9 Useful Things to Know Before Visiting Serbia

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The Balkans are still a destination growing in popularity, as is one of its largest countries – Serbia. Countries like Croatia and Montenegro earn quite a bit of buzz these days, but Serbia seems to miss out somehow.

Having travelled through the Balkans a lot, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when visiting Serbia. While the Balkan states are often grouped together and have similar elements – e.g. an intertwined history and close languages – they are also each markedly different. That’s why Serbia still managed to feel unique to me after several trips to nearby countries.

Before visiting Serbia, it helps to know a little about the country to make your time their smoother. The good news is that I found it to be much easier to travel through, relative to some of its Balkan neighbours. And I won’t beat around the bush; Serbia is definitely worth visiting. To explain why, here are some things to know before you go so that you make the most of your Serbia trip.

1. There’s More than Just Belgrade

No country is only their most popular destination; there’s always more going on. Exploring beyond the capital or big-ticket destination shows you far more sides to a place than you could hope for otherwise.

This is certainly true of Serbia and why it’s at the top of my Serbia travel tips. Belgrade is at times cosmopolitan and other times a gritty urban place, but you won’t find those traits in other parts of the country. Rural areas and small villages in places like Fruska Gora are worlds away from Belgrade’s urban atmosphere.

But even fellow cities like Novi Sad and Sabac have distinctly different tones to them. It’s worth remarking that Serbia isn’t exactly small, so there are likely a lot more destinations there than you realise. What I’m trying to say is that a city break in Belgrade is just one of umpteen possible Serbia itineraries to choose from.

2. Getting There

As a landlocked country, Serbia is naturally surrounded by neighbouring countries. But when you realise that list includes Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro and more, it becomes clear how central it is to a whole corner of Europe. For someone like me plagued with indecision, the sheer number of options for where to go next was mind-boggling.

The other way to look at it though is that Serbia makes an easy addition to any Balkan itinerary. You have useful bus and train connections to work with, not to mention Belgrade and Nis airports. When coming overland from the north, both Subotica and Novi Sad make solid starting points.

Vrsac is right by the Romanian border and a useful connecting point with Timisoara. Nis is likely your go-to city from Bulgaria, Kosovo or the Republic of Macedonia. But of course, so many international connections will bring you straight to Belgrade from all over.

One thing I’ve failed to mention is that Serbia is not a member of the EU or part of the Schengen Zone. This can be a blessing if you’ve run out of Schengen days. But of course it also means you need to go through proper immigration procedures (which can slow down border crossings considerably). Make sure to do proper research to check whether you need a visa and how long you can stay for without one. A good place to start is this Serbian government site.

Finally, it’s worth noting that since Serbia isn’t in the EU you won’t be able to take advantage of the EU roaming rules. That means you’ll need to think about getting a new SIM card or take advantage of a TravelSim that works in multiple countries.

3. Getting Around Serbia

If there’s a part of Europe that is somewhat challenging to get about with public transport its the Balkans. If you stick to the main routes that connect major cities and destinations, you’re usually alright. Deviate from the beaten track and it can get complicated. Serbia tends to feel like an amplified version of this. Getting from city to city in Serbia felt much easier than in most places in the Balkans.

And yet there were times when working out transport was counter intuitive or genuinely hard. I’ve already recounted my trials travelling to the town of Vrdnik in Fruska Gora National Park. Then there was the difficulty of leaving Vrdnik, as well as the lack of trains linking Sabac with Belgrade.

All of this is leading to my main point – do your research before heading off. Serbia has pretty good online transport resources available to you, so you can place some trust in what you find there. For Serbia trains look here, and for the Serbia bus timetables here.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that hitchhiking and people giving lifts is quite common in Serbia, as it is in the rest of the Balkans. Several times during my Serbia trip I hitched a ride and it helped me quite a bit. I don’t think it needs to be said that there are inherent risks to doing this, so trust your instincts.

4. A Sense of Grandeur

Before my trip, when I thought of grand old cities in central and eastern Europe, my mind went to places like Vienna and Budapest. To be honest, I never even considered cities in Serbia. Well, I guess the jokes on me, since I was repeatedly impressed by the faded elegance I found as I toured Serbia. Yes, these buildings and their architecture weren’t always in the best condition but that certainly didn’t undercut their splendour.

While Belgrade may be a good example, I think I felt it in Novi Sad most of all. All through its pedestrian streets and Slobode Square you’ll find refined architecture that speaks to a more prosperous past.

Even smaller cities like Vrsac and Sabac have parts that lend them an unexpected air of sophistication. None of this is to imply that Serbia is a poor country, since it has one of the stronger economies of the region. It’s just that Serbia often has a far more grand look to it than many might expect.

5. Money

It likely won’t come as a huge surprise that visiting Serbia is a relatively affordable activity. You can thank a lower cost of living found throughout the Balkans and the absence of a coast like Croatia’s where prices surge during summer. The one instance I can think of where things might get more expensive is during Exit Festival in Novi Sad, since it has quite a big international draw.

The local currency here is the Serbian Dinar (RSD), which is another good thing for budget travellers. This is because countries that use the Euro often cost more I think, since it’s a shared currency. Anyway, despite Serbia being a somewhat advanced country in the Balkans, prices remain pretty good for most things. For instance, coffee could often cost less than 1€ and never topped 1.5€. Beer is also absurdly cheap (under 1€) and you should easily find meals for 5-10€.

Lastly with regards to accommodation, I was generally able to find budget-friendly private rooms for under 25€ (usually closer to 20€). Naturally, relative to the rest of the country, Belgrade will likely be the most expensive place you visit in Serbia. But it will still be affordable compared to most other European capitals.

6. Extensive History

For many, their knowledge of Serbia’s history and that of the Balkans starts and ends with the Yugolsav Wars. These series of conflicts during the 1990s were a dark chapter in the region’s history. However, it’s worth recognising that it was only one chapter of many. I’m not trying to deny the importance of the recent conflict, but simply indicating there is far more Serbian history to still be explored.

For instance, did you know that Belgrade was once a major Roman city? The city’s impressive fortress actually has direct ties to the Roman settlement of Singidunum. Archaeologists have found plenty of remnants of the Romans throughout the city and even found artefacts that pre-date the Romans by centuries.

Of course, much of the existing fortress dates from medieval times which speaks to another segment of Serbian history. At various times, Serbia was a principality and kingdom, before falling under control by the Ottomans and Habsburgs. Then there’s all the 20th century mess that happened with the World Wars and what followed. Point is, Serbia has a long and storied past and you’ll find yourself learning quite a bit of it when visiting.

7. Language

Much like its Balkan neighbours, the national language of Serbian is a Slavic language. This naturally means that if you know another Slavic language you’ll have a better hope of communicating, even if some words are different.

Serbian does have some shared words and similarities to languages like Croatian and Slovenian so phrases you learn there may serve you well. If not, you will find that many young Serbians know some English, while older Serbians may know some German.

Now, if you’re afraid of not understanding signs in the Cyrillic alphabet, there’s some good news. While Serbia does officially use the Cyrillic alphabet (e.g. letters like Д, Ж and И), they also use the Latin alphabet you’re used to. Signs are generally in both or just Latin so you should be right.

If you do want to learn a little Serbian, which local people always appreciate, here are a few basic phrases to get you started. They include Zdravo which means ‘Hello’; Hvala or Hvala lepo for ‘Thank you’; Izvinite for ‘Excuse Me’; Molim for ‘Please’; and Da and Ne for ‘Yes’ and ‘No’.

8. Bountiful Nature

Many of the Balkan nations are known for their beautiful and dramatic coastlines, think Croatia, Bulgaria and Montenegro. Serbia however, is not included in that category, instead being a landlocked country.

Locals tend to flock to the country’s various rivers and small lakes in the summer to make up for it. But that isn’t completely where Serbia’s natural side excels exactly. No, the country makes up for its lack of seaside with some seriously enticing forests and mountain covered landscapes.

You need go no further than Fruska Gora National Park. Despite some frustrations getting about, the beauty of the forests there was without question. The same can be said for the wooded hills of Vrsac below the city’s vigilant castle. These are simply examples of places I visited, but I know full well that they’re just a taste of what Serbia has to offer.

Serbia is home to a number of national parks, the most well-known of which is likely ;Tara National Park. Found in the country’s west, Tara is known for its forests and epic mountain views. Then on the far side of the country, you’ll find Djerdap National Park by the Danube River. Lastly, the country’s mountainous south also deserves a mention. Essentially, Serbia’s not short on nature destinations, so take your pick.

9. The Casual Balkan Vibe

Without devolving too far into stereotypes, there is a certain casual atmosphere to many things in Serbia. Events tend to happen at a slower pace to which some visitors might be accustomed. For travellers used to brisk and hyper-efficient service, this could be frustrating I suppose. But the flip side is that there’s also a casual and social mindset that seems to pervade modern Serbian life.

All of this, I think at least, is best encapsulated in the county’s cafe culture. Yes, I’m going to bang on about this again if you’ve read my earlier posts.

Visiting Serbia in summer, each and every cafe has their ample outdoor seating areas properly setup and there’s always people at them without fail. From an outsider’s point of view, it really seems like catching up with people for coffee is a vital part of Serbian life. No matter the hour, no matter how long it goes for, Serbs will meet up for coffee and a chat.

Resources for Visiting Serbia

• Getting There: To find the cheapest and most convenient flights to Serbia make sure to check Skyscanner.
• Accommodation: Here you can find hotels, apartments and guesthouses across the country of Serbia, plus don’t forget Airbnb.
• Tours: There are countless day trips, coastal cruises, and sightseeing tours available around Serbia.
• Car Hire: If you want to travel more independently, consider renting a car to drive about on your own.
• Guide Books: Lastly, if you’re after a physical guide to take with you then you can’t beat a Lonely Planet Guide.

What else would you like to know before visiting Serbia? If you’ve been, what things do you think people need to know? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

*Disclaimer: This post contains a sponsored link to TravelSim.