Šargan 8 Railway, Wooden Town & Drina River from Belgrade

Ride a narrow-gauge train through mountain tunnels, then walk through a film director's handmade village.

A full-day tour from Belgrade to Western Serbia combines three distinct stops: the Šargan 8 Railway, a retro narrow-gauge train that winds through the Ovčar-Kablar Canyon; Wooden Town, an ethno village built entirely from natural materials by director Emir Kusturica; and views of the House on the Drina, a log cabin perched on a river stone. The guide is English-speaking, hotel pickup is included, and lunch happens at Wooden Town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Western Serbia full-day adventure

• Depart from Belgrade in morning
• Ride retro Šargan 8 Railway train
• Explore Ethno village Wooden Town
• Enjoy traditional Serbian lunch
• View House on the Drina river
• See panoramic Drina River viewpoint
• Drive back to Belgrade

The experience

The day starts in Belgrade and heads west into a region known for its canyon landscapes and river valleys. The Šargan 8 Railway is the centerpiece: a narrow-gauge train called "Nostalgia" that climbs through the Ovčar-Kablar Canyon, passing through numerous tunnels carved into the mountainside. The train's eight loops earned it the name, a feat of 19th-century engineering that lets the track gain elevation without steep grades. You board at a station and ride as a passenger. The journey itself is the attraction, with the canyon walls and tunnel passages framing the route.

After the train ride, the tour moves to Wooden Town, an ethno village constructed entirely from wood and natural materials. Director Emir Kusturica built it as a film set and cultural space. It now hosts the annual Kustendorf film festival. Lunch is a sit-down meal of traditional Serbian food served on-site, giving you time to walk the village and absorb its handmade character. The village is small enough to explore in an hour or two, and the wooden structures (houses, bridges, details) are the draw for anyone interested in architecture, film, or how a director translates vision into a physical place.

The route also traces the Drina River, one of the region's defining features. A scenic viewpoint gives a panoramic view down the river valley toward the mountains. The famous House on the Drina (a small log cabin built on a stone in the river itself) is visible from the road or the viewpoint. It has become a symbol of the region and appears in photographs and films. The drive back to Belgrade closes the loop, with the guide narrating the landscape and history throughout the day.

What’s included

• Your tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Belgrade.
• an air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed English-speaking guide for the full day.
• a train ticket for the Šargan 8 Railway.
• entrance to Wooden Town.
• and a traditional Serbian lunch at the village.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small group shared tourGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027Tour in English: join a small group of no more than 18 participants, usually 5 to 10 people. Pickup is included.

Private TourGuide in English · 08:00Entry fees are covered: the Wooden Town admission and the train ticket for the Šargan 8 ride are part of the price. Personalized experience: you get exclusive use of a vehicle and a guide, so you set the itinerary and move at your own pace. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (2 to 5 years): free

GroupUp to 16 · max 7 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 47 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Serbia Tour Operator

Is this one for you?Choose the shared tour if you are comfortable meeting other travelers and want to split the cost. Book the private option if your group prefers to travel alone and set its own pace through the three stops. Either way, the 12-hour itinerary is fixed, so both versions follow the same route and timing from Belgrade and back.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (2 to 5 years): free.

What is the Šargan 8 Railway and why is it called that?

The Šargan 8 is a narrow-gauge railway built in the 19th century through the Ovčar-Kablar Canyon. It earned its name from eight loops: switchbacks that allow the track to climb steep terrain without grades too steep for the train to handle. The retro train "Nostalgia" carries passengers through tunnels and past canyon walls on a scenic ride that is the main event of the morning.

Is Wooden Town a real village or a film set?

Wooden Town is both. Director Emir Kusturica built it as a film set, but it has become a permanent cultural space and now hosts the annual Kustendorf film festival. The entire village is constructed from wood and natural materials, and visitors walk through it during a lunch stop as part of the tour.

Will I see the House on the Drina up close?

The House on the Drina is viewed from a scenic viewpoint or from the road as the tour travels along the Drina River valley. It is a small log cabin built on a stone in the river, visible from a distance rather than accessed directly, but the viewpoint offers a panoramic perspective of the river and surrounding mountains.

What kind of food is served at lunch in Wooden Town?

Lunch consists of traditional Serbian cuisine served at Wooden Town. The meal is included in the tour price and gives you time to relax and experience the local flavors and hospitality that characterize the region.