Serbia Travel Guide A Vagabond Life
Serbia Travel Guide
Welcome to Serbia, a country nestled in the heart of the Balkans, where rich history, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality await travelers. Serbia’s story is a tapestry woven with centuries of cultural heritage and resilience.
With roots dating back to ancient times, Serbia has seen the rise and fall of empires, from the Roman and Byzantine periods to Ottoman rule. The Serbian medieval kingdom played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s identity, preserving its Orthodox Christian traditions and language. In 1389, the famous Battle of Kosovo took place, a symbol of Serbian resistance against the Ottomans.
The 19th century marked a significant turning point when Serbia gained autonomy from the Ottoman Empire, eventually becoming a kingdom. The 20th century brought both turmoil and triumph, with Serbia playing a central role in the formation of Yugoslavia. The breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s resulted in conflicts that deeply affected the region, but Serbia has since made remarkable strides towards stability and development.
Today, Serbia welcomes visitors with open arms, offering a wealth of historical sites, including Belgrade’s imposing Kalemegdan Fortress, the medieval monasteries of Studenica and Žiča, and the picturesque town of Novi Sad. Its diverse landscapes, from the fertile plains of Vojvodina to the rugged beauty of the Tara National Park, make Serbia a destination that caters to every traveler’s interests. Join us as we explore this multifaceted nation, where the past harmoniously coexists with the present.
Serbia Map
Serbia Travel Guides
Five Quick Facts About Travelling In Serbia
- Serbia is safe, cheap and easy to travel in however normal safety precautions should be taken.
- Serbia is visa free for over 90 countries, entering Serbia for any nationals of visa free countries simply means a stamp in your passport.
- English is widely spoken in Belgrade and the larger towns especially by the youth. If travelling to smaller more remote areas it is recommended to learn a few basic words.
- Kosovo is a disputed state and the topic is a sensitive one so it is best not to bring it up
- Can I Visit Kosovo from Serbia? If you want to visit Serbia and then go to Kosovo there is no problem. However if you want to go to Kosovo and then enter Serbia, you must enter Kosovo via Serbia. If you enter Kosovo from Macedonia or Montenegro, and then try to cross into Serbia, the Serbians will consider you to have entered their country illegally since they do not recognise Kosovo’s independence.
Serbian Weather
The Serbian climate varies greatly from hot summers to bitterly cold winters.
Northern Siberia: Very cold winters with snow and hot humid summers with frequent rain.
Central Siberia: A moderate climate with cold winters and warm to hot summers.
Southern Siberia: Hot dry summers and cold winters with heavy snow.
Serbia currency is the Serbian dinar (RSD). You can exchange money at major airports and ATMs are widely available in towns and cities.
Serbian Visa Policy
Citizens from 96 countries can enter Serbia visa free and stay for the time listed below. All countries highlighted in grey on the map below need to obtain a visa before arriving in Serbia.
source wikipedia
Getting Around Serbia
Bus: The quickest easiest way to get around Serbia is by bus. Bus’ travel all over the country, just ask directions to your closest bus station and off you go.
Train: Serbia does have a limited rail service and is the cheapest way to get around, however it is much slower than other European rail systems and in our experience often delayed. Buying a train ticket is very simple you just need to go to a station and get your ticket.
The main train routes are;
- Belgrade – Novi Sad – Subotica
- Belgrade – Niš
- Belgrade – Valjevo – Užice
- Belgrade – Vršac
- Belgrade – Sremska Mitrovica – Šid
- Kragujevac – Kraljevo – Raška
Construction is underway for a new high speed railway which will run between Belgrade – Novi Sad – Subotica and then onto Budapest. This rail link is part of the Chinese funded silk route railway plan and will link the Chinese run Greek port of Pireus with Budapest.
Packing List
Clothing
1 pair jeans – I know they are heavy and take ages to dry but I wear them constantly and find them comfortable
1 pair black travel type pants – Black pants are little smarter than jeans so good if going somewhere a little dressier. Mine is the lightweight fabric in the style of jean,
2 x pair of shorts. 1 denim and one lightweight travel fabric
2 x singlets – good for layering and sleeping in
4 x short sleeve cotton shirts, lightweight and breathable
1 x long sleeve sloppy joe.
1 x zip-up shell jacket
1 x lightweight raincoat – packable version that packs down into a small bag.
5 x socks
5 x underpants
2 x bras
Shoes
1 x pair walking or hiking shoes.
1 x pair slip on flats
1 x pair flip flops (great for hostel showers)
Toiletries
Shampoo & Conditioner
Bar of Soap
Deodorant
Razor
Tweezers
Brush / Comb
Hair Ties
Electronics
1 x Earbud headphones.Light and small,
1 x IPad
1 x 6S iPhone
Charging leads for above
2 x USB
1 x power bank
1 x Cable organiser which keeps everything tidy
1 x 14” laptop – we run a business so this is essential for us.
Photography
1 x GoPro Hero 5
2 x Spare GoPro Batteries
1 x Canon DSLR with 1 x 8-16mm wide angle lense & 1 x 17 – 50mm lense.
Spare micro SD Cards
Other Stuff
1 x padlock
1 x headlight or torch
1 x Swiss knife
1 x medical kit
Ziplock bags
The Balkan Express
The Balkan Express is a train that runs from Sofia in Bulgaria to Belgrade in Serbia.
This train was the dirtiest, slowest most uncomfortable train I have ever been on. It took over 12 hours to complete the 392 KM journey arriving 3 hours later than scheduled.
If travelling from Sofia to Belgrade either fly of get a bus.