Belgrade, 110 km (1 hour) from Niš.
By bus, the trip will take longer, but it will be cheaper. Buses run every hour, but only from Niš (it takes 2 hours to get to the resort). The ticket price is about 200 hryvnias. The bus goes to Kniazhevts. Then you can get there by taxi. The price of a taxi starts at 840 hryvnias.
The transfer service, i.e. ordering a car, costs from UAH 4,800. on the 3rd local car. The time spent is similar to option 1. This is the most comfortable way.
Let’s summarize
So, Stara Planina is a popular tourist and wellness ski resort – modern and fully equipped. This is a well-deserved duet of quality and a good price!