Custom Serbia

An EU candidate since 2012, Serbia is one of the Balkans' most authentic countries, with five UNESCO sites: Stari Ras and Sopoćani (1979), Studenica (1986, royal monastery founded by Stefan Nemanja), Gamzigrad-Romuliana (2007) and the medieval stećci (2016). Belgrade, the Danube capital nicknamed « Beli Grad » the White City, unfolds its Kalemegdan fortress at the Sava-Danube confluence — a spur conquered 115 times since antiquity — and its bohemian Skadarlija quarter. Novi Sad, in a multi-ethnic Vojvodina, hosts the EXIT Festival each July at Petrovaradin fortress, born in 2000 from the anti-Milošević student movement and drawing 200,000 visitors. Drvengrad, the wooden village built in 2004 by Emir Kusturica (Palme d'Or 1985 and 1995), is still inhabited by artisans. At the table, Balkan cuisine lines up ćevapi, pljeskavica and kajmak, while šljivovica — of which Serbia produces 30% worldwide — accompanies Šumadija wines.

Highlights

  • Belgrade Kalemegdan + Skadarlija — Kalemegdan fortress Danube-Sava confluence (115 conquests since antiquity), Skadarlija bohemian quarter (Serbian Montmartre), Saint Sava Orthodox cathedral (world's largest).
  • Novi Sad EXIT Festival + Petrovaradin — July EXIT Festival (200,000 visitors, one of Central Europe's largest), Petrovaradin fortress « Danube Gibraltar », multicultural 21-ethnicity Vojvodina.
  • UNESCO Studenica 1986 royal — 12th-c. Orthodox monastery founded by Stefan Nemanja, Byzantine frescoes, one of Serbian Orthodoxy's most sacred sanctuaries.
  • Kusturica Drvengrad + Šargan train — 2004 wooden village by Emir Kusturica (Palme d'Or 1985 + 1995), 1925 Šargan Eight steam train (13.5 km Mokra Gora loop).
  • Šljivovica eau-de-vie + Balkan cuisine — Šljivovica (national plum eau-de-vie, Serbia 30% world production), ćevapi, pljeskavica (1 kg ground steak), kajmak, Šumadija wines.
  • Bosnia/Croatia/Romania/Bulgaria combos — Serbia + Bosnia (Sarajevo 5h), + Croatia (Zagreb 4h), + Romania (Timișoara-Belgrade 2h), + Bulgaria (Sofia-Belgrade 5h), + Macedonia (Skopje 5h).

Frequently asked questions

How many days?

Essential Serbia: 6 nights. Bosnia + Montenegro combo: 12 nights. July EXIT Festival 4 days.

EXIT Festival?

July, 200,000 visitors, 4 days, one of Central Europe's largest. €800/person VIP pass, €200 standard.

What budget for 6 nights?

Comfort: €1,690-2,000/person. Premium (Square Nine + Drvengrad): €2,400-3,000.

Visa?

No for French/Europeans (≤ 90 days). ID card or passport.