Serbia — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade nightlife, the EXIT festival, and ancient monasteries”
Serbia is the heart of the Balkans, with a long history and a strong culture — Belgrade, the capital at the meeting of the Sava and Danube rivers, Kalemegdan Fortress standing for thousands of years, the bohemian Skadarlija quarter, the immense St Sava Cathedral, the city of Novi Sad and its EXIT music festival, Orthodox monasteries tucked into the hills, and delicious grilled ćevapi paired with rakija plum brandy.
Serbia at a glance
Choose a city in Serbia
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Serbia right for you?
Why people love Serbia, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Kalemegdan Fortress
An ancient fortress on a high bluff overlooking the meeting of two rivers, with a beautiful park and a military museum.
EXIT festival, Novi Sad
A world-class music festival in Petrovaradin Fortress every July, with famous musicians from around the globe.
St Sava Cathedral
One of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, its golden dome standing proudly in central Belgrade.
Rakija and café culture
The national plum brandy, and café-bars where the lifestyle stays lively all day long.
Orthodox monasteries
The Studenica and Mileševa monasteries, World Heritage sites with medieval fresco art.
Great value
Travel costs are much lower than Western Europe — you get more food, lodging and entertainment for the same price.
Serbia vs its neighbors
| Serbia | Croatia | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $45–85 | $55–115 | $35–70 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Check the latest with the embassy | Schengen | Schengen |
| Known for | Nightlife · fortresses · music | Beaches · old towns | Sofia · lakes · cheap |
| Currency | Dinar (RSD) | Euro (EUR) | Lev (BGN) |
| Nature | Rivers-valleys-monasteries | Adriatic coast | Mountains-lakes-forests |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Nightlife lovers
Belgrade is the Balkans' nightlife capital — riverboat bars (splavovi), famous clubs, and the Skadarlija quarter after dark.
See this plan → 🎵Music festival fans
The EXIT Festival at Novi Sad in July, with the fortress as the stage and music all night long.
See this plan → 🏛️History buffs
Fortresses, monasteries, and Roman ruins at Niš and around the country — for culture-minded travelers.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviews
No reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🍢
Ćevapi
Small grilled meat sausages served in pita bread with onions and kajmak sauce.
📍 National dish - 2🥩
Pljeskavica
A large, richly seasoned mixed-meat burger, some stuffed with melted cheese — a popular street food.
📍 Grill - 3🥃
Rakija
A fruit brandy (often plum or quince), drunk as a welcome to guests — an important tradition.
📍 Drink - 4🫕
Grah Pasulj
A white-bean stew with smoked meat, simmered long until rich — a traditional home-cooked dish.
📍 Home cooking - 5🧀
Kajmak
A fresh, buttery cream cheese, paired with warm bread or grilled meat, eaten at every meal.
📍 Side dish - 6🥧
Gibanica
A filo pastry filled with cheese and eggs, eaten for breakfast or as a snack, found everywhere.
📍 Pastry
- 1🏰
Kalemegdan Fortress
An ancient fortress overlooking the meeting of the Sava and Danube, with a park and museum in the capital.
📍 Belgrade - 2🛤️
Skadarlija
A cobblestone bohemian quarter with folk restaurants, live musicians, and old-Belgrade atmosphere.
📍 Belgrade - 3⛪
Saint Sava Cathedral
A very large white-domed Orthodox church with beautiful gold mosaics — not to be missed.
📍 Belgrade - 4🏯
Petrovaradin Fortress
An Austrian-era fortress on a bluff above the Danube, the stage for the EXIT festival every year.
📍 Novi Sad - 5🕌
Studenica Monastery
A 12th-century UNESCO World Heritage Orthodox monastery with ancient frescoes.
📍 Central Serbia - 6🏛️
Niš Fortress and Roman Ruins
An Ottoman fortress, the Roman ruins of Naissus, and the Skull Tower of Niš.
📍 Niš
🚆 Getting around Serbia
Intercity buses
Buses connect cities across the country cheaply; Belgrade to Novi Sad takes about an hour.
Trains
Serbian Railways connects the main cities; slower than the bus but with beautiful scenery.
Taxis and apps
CarGo and Yandex work in place of regular taxis in Belgrade, with transparent pricing.
Nikola Tesla Airport
BEG is about 18 km from central Belgrade, with buses and taxis into town.
Car rental
Handy for visiting monasteries and the countryside; roads are decent, but mind the Cyrillic signs.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Serbia
Friendliness
Serbians are friendly and open, and guests in the home are always warmly welcomed.
Café culture
The café-bar is the center of social life — sit and chat for ages over just one coffee.
Meals matter
Lunch and dinner are family time, eaten slowly with conversation and no rush.
Cash still works
Many shops and markets take cash primarily, so keep some dinars on you.
Orthodox faith
Orthodox Christianity plays an important role; dress modestly when entering churches and monasteries.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / guesthouse $15–35
Serbia is very cheap for Europe — eat ćevapi and pasulj, take buses between cities, and enjoy plenty of free parks.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel $45–85
Good restaurants, fortress and monastery tours, and Skadarlija nightlife.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury hotel $115+
A design hotel on the Danube, fine dining, and a VIP pass to the EXIT festival.
🗓️ When to visit Serbia
Spring
Apr – MayWarm weather, flowers in bloom, lovely parks, and fewer people than summer.
Summer
Jun – AugThe liveliest season, with the EXIT festival in July, beer flowing, and full-on nightlife (it can hit 35°C).
Autumn
Sep – OctLovely weather and turning leaves, great for the countryside and monasteries, with thinning crowds.
Winter
Dec – JanCold but with charming Christmas markets, cheap accommodation, and a quiet atmosphere.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Serbia — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.6👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.2💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.2💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Serbia?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Serbia
How many days do you need in Serbia?+
4–5 days — 2–3 days in Belgrade (the fortress, churches, old quarter, nightlife), 1 day in Novi Sad, and 1 day for Niš or a monastery if you have time.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa for Serbia?+
Check the latest visa rules with the embassy before traveling, as policy may change.
Is Belgrade safe for tourists?+
Generally safe; watch your bag in crowded places and bus stations as in any big city. Locals are friendly and helpful.
Can you use euros in Serbia?+
No — Serbia uses the dinar (RSD); exchange money at a bank or city ATM, as many shops don't take euros directly.
Tips before you go to Serbia
- Exchange dinars at an ATM in Belgrade — better rates than the exchange shops.
- Belgrade-Novi Sad buses are cheap and frequent, with no need to book ahead.
- Skadarlija is loveliest in the evening — with live musicians in the restaurants.
- Dress modestly for churches and monasteries; women should cover their shoulders and wear a skirt.
- For the EXIT festival, book tickets and Novi Sad accommodation months in advance.
- Food is very cheap — try ćevapi and pljeskavica at local spots.