Serbia Travel Guide: All you need to know to visit Serbia in 2022

With its diverse culture and unique gastronomy, Serbia offers a variety of experiences that are guaranteed to make for an unforgettable visit. In addition, there are hundreds of film, music, and cultural festivals every year.

In short, this country in Eastern Europe will surely be one of the most interesting countries on your travel list! This ultimate Serbia travel guide** will help you make the most of your trip with practical and inspiring travel advice.

Document checklist for Serbia

• Visa (if applicable)

• Valid passport

Essential Serbia travel information

• Currency - Serbian dinar (RSD). $1 is equivalent to approx. RSD 110.

• Daily budget for 1 person - Allow a daily budget of RSD 3979 ($36).

• Languages - Serbia has only one nationwide official language, which is Serbian. English is spoken by a majority of the younger generations and in urban areas.

• Number of travelers per year - In 2019 Serbia hosted 3.7 million tourists, a number that had been increasing for several years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Socket type - Types C and F, 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

• Time zone - Central European Standard Time (GMT+1).

• Top 3 cities to visit - Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš.

• Top 3 landmarks/monuments - The Belgrade Fortress, the Nikola Tesla Museum, and the Skull Tower.

Visa information for Serbia

Serbia requires visas from visitors unless they come from a visa-exempt country. While the country is not a member of the Schengen Zone, travelers with a passport from the European Union, Schengen states, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland can enter Serbia without a visa. They can stay in the country for up to 90 days. If you’re unsure if you need a visa, contact your nearest Serbian embassy or consulate for more information.

The Serbia Work Visa explained

If you want to enter the Republic of Serbia to work there, you should apply for a Visa D category, also called the Serbia Work Visa. This temporary visa service allows you to work and live in Serbia for a limited period of time.

Employers in Serbia, who intend to hire foreign nationals, must apply for work permits on behalf of the applicant. If the foreigner plans to stay to work in Serbia for more than 180 days, they must apply for a temporary residence permit.

When applying with the help of iVisa you can do the entire process online.

Visa difficulty index for Serbia

Accessibility: 4/5

Many travelers can enter Serbia visa-free. Those that do need a visa, can do so via the Serbian embassy. The Serbian Work Visa is easily obtained online, with the assistance of iVisa for your peace of mind!

Time to get your visa: 4/5

While you currently cannot apply for a Serbian visitor visa via us, the Serbia Work Visa can be obtained within 30 business days.

Costs: 5/5

Good news! There is no government fee for the Serbia Work Visa. You’ll only need to pay for the iVisa processing fee, which depends on your nationality.

Apply now

Typical costs and budget for Serbia

Find below the average costs of traveling through Serbia on a mid-range budget.

• Daily spending - Around RSD 3979 ($36) per person, per day. This includes:

• Meals - Expect to spend about 1,300 RSD ($12) for a meal in a restaurant.

• Transport - Depending on your travel plans and standard of travel, local transportation may cost up to RSD 487 ($4.45) per day.

• Hotel - The average hotel price in Serbia for a couple is RSD 4,306 ($39).

On average, a trip to Serbia for two people for one week will cost RSD 54,940 ($500).

Transport and best ways to travel around Serbia

There are many ways to get to and around Serbia, whether by public transport or your own car. Here are some tips for navigating the country safely.

Getting to Serbia

Serbia is well-connected by both international and local carriers. The main airport in Serbia is Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. Flight operators include:

• Wizz Air

• Air Serbia

• Turkish Airlines

• Qatar Airways

• Vueling Airlines

• KLM

• Air France

From and to Belgrade there are currently two daily train services to Budapest in Hungary, two to Podgorica and Bar in Montenegro, two to Skopje in Macedonia, one to Sofia in Bulgaria, and one to Zagreb in Croatia. For the time being there are no services to Romania or Bosnia.

Road border crossings with neighboring countries are available in Serbia. During the summer months and official holidays, you can wait at major border crossings for over 4 hours. Get an international driver’s license to enter Serbia by car.

Arrival and immigration tips for Serbia

Visiting Serbia is generally hassle-free. However, the war with Kosovo has complicated border crossings in that region. Here are a few personal safety tips to consider when traveling to Serbia:

• Make sure you know the entry requirements, such as visas, health declarations, and customs before you depart, as things can change quickly.

• Previously, having a stamp from Kosovo meant you couldn’t travel to Serbia. This is no longer the case, however, local authorities will still stamp/put a sticker over your Kosovo visa with a "canceled" stamp.

• Some governments advise that travelers don't enter Serbia from Kosovo unless they initially traveled into Kosovo from Serbia.

• If you’d like to return to Serbia after your trip to Kosovo, remember that your Serbian visa/entry stamp will still count on your trip to Kosovo, so don’t exceed the maximum stay (usually 90 days).

• Asylum seekers often enter the EU through Serbia's border with North Macedonia. In the summer, there are often delays and strict controls on this side.

• All visitors to Serbia must register their stay with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Most hotels will automatically register you when you check-in. However, if you are staying in a private home, note that you’ll have to do this yourself.

• Get travel insurance that covers emergency services and medical treatment.

Buses in Serbia

There is no better way to get around Serbia than by coach or bus, serving both major cities and remote locations. There are frequent, comfortable, and affordable services between most towns.

Car travel in Serbia

Rental cars are widely available and a great way to explore places off the beaten path. However, note that rental companies likely won't let you take the car to Kosovo, Albania, or Bulgaria for safety concerns, as Serbian cars have been targeted in the past. It’s also possible to take your own car into Serbia, and you no longer need a green card to do this.

Train travel in Serbia

Despite being cheaper than buses, trains are slower, unreliable, and prone to breakdowns.

Safety in Serbia

The crime rate in Serbia is relatively low for a country slowly emerging from years of war and internal security issues. It is important for travelers to take precautions, just as they would anywhere else.

• Violent crime is often associated with organized crime and the Serbian mafia, which has grown in Serbia because of difficult economic conditions. However, tourists are usually never the target of violent crime.

• Unexploded landmines may still be present in southern Serbia, bordering Kosovo, from the civil war in the late 1990s. Travelers in this area are advised to stick to well-used roads and paths.

• Due to the still negative attitude toward LGBTQ+ communities in this country, same-sex couples may receive negative attention when displaying public displays of affection.

Weather in Serbia

The best time to visit Serbia is the spring and summer seasons. Most days are sunny and warm from May to September, peaking in July and August. During winter, there is a lot of snow, cold temperatures, and wet conditions.

Must do and see in Serbia

Don’t miss these awesome sights, lively cities, and important landmarks on your trip to Serbia:

1. Capital city Belgrade, located along the banks of the Sava and Danube rivers, is party central. It’s also the home to Belgrade Fortress, located in the oldest section of the city, Stari Grad, where you can learn more about the country’s history.

2. Discover the pretty and charming city of Novi Sad, the host of Serbia's biggest music event, EXIT Festival, every July, held in the impressive Petrovaradin Citadel.

3. In Djerdap National Park, you'll find prehistoric remains at Lepenski Vir as well as an impressive gorge.

4. Explore Serbia's stunning ancient monasteries, the most impressive of which are Studenica, Decani, and Gracanica.

5. Among Serbia's grisly historical monuments, few invoke more terror than the Skull Tower in Niš. There is no doubt about the material used to build the tower, human skulls, dating back to the Ottoman empire.

Typical Serbian food to try

Serbian cuisine is as diverse and rich as its landscape. Here are some dishes you shouldn’t miss on your trip:

• Ajvar - This vegetable relish is made from red bell peppers and eggplant. It originates from the Balkans and is common in traditional restaurants in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and North Macedonia.

• Srpska Salata - The Serbian version of shopska, a Bulgarian salad. It consists of finely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers. In contrast to the Bulgarian versions, it does not contain cheese.

• Sarma - A type of dolma made with similar ingredients, but wrapped in pickled cabbage leaves and then cooked over sauerkraut.

• Gibanica - One of the most popular Serbian foods and is considered to be a national dish. Gibanica is a type of Serbian cheese pie made with puff pastry dough, white cheese, and eggs. It exists in many variations, from sweet to savory.

Vaccine information for Serbia

It's important to know what vaccines and COVID-19 measures are required to visit Serbia before booking your flights. We recommend check out the CDC website for more information about the requirements and recommended medicine lists.

How to travel to Kosovo from Serbia

Since 2008, Kosovo has been a partially recognized country that split from Serbia, putting an end to many years of conflict. The country is home to an authentic culture, untouched landscapes, and gorgeous Ottoman architecture.

Kosovo is safe for tourists. However, visiting Kosovo from Serbia requires a little bit of preparation. While the border is open, be aware that tensions still exist between the two countries.

Important things to consider:

• Since Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's international borders, entering Kosovo from Montenegro, Albania, or North Macedonia would be considered illegal entry to Serbia. If you then would like to enter Serbia from Kosovo, you’ll be denied.

• You can enter Serbia legally from Kosovo if you visit Serbia in the first place.

• When crossing the border from Serbia to Kosovo by bus, you may be escorted by a Serbian Army car for the first few kilometers, which is nothing to worry about.

• Although you might see Serbian armored vehicles, especially when you visit Serbian Heritage sites, like Dečani Monastery, they are just remnants of the conflict.