Serbia tours & holidays
Where nature roams free and culture runs deep
Serbia's mountains, rivers, lakes and forests make the perfect setting for hiking, skiing and kayaking. If you’re a history buff, the crumbling fortresses and old school cityscapes hint at the Europe of old. For foodies, there are flaky pastries full of cheese and meat, accompanied by a local drop in the vineyard-laden countryside. If you’re the kind of traveller looking for something old, something new and something blue (Tara National Park is home to the world’s third largest river canyon!), Serbia is your perfect match.
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Explore tailor-made tripsSerbia at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Belgrade (1.2 million)
POPULATION
6.65 million
CURRENCY
Serbian Dinar (RSD)
LANGUAGE
Serbian
TIME ZONE
(GMT+01:00) Belgrade, Bratislava, Budapest, Ljubljana, Prague
CALLING CODE
+381
ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)
Learn more about Serbia
Best time to visit
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.
History and culture
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.
Geography and environment
This largely unspoilt Balkan country is characterised 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.
Eating and drinking
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’s 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 yoghurt, 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 and 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.
Best places to visit in Serbia
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 symbolises 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.
Money matters
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.
Serbia travel FAQs
You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.
We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.
For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.
Tipping isn’t customary in Serbia, but feel free to leave restaurants, drivers or service workers a small tip if the service has been particularly good. It’s always appreciated.
Serbia is a landlocked country with a continental weather pattern – this means hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Pack according to the season you're travelling - but it's always a good idea to have good walking shoes, a light rain jacket, layers and sun protection.
Tap water is considered safe to drink in Serbia, but some people may get an upset stomach from the different mineral content. If you're not used to the tap water in this region, it's a good idea to stick to filtered or bottled water.
The Internet can be accessed in internet cafes in Belgrade, as well as some larger hotels, but is limited in rural and remote areas.
Roaming may be available with major mobile phone companies, but checking with your service provider is a good idea. You might also consider getting a travel or e-sim card when you arrive.
Western-style flushable toilets are the norm in larger cities. In rural areas, squat toilets are more common.
While Intrepid supports all travellers on our trips, discretion is strongly advised for LGBTQIA+ travellers in Serbia. Same-sex marriage is unfortunately not legally recognised in the country and local attitudes vary.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex before you travel.
We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.
We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Travelling from Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.
Find out more or make a donation
While Serbia can be tricky to navigate for people with mobility issues, the capital of Belgrade offers an increasingly accessible environment for disabled travellers. With improved infrastructure, transportation options and inclusive initiatives, the city is becoming more accessible.
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