When you’ve already been to Zlatibor and thought you’d seen it all – forests, viewpoints, Sirogojno, Gostilje waterfalls – and then you hear about Stopića Cave, you realize the mountain still keeps its greatest secrets. It’s that feeling like someone is whispering to you: “There’s still more to see, but you have to go a little deeper.”
Stopića Cave is not just another hole in the rock. It is a spectacular underground world 1,691 meters long, with impressive tufa tubs, halls 25 meters high, and channels where the Trnavski stream roars. Located on the northeastern side of Zlatibor, between the villages of Rožanstvo and Trnava, this cave has been a protected natural asset since 2005 and is one of the most visited attractions in the region.
This isn’t for those seeking adrenaline and narrow passages. Stopića Cave is for everyone who wants to see how nature, drop by drop, creates artistic masterpieces that man can never replicate.
Table of Contents
What is Stopića Cave and where exactly is it located
Stopića Cave belongs to the so-called river caves, shaped by the Trnavski stream flowing through it since prehistoric times. The total length of the cave system is 1,691 meters, with a surface area of 7,911 square meters and a volume of over 120,000 cubic meters. The cave is divided into five speleomorphological units: Svetla Hall, Tamna Hall, Hall with Tubs, Channel with Tubs, and River Channel (still closed to the public).
Geographically, it is located on the northeastern side of Zlatibor, between the villages of Rožanstvo and Trnava, only 19 km from Zlatibor’s tourist center and 30 km from Užice. The cave entrance is at a relatively accessible altitude, a few hundred meters from the main Zlatibor–Sirogojno road. A well-maintained path and stairs lead to the entrance, making it accessible by passenger car or tourist bus.
The cave’s name comes from the nearby Stopići hamlet, and what makes it special are the tufa tubs – unique travertine formations that look like natural cascading pools. Due to its preserved morphological features, endemic flora, and unique tubs, Stopića Cave was declared a natural monument of exceptional importance by the Government of the Republic of Serbia in 2005.
History of Stopića Cave exploration from Cvijić to today
Although locals from Rožanstvo and Trnava knew about the “hole in the rock” for centuries, the first written records of Stopića Cave appear in the Minutes of the Serbian Geological Society from 1901. The first serious speleological research was conducted by Jovan Cvijić, the father of Serbian scientific speleology, between 1909 and 1913. Cvijić mapped the main halls and noted the connection between the cave and surface sinkholes – dolines through which water enters the system.
Locals had their own way of proving this: they would throw colored stones through the sinkholes and find them in the cave, confirming that the surface openings were part of the same underground flow.
After World War II, the cave attracted attention from mountaineering and speleological societies from Belgrade, Užice, and Novi Sad. The tourist trail was arranged in 2009, when about 250 meters of paths were built. In recent years, further improvements were made: in 2015 metal platforms were installed above the tubs and waterfall, in 2016 LED lighting in colors that highlight the formations, and in 2017 the Trnavski stream flow was regulated for visitor safety.
The cave reopened to the public on November 2, 2025, after works, and today it is one of Zlatibor’s most visited attractions, especially popular with families and tourist groups.
What can be seen in Stopića Cave detailed trail description
Stopića Cave is divided into five sections, but the first four are arranged for tourist visits: Svetla Hall, Tamna Hall, Hall with Tubs, and Channel with Tubs. The River Channel remains closed to the public due to greater difficulty.
Svetla Hall
This hall stretches from the entrance to where daylight ends. It is 76 meters long and covers 2,800 square meters. Here you see the first formations, feel the humidity, and hear the stream disappearing into the darkness.
Tamna Hall
Continues where the light ends. 98.5 meters long, 1,200 square meters in area, and contains the cave’s greatest height – 25.5 meters. The atmosphere becomes mystical, with lighting highlighting the high vaults and first stalactites.
Hall with Tubs
30 meters long, 450 square meters in area. The cave’s star – tufa tubs. The largest tub by the north wall is 12.5 meters long, 3 meters wide, bordered by ridges 1.5–2.1 meters high. The tubs are up to 2 meters deep, filled with crystal-clear water. Platforms from 2015 allow safe viewing.
Channel with Tubs
Continuation with more tubs, some up to 7 meters deep. LED lighting from 2016 creates spectacular effects.
The tour lasts 30–45 minutes, with a guide explaining the formations. The paths are safe, but good footwear is essential.
How to plan your visit to Stopića Cave practical tips
Opening hours and ticket prices
Stopića Cave is open every day of the year.
- October 24 – April 5: 09:30–16:30
- April 6 – October 23: 09:30–18:00 (summer until 19:00 July–September)
Ticket prices (2025/2026):
- Adults: 400 dinars (around €3.40)
- Children 7–15 years: 250 dinars (around €2.15)
- Children under 7: free
Contact: +381 31 583 377, +381 31 845 103.
What to wear and bring
- light jacket (constant temperature, cooler than outside)
- rubber-soled shoes (paths are damp and slippery)
- flashlight (excellent lighting, but backup never hurts)
- water (small drink after the tour)
Children are welcome with supervision, but strollers are impractical.
How to get there
- From Zlatibor: 19 km on asphalt road toward Sirogojno (26 min by car)
- From Užice: 30 km
- From Belgrade: about 250 km (3 hours drive)
Parking available on site.
Stopića Cave and nearby Zlatibor attractions
Stopića Cave is rarely visited in isolation – usually as part of combined tours:
Stopića Cave + Sirogojno
Staro selo open-air museum in Sirogojno (26 km from Zlatibor) shows Zlatibor village life from the 19th–20th centuries. Contrast: underground darkness vs. mountain sunshine.
Stopića Cave + Gostilje Waterfalls
Series of beautiful waterfalls in natural surroundings. After the cave, the sound of water and green scenery provide perfect balance.
Stopića Cave + Zlatibor panorama
Drive through villages, kajmak tasting, viewpoints. A day easily fills with 3–4 attractions.
Geological magic of Stopića Cave tufa tubs and underground world
The tufa tubs are Stopića Cave’s specialty – formed by travertine (calcium carbonate) deposition in cascades, where water pools in basins up to 2–7 meters deep. The largest tub is 12.5 m long, 3 m wide. The limestone layer is over 100 meters thick, and the water is crystal clear.
The cave is a living system – the stream flows, drops fall, stalactites grow. This is not a dead stone world, but an underground river shaping new forms.
Stopića Cave for families and first speleological adventures
Stopića Cave is ideal for family outings. Children love the tubs, water, and stories of “stone art.” Paths are safe, without claustrophobic passages.
For those wanting more, the cave is an introduction to speleology – Jovan Cvijić worked here, and today mountaineering–speleological societies offer deeper tours (with special equipment).
FAQ about visiting Stopića Cave
Is Stopića Cave demanding to visit?
No. The trail is arranged with handrails, stairs, and platforms. Basic fitness and good shoes suffice.
How cold is it in Stopića Cave?
Constant temperature, cooler than outside. Bring a light jacket or hoodie.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, without flash. Check rules at entrance.
How long does the tour take?
30–45 minutes, with guide.
Can I visit with children?
Yes, with supervision. Strollers are impractical.
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