Serbia tours & vacations

The best time to visit Serbia depends on your travel preferences – April to June offers mild temperatures and a landscape full of wildflowers and greenery. July to September is the peak season for outdoor activities like rafting and swimming. Summers can see dry, hot days, and winters can see heavy snowfall, especially from December to March. The rainy season is from March to April and October to November. For nature lovers, spring brings blossoming flowers and warm temperatures, and the countryside is at its greenest during this time – if you’re travelling outside the peak summer season, you may also avoid large crowds. 

With a strong sense of patriotism, you can see the locals’ love for their country through the family values, the food, the music, the arts and the nightlife scene. The country’s culture has been partly shaped by a history of migration, conquest and war. Since prehistoric times, it's been conquered by Celts, Greeks and Romans and was once part of the Republic of Yugoslavia. Most Serbs are Christian, with a small Muslim minority and the culture is heavily influenced by Turkey and Greece as well.  

This largely unspoilt Balkan country is characterized by wide rivers, rugged mountains and huge lakes. The Vojvodina flatlands, fertile fields and glacial lakes cover the northern region, while in the south, the terrain gives way to the Dinaric Alps to the west and the Balkan Mountains to the east. The Danube River extends across the country, entering from the border with Croatia and exiting through Romania. The eastern part of the Danube is widely considered the most scenic part of the river.

Traditional Serbian cuisine is a hearty fusion of Turkish, Mediterranean, Hungarian and Austrian influences, rich in meat, cheese and pastry. Coffee is also a national pastime in Serbia, with Turkish-style kafa being the blend of choice.  

Things to try in Serbia 

1. Cevapi 

These grilled mince kebab patties are often served with pita bread (somun or pitica), which is dipped in broth. There are also sides of chopped, raw onion and ajvar (red pepper paste) or cream cheese. This popular dish is also found in Balkan countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina.  

2. Sarma

Like Greek dolmades, sarma is a small roll of cabbage or grape leaves, made using ground beef and rice.  

3. Burek  

Commonly eaten for breakfast along with a drinkable yogurt, burek is made using thin layers of pastry filled with cheese, spinach or minced meat. 

4. Ajvar 

A roasted pepper spread, often made with eggplants, is common throughout the Balkans. 

5. Cvarci 

A variant of pork rinds, this dish is found in western Serbia, especially in the town of Valjevo. 

6. Pindjur 

A relish commonly used as a summer spread in the Balkans. 

7. Cesnica 

A Christmas bread, this is often decorated with various symbols. 

Top places to visit in Serbia

1. Novi Sad

In the second largest city in Serbia, you can visit the Petrovaradin Fortress, constructed in the 17th century and used to protect the city during the Napoleonic Wars. Or you can walk around Liberty Square and take in the Neo-Renaissance architecture, perhaps finishing the day off at a carda tavern (a fish restaurant along the Danube River).

2. Belgrade

Known as the White City, Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Sitting at the confluence of two major rivers – the Sava and the Danube – it’s an important intersection between Eastern and Western Europe. Explore Republic Square, Knez Mihailova Street, Kalemegdan Park and the Belgrade Fortress, where the rivers meet. Belgrade is also known for its party scene, and the bohemian Skadarska quarter is a great spot to grab dinner.

3. Tara National Park

Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular destinations in the country, this park is home to the world’s third-largest river canyon and is filled with forested slopes and ravines. Go hiking or board the scenic steam train in Mokra Gora for a ride through forests and mountains. This stretch of railway is part of the renowned Ciro trail, connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea.

4. Vukovar

Near Novi Sad, this town symbolizes the devastation of the recent war. Learn about the sobering local history with a visit to the local hospital and the museum in its basement (used as a refuge during the siege) to hear wartime stories from hospital staff.

5. Zemun

In Belgrade, this neighbourhood in the Old Town has a rich history and is now known as the bohemian part of town, home to many of the city’s artists and writers. As Zemun used to be an independent town – only joining Belgrade in 1934 – the small village atmosphere still stands. Walk around and maybe head to a market to see the local wares. Stroll along the river promenade and stop for lunch in one of the riverside restaurants serving fresh fish.

6. Derdap National Park

Known as the Iron Gates, this national park is home to the mighty Danube, which carves through the Carpathian Mountains. For nature lovers, you can visit the gorge (100 km long) for incredible natural scenery, or head to the Blederija river and waterfalls.

The currency used in Serbia is the Serbian Dinar (RSD). Most foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Serbia and in major restaurants and cafes. It’s a good idea to always have cash on you, especially in rural areas.