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Serbia travel guide

A landlocked country of river cities and old towns, best explored in spring or autumn

Best: Apr, Sep, Oct

Photo: Petar Milošević / Wikimedia Commons

Capital
Belgrade
Language
Serbian
Currency
Serbian dinar
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
194 / 93 / 94

Why visit Serbia

Serbia suits travellers who like cities with rivers, history and nightlife rather than beaches, since the country has no coastline. Belgrade and Novi Sad both work well for a long weekend or a slower two-week trip through Niš and Subotica. September, October and April bring the mildest weather across the country. Summers can turn hot and winters cold, so plan clothing around the season you pick.

  • Belgrade, a capital of over a million

    Belgrade is home to 1,197,714 people, making it the largest city in Serbia by far. As the capital, it anchors the country's political and cultural life along the Danube and Sava rivers.

  • Novi Sad's river-side scale

    Novi Sad has 260,438 residents and sits inland, like all of Serbia's main cities. Its size makes it an easy second stop after Belgrade for travellers covering the north of the country.

  • Spring and autumn are the sweet spot

    Serbia's best months overall are September, October, and April. Every major city on this list — Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, Subotica, and Novi Pazar — lists September and October among its own best months, so this window works almost anywhere in the country.

  • Niš adds a June option

    Niš, with 183,164 people, shares the September–October–April pattern but also lists June as a good month, giving visitors a wider summer window than most other Serbian cities.

  • Novi Pazar's short, specific season

    Novi Pazar, a smaller city of 66,527 people, has a narrower recommended window of just September and October, useful to know if you're planning a trip focused on that region.

Is Serbia right for you?

Great for

  • City breaks in Belgrade or Novi Sad in September or October, when highs sit near 24°C and 18°C and skies are clearer
  • Spring trips in April, with highs around 18°C and over 10 hours of sun a day
  • Travellers who like warm, dry summers, since July and August highs reach 29°C with fewer rain days than spring
  • Landlocked, inland touring rather than beach holidays, since no city here is coastal
  • Budget city-hopping, given Belgrade's size as a capital alongside smaller cities like Niš and Novi Sad

Less ideal for

  • Beach holidays, since Serbia has no coastal cities
  • Travellers wanting guaranteed sun in winter, as December and January sun hours drop to around 4.6 and 5.1 a day
  • People sensitive to summer heat, since August highs reach 29.3°C
  • Those avoiding rain, since May and June see over 80mm of rain and around 12 rain days each

Serbia right now: October

8.5/10
Avg high
19°C
Avg low
10°C
Rain days
7

Averages for Belgrade.

Weather by month

Based on Belgrade data, April, September and October bring warm days (18–24°C highs), fewer rain days and plenty of sun, making them the easiest months to visit Serbia. December through February is tougher, with highs of just 5–10°C, low sun hours (under 7), and frequent rain or cold snaps, while July and August turn hot with highs near 29°C.

Average highs and lows in Belgrade by month January: high 5°C, low -2°C , 12 rain days . February: high 10°C, low 1°C , 10 rain days . March: high 13°C, low 3°C , 10 rain days . April: high 18°C, low 7°C , 9 rain days . May: high 22°C, low 13°C , 13 rain days . June: high 27°C, low 17°C , 12 rain days . July: high 29°C, low 19°C , 9 rain days . August: high 29°C, low 19°C , 7 rain days . September: high 24°C, low 15°C , 8 rain days . October: high 19°C, low 10°C , 7 rain days . November: high 12°C, low 5°C , 10 rain days . December: high 7°C, low 1°C , 10 rain days . 5°C -2°C JAN 12d 10°C 1°C FEB 10d 13°C 3°C MAR 10d 18°C 7°C APR 9d 22°C 13°C MAY 13d 27°C 17°C JUN 12d 29°C 19°C JUL 9d 29°C 19°C AUG 7d 24°C 15°C SEP 8d 19°C 10°C OCT 7d 12°C 5°C NOV 10d 7°C 1°C DEC 10d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Belgrade · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Serbia: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Serbia in a Week: North to South

  1. Day 1–3

    Belgrade

    Serbia's capital has 1197714 people. Spend your first days exploring its riverside fortress areas and old streets before moving on. September, October and April are the best months to visit.

  2. Day 4–5

    Novi Sad

    A city of 260438 people on the Danube. Walk through the old town and the fortress above the river. Good months to visit are September, October, April and May.

  3. Day 6–7

    Subotica

    This northern city of 105681 people is known for its Art Nouveau buildings near the Hungarian border. Visit in September, October, April or May for milder weather.

10 days

Ten Days Across Serbia

  1. Day 1–3

    Belgrade

    Start in the capital, home to 1197714 people. Explore the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and the central districts. Best visited in October, September or April.

  2. Day 4–5

    Novi Sad

    With 260438 residents, this city sits on the Danube and offers a calmer pace than the capital. Visit in September, October, April or May.

  3. Day 6–7

    Subotica

    A town of 105681 people with notable early-20th-century architecture near the northern border. September, October, April and May bring the most comfortable weather.

  4. Day 8–9

    Niš

    This city of 183164 people lies in the south and has a long layered history. September, October, April and June suit a visit best.

  5. Day 10

    Novi Pazar

    End the trip in this town of 66527 people, known for its older architecture and mountain surroundings. September and October are the recommended months.

Food to try in Serbia

Ćevapi

Small rolls of grilled minced meat, served with soft flatbread called lepinja, chopped raw onion and often kajmak, a creamy dairy spread. Order them at a roštilj, a grill house, for lunch or dinner.

Pljeskavica

A large, flat patty of grilled minced meat, often tucked into lepinja with salads and sauces. You find it at street food stands and grill restaurants, and many people eat it late at night.

Sarma

Pickled cabbage leaves rolled around minced meat and rice, then cooked slowly for hours. It is a winter dish, served at family meals, holidays and slava, the family saint's day celebration.

Ajvar

A thick relish of roasted red peppers, sometimes with aubergine. Many families make it at home in autumn, when peppers are harvested. People spread it on bread or eat it with grilled meat.

Burek

Flaky layers of thin pastry filled with meat, cheese or spinach. It is a common breakfast, bought warm from a bakery in the morning and often eaten with a glass of plain yoghurt.

Rakija

A strong fruit brandy. Šljivovica, made from plums, is the best known type. Hosts often offer a small glass to guests, and it is drunk before meals and at celebrations.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Serbia uses plug types C and F, the round two-pin plugs common across mainland Europe. The voltage is 230 V. Visitors from the UK, US or Australia will need an adapter, and possibly a converter for devices not rated for 230 V.
  • Driving side: Traffic in Serbia drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts during your first few days.
  • Emergency numbers: The emergency numbers listed for Serbia are 194, 93 and 94. Save them in your phone before you arrive, and ask your host which number covers police, fire or ambulance.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Serbian dinar. Do not assume that euros or other foreign currencies will be accepted. Plan to pay in dinars for everyday spending.
  • Language: Serbian is the official language. Learning a few basic words, such as hello and thank you, is helpful, especially when you travel outside the capital, Belgrade.
  • Time zone: Serbia is on UTC+01:00, the same time zone as much of central Europe. Check whether your home country is ahead or behind when you plan calls or connections.
  • Calling code: The country calling code for Serbia is +381. Use it when you dial a Serbian number from abroad or save local contacts, such as your accommodation, in your phone.

Serbia: frequently asked questions

Is Serbia good to visit in August?

Yes, August works, with a score of 7 out of 10. Belgrade highs reach 29.3°C and lows stay near 19°C, with only 7.1 rain days and 52 mm of rain. It's hot but dry, so pack for sun rather than storms.

What is the best month to visit Serbia?

September and October are the top months, both scoring 8.5. Belgrade sees highs of 24.3°C in September and 18.6°C in October, with fewer rain days (8.2 and 7.3) than summer. April also scores well at 8, with highs of 17.9°C and more sunshine hours than the cooler months.

Should I avoid Serbia in winter?

December and January score lowest, at 2.4 and 2.1. Belgrade highs stay around 5-7°C and sun hours drop to 4.6-5.1 per day, the darkest of the year. These months still work for travellers wanting a quieter, colder city trip, just not for outdoor sightseeing weather.

Is Serbia rainy in May and June?

May and June are the wettest months in Belgrade, with 83 mm and 89 mm of rain and 13.2 and 11.7 rain days. Despite this, both score well, 7.4 and 7.3, because warm temperatures (22.2°C to 26.8°C highs) and long sun hours balance out the showers.

What is the emergency number in Serbia?

Serbia's emergency numbers are 194, 93, and 94, depending on the service you need. The country uses 230 V electricity with plug types C and F, drives on the right, and the currency is the Serbian dinar.

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