Serbia Tours & Vacations

Glamorous, grungy and full of character - Serbia is Europe put in a blender, shaken and stirred.
While the lush, vineyard-layered countryside and crumbling fortresses hint at the Europe of old, the fiery energy of Novi Sad's EXIT Festival and Belgrade's heaving nightclubs give this Eastern European mainstay a renewed spirit that defies its recent past. So for a taste of something old, something new and pretty much everything in between - why not accept Serbia's alluring cultural cocktail? Trust us, you won’t regret it.
Our Serbia trips
Articles on Serbia
Serbia at a glance
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CAPITAL CITY
Belgrade (1.2 million)
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POPULATION
8.74 million
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CURRENCY
Serbian Dinar (RSD)
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LANGUAGE
Serbian
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TIME ZONE
(GMT+01:00) Belgrade, Bratislava, Budapest, Ljubljana, Prague
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CALLING CODE
+381
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ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)
Learn more about Serbia
Best time to visit Serbia
Generally, Serbia's weather is quite moderate, with a mixture of Central European and Mediterranean conditions providing the potential for fine weather in all seasons. Both summer and winter are prone to occasional days of extreme weather, with occasional dry, hot days in summer and heavy snowfalls from December to April. The majority of rainfall occurs from March to April and from October to November. Despite the temperature occasionally rising above 95 degrees F in the south, cold spells are not uncommon. With this in mind, it's a good idea to be prepared for all temperatures (regardless of the season), and pack a mixture of summer and winter clothes. For nature lovers, spring brings blossoming flowers and warm temperatures, and the countryside is at its greenest during this time.
As is the case with many other European destinations, Serbia experiences the highest volume of visitors between July and August, so expect crowds around Belgrade and in Novi Sad, especially during the annual EXIT festival in July.
Culture and customs
Serbia’s culture has been shaped by a history of migration, conquest and war. In some ways, the country is still reeling from the aftermath of the Yugoslav wars, though what has clearly emerged is a strong sense of patriotism. A surefire way to offend a local is to lump Serbia with other ex-Yugoslav nations. While what it means to be a Serb is still evolving, for many it means being family-oriented, speaking Serbian and belonging to the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Food and drink
Traditional Serbian cuisine is a hearty fusion of Turkish, Mediterranean, Hungarian and Austrian influences, rich in meat, cheese and pastry. Drinking coffee is a national pastime in Serbia, with Turkish-style kafa being the blend of choice.
Must-try foods in Serbia
- Cevapi
Cevapi is a small grilled sausage, usually served with flatbread, onions and sauces. - Sarma
Similar to Greek dolmades, sarma is a small roll made using ground beef and rice that’s then wrapped in pickled cabbage or grapevine. - 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.
Geography and environment
This largely unspoilt Balkan country is characterized by wide rivers, rugged mountains and stunning lakes. Picturesque Vojvodina flatlands, fertile fields and glacial lakes cover the northern region. South of Belgrade, the terrain becomes more rugged, with 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 in the west and exiting through Romania in the east; the eastern portion of the Danube is widely considered the most scenic part of the entire river. Djerdap National Park – home to white cliffs, lush green hills, oak forests and rich biodiversity, is located in this region.
Top 5 Belgrade bars
1. The Federal Association of Globe Trotters
Although its name may suggest otherwise, many travelers miss out on the delights of this uber-trendy spot. While an inconspicuous location and total lack of signage keep this carefree bar off the map, those curious enough to step off the street will find an eclectic and exotic decor that borrows from just about every culture on earth. Add a laidback vibe and some lip smacking cocktails and you can see why locals and tourists fall in love with this place time and time again. If Intrepid owned a bar, this is what it would look like.
2. Blaznavak Cafe
You have to wonder whether Petrovic Blaznavak - a former Serbian defense minister - could have imagined that his former house would become one of Belgrade’s hippest bars, 150 years after it was first built. But that's exactly what makes Blaznavak Cafe particularly charming - it’s a perfect place to meet, drink, eat and discuss, in the classical surrounds of a Serbian house filled with technicolor graffiti. Need we say more?
3. Mr Steven Brown
Their website proclaims 'it doesn’t matter who Steven Brown is', but we reckon he must know how to party. With guests such as Gerard Butler, Novak Djokovic and Michael Madsen spotted in the midst of this super club, it's certainly not for the faint of heart or weak of wallet. But then again, the city views and all-night awesomeness might just make it a worthy end to any Belgrade pub crawl.
4. Sunset Bar
If someone told you that they spent a day in Belgrade lazing under the shade of an umbrella and sipping cocktails on the beach, you could probably be forgiven for thinking they had gone insane. But before you check them into the asylum, head down to the banks of the Danube on one of Serbia's glorious summer days. Not only will you find bronzed bodies splashing in the cool waters, but some of the city's best bars are set up along the shoreline - ready to welcome you with a fruit cocktail or delicious ice-cream sundae. According to one of the most popular of these bars, the aptly named Sunset Bar, 'your pleasure and good time are our mission'. Mission accomplished!
5. Plato's
For those that like their cosmopolitans served with a side of contemplation, Plato’s Jazz Club is situated in the esteemed Philosophy Department of Belgrade University. A former meeting point during the student protest of the 90s, the debonair setting is absolutely charming, even if the drinks are a little pricey. Be careful though, emerging from Plato’s shadowy jazzy cave and into the daylight may change your perception (of bars) forever - or at least have you raving about 'the truth' to your friends for years to come.
Shopping
Shopping malls and stores selling international designers are increasingly popping up in Serbia’s larger cities, but local markets (pijaca) – where most Serbs still prefer to buy their fruit and vegetables – remain the best place to get a proper feel of the local culture. Most markets feature both flea market sections and fresh produce sections, so you can shop local culinary specialties – like ajvar (a capsicum-based relish) and homemade rakija – as well as antiques and other memorabilia.
Knez Mihailova is a lively pedestrian mall in the heart of Belgrade. Vendors selling artisan crafts and traditional items like opanci (traditional shoes with the toe curled back), Serbian embroidery and ceramics, can be found at the top end of the street. Department stores, boutiques and coffee shops are also located here.
Serbia is a cash country. Though payment by debit and credit card is becoming increasingly common, most places still only accept cash. Shops in larger cities tend to open from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday. In smaller cities, they tend to close at 5 pm instead. Most shops do not open on Sunday.
Festivals and events in Serbia
EXIT
This popular festival originated as a student-led resistance to the Milosevic regime. It has grown into a multi-day, multi-genre festival that draws some of the biggest names in music to the stunning Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad each July.
Guca Trumpet Festival
Think a festival dedicated to trumpets sounds like a dull school recital? Think again. This rowdy celebration of Balkan brass music, which takes place every August, is Serbia’s wildest party.
Belgrade Boat Carnival
Decorated boats parade through Belgrade’s two rivers (the Danube and Sava Rivers) while spectators take in riverside entertainment and tasty street food at this annual July celebration.
Nis Burek Days Festival
Though popular throughout the Balkans, the city of Nis claims to be the inventor of this flaky cheese pie. Every September, the city commemorates Nis’ culinary contribution by feasting on variations of savory burek.
Serbia travel FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Check the Essential Trip Information section of the itinerary for more information.
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.
The Internet can be accessed in internet cafes in Belgrade, as well as at some larger hotels, but is limited in rural and remote areas.
Roaming agreements exist with major mobile phone companies. Check with your service provider for more information.
Western-style flushable toilets are the norm in larger cities. In rural areas, squat toilets are more common.
Cup of coffee in a cafe = 40 RSD
Beer in a bar or restaurant = 140 RSD
Basic, takeaway lunch = 285 RSD
Dinner in an inexpensive restaurant = 700 RSD
Tap water is considered safe to drink in Serbia, however, some may get an upset stomach from the different mineral content.
Credit cards are accepted by most large hotels and retailers, but are less commonly accepted at markets and smaller cafes and hotels. It’s a good idea to carry enough cash for smaller purchases in case credit cards are not an option.
ATMs are widely available in larger cities but are less common in small villages and rural areas. Make sure you have enough cash before leaving urban areas.
- 1 Jan: New Year’s Day
- 2-3 Jan: New Year’s Holiday
- 7 Jan: Julian Orthodox Christmas
- 15-16 Feb: Statehood Day
- 14 Apr: Orthodox Good Friday
- 17 Apr: Orthodox Easter Monday
- 1 May: May Day
- 2 May: May Day Holiday
- 11 Nov: Armistice Day
For a current list of public holidays in Serbia go to: https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/europe/Serbia/public-holidays/
Discretion is strongly advised for LGBTQI travelers. Serbia is a country where same-sex marriage is not legally recognized and random acts of violence continue to occur against those thought to be gay. Belgrade’s Pride Parade has been marred by riots and has been cancelled several times because of the threat of violence.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travelers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travelers check with their government or national travel advisory organization for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
From Canada?
Go to: https://travel.gc.ca/
From the UK?
Go to: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/
From New Zealand?
Go to: http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
From the US?
Go to: http://travel.state.gov/
The World Health Organization also provides useful health information.
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.