Discover Vinča: Belo Brdo, Hiking Trail and Nature

Vinča brings together archaeological sites, a named hiking route and a diverse wetland landscape. If you are looking for a particular focus when choosing your accommodation, it is worth considering the different options: Belo Brdo for archaeology, the Ritopek–Vinča route for a hike, and Vinčanska bara for nature and biodiversity.

Archaeology at Belo Brdo

The Belo Brdo archaeological site has a cultural layer 10.5 metres thick, covering 10 hectares. The two measurements describe different aspects of the site: the thickness of the cultural layer and the area it covers. Excavations began in 1908 under the direction of university professor Miloje Vasić.

Finds from Belo Brdo include numerous stylised anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures from the Vinča culture—that is, figures with human and animal features, respectively. The history of metal extraction is also part of the archaeological story: the world’s earliest known extraction of copper using extractive metallurgy took place in Vinča.

Plan your visit to the site

A museum exhibition is located directly at the Belo Brdo site, and the visit also includes an outdoor exhibition. Vinča Belo Brdo is open to visitors from 1 April to 31 October. Outside this period, visits must be booked in advance. Guided tours are offered at set times on weekends: 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00 and 17:30. As these operating details may change, check opening hours, booking requirements and tour times before your visit.

Vinča Belo Brdo can be reached by public transport on bus route 307. Check the current timetable before setting out. This makes it possible to plan your journey and visit together, especially if you are considering a guided tour or a visit outside the regular season.

Hiking trail and excursion route

The Ritopek–Vinča hiking trail is 8.6 kilometres long and takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Vinča is listed as a worthwhile stop along the way. The distance and approximate duration give you a clear framework if you want to include a hike in your travel plans.

Another option is the “Grocka on the Danube” excursion route, which includes the archaeological site in Vinča. On this route, visitors are guided by Dragan Janković, curator at the Belgrade City Museum and an archaeologist. The commentary covers the emergence of the first European civilisation, based in Vinča, as well as the protected site, which is of particular importance to the Republic of Serbia. Thus, the hiking route is defined by a specified distance and duration, while the excursion route focuses on expert guidance and the archaeological context.

Wetland and waterside landscape

Vinčanska bara is a wetland ecosystem in the settlement of Vinča, in the municipality of Grocka, close to Velikoselski rit and the Danube. It provides a habitat for numerous species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects and plants. Protected and rare species recorded there include the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and the little egret (Egretta garzetta).

Another water-related attraction in Vinča is Mali Dunav, a model river more than 1,000 metres long. Its lower section, which has been prepared for visitors, covers about 5.5 hectares. Together with Vinčanska bara, it broadens the range of nature and landscape attractions; the two details refer to different places and contexts.

Discover more destinations: Kaluđerica, Mala Ivanča, Zemun, Lazarevac, Ovča, Vranic, Koracica, Dobanovci.

For the main travel overview: Belgrade.