Serbia

Serbia is not a popular tourist destination, but it does offer a wide variety of tourist attractions. Over 2.4 million visitors stayed in lodgings in 2015, with 1.1 million of them being foreigners. Tourism generated $1.14 billion in foreign currency profits.

Tourism is mostly centered on the country’s mountains and spas, which are largely frequented by local visitors, as well as Belgrade, which is a popular destination for international tourists. Kopaonik, Stara Planina, and Zlatibor are the most well-known mountain resorts. Serbia also has numerous spas, the most notable of which being Vrnjaka Banja, Soko Banja, and Banja Koviljaa. City-break and conference tourism are growing in Belgrade (which received 517,401 foreign visitors in 2013, accounting for more than half of all international trips to the country) and, to a lesser extent, Novi Sad. Other tourist attractions in Serbia include natural marvels such as Avolja Varo, Christian pilgrimage to the country’s numerous Orthodox monasteries, and river cruises along the Danube. Serbia has many globally renowned music festivals, including EXIT (which attracts 25–30,000 foreign visitors from 60 different countries) and the Gua trumpet festival.

Serbia is located on the Balkan Peninsula and the Pannonian Plain, at the crossroads of Central and Southern Europe. Serbia is located between the latitudes of 41° and 47° N, and the longitudes of 18° and 23° E. The nation has a total size of 88,361 km2 (with Kosovo), ranking it 113th in the globe; without Kosovo, the total area is 77,474 km2, ranking it 117th. Its entire boundary length is 2,027 kilometers (Albania 115 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 302 km, Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia 241 km, Hungary 151 km, Macedonia 221 km, Montenegro 203 km and Romania 476 km). Kosovo border police oversee the whole border with Albania (115 km), Macedonia (159 km), and Montenegro (79 km). Serbia considers the 352 km long border between Kosovo and the rest of Serbia to be a “administrative line”; it is shared by Kosovo border police and Serbian police forces, and there are 11 crossing locations.

The northern part of the nation (Vojvodina and Mava) is covered by the Pannonian Plain, while Serbia’s easternmost point extends into the Wallachian Plain. The landscape of the country’s central area, with the region of Umadija at its core, consists mostly of hills crossed by rivers. The southern part of Serbia is dominated by mountains. The Dinaric Alps go west and southwest, following the course of the rivers Drina and Ibar. In eastern Serbia, the Carpathian Mountains and the Balkan Mountains run north–south.

The Rilo-Rhodope Mountainsystem includes ancient mountains in the country’s southeast portion. The elevation varies from 2,169 metres (7,116 feet) at the Midor peak of the Balkan Mountains (the highest mountain in Serbia, excluding Kosovo) to 17 metres (56 feet) along the Danube river at Prahovo. The biggest lake is Erdap Lake (163 square kilometers or 63 square miles), while the Danube is the longest river that runs through Serbia (587.35 kilometres or 364.96 miles).

Serbia’s climate is influenced by the continent of Eurasia, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. It has a warm-humid continental or humid subtropical climate, with mean January temperatures around 0 °C (32 °F) and mean July temperatures around 22 °C (72 °F). The climate in the north is more continental, with frigid winters and hot, humid summers, as well as well-distributed rainfall patterns. Summers and autumns are drier towards the south, while winters are rather chilly, with significant interior snowfall in the mountains.

Climate variances are caused by differences in height, proximity to the Adriatic Sea and major river basins, as well as wind exposure. Southern Serbia is influenced by the Mediterranean. The Dinaric Alps and other mountain ranges, on the other hand, help to temper most of the warm air masses. Winters in the Peter plateau are severe due to the mountains that surround it. Koava, a chilly and extremely squally southeastern wind that originates in the Carpathian Mountains and follows the Danube northwest via the Iron Gate where it acquires a jet effect and continues to Belgrade and may extend as far south as Ni, is one of Serbia’s meteorological characteristics.

For the period 1961–1990, the average annual air temperature for the region at a height of up to 300 m (984 ft) is 10.9 °C (51.6 °F). Places with an altitude of 300 to 500 m (984 to 1,640 ft) have an average annual temperature of about 10.0 °C (50.0 °F), while areas with an altitude of above 1,000 m (3,281 ft) have an average annual temperature of around 6.0 °C (42.8 °F). The lowest recorded temperature in Serbia was 39.5 °C (39.1 °F) on 13 January 1985, Karajukia Bunari in Peter, while the highest was 44.9 °C or 112.8 °F, recorded on 24 July 2007 in Smederevska Palanka.

Serbia is one of just a few European nations with a high risk of natural disasters (earthquakes, storms, floods, droughts). Potential floods, especially in Central Serbia, are projected to endanger approximately 500 major towns and an area of 16,000 square kilometers. The floods in May 2014 were the most devastating, killing 57 people and causing damage worth more than 1.5 billion euros.

Serbia (excluding Kosovo) has a total population of 7,186,862 as of the 2011 census, with a median population density of 92.8 people per square kilometer. The census was not undertaken in Kosovo, which had its own census, which had a total population of 1,739,825, omitting Serb-inhabited North Kosovo, since Serbs from that region (about 50,000) boycotted the census.

Serbia has been experiencing a demographic catastrophe since the early 1990s, with a mortality rate that has consistently outpaced its birth rate and a total fertility rate of 1.44 children per mother, one of the lowest in the world. As a result, Serbia has one of the world’s oldest populations, with an average age of 42.2 years, and its population is decreasing at one of the world’s quickest rates. One-fifth of all homes have just one person, while one-fourth have four or more people. In Serbia, the average life expectancy at birth is 74.2 years.

During the 1990s, Serbia had Europe’s biggest refugee population. Refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) made up between 7% and 7.5 percent of Serbia’s population; approximately 500,000 refugees, primarily from Croatia (and to a lesser extent from Bosnia and Herzegovina), and IDPs from Kosovo sought refuge in the country following the series of Yugoslav wars. Meanwhile, it is believed that 300,000 individuals left Serbia throughout the 1990s, with 20% of them having a higher degree.

Serbs are Serbia’s biggest ethnic group, accounting for 83 percent of the overall population (5,988,150). (excluding Kosovo). With a population of 253,899, Hungarians are Serbia’s biggest ethnic minority, mostly concentrated in northern Vojvodina and accounting for 3.5 percent of the country’s population (13 percent in Vojvodina). According to the 2011 census, the Romani population is 147,604, although unofficial estimates put their real number between 400,000 and 500,000. Bosniaks, numbering 145,278 people, are centered in Raka (Sandak), in the southwest. Croats, Slovaks, Albanians, Montenegrins, Vlachs, Romanians, Macedonians, and Bulgarians are among the other minority groups. The Chinese are the only major immigrant minority, with an estimated 15,000 people. Vojvodina has a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural character; the province contains more than 26 ethnic groups and six official languages.

The bulk of the population, or 59.4 percent, lives in cities, with Belgrade accounting for 16.1 percent. Belgrade is the only city with a population of more than a million people, while four other cities have populations of more than 100,000 people.

Religion

Serbia is a secular state with guaranteed religious freedom, according to its constitution. Orthodox Christians account for 84.5 percent of the country’s population, accounting for 6,079,396 people. The Serbian Orthodox Church is the country’s biggest and most traditional church, with a majority of its followers being Serbs. Montenegrins, Romanians, Vlachs, Macedonians, and Bulgarians are among the other Orthodox Christian groups in Serbia.

In Serbia, there are 356,957 Roman Catholics, or about 6% of the population, mainly in Vojvodina (particularly its northern portion), which is home to minority ethnic groups such as Hungarians, Croats, and Bunjevci, as well as some Slovaks and Czechs.

Protestantism is practiced by approximately 1% of the country’s population, mostly among Slovaks in Vojvodina and Reformed Hungarians. The Greek Catholic Church is followed by about 25,000 people (0.37 percent of the population), the majority of them are Rusyns in Vojvodina.

Muslims are the third biggest religious group, accounting for 222,282 people or 3% of the population. Islam has a significant historical following in Serbia’s southern areas, particularly in southern Raka. Bosniaks are Serbia’s biggest Islamic group, and it is estimated that one-third of the country’s Roma population is Muslim.

In Serbia, there are just 578 Jews of Jewish religion. Atheists made up 80,053 people, or 1.1 percent of the population, with an additional 4,070 declaring themselves as agnostics.

English is widely spoken in Serbia, and locals are eager to practice with visitors from other countries. You may also attempt the school-taught languages of German, French, Russian, Spanish, and Italian.

The official language of Serbia is related to Croatian and Bosnian. All of those languages were known as Serbo-Croatian prior to the period of nationalist linguistic policy and the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia. People in the former Yugoslavia no longer use this broad word to describe what is nonetheless a shared language.

If you know Russian, it may be useful on occasion since the two languages have certain similarities and were taught in schools throughout the Soviet period. This covers all Slavic languages, particularly Bulgarian and Macedonian. English is the most popular foreign language among younger Serbians.

The majority of people in Vojvodina speak Serbian, although other languages are also spoken. Hungarian is more likely to be heard in certain places near the Hungarian border. Many smaller minorities (Slovaks, Romanians, Roma) often speak their original languages.

In Serbia, there are three GSM/UMTS mobile phone networks: MTS, Telenor, and Vip. Prepaid SIM cards typically cost 200 dinars and do not need identification when purchased in person at a shop. However, in order to buy a Telenor prepaid SIM card online, you must have a valid Serbian ID (the only operator known which takes online orders).

For 2000-3000 dinars, you may purchase a basic mobile phone bundled with a prepaid SIM card at certain shops.

The majority of hotels offer internet access, and many eateries have Wi-Fi hotspots.

Serbia has a developing market economy with an upper-middle-class income. According to the IMF, Serbia’s nominal GDP in 2015 was $36.56 billion, or $5,102 per capita, while purchasing power parity GDP was $97.27 billion, or $13,577 per capita. Services dominate the economy, accounting for 60.3 percent of GDP, followed by industry (31.8 percent of GDP) and agriculture (7.9 percent of GDP). Serbia’s official currency is the Serbian dinar (ISO code: RSD), and the country’s central bank is the National Bank of Serbia. The Belgrade Stock Exchange is the country’s sole stock exchange, with a market value of $8.65 billion (as of August 2014) and the BELEX15 index, which represents the 15 most liquid companies.

The global economic crisis has had an impact on the economy. Following eight years of robust economic development (an average of 4.45 percent per year), Serbia entered a recession in 2009, with negative growth of 3%, and again in 2012, with negative growth of 1.5 percent. As the government battled the consequences of the crisis, the public debt more than quadrupled in four years, rising from 29.2 percent of GDP before the crisis to 63.8 percent of GDP now.

In 2014, there were 1.703 million people in the labor force, with 59.6 percent working in the services sector, 23.9 percent working in agriculture, and 16.5 percent working in industry. In June 2014, the average monthly net wage was 44,883 dinars (US$528,50). Unemployment is a serious issue, with a rate of 17.9 percent in 2015.

Serbia has received approximately $25 billion in international direct investment since 2000. (FDI). Among the multinational companies investing in Serbia are FIAT, Siemens, Bosch, Philip Morris, Michelin, Coca-Cola, Carlsberg, and others. Russian energy behemoths Gazprom and Lukoil have made significant investments in the energy industry.

Serbia has a negative trade balance, with imports exceeding exports by 28.9 percent. Serbia’s exports, on the other hand, have steadily increased in recent years, reaching $14.61 billion in 2013. The nation has free trade agreements with EFTA and CEFTA, a preferential trade system with the European Union, a GSP with the US, and individual free trade agreements with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Turkey.

Most European citizens do not need a visa to enter Serbia. Visas are not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, Israel, Singapore, Japan, Australia, and a few other countries for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of the EU, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, and Montenegro only need an ID card. For up-to-date and comprehensive information, contact your closest Serbian embassy.

Serbia has declared that travellers possessing Kosovan visas or passport stamps would be denied entry. This is not yet the case, however the visas and stamps will be overstamped with a “cancelled” stamp. Be aware that entering Serbia through Kosovo without a Serbian entry stamp is deemed unlawful and may result in severe fines; nevertheless, departing Serbia via Kosovo is not an issue.

Customs procedures are very simple, but one noteworthy restriction is that you are only permitted to transfer 120,000 Serbian dinars into and out of the country, and notes bigger than 1000 dinars are not permitted to cross the border. You may bring up to ten thousand euros across the border without declaring it. Because bank transfers from Serbia are still cumbersome, cash is still the most convenient alternative for medium-sized amounts.

Foreigners, like those in neighboring Bosnia and Croatia, are obliged by law to register with the police station in their area within 12 hours after obtaining a Serbian entrance stamp at a border crossing or airport.

When you check in at a hotel, the staff automatically registers you; but, if you are staying with friends in a private residence, you must register your presence with the police in the area in which you are staying.

If you register at a police station, you should be given the bottom half of the Foreigner Registration Form to take with you, or a printout from hotel reception if you are staying at a hotel; before leaving the country, you may be asked to show it to the Border Police. They may not always ask for it, in which case you may retain it as an administrative memory. Remember that failing to register may result in prosecution and a hefty fine, but this is seldom enforced.

Serbia’s major airport is the Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG), which is just 15 kilometers from downtown Belgrade. Belgrade is served by major European airlines. Air Serbia, Serbia’s national airline, serves all major cities in Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. The following airlines provide flights to Belgrade:

You may easily go to the heart of Belgrade from the airport by taking city bus number 72, which stops directly in front of the departure hall.

There are also express minibuses (line A1) that run between the airport and Slavija plaza. The cost of a ticket is RSD 250 (€2.50).

The cost of a licensed taxi ride from the airport to the city is RSD 1500 (€15). The journey to the city center takes around 20 minutes.

Incoming cabs maintain continuous radio contact with airport officials. This provides passengers with a better option.

If you have trouble locating a cab, you could ask the Tourist Organization of Belgrade employees in the Arrivals Hall to summon one for you.

All taxis at the airport are luxurious limos in excellent condition.

Using taxis to go to places outside of Belgrade is a bad idea since the costs are exorbitant. Every licensed taxi driver wears a badge, an oval blue license plate with a serial number, and the Belgrade Coat of Arms on the top. Licensed taxis should have the letters TX as the final letters on their registration plates.

Unless you have agreed on a fixed price, make sure the taximeter is turned on. Tariff 1 is the right one Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The meter should not move more than one dinar each click on Tariff 1; moving three or four dinars per click is a clear indication that the driver is trying to rip you off. Tariff 3 is the ‘trick’ fare used to defraud people out of large sums of money, shifting 50 or 60 dinars every click.

Niš Constantine the Great International Airport is Serbia’s second international airport (INI).

Several international trains link Belgrade with Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Romania, and Bulgaria (both day and night). Trains to Romania, Bulgaria, and Macedonia are often late (approximately an hour), and they are said to be made up of outdated, uncomfortable cars. Trains are generally extremely safe. Consider that many sleeper trains cross the border in the middle of the night, and customs officials will have no hesitation in waking you up.

There is no rail link from Greece since Greek Railways stopped all international services in January 2011. The former Greek trains now leave from Skopje, Macedonia.

Check the website of Serbian Railways for schedules and other information.

The Balkan Flexipass is an inexpensive method to travel to or from Serbia.

For railway fans

The Beograd-Bar line is one of Europe’s most beautiful railroads, with many tunnels and bridges (including Mala Rijeka, the world’s highest railway bridge) and breathtaking views of the Dinar mountains. It is unquestionably worthwhile to take a train here throughout the day.

You do not need a green card if your vehicle is registered and insured in an EU nation. Otherwise, ensure that the “SRB” box on your Green Card is not cancelled. Coming from Hungary, the Szeged/Horgos border crossing is renowned for its traffic jams. If you’re coming from Hungary, try the Tompa/Kelebija crossing location, which is approximately 20 kilometers west.

Please keep in mind that vehicles overtaking will often utilize the unofficial “middle-lane” on the two-lane E75 between Szeged, Hungary and Novi Sad. To allow them to pass safely, use care and move over to the hard shoulder on the right. To minimize this danger, the dual carriageway should be finished by the end of 2011. Since of construction work (as of September 2010), caution should be used because trucks are leaving construction sites and entering the roadway at moderate speeds. These portions have a speed limit of 40 km/h, although vehicles frequently go through them at full speed.

To regulate traffic and speed, police are usually stationed at key intersections or underpasses. Drivers often alert other drivers of a police presence by flashing their high-beams two or three times. All main roadways are patrolled by police interceptors. Drivers that are speeding and/or driving aggressively are pulled over. Speeds of up to 140km/h are generally allowed in 120km/h zones, although not always.

It should be noted that the traffic laws are stringent. No one under the age of 14 is allowed to sit in the front seat, all passengers must wear seat belts, blood alcohol concentration is restricted to 0.03 percent, and penalties range from €30 for minor infractions to 60 days in jail and €5,000 for causing a major traffic accident (both locals and foreigners). Keep in mind that if you kill someone in an accident, you will very certainly face a jail term. IMPORTANT! Pay alert to bicycle riders, tractors, and other large agricultural equipment while traveling on rural and local roads, particularly at night! They may be difficult to detect at night if appropriate light signalization is not used, therefore slow down.

The roadway is tolled, although the toll for foreigners is no longer greater than for residents. Highway tolls are 0.03€/km on average and may be paid in Serbian dinars or Euros. They are charged by road segment, therefore you may have to pay extra if just a portion of the route is utilized. Main highways and populous regions are well served by gas stations that provide a diverse variety of common fuels (eurodiesel, non – leaded petrol, etc). LPG stations are not plentiful, although they are plentiful on key highways and in large cities.

The phone number for the Serbian Auto – Moto Association (AMSS) is 1987, and they provide a variety of services (info, tows, repairs…). It should be noted that private towing services may be costly, with some being outright extortionate. The majority of the main automobile manufactures have appointed services in Serbia.

Hitchhiking throughout Serbia is still permissible, and most drivers will treat you as if you were a friend. However, appropriate measures must be taken. In general, it is considerably easier to hitchhike across Vojvodina than it is to hitchhike from Belgrade to the south, to Kosovo, or to Macedonia and Montenegro. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Serbia is a compilation of hitchhiking advice for a variety of Serbian cities and municipalities. It was created by members of the Serbia Travel Club, a Serbian organization of independent travelers, and is accessible in both English and Serbian.

The EuroVelo 6 bicycle route, which stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea, passes in Serbia by following the Danube River. The majority of the recommended route follows small paved roads, and instructions are clearly marked with EuroVelo 6 signs.

Despite the fact that too few cities have enough cyclist-friendly infrastructure, cycling is gradually gaining popularity among the general public as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative mode of transportation for touring and commuting.

• Belgrade (Beograd / Београд) — the Serbian capital
• Kragujevac (Serbian Cyrillic: Крагујевац)— The first capital of modern Serbia, an industrial center, and the country’s fourth biggest city. Kragujevac is 120 kilometers south of Belgrade in the Umadija area. Kragujevac is traversed by the Lepenica, a minor river. Lake Gružansko (Гружанскo Језеро) is close to town. The city features a university as well as significant cultural and medical structures. It has a long history and many cultural and historical landmarks.
• Kraljevo (Serbian Cyrillic: Краљево)-Kraljevo, situated 170 kilometers south of Belgrade, is an important business hub in Serbia. It is located on two rivers, the Morava and the Ibar. On the outskirts of the city lies the well-known monastery “Žiča”(Жичa) with a rich history, as well as the monastery and the renowned Mataruška spa (Матарушка бања), and a little farther Bogutovačka spa (Богутовачка бања).
• Niš (Serbian Cyrillic: Ниш) — Serbia’s third biggest city. Ni is a fantastic automobile and railway junction in that region of Serbia and the Balkans, with a thriving economy, a rich history, and cultural-historical landmarks. Ni boasts a major university, as well as significant cultural and medical structures. The well-known Niska Banja (Нишкa Бања) is nearby. Among other things, Niš is the birthplace of Constantine the Great, as well as the location of his summer residence.
• Novi Sad (Serbian Cyrillic: Нови Сад) — Novi Sad, often known as “Serbian Athens,” is the provincial capital of Vojvodina and Serbia’s second biggest city (after Belgrade). Novi Sad is situated on the Danube River, approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Belgrade. With numerous cultural and historical landmarks and museums, the city is an important industrial, cultural, educational, sporting, and tourism hub. It is home to well-known temples, the Petrovaradin fortress, and is close to Fruška Gora hill, which is noted for its grapes, as well as the Fruka Gora National Park. Fruška Gora is also home to numerous Serbian Orthodox Church monasteries (almost 16 in all) and is often referred to as “The Second Holy Mountain” (after Mount Athos). Sremski Karlovci is a tiny town southeast of the town, on the Srem side of the river, along the “old route” to Belgrade, with a rich history, renowned churches, buildings, museums, and famous wine cellars.
• Požarevac (Serbian Cyrillic: Пожаревац) — One of Serbia’s oldest cities, having a rich historical history. A significant economic and cultural hub, in addition to the Velika Morava river, is located about 80 kilometers east of Belgrade. Nearby lies the tiny village of Stari Kostolac, which is home to the renowned archaeological site Viminacium. Slobodan Miloevi, the former President of the Republic of Serbia, was born in Poarevac (he was also buried there). Pozarevac is particularly well-known for the Ljubievo Equestrian Games.
• Subotica (Serbian Cyrillic: Суботица) — has been named one of Serbia’s most attractive cities. It is the nearest city to Palic and is located in North Serbia. It is an important economic and cultural hub with a rich history. The major languages are Serbian and Hungarian. Near Subotica is a well-known resort and lake Pali, as well as the Ludoko lake.
• Vršac (Serbian Cyrillic: Вршац) — One of Serbia’s most attractive cities. It is located around 80 kilometers northeast of Belgrade, bordering Romania. Vrsac has grown into an economic, cultural, and sporting hub, and it is abundant in vines.

• Kopaonik National Park (Serbian Cyrillic:Копаоник Н. П.) — as well as the Kopaonik Mountain ski resort in southern Serbia. Kopaonik is Serbia’s largest ski resort, with a total of 23 ski lifts. A national park with an area of 118.1 km2 (45.6 sq mi). Kopaonik has a long and illustrious history. Sports and leisure are important components of Kopaonik tourism. There are also a variety of additional activities. Other attractions for visitors include a luxury hotel and entertainment. There are many cafés, pubs, and nightclubs in Kopaonik.
• Palić (Serbian Cyrillic:Палић) — The beautiful lake region in the north with baroque gardens, art nouveau architectural landmarks, and a rich culinary history made it a popular summer destination. Pali is home to a film festival, a World Ethno Music Festival, and a number of sports events.
• Soko Banja (Serbian Cyrillic:Соко Бања) — The route to Sokobanja splits off around the 200th kilometer of the Belgrade-Athens highway. Sokobanja is located 400 meters above sea level in a depression between the mountains Rtanj (1,560m) and Ozren (1,117m). Sokobanja is a well-known spa and tourist destination in Serbia due to its mild continental climate and vast expanses of forests, pure air, and a variety of thermo-mineral sources. They all contribute to Sokobanja’s standing as a unique destination in Serbia.
• Zlatibor (Serbian Cyrillic:Златибор)— a well-known mountain tourist destination and ski resort in the southwest Zlatibor lies near the town of Uice, on the way to Montenegro. Zlatibor is located at an elevation of 1000 meters, with sunny summers, clean air, and chilly winters, as well as magnificent landscapes, meadows, pastures, valleys, ethnic communities, sports facilities, and so on. There is a specialized medical facility and a well-known Rehabilitation Institute there.
• Tara, Serbia (Serbian Cyrillic: Тара), is a mountain in western Serbia (near Zlatibor). It is located in the Dinaric Alps and rises 1,000-1,500 meters above sea level. The mountain’s slopes are densely forested, with several high-altitude clearings and meadows, steep cliffs, deep ravines formed by the adjacent Drina River, and many karst, or limestone caves. The mountain is a well-known tourist destination. The majority of the mountain is designated as a “National Park Tara.” At an elevation of 800 meters, Mountain Tara boasts a lovely Zaovine Lake.

Beautiful castles, Medieval monasteries, beautiful rural villages, and lively towns with baroque parks and art-deco architecture are among Serbia’s numerous attractions.

Its capital, Belgrade, is a vibrant and developing European metropolis with the Sava and Danube rivers flowing through it. It is far from a dull city, with a variety of fascinating attractions, both ancient and modern. Stroll along Prince Michael Thoroughfare, the city’s major pedestrian street, or stop at one of Skadarlija’s numerous restaurants for a drink. There are many ancient structures on all four banks, notably the massive Kalemegdan Fortress, which was constructed, rebuilt, and modified over 2000 years by Celts, Romans, Byzantines, Serbs, Austrians, and Turks. It was formerly an important military stronghold, but it currently serves as a major park in Belgrade, with stunning views to the north and west. There is a zoo, a military museum, a couple of historic churches, galleries, parks, sports grounds, and so on inside the fort. It features a plethora of different towers and ports, as well as two lengthy walking/biking routes that go along both rivers. The contemporary Temple of Saint Sava, the National Museum, and the Old Court Palace are among the other attractions in Belgrade. If you don’t want to bathe in pools, the river island Ada Ciganlija offers an artificial lake and an 8-kilometer-long gravel beach. To the contrary, Tasmajdan Park, which includes the renowned St. Mark’s Church, is packed with pools and even has a water polo team. It’s a busy area with plenty of sports and entertainment, as well as cafés and restaurants, some of which are open all year. Zemun, currently part of the Belgrade metropolitan region, grew up under Hungarian and subsequently Habsburg control for the most of its history and is a lovely area with an unique vibe that differs from Belgrade itself. It has a lot of entertainment and restaurants on the Zemun quay, which is on the Danube’s bank.

Novi Sad is another charming city, with the Petrovaradin Fortress (one of Europe’s largest and best maintained XVIII century fortifications) as its major attraction. The city also boasts a lot of beautiful parks that beg for a leisurely afternoon walk or picnic. Sremski Karlovci, near Novi Sad, has a rich history, as well as many monuments, museums, churches, galleries, and well-known wine cellars. Novi Pazar, your last stop before reaching Kosovo, has an unique Turkish history and a plethora of excellent monasteries in the surrounding region.

Mokra Gora is a traditional-style hamlet in the famous alpine area of Zlatibor. In the same area, there is the hamlet of Sirogojno, which has a beautiful open air museum and a variety of traditional crafts on exhibit. Nearby lies the medieval hamlet of Drvengrad, also known as Meavnik, which was created for the Serbian film director Emir Kusturica’s film Life Is a Miracle. After you’ve seen the towns, Zlatibor has some fantastic ski resorts, hiking routes, and scenery. Alternatively, use the argan Eight, a narrow-gauge historic railway that runs from Mokra Gora to the argan Vitasi station (Zlatibor and Tara mountains). Sargan Eight is unique in Europe in terms of the number of bridges and tunnels, as well as the climb of 18 per thousand, and a ride on the 8-shaped track is a famous tourist attraction.

Serbia is home to a large number of Medieval orthodox monasteries, several of which include outstanding fresco works. One of the best examples is the 12th century monastery of Studenica (near Kraljevo), which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its two churches are made of white marble and have magnificent Byzantine artwork from the 13th and 14th centuries. ia, located in Kraljevo, was built about 1207 and painted red as a sign of the blood of early Christian victims. The frescoes at Sopoani (near Novi Pazar) are regarded as some of the best examples of their period, and the monastery is on the World Heritage list with the remains of old Stari Ras, formerly the capital of the Serbian kingdom of Raka but abandoned in the 13th century. The fortified Manasija monastery in Despotovac is defended by huge walls and towers, and although many of its original frescoes were destroyed beyond restoration under Ottoman control, it is nevertheless well worth a visit. Ravanica near Uprija, located in the magnificent Kuaj mountains, has been attacked, destroyed, and rebuilt many times throughout history. It is the last resting site of Lazar of Serbia, a saint of the orthodox Serbian church and a hero of Serbian epic poetry. Mileeva monastery in Prijepolje, with its world-famous “White Angel” fresco, and Kruedol near Srem are two more beautiful monasteries. The notable medieval monasteries that have been preserved by UNESCO are: The Pec Patriarchate (monastery), Gracanica monastery, Visoki Decani monastery,…

If you only have time in Belgrade, be sure to visit the Murals Museum in the city center, which will give you a taste of Serbian fresco paintings by displaying replicas of the most renowned and magnificent frescoes from different monasteries.

Fruska Gora is without a doubt one of the finest national parks and natural places in the country. Its wide plains are dotted with old monasteries and wineries, and it mixes orchards and vineyards with dense woods. Tara National Park, located in the country’s west, spans 20.000 hectares. The deep gorges of the Drina river and the high mountain summits offer magnificent vistas that make the lengthy walk worthwhile. The hilly terrain of Kopaonik in the south provides excellent skiing and snowboarding possibilities, as well as beautiful vistas and a diverse flora.

Erdap is the country’s largest national park. Located in the country’s east, near the border with Romania. It comprises of the Djerdap (Iron Gate) canyon, through which the Danube flows, and its magnificent, nearly unspoiled natural environs. It’s absolutely beautiful, and it’s best seen from a boat. It may also be visited by bus or vehicle, with numerous belvederes to stop and enjoy the scenery. It is also crossed by the EuroVelo 6 bicycle route.

Serbia is a spa country. There are many thermal and mineral water springs, and the most of them have been converted into therapeutic and relaxing resorts. Vrnjaka Banja is the biggest and most popular of them, and it has long been a favorite tourist destination for relaxation and pleasure. It is the only mineral spa with water that is 36.5 degrees Celsius, the temperature of the human body. Sokobanja is another well-known spa and tourist destination in Serbia, renowned for its mild continental temperature and unspoiled environment – vast expanses of forests, clean air, and a variety of thermo-mineral sources. Pali is a beautiful northern city. Its baroque gardens, art nouveau architectural landmarks, and lengthy culinary history made it a popular summer resort and spa for the 19th and 20th century aristocracy.

Viminacium, near the town of Stari Kostolac, is a significant archaeological site that was the location of Serbia’s first excavation effort in the 1880s. It was the provincial capital of the Roman province of Moesia (today’s Serbia) in the first century. There are archaeological remnants of temples, streets, squares, a huge amphitheatre, palaces, hippodromes, and Roman baths at the site. Gamzigrad is another important archaeological site that also serves as a resort. It is home to the ruins of Felix Romuliana, an ancient Roman complex of palaces and temples, and is regarded as one of the most significant and well-preserved late-Roman monuments.

Lepenski Vir, located in the national park Erdap, 160 kilometers east of Belgrade, between the villages of Golubac and Donji Milanovac, is the site of Europe’s earliest neolithic settlement and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is very beautifully maintained and well-known for its fish-like carvings. There is also an archaeological site Vina from the Neolithic era, which is less impressive but nonetheless worth seeing. It is located in the Belgrede neighborhood of Vina, 20 kilometers from the city center.

During the summer, Ada Ciganlija is also a great spot to kick back and relax. It’s the sea of Belgrade, as the locals call it. There are many sports grounds and courts (soccer, basketball, golf, volleyball, etc.). On the shores of this lake-beach area, cafes selling ice cream and beer abound.

The most popular leisure activity in Belgrade is drinking coffee in one of the many pubs, bistros, and cafés (particularly on Strahinjia Bana street, often known as Silicon Valley). It’s odd, yet most establishments are filled all day – that is, during working hours. Downtown café, Buka bar, Movie bar, Iron café, Biblioteka café, Monza café-boat, Bibis café-boat, and many more should be visited. People who aren’t like folk or MTV music and don’t enjoy expensive coffee should avoid this street. There are coffee shops on virtually every corner in Belgrade that provide a more calm environment and are more tastefully built than those on Strahinjia Bana Boulevard.

Smederevo is approximately 50 kilometers from Belgrade. There are direct bus lines nearly every half hour, and the trip from Belgrade takes approximately an hour. It is regarded as Serbia’s unofficial rock ‘n’ roll capital due to the large number of rock artists and bands that reside or were born there. See Europe’s biggest lowland medieval stronghold (particularly at night when its lights create a unique romantic and magical ambiance) or attend a rock performance at “Moto Club Street Fighter,” which is situated on the Danube’s very bank. The town holds a historic festival named “Smederevska Jesen” (Smederevo Autumn) at the end of September, which is a celebration of grape and Serbian culture with numerous concerts and other events. During the festival, there is a carnival at the end of town, but AVOID IT since it is noisy and busy, and there isn’t much to see or do. Simply remain in the town center. The Museum of Smederevo has many Roman and medieval artifacts and collections, making it a must-see for history buffs.

Foam Fest – Most stunning electronic music stage event is Belgrade Foam Fest. It was founded in 2009, and over 60,000 people have visited it since then. LED screens arranged throughout the Arena, along with hundreds of light guns, lasers, robo heads, and other light and sound equipment, as well as numerous foamfalls and foam guns, will once again distinguish this event as a manifestation that sets new production standards in Serbia and the region Belgrade Foam Fest.

EXIT festival – The largest music festival in SE Europe takes place in early July in Novi Sad, atop the Petrovaradin fortress.

Every year in the beginning of August, Guca village hosts a festival of traditional brass bands known as the “Trumpet Festival.” “Trumpet Festival” of traditional brass bands in Guca hamlet, 20 kilometers from Cacak. Over half a million people attended the event in this tiny town over a few days. The festival in Guca is perhaps the largest of its kind, with a large number of foreign tourists.

Every August, the Belgrade Beer Fest, which takes place at Ue, provides a sample of local and international beers as well as some excellent rock music.

Belgrade is well-known for its all-night party clubs. Visit the bohemian street “Skadarlija” if you want to experience the local atmosphere and pleasant feelings. Please see the Belgrade article for further information.

Restaurants, clubs, cafes, and hotels are typically fully booked for New Year’s Eve festivities that include food and live music.

However, the outdoor events in Belgrade and many other large towns like as Novi Sad, Niš, and Jagodina are the most well-known Serbian New Year’s celebrations. Cities are heavily adorned and illuminated as of mid-December. Because of the lingering impact of the ancient Julian calendar, the decorations stay until far into January. Belgrade is renowned across the area, particularly among former Yugoslav countries, as the place to go for big parties, concerts, and events. It is now customary for huge groups of Slovenes to go to their old capital to mark the start of a new year. Street festivities have grown into huge gatherings of hundreds of thousands of people, especially since the mid-1990s, to celebrate New Year on one of many sites around Belgrade.

In addition, on January 14, Serbians observe the so-called Serbian New Year, which is really New Year’s Eve according to the Eastern Church calendar. You may really relive New Year’s Eve between January 13 and 14.

Serbian cuisine is a typical Balkan blend of foods from Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Serbs are extremely proud of their cuisine, which consists mostly of grilled meats and sausages, as well as local cheeses and bread. Serbia is mostly a meat-loving country. Many foreign restaurants, such as Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Thai, and Lebanese, can be found in all major cities. Sushi and kosher cuisine are also available in Belgrade.

McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut are examples of worldwide fast-food chains. In general, costs are low in comparison to Western Europe, with main courses ranging from €5–20 per person.

Typical Serbian foods

Most Serbian restaurants serve rotilj, which is a big dish of different grilled meats or any type of grilled chicken wrapped in bacon and filled with cheese. If you are not a meat eater, you may have fresh salads, platters of grilled veggies, crepes, or omelettes. Serbian cuisine is well-known for its extensive use of fresh and prepared vegetables.

Bakeries, known as pekara, are common in the city center and provide a broad variety of breads, sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches, and pizza. Some are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When strolling around the city center, a snack or light supper of croissant and drinkable yoghurt (similar to kefir but milder) can provide an additional nutritional boost.

Turkish sweets like baklava, tulumba, and other sweet delights are extremely popular.

Vegetarians and meat eaters alike can sample kajmak (similar to cream cheese and butter) and ajvar, a delicious spread prepared from roasted red peppers. It is also worthwhile to visit a pijaca (green market) to get fresh fruits, vegetables, and other groceries.

Pljeskavica (pronounced roughly: PLYES-ka-vitsa) is the Serbian equivalent of a hamburger available in fast food restaurants.

The most well-known dish in Serbia is evapii (pronounced: chay-VAH-pee, chay-VAP-chitchee). They are a typical Balkan dish that is also known as evapi. It is made of several kinds of minced meat (pork and beef) that are combined together and formed into tiny sausages before being grilled. It’s often served with chopped onion and is extremely delicious. A piece of evapii in a somun (pita bread), perhaps with onion, ajvar, or kajmak, costs between €1.5 and €4 depending on size.

Don’t miss out on the Karaoreva nicla. It’s beef that’s been stuffed with kajmak and bacon before being pan-fried. It is another another traditional Serbian dish that pays tribute to the commander of the first Serbian revolt against the Ottomans.

Other typical Serbian meals to try are peenje (roasted pig or lamb), veal soup, and fish soup.

Burek (pronounced BOO-rek) is a traditional Polish dish. It comes with a variety of fillings such as beef, cheese, spinach, apple, or cherry. It is not suitable for dieters due to the high fat content. It is often consumed in the morning and may be depleted by the evening.

Vegetarian foods

Although pure vegetarian restaurants are uncommon, many establishments will provide non-meat cuisine (simply ask for ‘posno,’ a generic word for non-meat dishes). Numerous fast-food outlets (burgers, barbeque, pizza, hot dogs, pancakes, etc.) and bakeries (oriental and European pastry, pitas, etc.) are generally quite excellent and will meet your requirements at a fair price. Pizza, sandwiches, and crepes (pancakes) are also popular. Salads are typically composed of tomato, cucumber, onion, or cabbage. Fresh and organic food is available locally.

Serbian-style coffee

Belgrade’s coffee culture is especially developed; strolling around the city’s core districts will reveal vast terraces and cafés offering various kinds of coffee and sweets, notably Viennese style cakes and local specialities. Try Serbian Turkish coffee with chestnut purée with whipped cream, a local speciality, particularly in Republic Square (available mostly during winter).

Tap water is completely safe to drink and, for the most part, of high quality. There are also several springs and fountains with high-quality drinking water, the most famous of which are the fountain on Knez Mihailova in Belgrade and the many fountains in Nis. When it comes to water in Vojvodina, one must be cautious. Some areas (such as Kikinda and Zrenjanin) have highly contaminated water that is only utilized for technical purposes and is not even used for cooking.

Serbia’s currency is the dinar (RSD, динаp, pl. dinari/динари). Banknotes are issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 dinars, while coins are struck in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 dinars. Banknotes are more frequent than coins, therefore be prepared to carry a big quantity of banknotes in various circumstances.

Money may be exchanged in official exchange offices, known locally as menjačnica, which often display the National Bank of Serbia symbol outside the building. Rates are often lower than those offered by banks. Converting Euros or other major currencies is considerably simpler. There are many ATMs that take international bank and credit cards without issue. Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, and Maestro are all commonly accepted payment methods. American Express and Diners Club cards, on the other hand, are seldom accepted. Similarly, traveler’s checks are not often accepted in Serbia, and cashing them may be difficult.

Outside of Serbia, the dinar is not readily convertible; it is recommended that you re-convert any leftover dinars to Euros or other major currencies before leaving the country.

Old Yugoslavian money may be bought from street vendors. A RSD500,000,000,000 note is a unique memento. A collection of ten banknotes from the hyperinflation period may be purchased for RSD500 in Kalemegdan, near Belgrade’s castle.

Since service costs are always included in the bill, tips are never considered a formal requirement; nevertheless, rounding up or leaving a tip (10-15 percent) is customary in restaurants (but not in fast-food restaurants) if the client is pleased with the service. In pubs and taxicabs, tips are also accepted (usually by rounding up the amount paid – e.g. if the taximeter displays 592 RSD, give 600).

Many supermarkets, particularly the “Idea” chain, sell imported Western cuisine.

Prescription medicines are available without a prescription in almost all Serbian pharmacies (apoteka).

Prices are generally comparable to the rest of the Balkans. However, import tariffs make clothing and shoes extremely costly in Serbia.

Serbs are a highly pleasant, courteous, and hospitable people, particularly in the country’s south.

If you are welcomed into a Serbian house for the first time, be sure to bring them a present. Anything from flowers to chocolate or/and anything symbolic of your nation is acceptable. If you arrive to a rural home, remove your shoes unless the owner expressly instructs you to do so. When you’re inside the home, don’t ask for anything since they’ll almost certainly give it to you. It is polite to request a drink of water if you are thirsty. The host most likely forgot to give you a drink and will do so soon.

It is considered courteous to give an old person or a pregnant lady a seat on a bus or tram.

Because many Serbs are dissatisfied with recent Balkan historical events, it is better to avoid discussing the 1990s Yugoslav Wars or NATO bombardment of Serbia. If the subject is brought up, try to refrain from expressing strong ideas until you get a chance to evaluate your acquaintance’s point of view. Do not express your support for Kosovo’s independence. In addition to the 1999 air strikes, the US’s outspoken support for Kosovar independence generated considerable ill will against the West, especially the US (though this is rarely extrapolated to individual Americans). However, if you share the opinions of the majority of Serbs, some may be ready to debate the issue, and many would be pleased to talk with a Westerner who shares their viewpoints.

Talking about Socialist Yugoslavia and Tito, on the other hand, would not raise as many eyebrows, since most people will not hesitate to speak about it, and some may even approach it with a great love for that more stable and tranquil period. Remember that Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s independence but maintains ties with Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia.

Serbs, like those in other ex-Yugoslavia nations, dislike having their country labeled as “Eastern Europe.” One widespread misunderstanding is that Serbia was a member of the Soviet Union (in fact, it was part of Yugoslavia, which split with the Eastern bloc in 1948). While Russia remains disliked in other Eastern European countries owing to its Cold War impact, Russians in Serbia have always been seen as kind, brotherly people. People have no qualms about discussing the communist era or Tito, and they often express nostalgia for it.

When toasting in Serbia, like in most other European nations, establish eye contact. You may be asked to drink gallons, but you must be able to keep your drink steady. Being visibly inebriated is a sign of poor judgment, a lack of character, and worse. Be cautious: “rakija,” a plum spirit (typically about 53% alcohol concentration), is stronger than you would think and can get you drunk quickly! It’s always good to toast in the language of your partner. In Serbian, cheers is iveli.

Don’t point your finger at anybody. This is considered impolite.

Socially, demonstrations of love among the younger age are comparable to those seen in Western Europe, while the elder generation (those over 65) remains very conservative.

In Serbian, the phrase molim (please) is essential for polite communication. It essentially means “please,” but it also implies “you’re welcome,” which is an acceptable answer when someone thanks you (and says hvala). It also implies I humbly ask your pardon? Simply saying ta? (What?) may seem impolite. It may be argued that the usage of the term molim is analogous to the use of bitte in German.

has both formal and informal ways of expressing you, as do most European languages (Vi and ti). When addressing elderly folks, use the formal Vi version. Unless among friends or family, people are not usually called or referred to by their first names.

For centuries, Serbia’s territory was split between the Eastern and Western parts of the Roman Empire; then between Byzantium and the Kingdom of Hungary; then, in the early modern era, between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Empire. These overlapping influences have resulted in cultural variations across Serbia; the north is more like to Central Europe, while the south is more akin to the Balkans and even the Mediterranean. The Byzantine impact on Serbia was significant, beginning with the arrival of Eastern Christianity (Orthodoxy) in the early Middle Ages. The Serbian Orthodox Church has a long history in Serbia, with numerous Serbian monasteries among the most important cultural treasures left over from the Middle Ages.

Serbia has five UNESCO World Heritage sites: the early medieval capital Stari Ras and the 13th-century monastery Sopoani; the 12th-century Studenica monastery; the Roman complex of Gamzigrad–Felix Romuliana; medieval tombstones Steci; and finally the endangered Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (the monasteries of Visoki Deani, Our Lady of Ljevi, Graanica, and Graanica).

UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme includes two literary monuments: the 12th-century Miroslav Gospel and physicist Nikola Tesla’s significant collection. The slava (patron saint devotion) is on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Ministry of Culture and Information is in charge of conserving and developing the nation’s cultural legacy. Additional cultural development initiatives are carried out at the local government level.

Many royal towns and palaces in Serbia, such as Sirmium, Felix Romuliana, and Justiniana Prima, have architectural traces of the Roman and early Byzantine Empires.

Serbian monasteries represent the pinnacle of Serbian medieval art, with its frescoes and icon paintings. At first, they were influenced by Byzantine art, which was especially noticeable after the fall of Constantinople in 1204, when many Byzantine painters fled to Serbia. Studenica is the most well-known of these monasteries (built around 1190). It served as a model for subsequent monasteries like as the Mileeva, Sopoani, ia, Graanica, and Visoki Deani. The Mironosnice na Grobu (or “White Angel”) fresco from the Mileeva monastery is the most renowned Serbian medieval fresco. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, an autochotonous architectural style known as Morava style emerged in the Morava Valley region. The lavish ornamentation of the frontal church walls was a feature of this style. Manasija, Ravanica, and Kaleni monasteries are examples of this. The country is studded with many well-preserved medieval fortresses and castles, including Smederevo Stronghold (Europe’s biggest lowland fortress), Golubac, Magli, and Ram.

Serbian art was practically non-existent under the Ottoman Empire, with the exception of a few Serbian painters who resided in territories controlled by the Habsburg Monarchy. Traditional Serbian art, as shown in the works of Nikola Nekovi, Teodor Kraun, Zaharije Orfelin, and Jakov Orfelin, exhibited some Baroque influences towards the end of the 18th century.

During the nineteenth century, Serbian art reflected the influence of Biedermeier, Neoclassicism, and Romanticism. Paja Jovanovi and Uro Predi of Realism, Cubist Sava umanovi, Milena Pavlovi-Barili and Nadeda Petrovi of Impressionism, and Expressionist Milan Konjovi were the most prominent Serbian artists of the first half of the twentieth century. Marko Elebonovi, Petar Lubarda, Milo Milunovi, and Vladimir Velikovi are among the well-known artists of the second part of the twentieth century.

Anastas Jovanovi was one of the world’s first photographers, and Marina Abramovi is a world-renowned performance artist. The Pirot carpet is regarded as one of Serbia’s most significant traditional handicrafts.

Serbia has approximately 100 art museums, the most prominent of which is the National Museum of Serbia, founded in 1844; it houses one of the largest art collections in the Balkans, with over 400,000 exhibits, over 5,600 paintings, and 8,400 drawings and prints, including many foreign masterpiece collections. Other notable art institutions in Serbia include the Museum of Contemporary Art in Belgrade and the Museum of Vojvodina in Novi Sad.

The origins of Serbian literacy may be traced back to the Balkan adventures of the brothers Cyril and Methodius. There are monuments of Serbian literacy from the early 11th century, written in Glagolitic. Books were written in Cyrillic beginning in the 12th century. The Miroslav Gospels are the earliest Serbian Cyrillic book editorial from this period. The Miroslav Gospels are often regarded as the most ancient literature in Serbian medieval history.

Saint Sava, Nun Jefimija, Stefan Lazarević,, Constantine of Kostenetsand, and others are examples of notable medieval writers. The late 17th century saw the emergence of Baroque tendencies in Serbian literature. Gavril Stefanović Venclović, Jovan Rajić, Zaharije Orfelin, Andrija Zmajević, and others were notable Baroque-influenced writers. Dositej Obradović was the most famous person of the Age of Enlightenment, while Popović was the most notable Classicist writer, but his writings also included aspects of Romanticism. Vuk Stefanović Karadžić gathered Serbian folk literature and corrected the Serbian language and spelling during the period of national rebirth in the first half of the nineteenth century, preparing the way for Serbian Romanticism. The first half of the nineteenth century was dominated by Romanticism, with the most notable representatives being Branko Radičević, Đura Jakšić, Jovan Jovanović Zmaj and Laza Kostić, while the second half of the century was marked by Realist writers such as Milovan Glišić, Laza Lazarević, Simo Matavulj, Stevan Sremac, Vojislav Ilić, Branislav Nušić, Radoje Domanović and Borisav Stanković.

Miloš Crnjanski, Isidora Sekulić, Ivo Andrić(who was given the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961), Branko Ćopić, Miodrag Bulatović, Meša Selimović, Borislav Pekić, Danilo Kiš, Dobrica Ćosić, Aleksandar Tišma, Dragoslav Mihailović, Milorad Pavić, and ohers dominated the twentieth century. As shown by the works of Milan Rakić, Jovan Dučić, Vladislav Petković Dis, Rastko Petrović, Stanislav Vinaver, Dušan Matić, Desanka Maksimović, Branko Miljković, Vasko Popa, Oskar Davičo, Miodrag Pavlović, Stevan Raičković, and others, there were many great literary accomplishments. David Albahari, Svetislav Basara, Goran Petrović, Vladimir Arsenijević, Zoran Živković, and others are among the most well-known modern writers.

Serbia (excluding Kosovo) has 551 public libraries, the largest of which are two national libraries: the National Library of Serbia in Belgrade, which has approximately 5 million volumes, and Matica Srpska (the oldest Serbian cultural institution, founded in 1826) in Novi Sad, which has nearly 3.5 million volumes. In 2010, 10,989 books and brochures were published. The book publishing business is controlled by several large publishers, including Laguna and Vulkan (both of which run their own bookshop chains), and the annual Belgrade Book Fair is the most attended cultural event in Serbia, with 158,128 people in 2013. The granting of the NIN Prize, which has been awarded every January since 1954 for the finest newly published book in Serbian, is the literary scene’s high point (during times of Yugoslavia, in Serbo-Croatian language).

Serbia has a long dramatic history, with Joakim Vujić regarded as the pioneer of contemporary Serbian theater. The most prominent professional theatres in Serbia are the National Theatre in Belgrade, the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad, the National Theatre in Subotica, the National Theatre in Ni, and the Knjaevsko-srpski teatar in Kragujevac (the oldest theatre in Serbia, established in 1835). The Belgrade International Theatre Festival – BITEF, established in 1967, is one of the world’s oldest theater festivals and has grown to become one of Europe’s top five. Sterijino pozorje, on the other hand, is a festival that features national theatrical plays. The most significant Serbian playwrights were Jovan Sterija Popović and Branislav Nušić, while famous names nowadays include Dušan Kovačević and Biljana Srbljanović.

Serbian cinema is one of Europe’s most active micro cinematographies. The government actively supports Serbia’s film industry, mostly via subsidies authorized by the Film Centre of Serbia. In 2011, 17 feature films were produced in the United States. The nation has 20 operational theaters, 10 of which are multiplexes, with total attendance surpassing 2.6 million and a relatively high proportion of total sold tickets for local films of 32.3 percent. Modern PFI Studios, situated in Imanovci, is currently Serbia’s only film studio complex; it comprises of 9 state-of-the-art sound stages and draws mostly foreign films, particularly from the United States and Western Europe. The Yugoslav Film Archive used to be the former Yugoslavia’s and is now Serbia’s national film archive; with over 95 thousand film prints, it is one of the world’s five biggest film archives.

Serbian cinema began in 1896 with the publication of the Balkans’ oldest film, The Life and Deeds of the Immortal Vod Karaore, a biopic of Serbian revolutionary hero, Karaore.

Emir Kusturica is the most well-known Serbian director, having won two Golden Palms for Best Feature Film at the Cannes Film Festival, first for When Father Was Away on Business in 1985 and then again for Underground in 1995. Among the other well-known directors are Goran Paskaljević, Dušan Makavejev, Goran Marković, Srđan Dragojević and Srdan Golubović. Steve Tesich, a Serbian-American screenwriter, received the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Breaking Away in 1979.

Serbian cuisine is highly diverse, including elements from the Balkans (particularly former Yugoslavia), the Mediterranean (particularly Greek), Turkish, and Central European (particularly Austrian and Hungarian) cuisines. Food is extremely significant in Serbian social life, especially on religious holidays like Christmas and Easter, as well as feast days like slava.

Bread, meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are staples of the Serbian cuisine. Bread is the foundation of all Serbian meals, and it is used in religious ceremonies as well as in Serbian cuisine. Guests are traditionally greeted with bread and salt in Serbia. Meat, as well as fish, is frequently eaten. evapii (caseless sausages made of minced meat that are always grilled and seasoned), pljeskavica, sarma, kajmak (a dairy product similar to clotted cream), gibanica (cheese and kajmak pie), ajvar (a roasted red pepper spread), proja (cornbread), and kačamak are all Serbian specialities (corn-flour porridge).

Serbians claim to be the origin of rakia (rakija), a highly alcoholic drink made mainly from fruit. Rakia may be found in a variety of varieties across the Balkans, most notably in Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Hungary, and Turkey. Slivovitz (šljivovica), a plum brandy, is a kind of rakia that is considered Serbia’s national drink.

Sports are very significant in Serbian culture, and the nation has a rich athletic past. Football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, water polo, and handball are the most popular sports in Serbia.

Sporting federations and leagues organize professional sports in Serbia (in case of team sports). One of the distinctive features of Serbian professional sports is the existence of numerous multi-sports clubs (known as “sports societies”), the largest and most successful of which are Red Star, Partizan, and Beograd in Belgrade, Vojvodina in Novi Sad, Radnički in Kragujevac, and Spartak in Subotica.

Football is the most popular sport in Serbia, and the Football Association of Serbia is the country’s biggest sports organization, with 146,845 registered players. Dragan Džajić was named “the best Serbian player of all time” by the Football Association of Serbia, and more recently, the likes of Nemanja Vidić, Dejan Stanković and Branislav Ivanović have played for Europe’s elite clubs, cementing Serbia’s reputation as one of the world’s largest exporters of footballers. Despite qualifying for three of the past four FIFA World Cups, Serbia’s national football squad has had little success. Serbia’s national youth football teams won the U-19 European Championship in 2013 and the U-20 World Cup in 2015. The two most important football teams in Serbia are Red Star Belgrade (winner of the 1991 European Cup) and Partizan Belgrade (finalist of the 1966 European Cup). The two clubs’ rivalry is known as the “Eternal Derby,” and it is often regarded as one of the most thrilling sports rivalries in the world.

Serbia is one of the world’s traditional basketball powerhouses, having won two World Championships (in 1998 and 2002), three European Championships (1995, 1997, and 2001), and two Olympic silver medals (in 1996 and 2016). In 2015, the women’s national basketball team won the European Championship, and in 2016, they earned a bronze medal in the Olympics. In the past two decades, 22 Serbian players have played in the NBA, notably Predrag “Pedja” Stojaković (three-time NBA All-Star) and Vlade Divac (2001 NBA All-Star and FIBA Hall of Famer). The famous “Serbian coaching school” produced several of Europe’s most successful basketball coaches, like Željko Obradović, who won a record eight Euroleague championships as a coach. The KK Partizan basketball club won the European championship in 1992.

The recent success of Serbian tennis players has resulted in a massive increase in the popularity of tennis in Serbia. Novak Đoković,, a twelve-time Grand Slam winner, was world No. 1 in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015, and he is presently No. 1 in the ATP Rankings. Ana Ivanovic (French Open winner in 2008) and Jelena Janković were both rated No. 1 in the WTA Rankings. There were also two No. 1 tennis doubles players: Nenad Zimonjić (three-time men’s double and four-time mixed double Grand Slam winner) and Slobodan Živojinović. Serbia’s men’s tennis team won the Davis Cup in 2010, while the Serbia women’s tennis team reached the Fed Cup final in 2012.

Serbia is one of the world’s top volleyball nations. Its men’s national team won gold in the 2000 Olympics and has twice won the European Championship. The women’s national volleyball team won the European Championship in 2011 and a silver medal in the Olympics in 2016.

Serbia’s men’s national water polo team is the second most successful in the world, behind only Hungary, having won an Olympic gold medal in 2016, three World Championships (2005, 2009, and 2015), and six European Championships in 2001, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2014, and 2016. VK Partizan has won seven European champion championships, a joint-record.

Swimmers Milorad Čavić (2009 World champion on 50 meters butterfly and silver medalist on 100 meters butterfly as well as 2008 Olympic silver medalist on 100 meters butterfly in historic race with American swimmer Michael Phelps) and Nađa Higl (2009 World champion in 200 meters breaststroke – the first Serbian woman to become a world champion in swimming) are among the other notable Serbian athletes (2012 Olympic gold medalist).

In the last ten years, Serbia has hosted a number of major sporting events, including the 2005 Men’s European Basketball Championship, the 2005 Men’s European Volleyball Championship, the 2006 and 2016 Men’s European Water Polo Championships, the 2009 Summer Universiade, the 2012 European Men’s Handball Championship, and the 2013 World Women’s Handball Championship. The Belgrade Marathon and the Tour de Serbie cycle race are the country’s two most significant yearly sports events.

In general, Serbia is a safe location to visit. In case you need assistance, the people are very courteous and friendly. (If you need assistance finding/getting to a location, it’s better to ask a younger individual, since they are more likely to know English.) Pickpockets should be avoided at all costs, especially in busy tourist areas and on public transit. Street robberies, murders, or assaults are very rare, especially in isolated or dark areas of a city/town. Drivers that are disrespectful to pedestrians or cyclists should be avoided at all costs. There is also considerable hostility against gays.

The emergency phone numbers are 192 for police, 193 for fire, and 194 for ambulance.

Following the Yugoslav conflicts of the 1990s, there have been reports of UXOs (unexploded ordnances) outside of major cities. When traveling outside of cities, keep an eye out for marks that may indicate a possible UXO zone and always adhere to well-trodden routes. If you come across a strange item that resembles a bomb/mortar/landmine, DO NOT TOUCH IT. Notify the closest police station right away. Although the majority of UXOs have been removed, it is extremely improbable that you will discover any of them, even in the least frequented areas of Serbia.