Even though it is crowded with visitors all year long, the town of Vrnjačka banja gets overwhelmed by a special grandeur during the Carnival of Vrnjci in July.
The days of the Carnival of Vrnjci transform Vrnjačka banja (eng. Vrnjačka spa or The Spa of Vrnjci) into a giant stage where numerous carnival troops from around the world dance and perform.
All polished, spotless and with colorful carnival decorations, every July one of the most beautiful spas in Serbia welcomes entertainers, artists and tourists from the country and around the world. The number of people that visit the Carnival of Vrnjci every year exceeds the number of 200.000.
Almost each corner of the streets and squares in Vrnjačka banja reveals something interesting and magical that is happening there.
You don’t have to wear a mask, but how could you resist the temptation of becoming someone else for at least a couple of hours? A superhero, a horror film of a cartoon character, a flower, a butterfly… you can be whatever you desire here at the Carnival of Vrnjci.
And there are, of course, the unavoidable spirited carnival dancers from around the world wearing colorful costumes with feathers and glitter.
And all that in thy rhythm of DJ music, Serbian pop and hip hop music, as well as traditional folklore and folk music.
Costume balls, festivals, exhibitions, theater shows and sport events are only an introduction to the central manifestations of the Carnival of Vrnjci – the Great International Carnival Parade and the Kids’ Carnival Parade.
That is when all the heroes of the Carnival show off with their unusual masks and costumes at the parade along the central promenade in Vrnjačka Banja, leaving everyone in the audience without breath. And later, the artists and the fans will party together at the concerts of famous bands and musicians.
The carnival atmosphere has been known to the citizens of Vrnjačka banja for decades. Since the founding of a modern spa here in the town of Vrnjci, about 165 years ago, locals have given a great importance to balls, costume balls, and fairs. They did their best to preserve the spirit of their costume ball that has been organized on and off since 2005.
On that year, all these events were transformed into the “International Carnival of Vrnjci” and so gained an international significance. The Carnival, consisting of more than 40 different entertaining, cultural and sports events, has been organized on a regular basis ever since.
Beside winning the “Turistički cvet” (Tourist Flower) award of the Tourist Organization of Serbia, Vrnjačka banja has also become the member of the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC).
Thanks to this recognition, the Carnival in Vrnjci takes a significant place in the calendar of top world carnival events.
How to get to the Carnival of Vrnjci?
If you travel from the direction of Belgrade by car, you can get to Vrnjačka banja using the Belgrade-Kraljevo motorway or the Belgrade-Niš-Skopje highway via Pojate. The road is around 200 km long.
If you travel by bus, all the major cities have bus connections to Vrnjačka banja. You can also go to Kraljevo, and then take a local bus to the spa, and the distance is 30 km.
When you are already here, don’t miss…
…the magnificent Belimarković manor house in the spa that hosts the museum of Vrnjačka banja.
The monasteries Studenica, Ziča, Gradac, Djurdjevi Stupovi and Sopoćani are situated along the Ibar valley. It is a pity to come to this area and not visit these ancient monuments of Serbian cultural heritage, three of which are one the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List.
Also, the visits to the medieval fortresses of Ras, Maglič and Koznik are an unforgettable experience.
If you’re an adventurous spirit, don’t miss the “Race Without Borders” – rafting down the Ibar river, which is held in mid-July, as is the Carnival of Vrnjci.
