11 of the best places to visit in Serbia
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Loading... - Audrey Davis
- 24 Feb 2022
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You can’t (or shouldn’t) visit Serbia without dodging the city centre cars and hitting the underground bars in buzzing Belgrade. It would be similarly criminal to skip the candy-coloured European Capital of Culture-to-be, Novi Sad.
But there’s far more to explore than the capital and its second city. Going deeper into the central and south-western regions of the country delivers fruitful results: colourful cities, glorious gorges and mountains for days.
Explore the 11 best places to visit in Serbia…
1. Belgrade
Belgrade is a mish-mash of grand architecture, bursts of green spaces, stylish stores, and brutalist buildings on the outskirts of the city. Its daytime to-do list is almost as impressive as the night’s.
For those not brave (or hip) enough for the clubs, the promenade along the Danube hosts restaurants serving traditional Balkan cuisine with a modern edge – Ambar, in particular, is a must.
Walking is essential, as there is no metro connecting the city’s highlights (that means there are a lot of cars, so keep your wits about you when trying to cross the road).
2. Novi Sad
Where Belgrade is busy, Novi Sad is markedly relaxed. The capital of autonomous region Vojvodina, and the jewel of central Serbia, marches to the beat of its very own chilled-out drum. Even when Svetozar Miletic Square in the city centre fills up with, say, a foodie market or a live performance, nobody seems particularly stressed, or in a rush.
Strolling through the centre offers the chance to see grand orthodox churches and the majestic Name of Mary's rainbow-striped spire - as well as more modern trendy clothing shops, bars with outdoor seating, and a variety of ice cream parlours along Dunavska Street, which leads to a nature fix at the serenely peaceful Danube Park.
There, you’ll find protected flora and fauna (which you’ll have to appreciate without the signage – unless you read Serbian, in Cryllic, flawlessly). The city’s museums and art galleries are all a five minute walk away, and a short walk over the river takes you to the city’s piece de resistance: Petrovaradin Fortress. The fringes of the bushy green Fruska Gora National Park can be seen in the distance.
3. Fruška Gora National Park
It’s very possible to visit Fruška Gora, Serbia’s oldest national park, as part of a Novi Sad trip, by bike or by car. It's worth a trip in its own right, particularly for some of the gems hidden deep within its hills.
One such out-of-the-way wonder is Novo Hopovo Monastery, a working monastery with a striking yellow exterior . Inside is impressive, but wandering the grounds is the true highlight.
There are no fewer than 20 monasteries in the park, so if you’re keen you can plot a route or book a monastery tour. Whatever your decision, prepare your quiet voice, keep your knees and shoulders covered, and be respectful of the rules
Of course, there’s more to Fruška Gora than monasteries. Appreciate the sheer greenness and endless flow of the hills from up above at one of its excellent, and supremely well-priced, wineries. Vinarija KovaÄević comes highly recommended. The wine, and the food, is the perfect complement to the view.
4. Sremski Karlovci
Over the river from Novi Sad is Sremski Karlovci, one of Vojvodina’s most famous – and attractive – towns. It’s fairly easy to reach from Petrovaradin Fortress. The two combined make a rather tidy day trip.
It offers the usual: historic and picturesque churches, a sweet town square, plenty of green space, but also boasts impressive vineyards, some of which can be visited by the public.
The town is also host to some Serbian traditions: the poetry festival Brankovo Kolo, a festival devoted to the tasty, ring-shaped German cake Gugelhupf, and a special superstition: those who make a wish in the town’s Four Lions fountain are foretold to return and marry in Sremski Karlovci one day. Read More…
