Europe · Southeast Europe

Serbia

Republic of Serbia

Flag of Serbia
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+01:00
🏛️ Capital
Belgrade
👥 Population
6,567,783
📐 Area
77,589 km²
💱 Currency
Serbian dinar (дин.)
🗣️ Languages
Serbian
📞 Calling Code
+381
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+01:00
🌐 Region
Europe / Southeast Europe

About Serbia

Serbia sits at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, a country whose turbulent past and warm, irreverent present combine to create one of the continent's most genuinely surprising travel destinations. Belgrade, the capital, is a city of fierce energy — all-night nightlife, Ottoman fortress ramparts, and a café culture so deeply embedded in daily life that it functions as the primary social institution. Positioned at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, the city feels like a place that has survived everything history could throw at it and emerged with a characteristic dark humour and an enthusiasm for living that visitors find electrifying.

Beyond Belgrade, Serbia unfolds into landscapes of unexpected beauty and cultural richness. The rolling wine country of the Šumadija region, fragrant with plum orchards whose fruit is distilled into the national spirit, gives way to the dramatic gorges of Đerdap on the Romanian border, where the Danube cuts through limestone cliffs to form one of Europe's most spectacular river canyons. The medieval monasteries of southern Serbia — Studenica, Sopoćani, Mileševa — are UNESCO World Heritage masterpieces of Rašan Byzantine architecture, standing in remote valleys with a timeless quality that contrasts vividly with Belgrade's modernity.

Serbia remains genuinely affordable by European standards, offers exceptional food and wine, and has developed a tourism infrastructure that is sophisticated enough to be convenient without losing the rough edges that make discovery here feel real. This is a country that rewards spontaneity.

History & Background

The Serbian lands have been inhabited since the Neolithic period, with the Vinča culture of the 6th millennium BCE leaving remarkable evidence of early European civilisation along the Danube. Medieval Serbia reached its zenith under Tsar Stefan Dušan in the 14th century, when the Serbian Empire briefly stretched from the Adriatic to the Aegean. The catastrophic Battle of Kosovo in 1389, when the Serbian prince Lazar fell fighting the Ottoman army, became the central event in Serbian national mythology — mourned, celebrated, and re-interpreted across six centuries of poetry, song, and political invocation, its legacy remaining extraordinarily present in contemporary Serbian identity.

Five centuries of Ottoman rule ended gradually through 19th-century uprisings, with Serbia achieving autonomy in 1817 and full independence recognized internationally in 1878. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914 by Bosnian Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip triggered World War I — a war in which Serbia suffered proportionally the highest military casualties of any combatant nation. The Yugoslav federation that followed World War II under Josip Broz Tito held diverse South Slavic peoples together for four decades before dissolving violently in the 1990s. Serbia's contemporary history of the Yugoslav wars, the NATO bombing of 1999, and subsequent transition toward EU membership continues to shape the political landscape.

Culture & People

Serbian culture is built on a paradox: a deep attachment to tradition and historical memory coexisting with a youth culture of extraordinary creative energy. The epic oral poetry tradition — the guslars who performed thousand-line narrative poems to the accompaniment of the single-stringed gusle — shaped Serb national identity for centuries and influenced poets from Goethe to Walter Scott. Orthodox Christianity remains central to cultural life, its calendar of slava (patron saint's day) celebrations binding families and communities in rituals of hospitality and religious observance that few other cultures in Europe maintain so vigorously.

Yet Serbia also produced Nikola Tesla, Novak Djokovic, and the EXIT music festival — one of Europe's largest, held in a Novi Sad fortress every July. Belgrade's nightlife, particularly the river club (splavovi) scene on the Sava, is genuinely world-class and has attracted an international crowd of music lovers for decades. The Serbian concept of inat — a defiant, almost perverse stubbornness in the face of adversity — is both a historical survival mechanism and a source of national humour. The combination of this stubborn spirit, extraordinary hospitality (particularly expressed through food and rakija), and a deeply felt sense of cultural memory makes Serbia one of Europe's most character-rich destinations.

Food & Cuisine

Serbian food is carnivorous, generous, and deeply satisfying — a cuisine of grilled meats, hearty stews, and fermented dairy products that reflects the country's agricultural and pastoral heritage. Ćevapčići — small grilled minced meat sausages seasoned with garlic and served with flatbread, raw onion, and kajmak (clotted cream cheese) — are the essential Serbian street food, consumed at all hours and varying in quality from roadside kiosks to specialist restaurants with a fanatical following. Pljeskavica, the Serbian grill burger seasoned with paprika and stuffed with kajmak, is another essential experience that bears no resemblance to any Western equivalent.

Sarma — cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice, slow-cooked with smoked ribs — is the beloved winter dish, made in enormous batches at Christmas that last for days. The forest mushroom and game traditions of the mountain regions produce extraordinary dishes in autumn. Serbia produces underrated but excellent wines from the Župa, Vršac, and Vranje regions; Prokupac and Tamjanika are indigenous grape varieties worth seeking out. Rakija — fruit brandy, particularly šljivovica (plum) and loznjakovača (grape) — is the national spirit and the lubricant of all social occasions, offered as a greeting in homes across the country. A meal in a traditional kafana, with folk music and communal warmth, is an experience uniquely Serbian.

Top Attractions

  • Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade — The magnificent Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman fortress at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, now a park offering some of the finest sunset views in Southeast Europe.
  • Studenica Monastery — Serbia's most sacred medieval Orthodox monastery in the Raška valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing extraordinary 12th-century Byzantine frescoes of the highest artistic quality.
  • Đerdap National Park and Iron Gate — The dramatic Danube gorge on the Romanian border, home to the Trajan's Tablet Roman inscription, the submerged Lepenski Vir Mesolithic site, and spectacular canyon scenery.
  • Novi Sad — Serbia's second city and cultural capital, with the magnificent Petrovaradin Fortress above the Danube, a charming pedestrian old town, and home to the EXIT music festival.
  • Sopoćani Monastery — A 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage monastery near Novi Pazar containing what many art historians consider the finest medieval frescoes in the world, painted around 1265.
  • Zlatibor Mountain — A popular highland plateau of rolling meadows, traditional wooden villages, and outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, and the spectacular Šargan Eight narrow-gauge railway.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Serbia is not a member of the EU or Schengen Area — your passport may be stamped on entry; if you plan to travel onward to Schengen countries, be aware of relevant transit rules.
  • The Serbian dinar (RSD) is the currency — ATMs are ubiquitous in Belgrade and major towns, and card payments are increasingly accepted; carry cash for rural areas, kafane, and outdoor markets.
  • Belgrade's buses, trams, and trolleybuses are cheap and cover the city comprehensively — buy a BusPlus card from kiosks for rechargeable fares rather than paying drivers directly.
  • Rakija will be offered freely in Serbian homes, kafane, and even by shopkeepers — it is impolite to refuse unless you have a medical reason, and engaging with the tradition is one of the warmest cultural experiences Serbia offers.
  • The Novi Sad EXIT Festival (early July) and the Guča Trumpet Festival (August) both require accommodation booking months in advance — these are huge events in small-to-medium cities.
  • Explore beyond Belgrade — the Đerdap Gorge, Iron Gate, and the Lepenski Vir archaeological site are a day's drive away and among the most spectacular and historically significant places in southeastern Europe.
  • Kosovo's status is complex and politically sensitive — the borders between Serbia and Kosovo operate but Serbia does not recognise Kosovan stamps as valid; enter Kosovo from a third country if planning to visit Serbia afterwards.

Visa Overview

Citizens of the EU, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most European and many other nations can enter Serbia visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. A valid passport is required; national ID cards from EU member states are also accepted. Serbia is not in the Schengen Area, so time spent there does not count against Schengen 90-day limits. Citizens of some countries require a visa in advance — check with the Serbian embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before travel. There is no airport arrival tax collected separately from airline tickets.

Getting Around

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is 18 km from the city centre, served by taxi (negotiate fare or use A1 airport taxi) and public bus 72. Within Belgrade, the integrated bus, tram, and trolleybus network covers the city well — the BusPlus card system provides cheap travel. Intercity travel by bus (Lasta and BAS companies) is reliable, frequent, and affordable, connecting all major towns. The railway network, operated by Srbija Voz, is improving but slower than buses for most routes. Car rental is recommended for exploring the monasteries, wine regions, and Đerdap canyon at your own pace.

Safety Notes

Serbia is a safe travel destination with low rates of violent crime toward visitors. Belgrade nightlife areas can see occasional altercations in the early morning hours — exercise standard big-city awareness. Petty theft in crowded areas like Zeleni Venac bus station and street markets warrants normal precautions. Traffic and driving can be aggressive, particularly in Belgrade — use pedestrian crossings and exercise caution. Landmines remain a concern in some remote border areas from the 1990s conflicts, particularly near Kosovo and Bosnia — stay on marked paths and do not explore unmarked rural areas off established routes.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Serbia.

Serbian dinar (RSD) дин.
Updated: 2026-05-20
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.106573
AAVE 0.000111
ADA 0.039479
AED 0.036355
AFN 0.622110
AGIX 0.117157
AKT 0.012498
ALGO 0.084395
ALL 0.812750
AMD 3.641635
AMP 11.745587
ANG 0.017844
AOA 9.076555
APE 0.067620
APT 0.010341
AR 0.004437
ARB 0.087474
ARS 13.838846
ATOM 0.004917
ATS 0.117186
AUD 0.013835
AVAX 0.001057
AWG 0.017719
AXS 0.008128
AZM 84.142504
AZN 0.016829
BAKE 11.388457
BAM 0.016656
BAT 0.099539
BBD 0.019798
BCH 0.000027
BDT 1.216873
BEF 0.343543
BGN 0.016656
BHD 0.003722
BIF 29.476931
BMD 0.009899
BNB 0.000015
BND 0.012651
BOB 0.068396
BRL 0.049549
BSD 0.009899
BSV 0.000657
BSW 13.350966
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.030968
BTN 0.957039
BTT 30,706.473219
BUSD 0.009903
BWP 0.134281
BYN 0.027124
BYR 271.236899
BZD 0.019931
CAD 0.013612
CAKE 0.006748
CDF 22.718409
CELO 0.120942
CFX 0.166797
CHF 0.007793
CHZ 0.215516
CLP 8.896807
CNH 0.067322
CNY 0.067325
COMP 0.000433
COP 36.744257
CRC 4.476502
CRO 0.142854
CRV 0.041180
CSPR 3.335150
CUC 0.009899
CUP 0.237584
CVE 0.939083
CVX 0.005730
CYP 0.004984
CZK 0.206938
DAI 0.009905
DASH 0.000197
DCR 0.000567
DEM 0.016656
DFI 10.952722
DJF 1.764433
DKK 0.063641
DOGE 0.094634
DOP 0.583008
DOT 0.007905
DYDX 0.064779
DZD 1.313787
EEK 0.133250
EGLD 0.002495
EGP 0.528864
ENJ 0.219104
EOS 0.121456
ERN 0.148487
ESP 1.416979
ETB 1.597940
ETC 0.001090
ETH 0.000005
EUR 0.008516
EURC 0.008510
FEI 0.009959
FIL 0.010207
FIM 0.050635
FJD 0.021790
FKP 0.007364
FLOW 0.274049
FLR 1.184662
FRAX 0.009971
FRF 0.055863
FTT 0.030166
GALA 2.892640
GBP 0.007364
GEL 0.026416
GGP 0.007364
GHC 1,143.102820
GHS 0.114310
GIP 0.007364
GMD 0.728756
GMX 0.001480
GNF 86.842647
GNO 0.000083
GRD 2.901901
GRT 0.391805
GT 0.001398
GTQ 0.075477
GUSD 0.009920
GYD 2.070826
HBAR 0.110608
HKD 0.077540
HNL 0.263314
HNT 0.011923
HOT 24.511602
HRK 0.064165
HT 0.068652
HTG 1.296172
HUF 3.062776
ICP 0.003869
IDR 174.774518
IEP 0.006707
ILS 0.028759
IMP 0.007364
IMX 0.057218
INJ 0.001949
INR 0.957039
IQD 12.969470
IRR 13,083.967079
ISK 1.221239
ITL 16.489693
JEP 0.007364
JMD 1.566533
JOD 0.007018
JPY 1.572896
KAS 0.283184
KAVA 0.167736
KCS 0.001235
KDA 1.197118
KES 1.281927
KGS 0.865904
KHR 39.707690
KLAY 0.193567
KMF 4.189704
KNC 0.068874
KPW 8.909388
KRW 14.815734
KSM 0.001975
KWD 0.003058
KYD 0.008232
KZT 4.675066
LAK 217.202339
LBP 883.702291
LDO 0.027348
LEO 0.000985
LINK 0.001025
LKR 3.411150
LRC 0.587435
LRD 1.812054
LSL 0.163039
LTC 0.000182
LTL 0.029405
LUF 0.343543
LUNA 0.154632
LUNC 128.984619
LVL 0.005985
LYD 0.063016
MAD 0.091317
MANA 0.110680
MBX 0.252983
MDL 0.172077
MGA 41.568575
MGF 207.842873
MINA 0.172564
MKD 0.524966
MKR 0.000006
MMK 20.785551
MNT 35.421964
MOP 0.079866
MRO 3.957168
MRU 0.395717
MTL 0.003656
MUR 0.469259
MVR 0.152895
MWK 17.165593
MXN 0.171246
MXV 0.019449
MYR 0.039294
MZM 632.232619
MZN 0.632233
NAD 0.163039
NEAR 0.005922
NEO 0.003400
NEXO 0.011202
NFT 35,038.772495
NGN 13.578002
NIO 0.364320
NLG 0.018767
NOK 0.091747
NPR 1.531979
NZD 0.016861
OKB 0.000122
OMR 0.003811
ONE 4.874772
OP 0.076118
ORDI 0.002310
PAB 0.009899
PAXG 0.000002
PEN 0.033839
PEPE 2,641.640434
PGK 0.043170
PHP 0.608675
PI 0.065189
PKR 2.758505
PLN 0.036174
POL 0.108785
PTE 1.707348
PYG 61.062572
QAR 0.036033
QNT 0.000134
QTUM 0.010990
ROL 446.093909
RON 0.044609
RPL 0.005660
RUB 0.707798
RUNE 0.022419
RVN 1.795585
RWF 14.490294
SAND 0.136368
SAR 0.037122
SBD 0.079550
SCR 0.144752
SDD 594.142838
SDG 5.941428
SEK 0.092449
SGD 0.012651
SHIB 1,702.381650
SHP 0.007364
SIT 2.040826
SKK 0.256560
SLE 0.226194
SLL 226.194034
SNX 0.031167
SOL 0.000114
SOS 5.649233
SPL 0.001650
SRD 0.367609
SRG 367.609003
SSP 46.599759
STD 210.313350
STN 0.210313
STX 0.040599
SUI 0.009173
SVC 0.086617
SYP 1.094342
SZL 0.163039
THB 0.322312
THETA 0.048868
TJS 0.092019
TMM 173.673376
TMT 0.034735
TND 0.028767
TON 0.004797
TOP 0.023840
TRL 451,228.817493
TRX 0.027627
TRY 0.451229
TTD 0.067129
TUSD 0.009913
TVD 0.013835
TWD 0.312706
TWT 0.021370
TZS 25.869834
UAH 0.438243
UGX 37.341022
UNI 0.002740
USD 0.009899
USDC 0.009904
USDD 0.009905
USDP 0.009914
USDT 0.009911
UYU 0.399214
UZS 119.694363
VAL 16.489693
VEB 513,310,353.0960
VED 5.132923
VEF 513,292.258494
VES 5.132923
VET 1.482692
VND 261.023201
VUV 1.177570
WAVES 0.025469
WEMIX 0.035353
WOO 0.574459
WST 0.026805
XAF 5.586271
XAG 0.000130
XAU 0.000002
XAUT 0.000002
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.026801
XCG 0.017844
XCH 0.002737
XDC 0.282497
XDR 0.007246
XEC 1,360.823601
XEM 14.734157
XLM 0.068540
XMR 0.000024
XOF 5.586271
XPD 0.000007
XPF 1.016255
XPT 0.000005
XRP 0.007190
XTZ 0.028920
YER 2.362105
ZAR 0.163039
ZEC 0.000015
ZIL 2.489280
ZMK 188.005837
ZMW 0.188006
ZWD 3.582491
ZWG 0.259800
ZWL 649.167989

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Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Serbia needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Serbia?
The capital of Serbia is Belgrade.
What currency does Serbia use?
Serbia uses the Serbian dinar (дин.) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Serbia?
The official language(s) of Serbia include Serbian.
What is the population of Serbia?
Serbia has a population of approximately 6,567,783 people.
What region is Serbia in?
Serbia is located in Europe, specifically in the Southeast Europe subregion.
What is the international calling code for Serbia?
The international dialing code for Serbia is +381.
What time zones does Serbia observe?
Serbia observes the following time zone(s): UTC+01:00.
What is the current time in Serbia?
The local time in Serbia is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Serbia?
Serbia covers a total area of 77,589 km².
How many states or provinces does Serbia have?
Serbia is divided into 4 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Serbia in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Serbia in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Serbia?
Visa requirements for citizens of Serbia vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.