Serbia

Why Serbia

There are destinations that you don't really choose, that impose themselves once you've heard about them from someone who comes back with shining eyes. Serbia is one of them. You often arrive out of curiosity, by default, because it was cheap or because a friend insisted, and you leave with the strange feeling of having discovered something that others don't really know yet.

Belgrade may be the key to everything. Kalemegdan Fortress has dominated the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers for two millennia, and yet it is the splavovi, floating clubs moored along the banks, that make the city world-famous. There is something special about this mix of historical depth and energy of life: a capital that does not play at being what it is not, that assumes its scars, its construction sites and its noisy joy of existing.

But Serbia is not limited to Belgrade. To the south, the route of medieval monasteries reveals a Byzantine civilization of astounding elegance: Studenica, founded in the twelfth century in a setting of forests, is one of the treasures of the world heritage that few French travelers have yet seen in real life. To the west, the mountains of Mokra Gora hide the wooden village built by Kusturica and the narrow-gauge train that winds between the fir trees as if out of another century. To the east, the Danube Gorge traces a natural border with Romania of a beauty that few places in Europe can rival. Serbia does not have a postcard: it has a dozen, and each one surprises.

When to go

Serbia rewards those who avoid peak summer and choose the seasonal margins.

May and Juneare the favourite months of connoisseurs: 18 to 27°C in Belgrade, green and flowery countryside, cultural festivals (Guča, jazz in Niš) and still reasonable prices. The monasteries can be visited in peace, the terraces of the capital open up, the Danube gorges are lush.

July and Augustremain pleasant (around 29°C) without reaching the excessive heat waves of some Mediterranean neighbours. The Belgrade Beer Fest (end of August) and jazz festivals liven up the summer. However, it is the high season: book accommodation in advance.

SeptemberBelgrade is often referred to as the best month: a maximum of 24°C, crowds in the background, prices dropping, and the golden light of autumn that sublimates the forests of Kopaonik and the facades of Novi Sad. The Belgrade Book Fair at the end of the month is a major cultural event.

OctoberPerfectly suited to cultural and monastic tours: meditative atmosphere, autumnal colours in the forests, absence of tourists.

Winter (December to March)is cold in Belgrade (down to -5°C at night) but excellent in Kopaonik for skiing. The kafanas (taverns) are warm, the rakija flows easily, and the snowy monasteries have a particular poetry.

How much does it cost

Serbia is one of the most affordable destinations on the European continent. In 2026, the cost of living remains about 36% lower than in France, which radically changes the budget equation for a trip.

Expect to pay between 35 and 80 euros per person per day all inclusive (accommodation in a standard hotel, restaurant meals, travel, museum admissions). A traveller who chooses between a youth hostel and street food can go down to 30-40 euros; a comfort traveller who chooses 3-4 star hotels and guided excursions will be closer to 100-150 euros.

Meals are the item where the difference with France is the most striking: a full lunch in a traditional kafana (soup, meat dish, bread, beer) costs 10-15 euros. Local beer costs 2 euros, an express coffee 1.50 euros. Public transport in Belgrade is almost free (0.40 euros for a bus or tram ticket). A Belgrade-Novi Sad bus ticket costs 6 euros for 90 km.

A 7-day organized tour in Serbia starts from 750 euros per person excluding flights. Paris-Belgrade flights start at 62 euros round trip in low season, between 150 and 250 euros in summer.

Where to go

Serbia can be read into four main zones, each with its own travel logic.

Belgrade and Vojvodinaform the northern arc of the country. Belgrade is the unmissable, dense and energetic capital, which you can easily spend 3 or 4 days exploring without getting bored. Novi Sad, 90 kilometers to the north, is the second quieter city, with the fortress of Petrovaradin and an impeccable Austro-Hungarian historic center. Further north, Subotica surprises with its Art Nouveau delirium and the calm of a multicultural provincial town.

Central Serbia and the monasteriesrevolve around Novi Pazar. It is the medieval heart of the country: Studenica, Sopoćani and the ruins of Stari Ras (all UNESCO World Heritage Sites) form a monastic circuit that is unparalleled in the Balkans. The region is also marked by the Ottoman and Bosnian culture of Novi Pazar, which gives an extra flavour to the trip.

The mountainous westbelongs to lovers of nature and a profound change of scenery. Mokra Gora and its legendary train, the Šargan Eight; Drvengrad, the wooden museum village of Kusturica; the Drina gorge and the panoramas of nearby Bosnia. This is Serbia's most secret.

The South and the Danube Gorgereward travelers who venture further afield. Niš, the birthplace of Constantine the Great, is worth a stopover. And the Djerdap Gorge, on the borders of Romania, is a first-rate natural spectacle that few guides still recommend highly enough.

Our itineraries

Three travel logics are necessary for Serbia: the Belgrade-Vojvodina axis for a first short stay, the great cultural tour that goes down to the monasteries and mountains, and the nature version with skiing or hiking depending on the season.

In pictures

Practical advice

Formalities

Serbia is not a member of the European Union or the Schengen Area. French nationals enter freely for less than 90 days with a valid passport or national identity card. No visa required.

Non-EU nationals should check the specific requirements for their nationality with the relevant Serbian embassy or consulate. Some nationalities enjoy the bilateral visa waiver; others must apply for a Schengen visa (not valid for Serbia, which is not Schengen) or a specific Serbian visa.

A practical detail that is often ignored: if you are staying in a private home (and not in a hotel), you must declare your presence to the district police station within 48 hours of your arrival. Hotels will automatically take care of this for you.

Getting around

By plane:Only one major international airport, Belgrade Nikola Tesla (BEG), connects Serbia to Paris in 2h25-2h45 non-stop. Air Serbia, Ryanair and Wizz Air operate the route. Flights exist from Lyon and other French cities with a connection.

By bus:The long-distance bus network is the backbone of transport in Serbia. Comfortable, punctual and very cheap. Belgrade-Novi Sad: 1 hour 15 minutes for 6 euros. Belgrade-Niš: 3 hours for 12 euros. The bus stations are well equipped. Flixbus also covers some routes.

By train:The rail network exists but suffers from ageing infrastructure: travel times are often double those of the bus for an equivalent journey. A notable exception is the Šargan Eight in Mokra Gora, a historic narrow-gauge train with a tourist heritage in its own right.

By car:Essential for monasteries in the Novi Pazar area, Danube Gorge and rural areas. National roads are in good condition; secondary roads to monasteries can be winding but are passable by ordinary car. Rental from 15-30 euros per day in Belgrade.

In Belgrade:Trams, buses and trolleybuses cover the city for 0.40 euros per trip. Taxis are very affordable (Naxis or CarGo app recommended to avoid arbitrary fares). Bolt and Uber also operate.

Culture and uses

Serbia is a country with a Slavic Orthodox culture, with a marked Ottoman influence in some regions (Sandžak, Pčinja Valley). Some useful landmarks to travel with ease.

Language:Serbian is written in two alphabets, Cyrillic and Latin, depending on the context. In tourist areas, English is well understood. Some Serbian words to memorize:hvala(thank you),Molim(please),Dobar Dan(hello),izvinite(excuse me),DA/NE(yes/no). Serbs genuinely appreciate travelers who make the effort of a few words in their language.

The kafana:The central social institution of Serbia. These neighborhood taverns, often decorated with cloth tablecloths and old photos, serve traditional cuisine (ćevapi, pljeskavica, grills), beer and rakija in an atmosphere of relaxed conviviality. The meals are long, the discussions lively, the service warm. This is where Serbia really reveals itself.

Tips:Not mandatory but appreciated. 10% in restaurants, round up for taxis. Service is usually not included in the bill.

The monasteries:Respectful clothing is required (shoulders and knees covered). Some monasteries are still inhabited by monks or nuns. Silence and discretion are required. Photography is sometimes forbidden inside (check the signs).

Rakija:The national brandy, distilled from plum (šljivovica), quince or apricot depending on the region. You will be offered it before any meal or visit to a private home. Refusing is sometimes perceived as rudeness; accepting a small glass is enough to honor Serbian hospitality.

Frequently asked questions