Destinations in Serbia
Serbia is an often underestimated destination in the heart of the Balkans. A vacation in Serbia offers travelers a fascinating mix of history, culture and breathtaking nature.
The Republic of Serbia is a landlocked country in south-eastern Europe, right in the center of the Balkan Peninsula. The capital is Belgrade, other major cities are Novi Sad, Nis, Kragujevac and Subotica. The republic is not an EU member state and is still a candidate country.
Serbia as a state was first mentioned in a document by a biographer of Charlemagne in 822. As was usual in Europe’s past, the rulership changed from time to time until Tsar Dušan (1331-1355) took over. He was one of the most powerful rulers in the country and during his reign Serbia was politically highly recognized in Europe.
At the end of the 14th century, the Turks attempted to take Serbia by force. After several battles, the Serbian army finally had to surrender and recognize the supremacy of the Ottomans. Serbia was part of the Ottoman Empire until 1804. After the last Ottoman co-regent was driven out of the country, the Congress of Berlin recognized Serbia’s independence in 1878. Serbia was declared a kingdom in 1882.
This was followed by a period of war: 2 Balkan wars, the First and Second World Wars. The country then became one of six constituent republics of communist Yugoslavia. Until 1990, life in the Serbian part of Yugoslavia was based on socialist ideas. Until Slovenia left the union at the 14th Congress of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia. The political and economic situation in Yugoslavia was more than tense and eventually led to the Yugoslav Wars (1991-1995) and the Kosovo War (1998-1999). Serbia has been independent since 2006.
Vacation in Serbia
From the majestic peaks of the Dinaric Alps to the rolling hills of Vojvodina, Serbia offers an impressive variety of landscapes. The Tara Gorge, Uvac Canyon and Djerdap National Park are just some of the breathtaking natural wonders that will delight outdoor enthusiasts. Hikers, cyclists and nature lovers will find countless opportunities for recreation and adventure here.
Belgrade, the vibrant capital of Serbia, is known for its exciting nightlife, lively art scene and diverse music. The city cleverly combines old and new, with historic districts such as Skadarlija and modern areas such as Savamala. Novi Sad, the European Capital of Culture 2021, delights with its relaxed atmosphere and the famous EXIT festival.
Serbian cuisine is a feast for the senses. From hearty meat dishes such as Ćevapi and Pljeskavica to sweet treats such as baklava and slatko, Serbia’s culinary heritage will delight any foodie. The local wines and the famous rakija, a traditional fruit brandy, are a must for every visitor.
The Serbs are known for their warm hospitality. Visitors are often treated like family, which makes traveling in Serbia a particularly welcoming experience. Off the beaten track, the country offers authentic experiences that have been lost in many European destinations.
Compared to many other European countries, Serbia is an extremely affordable destination. Whether you stay in a luxurious hotel or a cozy guesthouse, the cost of accommodation, food and entertainment is generally very budget-friendly.
Explore different destinations of Serbia
Belgrade, the dynamic capital of Serbia, offers an impressive mix of history, culture and modern life. The metropolis at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers is an up-and-coming destination that is well worth discovering.
Niš, the third largest city in Serbia, located in the picturesque south of the country, offers a fascinating mix of history, culture and modern lifestyle. This charming city is an up-and-coming destination that has something for everyone - from history buffs to nature lovers and foodies.
Travel informations
Arrival
By plane
There are several ways to travel to Serbia by plane. The largest and most important airport in the country is Nikola Tesla Belgrade Airport.
Niš Airport (INI) is located about 4 km from the city center and offers various facilities and transportation options. We chose the flight to Nis from Berlin.
Nis has a very small airport, where a maximum of 5 planes landed per day in summer 2018. The picture shows the only terminal. Otherwise, several airlines fly to Belgrade from Germany. Mostly not daily, but you can certainly find connections
By car
You can reach Serbia from Austria via Hungary or via Slovenia and Croatia. The journey takes at least 6 hours.
From Germany, you can take the route via the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, from Austria via Slovenia and Croatia and from Switzerland via Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.
By train
Serbia can be reached by train directly or by changing trains in Budapest or Villach. The journey takes at least 10 hours.
By bus
Flixbus connects Germany, Austria and Switzerland with Serbia. There are mainly bus connections to Belgrade and Novi Sad with a change of bus. The journey takes at least 8.5 hours.
Lasta offers connections between Germany and Serbia.
By boat
It is possible to travel on the Danube and Sava rivers from the port of Belgrade, but there is no regular boat service.
Entry and visa requirements
Entry and visa requirements for EU citizens
EU citizens do not require a visa to enter Serbia. They can enter with a valid passport or identity card and stay in the country visa-free for up to 90 days within a six-month period.
Entry and visa requirements for non-EU citizens
Non-EU citizens generally require a visa to enter Serbia, unless they come from a country that has a visa-free agreement with Serbia. The exact regulations depend on the country of origin. To apply for a visa, non-EU citizens usually need to present a valid passport, an application form, a passport photo and, if necessary, other documents such as invitations or proof of financial means
. It is important to check the specific requirements with the Serbian embassy or consulate in your home country before traveling, as regulations may change.
On the road in Serbia
Public transportation in Serbia
There are good bus connections in larger cities. In Belgrade, the municipal transport company GSP Beograd operates streetcars, city railroads and trolleybuses.
There are local and international bus connections
By train
Trains run on a few routes within the country. You shouldn’t expect too much here, especially when it comes to train stations. Belgrade is currently (2018) getting a new modern central station. But smaller towns and villages only have limited check-in buildings, ticket offices… Even in Nis, the third largest city in the country, for example, there were no toilets at the station. Many trains are outdated. On some of them I wondered whether I should really get on board.
However, the train from Nis to Belgrade, with a journey time of over 5 hours, was a modern regional train, similar to our regional trains.
By cab
Cab fares are very cheap compared to Germany.
Tolls
Freeways and expressways in Serbia are subject to tolls. Payment is made at the start of the toll road or contactless using a transponder
Best time to visit Serbia
Spring (March to May)
Spring begins in Serbia in March, with temperatures gradually rising and moderate rainfall. The average temperature is 11°C during the day, 2°C at night. There are about 9 rainy days a month. Temperatures rise to around 23°C during the day, 12°C at night by May. The probability of rain is slightly higher, with an average monthly rainfall of 130 mm.
Summer (June to August)
Temperatures can rise to over 30 degrees in the summer months. The probability of rain decreases more and more until August. When it does rain, it is usually short, heavy showers.
Autumn (September to November)
It starts to get cooler again from September. Travel conditions are perfect with warm temperatures and less rainfall.
It gets cooler and wetter until November. The average temperature during the day is only 13 degrees.
Winter (December to February)
Winter begins in December with cooler temperatures (average temperatures: 6°C during the day, 1°C at night) and more frequent rainfall (around 8 rainy days a month). January is the coldest month of the year, with frosty temperatures and snowfall.
Language
The languages spoken in Serbia are Serbian or Serbo-Croatian. In the North of the country occasionally also Hungarian, Russian and Slovak are spoken. Further South Albanian is frequently spoken as well.
Our experience using English to communicate was also really good. English worked well for us in shops, restaurants or on the streets. That said, we were mostly exploring bigger cities so we don’t know how this compares to more rural areas.
A little harder than understanding the spoken word was reading the language. Since November 2006 Cyrillic Script is officially in use. There often are latin letters as well, but sometimes there aren’t any.
Money
The currency in Serbia is the Dinar (RSD).
When we arrived, we didn’t have a single Dinar in our pockets. The airport in Niš was so overcrowded when we arrived that we didn’t go looking for an ATM. Luckily, the taxi driver accepted Euros.
In Niš and Belgrade, we were able to get money from the ATMs and also paid with our Visa Card. It is definitely worth checking with your bank beforehand what the cheapest options for doing so are. Exchange offices are plentiful as well and they mostly have similar conditions to what the bigger banks offer.
Telephone and Internet
Telephone
Serbia belongs to the group of European countries and USA in the usual tariffs of German cell phone providers. This means high telephone and roaming costs.
We bought a Serbian prepaid cell phone card on the very first day. At telenor, for example, there was a tourist card with 15 GB for a good €6, which was valid for 15 days.
Internet
You can find relatively good WLAN in Serbia.
In restaurants you just have to ask and you will often get a free Wi-Fi code for the in-house network.
Tip: Buy a prepaid card from one of the many providers. With our tourist prepaid card (from Telenor) we also had good reception in the smaller villages around Nis and in Belgrade.
Plug
Serbia uses type F sockets. This means that no adapter is needed for German plugs. The mains voltage is 230 V.
Plugs
Serbia uses type F sockets. This means that no adapter is needed for German plugs. The mains voltage is 230 V.
