The Gold Gondola in Zlatibor: A Practical Guide

The Gold Gondola, or Zlatiborska gondola in Serbian, is one of the main reasons a lot of visitors come to Zlatibor at all. It runs from the center of town up to Tornik, the highest peak in the area. At around nine kilometers, it is one of the longest panoramic gondola rides in Europe, and the trip in one direction takes close to half an hour.

What the ride is like

You board in the center, near the lake, and glide up over pine forest, meadows and a few small villages. The cabins are enclosed and comfortable, so weather is not really an issue. There is a middle station at Ribnica where you can get off, and the final stop is Tornik, sitting at about 1490 meters. From the top you get a wide view over the surrounding hills, and on a clear day you can see quite far.

Tickets and practical tips

Buy tickets at the lower station or online in busy periods. A few things that help:

• Go in the morning if you want the shortest lines. Midday in summer and on weekends is the busiest.
• Bring a layer even in summer. It is noticeably cooler and windier at the top.
• A return ticket is the normal choice, but you can buy one way if you plan to hike down.
• Check the daily operating hours, since they change with the season and close for maintenance at times.

Every season gives you something different. In summer the meadows are green and Tornik has an adrenaline park and walking trails. In autumn the forest turns and the air is clear. In winter Tornik is a small ski center, so the gondola carries skiers as well as sightseers. Even in poor weather the ride itself is worth it for the view of the clouds below you.

The lower station is an easy walk from the center, and from our apartment on Ulica Sportova it is about a ten to fifteen minute stroll, so you can do the gondola in the morning and be back for lunch without touching your car.