Serbia: Best Off The Beaten Path Travel Destination & Why You Should Visit ASAP
If you find yourself wandering whether or not you should travel to Serbia, the answer is a big fat YES!
Serbia has so much to offer. All my friends know how much I love that place. I just cannot stop raving about it and it is one of my favorite places in Europe. The Balkan region of Europe is seriously one of the best places to go for authenticity.
So let’s dive in and let me tell you why you should make it to Serbia before everyone else does. So here is a case for Serbia tourism and some reasons why you should visit.
FAQ
Is Serbia Safe? Is Belgrade Safe?
Right of the bat, I believe it is as safe as it gets.
And now let me first tackle the elephant in the room. My friends always get scared the second they hear about my travels to Serbia. The question is always the same. ” But Stef, is it Safe to travel to Serbia”?
Listen up!
I get it, the region has had a very rough past. Serbia along with many neighboring countries were apart of Yugoslavia. In the 1940’s Yugoslavia was formed by Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia , Slovenia, Kosovo and Serbia.
Sadly, as is often the case in history, the Yugoslavia war happened in the 1990’s. It was a very brutal time causing way too much damage and trauma, which lots of locals still remember today. The scars and wounds are still fresh but the people are the warmest you will ever meet.
I have traveled to so many countries and Serbian hospitality is something I always cherish. I love the place so much that I can never get enough and keep going back many times each year.
Which brings me to this article. I want to tell you all the reasons why you should give Serbia a chance and consider it for your next vacation.
So keep reading for my compelling reasons as I make the case for Serbia.
Serbia is off the beaten track yet easily accessible
Yes I hear you!
France along with the classic European suspects are amazing travel spots. But why don’t you shake things up a little bit and discover a new place?
Serbia is “exotic”. Meaning that you won’t have to deal with mass tourism and fight hoards of other tourists in order to get to places and take pictures. The people are very authentic and aren’t phased and drained by tourists.
Most of all, it is extremely easy to make it to Serbia with the likes of affordable airlines such as Ryanair and wizz air.
The food is amazing
Serbian food is simply mouth watering delicious.
Ok! This is the part where I should add a disclaimer and let you know that it is very meat heavy. I have seen some couple vegan restaurants in Belgrade such as VEgangelove and Radost . That said, if you are a meat lover, you are in great company, especially if you like pork.
Serbia is very affordable
A major plus of visiting lesser known places is price affordability.
I personally love to spurge when I travel. And Serbia is a great place to go and have all your luxuries and creatures of comfort. All this still without breaking the bank.
No mass tourism
There isn’t any mass tourism, yet.
Not to say that Serbia isn’t a popular tourist destination. Other Serbians do take the time to travel through their own country, along with tourists from neighboring Balkan countries.
It is so nice to be able to walk around and enjoy Belgrade without getting pushed around and worrying about problems that tend to come along with mass tourism ( Hello pickpocketing, looking at you).
I still recommend making dinner reservations for the popular locations as they can still get booked up.
Hey, we all love a good meal after all! 🙂
Serbia has an incredible history
Serbia’s history along with the whole region of ex Yugoslavia is extremely sad, yet very complex and fascinating. Perhaps, you can dive in a little deeper. There are some very good museums to keep you busy during your visit.
Serbian hospitality
This is definitely the reason why I am so attached to Serbia. The people are so warm, welcoming and friendly.
Serbs take hosting their guests very seriously. I’ve never felt so welcomed and belonging. On the day to day basis, there is a certain freedom as people just generally mind their own business. No one is looking at you as to wander why you’ re here. Then whenever you approach or ask for help, from my experience, the Serbs I’ve encountered always went above and beyond to help out.
This is not always the case. So it is something that I truly appreciate.
I also lost count on how many times, locals would invite me for some rakija, Serbia’s local and extremely popular Brandy.
Belgrade is such a bohemian city
The capital, Belgrade is so laid back and has a bohemian feel. You will absolutely love wandering around the streets, soaking up the city’s soul and vibe. Also you will notice that it is somewhat of a concrete jungle. There is so much greenery, trees and fresh air right smack in busy Belgrade.
Street Arts
If you are a street art lover, you will be in for a real treat. The city has so many beautiful murals waiting for you to discover. Just make sure to be camera ready.
The café culture
Belgrade made me feel like I was in Italy a little bit. They have also mastered the art of ” La dolce vita”. The café culture and the cocktail bar scene is taken very seriously and thriving.
Sit back, relax and partake in the classic art of people watching.
Serbian Wine
Where are my fellow wine lovers?
Did you know that Serbia is a wine producer. They have a very popular wine region ” Sremski Karlovci. It is a very unique region filled with small family vineyards producers. You won’t be disappointed and is definitely a top recommendation from me.
Rakija Culture
Same as most countries in the region, Serbia also has a very heavy Rakija culture. This is more than just sharing the famous local Brandy.
Drinking Rakija with your newfound Serbian friends is also an opportunity to come along and share an amazing time in great company. Just like food can bring people together, well you guess it, Rakija kind of does the same thing.
Serbia has an amazing weather
Serbia has a very temperate weather. Summer time does get hot but I don’t think it is too crazy. Especially for someone who currently reside in the Middle East, I believe the weather is perfect. Expect your usual Mediterranean climate.
Another great thing is that the country is also a great destination for skiing and winter sports. During the winter, the mountains region turn into winter resorts. Talk about variety! I am telling you, Serbia really packs a lot.
They also host one of the biggest music festival every year ( The Exit Festival)
Did you know that Serbia hosts one of the biggest EDM festival every year?
Yes! The Exit festival takes place during the summer months in the beautiful town of Novi Sad. It is a huge event with an attendance of close to 200 000 people. If you like Electronic Dance Music, this is definitely a reason to visit.
For a full immersive experience, You can choose to stay in a tent or glamp on the camp site. Alternatively, of course you can stay at a hotel nearby or rent an apartment.
Some people even stay in Belgrade and take the daily train commuter which is only 45min to 1 hour away. Leave al your worries behind and dance the weekend away at the Exit festival.
Like they say, You only live once #Yolo 🙂
Did I mention the festival takes place in a beautiful location close to the “Beach“. If you stay on the campsite, they recommend you bring your swimsuit along with you to take a dip 🙂
Dancing is a draining activity after all! Trust me, check this out!
Final Words
Here you go!
These were just a few reasons why I believe you should visit Serbia. I have written tons of articles on Serbia and Belgrade.
The place is an underrated gem with so much flavors and so much life.
For my solo female traveler, you can also join me in my upcoming all girls small travel group to Serbia along with other fun exciting destinations around the world.
See you on the road for some fun time and unforgettable adventures!