Serbia · Balkans
Serbia is where backpackers who've 'done' Croatia end up and never want to leave
Because of crime, including violence tied to organized crime and high-profile sporting events, and petty theft in tourist areas.
Checked September 29, 2026. Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov (opens in a new tab)
No dates set. Best months: April, May, June, September or October. Add your dates in the Google search. Compare on Skyscanner (opens in a new tab)
Serbia is where backpackers who've 'done' Croatia end up and never want to leave. Cheaper, less crowded, wilder, and the nightlife is genuinely absurd in the best way.
Serbia is the Balkans without the tourist tax. Belgrade's fortress-turned-nightclub scene runs until 9am. Đerdap Gorge is one of Europe's most dramatic river canyons. And you'll eat like a king for $8/day.
Go in April, May, June, September or October. July and August are peak.
Out of 10. The place scores are the same for everyone, and your fit score weighs them by what you care about. Value is yours: experience for the money, next to your other options.
Big days outside
7.9 out of 10
How real it still feels
8.8 out of 10
Views and photos
8.5 out of 10
Beds and the people in them
8.8 out of 10
Getting around on your own
8.3 out of 10
Experience per dollar, for you
Researched picks, sorted by wow factor, best first.
🥾 Scenic Hike
Completely unknown outside Serbia. The riverside hiking trail passes Roman fortresses, Byzantine ruins, and the giant face of Decebalus carved into the cliff by a Roman emperor.
Best time: April–October
🏙 Urban Exploration
Free, massive, and extraordinary. At sunset the ramparts fill with Belgrade locals watching the river turn gold. Below the walls, the river club boats start their bass-heavy warmup.
Best time: Sunset to midnight
🎭 Cultural Experience
A beautiful religious site that few foreign travelers make the trip to. The white marble church and frescoes are UNESCO-listed and genuinely jaw-dropping.
Best time: April–October
Sorted for a solo backpacker: social scene and solo-friendliness count for more than star ratings.
Typical nightly prices from our research, checked September 2026. Hostelworld shows the current price and the total before you pay.
20–35
Quiet university city center, near the Petrovaradin fortress. Walkable, chill scene.
Rooftop with fortress views in a criminally undervisited city
Connect via Vienna, Istanbul, or Frankfurt. Air Serbia and Ryanair make this accessible.
Fares usually jump in July and August, when the crowds come. April to June and September to October are the sweet spot: good weather without peak prices.
Both open without dates from Atlanta, so you can compare days and months for the cheapest fares. Seasonal notes come from when crowds peak, not live fares.
BAS bus station has routes to every corner of Serbia. Night buses to neighboring Balkan countries. Taxis and rideshare in cities.
BelgradetoNovi Sad
BelgradetoNiš
BelgradetoSarajevo
Tip: Bolt is very cheap in Belgrade. Night buses to other Balkan cities are excellent value, and most run overnight saving on accommodation.
FlixBus
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