Serbia

At A glance

Capital City: Belgrade

Land size: 77,474 sq km

Population: 6,739,471 (2022 est.)

Official language: Serbian

Currency: Dinar (din / RSD)

UNESCO properties and sites:

• Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius
• Medieval Monuments in Kosovo
• Stari Ras and Sopoćani
• Stećci Medieval Tombstone Graveyards
• Studenica Monastery

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/serbia/


Serbia seamlessly blends rich history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality. Begin your adventure in the vibrant capital city of Belgrade, where you can explore its historic sites, bustling markets, and lively cultural scene. Then, discover the charming towns and monasteries of Šumadija, where rolling hills, vineyards, and picturesque landscapes create a perfect setting for horseback riding adventures.

Embark on an extraordinary horse riding adventure through the beauty and heritage of Serbia. Explore the picturesque Borac Mountains, cantering through forests, old towns and lush meadows. Ride through the pristine countryside, trotting along serene trails that wind through valleys, forests, and meadows.
Get ready to create lifelong memories as you uncover the soul of Serbia from the back of a horse, forging unforgettable connections with nature, culture, and the spirit of this captivating country.

 

Brief History

The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Communist Partisans resisted the Axis occupation and division of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945 and fought nationalist opponents and collaborators as well. The military and political movement headed by Josip Broz "TITO" (Partisans) took full control of Yugoslavia when their domestic rivals and the occupiers were defeated in 1945.
In 1989, Slobodan MILOSEVIC became president of the Republic of Serbia and his ultranationalist calls for Serbian domination led to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia along ethnic lines. In 1991, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia declared independence, followed by Bosnia in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in April 1992 and under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia led various military campaigns to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." These actions ultimately failed and, after international intervention, led to the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995.

MILOSEVIC retained control over Serbia and eventually became president of the FRY in 1997. In 1998, an ethnic Albanian insurgency in the formerly autonomous Serbian province of Kosovo provoked a Serbian counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo. The MILOSEVIC government's rejection of a proposed international settlement led to NATO's bombing of Serbia in the spring of 1999. Serbian military and police forces withdrew from Kosovo in June 1999, and the UN Security Council authorized an interim UN administration and a NATO-led security force in Kosovo.

FRY elections in late 2000 led to the ouster of MILOSEVIC and the installation of democratic government. In 2003, the FRY became the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, a loose federation of the two republics. In June 2006, Montenegro seceded from the federation and declared itself an independent nation.
In February 2008, after nearly two years of inconclusive negotiations, Kosovo declared itself independent of Serbia - an action Serbia refuses to recognize.
President Aleksandar VUCIC has promoted an ambitious goal of Serbia joining the EU by 2025. Under his leadership as prime minister, in 2014 Serbia opened formal negotiations for accession.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/serbia/

 

Cultural Insights

Kissing is a common form of greeting, for both men and women. Three kisses, alternating cheeks, are customary.

Serbs are a hospitable people and love to visit and chat.

It is customary to remove one's shoes and put on a pair of slippers before going into the house.

Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Serbia-and-Montenegro.html

 

Transportation

By Air
Serbia currently has 5 international airports, the main airport is the one in Belgrade which accounts for more than 95% of passengers travelling to and from Serbian airports.

Belgrade Airport (BEG)
The Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is the main hub of the Serbian carrier Air Serbia, also Wizz air has a base at the airport. The airport has whole year connection to more than 50 cities, during summer season this number grows to close to 100 destinations.

Nis Airport (INI)
The Niš Constantine the Great Airport is the second busiest airport in Serbia, but compared to Belgrade airport it is really small. Since 2015 Wizz air has been operating from the airport and in 2016 Ryanair opened their first two routes one from Nis to Bratislava and Nis to Berlin. The increased number of low cost routes from/to Nis is attracting passengers.


By Rail
The trains in Serbia are run by the Serbian Railways (ZS). There are international train routes between Belgrade and Budapest, Sofia, Vienna and Zurich.

Source: https://getbybus.com/en/blog/serbian-airports/
https://www.eurail.com/en/get-inspired/top-destinations/serbia-train

 

Money

Credit cards are accepted in most hotels and shops, and nearly all ATMs accept international bank cards. Currency exchange in Belgrade (including at Belgrade Airport) accept Sterling, US Dollars and Euros.

You should only change money through banks or official exchange offices and not through street dealers.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/serbia

 

Health

Many doctors and other health care providers in Serbia are highly trained. However, equipment and hygiene in hospitals, clinics, and ambulances are usually not up to U.S. standards.
The health system in all parts of Serbia is suffering from widespread shortage of medicines and other essentials. For non-emergency treatment, or treatment that isn’t covered under reciprocal arrangements, payment in cash is normally required. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 194 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

U.S. name-brand medicines are often unavailable in Serbia. You can get many medicines and basic medical supplies at private pharmacies.
Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency to ensure the medication is legal in Serbia.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/serbia
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Serbia.html

 

Electricity

Serbia operates on a 230V supply voltage and uses type C and F plugs.

The Type C electrical plug (or Europlug) is a two-wire plug that has two round pins. It fits into any socket that accepts 4.0 – 4.8 mm round contacts on 19 mm centres. They are being replaced by E, F, J, K or N sockets which work perfectly with Type C plugs.

The Type F electrical plug (also known as a Schuko plug) has two 4.8 mm round pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is similar to the Type E plug but has two earth clips on the side rather than a female earth contact. The CEE 7/7 plug was developed to work with sockets E and F and has grounding clips on both sides (to work with Type F sockets) and a female contact (to accept the grounding pin of the type E socket).

Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs

 

Communication

Time zone in Serbia: Central European Standard Time (GMT+1)

International country code – 381

Serbia’s telecom industry has been liberalized in line with the principles of the EU’s regulatory framework for communications, focused on encouraging competition in telecom products and services, and ensuring universal access.
Considerable network investment has been undertaken in Serbia by incumbent and alternative operators in recent years, despite economic difficulties; this has helped to stimulate internet usage, which has also been bolstered by improved affordability as prices are reduced through competition.
The pandemic has stimulated consumer take up of services, particularly mobile data; the government’s various initiatives to improve rural broadband availability have also been supported by European development loans.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/serbia/


Phrasebook

English	Serbian
Hello!	Zdravo
Goodbye	Doviđenja
Good morning	Dobro jutro
Good evening	Dobro veče
Good night	Laku noć
Please	Molimo vas
Thank you	Hvala
Yes	Da
No	Ne

Source: https://l-lingo.com/free-lessons/en/learn-serbian

 

Entry Requirements

Tourists from EU Member States, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia can enter Serbia with only their identity card and with it can stay in Serbia for up to 90 days.

If you are coming from a country which has a visa waiver regime for the entry and stay of its nationals in Serbia, you will need a valid travel document.
To check whether you need a visa to enter and stay in Serbia, check the website of the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/consular-affairs/entry-serbia/visa-regime

If you are headed to Serbia, make sure you have enough money to support yourself during your stay (minimum 50 euros per each day of your stay), as well as for your return trip home or transfer to a third country; otherwise, you might be denied entry.
When coming to Serbia, carry with you proof of sufficient funds for your stay in Serbia, a return transport ticket and a certificate of travel health insurance.

Source: https://www.serbia.travel/en/useful-info

 

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy in Belgrade
92 Bulevar kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevica
11040 Belgrade
Telephone: +381 11 706-4000

Embassy of Canada in Belgrade
Kneza Milosa 75
111711 Belgrade
Telephone: +381 11 306-3000

Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates

 

UNESCO Sites

Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius
The Late Roman fortified palace compound and memorial complex of Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius, in the east of Serbia, was commissioned by Emperor Caius Valerius Galerius Maximianus, in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries. It was known as Felix Romuliana, named after the emperor’s mother. The site consists of fortifications, the palace in the north-western part of the complex, basilicas, temples, hot baths, memorial complex, and a tetrapylon. The group of buildings is also unique in its intertwining of ceremonial and memorial functions.

Medieval Monuments in Kosovo
The four edifices of the site reflect the high points of the Byzantine-Romanesque ecclesiastical culture, with its distinct style of wall painting, which developed in the Balkans between the 13th and 17th centuries. The Dečani Monastery was built in the mid-14th century for the Serbian king Stefan Dečanski and is also his mausoleum. The Patriarchate of Peć Monastery is a group of four domed churches featuring series of wall paintings. The 13th-century frescoes of the Church of Holy Apostles are painted in a unique, monumental style. Early 14th-century frescoes in the church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevisa represent the appearance of the new so-called Palaiologian Renaissance style, combining the influences of the eastern Orthodox Byzantine and the Western Romanesque traditions. The style played a decisive role in subsequent Balkan art.

Stari Ras and Sopoćani
On the outskirts of Stari Ras, the first capital of Serbia, there is an impressive group of medieval monuments consisting of fortresses, churches and monasteries. The monastery at Sopoćani is a reminder of the contacts between Western civilization and the Byzantine world.

Stećci Medieval Tombstone Graveyards
This serial property combines 28 sites, located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, western Serbia, western Montenegro and central and southern Croatia, representing these cemeteries and regionally distinctive medieval tombstones, or stećci. The cemeteries, which date from the 12th to 16th centuries CE, are laid out in rows, as was the common custom in Europe from the Middle Ages. The stećci are mostly carved from limestone. They feature a wide range of decorative motifs and inscriptions that represent iconographic continuities within medieval Europe as well as locally distinctive traditions.

Studenica Monastery
The Studenica Monastery was established in the late 12th century by Stevan Nemanja, founder of the medieval Serb state, shortly after his abdication. It is the largest and richest of Serbia’s Orthodox monasteries. Its two principal monuments, the Church of the Virgin and the Church of the King, both built of white marble, enshrine priceless collections of 13th- and 14th-century Byzantine painting.

Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/rs