The perfect road trip itinerary through Serbia (5-7 days)
Serbia is an ideal destination for a road trip adventure. Within one single country, you will experience awe-inspiring landscapes, incredible historical monuments, and picturesque Art Nouveau towns – not to mention the delicious cuisine.
What I like most about this Balkan country is that it offers something for everyone. Belgrade and Novi Sad are the two main cities, with a vibrant atmosphere and gorgeous architecture, a wealth of cultural attractions, and awesome nightlife opportunities.
The north is home to cute towns and beautiful wine estates, while the west is known for its stunning nature with waterfalls, canyons, and artificial lakes.
Having spent most of my life in Serbia, I’ve visited every corner of this landlocked country in the Balkan Peninsula. So, I decided to put together this Serbia road trip itinerary to help you plan your trip.
Prefer to watch it in video form? Check the itinerary below:
Serbia 5-day road trip itinerary
Since I know that most people don’t take a full week off when visiting Serbia for the first time, I have put together this 5-day road trip itinerary to help you plan your days the best way possible. If you will be staying a full 7 days in the country, read until the end cause I have also left suggestions of what to see on those extra days.
I may be biased but I truly believe you could spend weeks in Serbia and still find incredible places to visit – that is how diverse this country is. But I condensed all my best tips into this 5-day Serbia itinerary to make sure you get the best out of it.
Serbia Itinerary Day 1: Subotica, Palic, Sombor, Gornje Podunavlje
Subotica
My Serbia 5-day itinerary begins in the north of the country. Cross the Hungarian border to reach the vibrant city of Subotica.
This small city boasts some of the finest buildings with Art Nouveau architecture in Serbia. Examples of this architectural style include the Town Hall building on the main square, the Raichle Palace, and the National Theatre.
With its impressive interiors, the Subotica Synagogue is worth visiting. Entrance to this gorgeous synagogue will set you back around 2 euros. For breakfast in Subotica, try the legendary burek at the Lipa bakery. If you wish to have lunch, book a table at the most popular restaurant in Subotica, the Boss Caffe.
Visit Lake Palic
Located just a 15-minute drive from Subotica, Lake Palic is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the north of Serbia. Go for a stroll around the charming lake and admire the beauty of the surrounding villas. The Grand Terrace complex with its Art Nouveau architecture also looks amazing.
Lake Palic is not a place many tourists go to, but you will notice that a lot of locals like to spend time here, especially during the summer. If you are the type of traveler who likes to experience the country as a local and find hidden gems, this is a place worth including in your Serbia travel itinerary.
Sombor
Next stop on our Serbia road trip itinerary is the city of Sombor.
One of the greenest cities in Serbia, Sombor is a great place to enjoy nature, discover art, and have a memorable dining experience. If you are into art, I suggest paying a visit to the 19th-century Milan Konjović Gallery.
Sombor is famous for its delicious fish stew. You can try this local delicacy in restaurants such as Stari Slon and Carda Andric.
Pro tip: If you are an outdoor person, another great place to include on your itinerary is Gornje Podunavlje, a beautiful nature reserve in Vojvodina.
Serbia Itinerary Day 2: Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci, Fruska Gora
Start your day in Novi Sad
The capital of Vojvodina, Novi Sad is Serbia’s second largest city. Nestled right on the Danube River, this vibrant city is famous for its museums, Hapsburg-era architecture, and the historic Petrovaradin Fortress which hosts the world-famous Exit Music Festival.
Novi Sad is a very interesting place to visit, with so many options of things to see. You could easily extend your stay and spend 1-2 days here. I recommend checking out the Museum of Vojvodina to learn a bit about the history of the region, the Dunavski Park, and making a visit to the local market Riblja Pijaca where you can find local cheeses and produce.
No visit to the Novi Sad is complete without exploring the Petrovaradin Fortress and enjoying panoramic views of the Danube River.
If you want to know more, we have a full guide of things to do in Novi Sad:
Sremski Karlovci
Located just a 20-minute drive from Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci is a picturesque town well-known for its Baroque architecture and wine production. This is one of the cutest destinations in Serbia in my opinion, and it is definitely worth including a stop on your Serbia road trip itinerary.
As one of the main wine regions in Serbia, one of the best things to do in Sremski Karlovci is go on wine tasting. You can visit wine estates such as Podrum Bajilo and Winery Mrdjanin.
Fruska Gora
Another tip for outdoor lovers is to visit Fruska Gora. This national park offers great options of well-marked hiking trails and spectacular mountain viewpoints to monasteries.
Read more: The best hiking destinations in Serbia
Serbia Itinerary Day 3: Exploring Belgrade
Welcome to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
This vibrant city is famous for its historic sites, charming architecture, and legendary nightlife. The city is packed with countless tourist attractions and you can easily spend 3 days in Belgrade without getting bored. The downtown area can be explored on foot. To visit attractions outside the city center, the best option is to use public transport in Belgrade.
What to see in Belgrade
I recommend starting the day at Kalemengdan Park and Fortress. This beautiful green park offers magnificent river views and is a beloved attraction among the locals. After, walk through the pedestrian-only Knez Mihailova Street to continue exploring the center of Belgrade.
Make sure you take some time to visit the Saint Sava Temple, one of the largest Orthodox temples in the entire Balkan region and one of the best free attractions in Belgrade. To learn more about one of the world’s most famous scientists and see loads of amazing exhibits, you should visit the Nikola Tesla Museum.
While you are in the downtown area, stop by the Bohemian Quarter, also known as Skadarlija. With numerous taverns, the street is one of the best spots in Belgrade to enjoy traditional Serbian cuisine and have a few shots of the local moonshine called rakija.
If you will have time to venture outside the city center, I really recommend a visit to Zemun. This small city has a very different vibe from everything else you will see in Belgrade and Serbia in general. It is a place worth including in your 5-day Serbia travel itinerary.
If you want more tips about Belgrade, read our full guide below:
Serbia Itinerary Day 4: Tara National Park and Zlatibor
Tara National Park
The Western part of Serbia is known for its pristine nature and ski resorts. The best place to start your visit is the spectacular Tara National Park. Surrounded by thick forests, it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Serbia.
From gorgeous artificial lakes and amazing viewpoints to well-maintained hiking trails and cute historical villages, Tara National Park is a haven for nature lovers.
I recommend doing the hike to Banjska Stena, one of Serbia’s most famous viewpoints. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of the impressive Drina Canyon. If you wish to cool down and go swimming in summer, Perucac Lake is where you want to go next.
Zlatibor
The alpine town of Zlatibor has everything needed for a relaxing weekend getaway in Serbia.
This wellness destination is extremely popular in winter when thousands of people from Belgrade, Novi Sad, and other parts of Serbia come here to enjoy skiing and snowboarding. The summer months in Zlatibor are reserved for fun activities like hiking, paragliding, and ATV rides.
To enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area, hop on the newly opened Gold Gondola which connects the center of the city with the highest peak of the mountain. The views from the gondola are extraordinary. There are a few beautiful nature sites near the town of Zlatibor including the majestic 22-metre high Gostilje waterfall and Stopica Cave.
Serbia Itinerary Day 5: Nis and Leskovac
Explore Nis
One of the oldest cities in Europe, Nis is known for its impressive historic sites.
The third-largest city in Serbia is the birthplace of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. It is also a city that suffered the most under the Ottoman occupation and during WW2.
One of my favorite things about Nis is that it has the most unique combination of historic and dark attractions in the country. There is a fortress that dates back to the Ottoman Empire, as well as a tower of human skulls which is I have to be honest one of the most bizarre attractions in Serbia.
The city of Nis was also home to a Nazi concentration camp, which is nowadays a museum. Dating back to the late Roman period, the Ruins of Medina is an important archeological site in Serbia.
In addition to historic attractions from the city’s troubled past, visitors will find attractions like the Tinkers Alley (the city’s last surviving craftsman’s quarter) and the Beautiful Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Leskovac
If you are a foodie at heart, the southern city of Leskovac is a city you must include in your Serbia road trip.
The city is known for its annual grill festival when thousands of people gather to sample local delicacies such as pljeskavica (Serbian-style burgers), sausages, and suckling pig.
While visiting Leskovac, travelers can look forward to exploring the ruins of a city built from scratch by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, called Justiniana Prima. To see the ethnography and art of Leskovac and the Jablanica District, go on a tour of the National Museum.
Serbia Road Trip Itinerary – Days 6 & 7
If you will have more time to explore Serbia, there are several other amazing places that you can visit. Here are the things I recommend including on your Serbia itinerary to complement your trip.
Golubac Fortress
Visiting the Golubac Fortress is the perfect day trip from Belgrade. You can hop on the bus from Belgrade to the Golubac Fortress or drive there yourself if you will be traveling by car.
Dating back to the 14th century, it is one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in the region. There is a guided tour of the fortress, but you can also embark on a Danube River cruise and experience the Golubac Fortress from a different perspective.
Kopaonik
An ideal destination for winter sports, Kopaonik is the most popular ski resort in Serbia. With slopes for both beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders, this small mountain town in Western Serbia gets crowded with both locals and tourists in winter.
Kopaonik is also a great place to visit during summer if you like outdoor sports and activities, such as hiking. Check our full guide on what to see in Kopaonik for more ideas.
SafetyWing Travel Insurance
We know that insurance is one of those things that we think we don’t need… until we actually do! Dealing with hospital visits and health issues is stressful when you’re traveling, so getting a good travel insurance is the only thing that will give you peace of mind. We recommend SafetyWing, they have very flexible insurance plans covering almost every destination in the world! Take a look at their options and prices below.
How many days should you spend in Serbia?
Deciding how many days to spend in Serbia depends on your interests.
If you wish to stick to the big cities and visit the key attractions, I think you can do it in like 4 days. On the other hand, travelers who want to get outside the main route and explore more of the country should stay at least a week.
My Serbia travel itinerary is ideal for 5 days on a road trip, but I also added a list of extra things to do if you decide to stay in Serbia for a total of 7 days.
However, if you will not be traveling by car on a road trip, this Serbia Itinerary will not fit into 5 days only. Traveling by public transport our tours require more planning and coordination, so you will have to adjust a bit the suggested itinerary to make everything fit. I’ll cover more about transport below.
Read more: How many days do you need in Serbia
What is the best time to visit Serbia?
If you wish to enjoy nature and see waterfalls, lakes, caves, and caves, I definitely recommend visiting Serbia between May and October.
To see Novi Sad and Belgrade covered in Christmas decorations and to go skiing in Kopaonik or Zlatibor consider visiting Serbia in December or January.
I personally prefer the summer months because the country is blooming with events and there is much more to explore.
Read also:
Getting around Serbia: transport and driving
Driving is definitely the best way to enjoy your 5-day Serbia travel itinerary and explore the country’s most popular attractions. You will have much more flexibility when driving your own vehicle in Serbia than if you are traveling by bus, for example.
Driving in Serbia is easy for a foreigner. The main roads are well-maintained and well-signaled. Read more about how it is to drive in Serbia.
RECOMMENDED
Need to rent a car in Serbia?
We always use Discover Cars for hiring our cars abroad, whether in Serbia or anywhere else. They are the best price aggregator platform out there and allow you to find the best deals, including local and international providers!
If driving is not an option for you, you can also use public transportation to get around the country or to explore using tours.
While cities like Novi Sad, Belgrade, and Nis have good bus connections, getting to remote areas like national parks and smaller cities via public transport is not that easy. For such cases, I recommend booking a tour instead.
However, if you will be based in Belgrade, there will be a lot of bus options, it will just require more planning from your side.
We normally use Omio for international bus connections and Get Your Guide to find the best tours.
Where to stay in Serbia?
Need help finding accommodation for your Serbia road trip itinerary adventure? You’ll be delighted to hear that most daily rentals in Serbia are reasonably priced. For example, a night for two people in a private Airbnb flat in cities like Novi Sad and Belgrade will cost you around 30 euros in the low to mid seasons.
There are also many boutique hotels, resorts, villas, and guesthouses to choose from within the same price range.
To best fulfill this Serbia itinerary, I recommend changing your base throughout the trip so you don’t have to do a lot of back and forth daily. But, if you will be traveling via public transport, your best option will be to stay in Belgrade where you will have better connections and transport availability.
Read more: Where to stay in Belgrade – my favorite hotels per neighborhood
FAQ – Popular questions about traveling through Serbia
Is it safe to travel to Serbia as a solo female traveler?
Yes, definitely. I believe Serbia is a very safe country to travel. You can easily rent a car to explore the country by yourself, drive safely across the country, and have a great time going out in the city.
That being said, I always recommend everyone to stay aware of their belongings, wherever they go.
Is Serbia a cheap country to visit?
Compared to other European countries, Serbia is quite cheap to travel. You can get very comfortable accommodation options and a good rental car for 1/3 of the price that you would pay in cities like Berlin or Lisbon.
Prices during high season are always the highest, but even so, they are quite affordable in comparison. To save even more, consider traveling to Serbia during the low or shoulder seasons.
What is the most visited city in Serbia?
By far, the most visited city in Serbia is Belgrade, the capital. A day or more in Belgrade needs to be included in any Serbia travel itinerary – otherwise, you haven’t really seen it all.
What do I need to know before the road trip through Serbia?
Here are a few things to have in mind:
- The official currency in Serbia is the dinar
- I recommend always having some cash on you as some small shops may not take cards for small amounts
- Serbia has incredible cuisine, I highly recommend going for dinner at a kafana and having the full experience with live music and incredible food
- Make sure you have all the documents for driving in Serbia so that you can effortlessly rent a car – We normally use DiscoverCars to find the best quotes
- Prepare your hiking gear because Serbia has some incredible outdoor destinations
I hope these tips have helped you plan your road trip to Serbia. Driving through the country and exploring the different cities and landscapes is one of my favorite things to do, so I truly hope you enjoy it as well.
If you have any questions when putting together your own travel itinerary for Serbia, let us know in the comments below!
Read more about Serbia:
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Serbia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Serbia on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that we get a small commission from any purchase you make, at no additional cost to you!
