Is Zlatibor worth visiting?
Zlatibor can work as a mountain base, but it is not automatically the quiet wilderness travellers picture. Go for an accessible mountain stop, not because the name alone proves it belongs in a short itinerary.
Answer
Zlatibor is useful when you want a relatively accessible mountain-style break, but it needs the right expectations. It is not the answer for every traveller looking for wild Serbia, and it can feel too developed if you arrive imagining remote forest silence. Its value is practical: accommodation choice, mountain air, family-friendly pacing and access to the wider region if your route supports it. On a short Serbia itinerary, Zlatibor has to earn its place against Novi Sad, Tara, Uvac or a simpler Belgrade-based plan. It is not a bad stop; it is a stop that should match the kind of mountain trip you actually want.