The medieval fortress of Golubac mirroring in the waters of the Danube, Serbia

Things to do in  Serbia

The original southern hospitality

In the heart of the Balkans, Serbia is a diverse, cultured, and outright fun destination for savvy travelers to explore. Capital Belgrade, with its boisterous nightlife and urban cool, is often the first thought when planning a visit. But the many things to do in Serbia aren't limited to just one city. Serbia presents opportunities to hike and kayak in mountainous national parks, marvel at medieval monasteries that somehow still stand today, and dine on dishes that reflect the country’s complex past.

Learn more

Top 11 attractions in Serbia

#1

Belgrade Fortress (Beogradska Tvrdava)

star-5181
Located in Belgrade’s Stari Grad municipality, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Belgrade Fortress was erected in the third century to protect the city’s then-modest population. Today, the fortress boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including lush pathways, museums, unbeatable sunset viewpoints, and playgrounds. Rife with open-air history, it is the singular best place to visit in Belgrade for travelers seeking an enriching but unhurried day.More
Tours & Tickets
#2

Danube River

star-5230
Europe’s second longest river and the former frontier of the Roman Empire, the Danube flows through several major cities—though few more charming than the capital of Serbia. From scenic riverwalks and floating bars to secluded beaches and wild islands, Belgrade’s pretty Danube banks promise sights and adventure for any city visitor.More
Tours & Tickets
#3

Petrovaradin Fortress (Petrovaradinska Tvrdjava)

star-5428
Located high on the right bank of the Danube River in the city of Novi Sad, the Petrovaradin Fortress (Petrovaradinska Tvrdjava) has played a significant role in Serbia’s history. Over the centuries, the site of the fortress has been used by the Romans, Byzantines, Celts, Turks, Hungarians and Austrians. Starting in the 17th century, the Austrians spent nearly a century building new fortifications, including new walls, water moats and channels with movable bridges and control gates. A 16-kilometer long system of underground tunnels was completed in 1776 and visitors today can explore about one kilometer of the system with a guide. While many other fortresses were destroyed when Serbia became part of Yugoslavia, the colonel responsible for the destruction is said to have spared Petrovaradin because he thought it was too beautiful to destroy.The fortress complex is divided into an Upper Town and a Lower Town. The Upper Town is home to old military barracks, the clock tower and the Novi Sad city museum, while the Lower Town is where you can see military officer residences, the Monastery of St. George and the Baroque style Belgrade Gate. The clock tower is notable for its large clocks with Roman numerals and the minute and hour hand reversed so that fishermen on the Danube can see the time from a distance.More
Tours & Tickets
#4

Avala Mountain (Planina Avala)

star-5189
Avala Mountain, near Belgrade, Serbia, beckons travelers with its lush forests, panoramic views, and often-overlooked history. An easy journey from Belgrade’s city center, this tranquil haven offers an escape from urban life. In addition to its vibrant flora and fauna, the mountain is home to several monuments, as well as the highest structure in the country, Avala Tower.More
Tours & Tickets
#5

Ada Ciganlija

star-528
Ada Ciganlija, often referred to as Belgrade's sea, is a true urban paradise located in the heart of the Serbian capital. With its serene lake, vibrant greenery, and a plethora of outdoor activities, this lush riverside peninsula offers both locals and visitors a refreshing escape from bustling city life.More
Tours & Tickets
#6

National Museum in Belgrade (Narodni Muzej u Beogradu)

star-51
The National Museum in Belgrade (Narodni Muzej u Beogradu) is the largest and oldest museum in Serbia and the former Yugoslavia. Sitting on Belgrade’s Republic Square, the museum was established in 1844 and has since grown to include more than 400,000 pieces in 34 different archaeological, numismatic, artistic and historical collections. The archaeological collection consists of sculptures from the 5th to 7th millennium BC, thousands of items from ancient Rome and ancient Greece and a rare gold sarcophagus and mummy from ancient Egypt. The numismatic collection features hundreds of thousands coins, medals, rings and seals, including coins issued by Phillip II of Macedonia and Alexander the Great.The museum’s collection of medieval artifacts hails mostly from Europe and Asia and features an illustrated 362-page manuscript of the Miroslav Gospels written in 1186, rings belonging to 14th century Serbian Queen Theodora and King Milutin’s mantle from the 1300s. Its art collection is also world-renowned, with extremely rare pieces from masters like Matisse, Picasso, Renoir, Degas and Cezanne. It also includes hundreds of paintings by Italian, Dutch, Flemish, Russian, Japanese, Austrian, German and Yugoslav artists.More
Tours & Tickets
#7

House of Flowers (Kuća Cveća)

star-575
Delve into the history of Yugoslavia and the charismatic leader who shaped it, Josip Broz Tito, at the House of Flowers in Belgrade. Nestled in a peaceful garden, this mausoleum houses the final resting place of Tito, showcasing a vast collection of his personal items and gifts from foreign dignitaries.More
Tours & Tickets
#8

Nikola Tesla Museum (Muzej Nikole Tesle)

star-59
Devoted to the life and works of Serbian-American engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla, the Nikola Tesla Museum offers insight into the man behind some of the greatest scientific breakthroughs of the 19th and 20th centuries.More
Tours & Tickets
#9

Sremski Karlovci

star-5137
The Serbian town of Sremski Karlovci seems to have it all, combining history, religion, and wine with sheer charm and beauty. This is one of the most picturesque towns in Serbia's Vojvodina region, with its well­-preserved baroque and neo­classicist architecture making you feel as if you’re wandering the streets of Prague or Bruges instead.There’s much to see and do on a trip to Sremski Karlovci, so it’s best to opt for a day trip from Belgrade so you can take in all of the town’s major sights, such as the Four Lions Fountain, the Treasury of Patriarchy residence, and the St. Nicholas orthodox cathedral. Many also choose to combine a visit here with a tour of the Fruska Gora monasteries.Because Sremski Karlovci happens to be one of the most prominent spots on Serbia's wine route, another option is to visit as part of a Vojvodina Province day tour, where you can sample the town’s wares in a wine cellar and combine it with a visit to the city of Novi Sad.More
Tours & Tickets
#10

Smederevo Fortress (Smederevska Tvrdava)

star-520
Built in the 15th century and later fortified by the Ottomans, Smederevo Fortress (Smederevska Tvrdava) served as the capital of Serbia during the Middle Ages. Due to its strategic position between the Balkans and Central Europe, it was an important religious and commercial center in its heyday. Modeled after Constantinople Fortress, it provides a nice example of traditional defensive medieval architecture and has been relatively well preserved, suffering no major damage until World War II.Located southeast of Belgrade, the fortress covers more than 10 hectares in the center of the city of Smederevo, where the Danube River meets the Jezava River. Completely surrounded by water, the fortress features 1.5 kilometers of two-meter thick walls and 25 towers that each stand about 25 meters tall. While only the foundations of the fortress remain in some places, conservation efforts have restored the escarpment along the Danube and a southern wall that is used as a levee. The fortress today is used as a park and often hosts festivals, concerts and other cultural events.More
Tours & Tickets
#11
Belgrade Museum of Aviation

Belgrade Museum of Aviation

star-00
Housed behind a shimmering facade of mirrored glass in a futuristic, donut-shaped building, the Belgrade Museum of Aviation is one of the city’s most impressive museums. Inside, the vast permanent collection features dozens of aircraft, including planes, drones, and even hot-air balloons, formerly owned by the Yugoslav Air Force.More

Explore Serbia by interest

Top activities in Serbia

Day Trip from Belgrade: Gems of Eastern Serbia
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Day Trip from Belgrade: Gems of Eastern Serbia

star-5
182
From
$108.31
Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci and Novi Sad Full-Day Tour from Belgrade

Northern Serbia: Sremski Karlovci and Novi Sad Full-Day Tour from Belgrade

star-5
264
From
$65.64
Belgrade Sunset Cruise

Belgrade Sunset Cruise

star-4.5
71
From
$38.29
Along the Danube: Golubac Fortress & Iron Gate Gorge day trip from Belgrade
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Along the Danube: Golubac Fortress & Iron Gate Gorge day trip from Belgrade

star-4.5
130
From
$82.05
Šargan Eight Railway, Wooden Town & House on Drina river day trip from Belgrade
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Šargan Eight Railway, Wooden Town & House on Drina river day trip from Belgrade

star-5
56
From
$98.46
Blue Danube: Iron Gate National Park Tour with 1-hour speedboat ride
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Blue Danube: Iron Gate National Park Tour with 1-hour speedboat ride

star-5
76
From
$147.69
Full-Day Trip from Belgrade: Tara National Park & The Drina River Valley
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Full-Day Trip from Belgrade: Tara National Park & The Drina River Valley

star-5
38
From
$136.75
Belgrade Big Tour: Top Attractions and Belgrade Neighborhoods
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Belgrade Big Tour: Top Attractions and Belgrade Neighborhoods

star-5
170
From
$60.17
Belgrade Fortress Underground Tour w/Wine Along the River

Belgrade Fortress Underground Tour w/Wine Along the River

star-5
83
From
$32.82
From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Karlovci Sremski Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

From Belgrade: Novi Sad and Karlovci Sremski Tour

star-4.5
69
From
$65.64
Belgrade sightseeing by car

Belgrade sightseeing by car

star-5
19
From
$53.12
From Belgrade: Golubac fortress & 1h Iron Gate Speed Boat Ride
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

From Belgrade: Golubac fortress & 1h Iron Gate Speed Boat Ride

star-5
27
From
$75.49
Zica and Studenica Monasteries Private Day Tour from Belgrade

Zica and Studenica Monasteries Private Day Tour from Belgrade

star-5
3
From
$100.65
Private Day Tour to Iron Gate Gorge and Golubac Fortress

Private Day Tour to Iron Gate Gorge and Golubac Fortress

star-5
17
From
$89.71
Belgrade: 3-Hour Small Group Walking Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Belgrade: 3-Hour Small Group Walking Tour

star-5
131
From
$31.73
Belgrade Sightseeing Half-Day Trip Old and New Belgrade
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Belgrade Sightseeing Half-Day Trip Old and New Belgrade

star-5
69
From
$97.37
From Belgrade: Resava Cave, Manasija Monastery & Lisine Waterfall
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

From Belgrade: Resava Cave, Manasija Monastery & Lisine Waterfall

star-5
56
From
$75.49
Tour of the MONASTERIES at Fruška Gora NP and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting

Tour of the MONASTERIES at Fruška Gora NP and Sremski Karlovci with wine tasting

star-5
8
From
$54.70
From Belgrade: Full-Day Historical Danube Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

From Belgrade: Full-Day Historical Danube Tour

star-4.5
14
From
$82.05
From Belgrade: Drina River House, Mokra Gora and Sargan 8 Railroad Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

From Belgrade: Drina River House, Mokra Gora and Sargan 8 Railroad Tour

star-5
89
From
$97.37
See all Serbia tours

Explore our promoted experiences

Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

All about Serbia

When to visit

With no seaside breeze to cool it off, landlocked Serbia swelters in July and August. A much better time to visit is on either side of the summer peak, either in May and June or later in September. Going in June has the added benefit of being around for the Exit Festival, the massive music festival held each year in Novi Sad.

Getting around

For getting between Serbia's main cities, say Novi Sad to Belgrade, taking the train is the quickest and easiest way to travel. Intercity and regional buses also cover these destinations, as well as many of the country's towns, with Belgrade acting as the network's main hub. To reach Serbia's many national parks, mountains, and monasteries, renting a car is often the only way to get there independently.

Traveler tips

While many of Serbia's wild parts are found in the national parks around the county's edges, Fruska Gora National Park is easily reached from popular destinations such as Belgrade and Novi Sad. A day trip here lets you experience forested hills, rural fields, and gorgeous monasteries without a long day of driving. Among the park's monasteries, don't miss the Jazak and Krušedol monasteries, both of which have undergone restoration.

Attractions
11
Tours
386
Reviews
3,842
EN
28f1c9d5-0b88-4375-bdb1-c478a08c5df0
geo_hub

People Also Ask

Is Serbia good for tourists?

Yes, Serbia is a good country for tourists to visit, whether you’re interested in exploring its culture, history, nature, or cuisine. To stay safe in Serbia, follow the usual advice to skip political rallies and demonstrations, avoid flashing jewelry or cash, and be aware of hooliganism at sporting events.

...More
What is Serbia best known for?

Serbia is best known for famous figures like tennis star Novak Djokovic and inventor Nikola Tesla. The country is also known internationally for its capital city Belgrade, its history in the turbulent Yugoslav Wars, and its many medieval Serbian Orthodox monasteries.

...More
Is 3 days enough in Serbia?

No, you won’t be able to see much of Serbia in three days. With that amount of time, you'll only be able to see one city such as Belgrade or Novi Sad and possibly do a day trip. You’ll need at least one week in Serbia to visit multiple destinations.

...More
Is Serbia a cheap country?

Yes, Serbia is a relatively affordable country compared with other destinations in Europe, and prices for things such as food and accommodation are similar to other Balkan countries. Since Serbia is landlocked, it does not have expensive coastal destinations—unlike neighboring countries such as Croatia and Montenegro.

...More
Is tipping common in Serbia?

No. There is no common expectation of tipping in Serbia, but it is becoming more common for customers to round up a bill at a restaurant, café, or bar if the service has been especially good. If you want to tip, give it in cash when paying.

...More
What is Serbia’s most famous dish?

Depending on who you talk to, the most famous Serbian dish is either sarma—cabbage leaves stuffed with pork and rice, ćevapi—grilled minced meat shaped like sausages, or pljeskavica—grilled patties of minced meat. All three are Serbian national dishes and also popular in neighboring Balkan countries.

...More
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top things to do in Serbia?
A:
Q:
What are the top activities in Serbia?
A:
Q:
What are the top things to do near Serbia?
A:
Check out things to do near Serbia:

More Tours in Serbia