Serbia. The most comprehensive guide to Serbia Ottoman rule: Smederevo and Novi Pazar
In the guidebook "Serbia" in addition to...
The publishing house "Ajax-Press" presents the guidebook "Serbia" in the series "Russian Guide. Polyglot". The authors of the guidebook, Vlad and Yulia Petrovich, included in it a lot of new things that have changed in the country in a year and a half (since the release of the first edition) and what they learned about, including from travel readers. The guidebook is supplemented with a detailed map of the country (in the patch pocket on the cover).
Serbia is a country with unique tourism potential. No one will be indifferent to the color of its cities and villages, rich cultural and historical heritage, including ancient Orthodox churches and monasteries. The special pride of Serbia is the majestic Danube! In addition to Belgrade, be sure to visit the city of Novi Sad, where the famous Petrovaradin Fortress is located. If time permits, take a look at the ethno-village of Emir Kusturica - Drvengrad, ride along the mountain narrow-gauge railway "Sharganska osmitsa", relax in one of the Serbian baths (as the Serbs call balneological resorts).
In addition to convenient maps (10) and proven routes (9) with descriptions of attractions, the Serbia guide also contains practical information - useful links, addresses, museum schedules and public transport routes, directions to popular natural attractions and resorts.
In the Serbia guide you will find
sections that will help you prepare for your trip. This is a brief history of the state, information about transport links, a calendar of the most important festivals and holidays. The climate section will help you choose the best time to travel, and information about hotels and restaurants will help you navigate the variety of offers.
as well as unique routes around the country.
Together with the authors, you will take a fascinating journey through Belgrade, whose history goes back 2000 years, and get acquainted with the sights of Niš, the hometown of Constantine the Great. Fortresses and monasteries, Orthodox shrines await you. Be sure to visit the ethno-village of Kusturica (Serbian Drvengrad), built by the director for the filming of the film “Life is a Miracle” and try the famous Serbian wine in numerous wineries.
Welcome to hospitable Serbia!
Contains: 9 routes, 10 maps.
The Balkans are a suitable region for traveling not only in space, but also in time. Following this, we have prepared a similar guide for Serbia. Where should you go in Serbia to find yourself in a certain era: from the Paleolithic to modern history?
Paleolithic: Risovac Cave
In Risovac Cave ( Pećina Risovača) lived Neolithic hunters. During excavations, archaeologists found in it the remains of both people and prehistoric animals, as well as various tools. Few caves of this kind are open to the public, and this is a rare chance to feel like you're part of the ancient world. The effect is complemented by an installation depicting a family in the daily activities of the time.
Practical information: The cave is located near the town of Arandjelovac, which can be reached from Belgrade by bus in an hour and a half. Open from 9:00 to 17:00 all year round, ticket costs 150 dinars (1.28 €).
Mesolithic: Lepenski Vir
The Djerdap Gorge is worthy of a visit in itself; it is very picturesque. But there is also something to explore: it is in the gorge that the site of the Mesolithic hunters Lepenski Vir is located ( Lepenski vir). Thanks to these excavations, archaeologists have reconstructed various aspects of the life of Mesolithic people: from funeral rituals to the social structure.
Practical information: The most convenient way to get to Lepenski Vir and Djerdap National Park is to rent a car. Alternatively there is a bus to the village of Donji Milanovac plus a local taxi. A ticket to the archaeological center costs 450 dinars ( 3.83 €), and its opening hours vary by month. To immerse yourself in the atmosphere before your trip, take a virtual walk or watch a short documentary about excavations.
Neolithic: Vinča – Belo Brdo
Another place for lovers of primitive sculpture is located very close to Belgrade, in the village of Vinča. Here, on the banks of the Danube, you can see an excavation site with cultural layers from different periods: people have inhabited Vinca since 6000 BC. The exhibition in Vinča includes artifacts from the Vinča culture itself: tools, ceramics and mysterious-looking anthropomorphic sculptures.
P practical information: From Belgrade you can get to Vinci by suburban bus No. 307. The place is open to visitors from April 1 to October 31 (at other times - by agreement). We advise you to come on weekends, as excursions are available on these days. The entrance ticket costs 200 dinars (1.70 €).
Antiquity: Sirmium, Mediana, Felix Romuliana
In the ancient period, Serbia was inhabited by Illyrians, Thracians, Dacians and even Celts, who are considered the founders of Singidunum, that is, Belgrade. Little has survived, but in Sremska Mitrovica, then called Sirmium ( Sirmium), you can see the heritage of the Romans: Sirmium was the imperial residence for several centuries, and the ruins of a palace are preserved here.
Another option for lovers of antiquity is Nis, also known as the ancient city of Nais ( Naissus). Emperor Constantine the Great was born here, and laterOn his orders, the Villa Mediana was built near Nais ( Medijana), which was preserved and became the center of the archaeological park of the same name. There is ruins of various structures: the villa itself, thermal baths, wine cellar, water tower. Another pride of Median is its antique mosaics.
Practical information: the complex of the imperial palace in Sremska Mitrovica can be visited from 9 to 17, the ticket costs 150 dinars ( 1.28 €). The Mediajana Archaeological Park can be reached on foot in about an hour from the center of Niš or by city bus. The park is open to visitors from April 1 to October 31, the ticket costs 150 dinars (1.28 €).
In the east of Serbia, far from large cities and tourist routes, lies another treasure for lovers of Ancient Rome: the Felix Romuliana fortress (Gamzigrad). In addition to the fortifications, the ensemble includes the ruins of a palace, a triumphal arch, a basilica and other objects.
Practical information: the closest major city to Gamzigrad is Zajecar, from where you can get there by shuttle bus. WITH From April 1 to October 31, the complex is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the rest of the time from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. B The ticket costs 300 dinars (2.55 €).
Middle Ages: Stari Ras and monasteries
In the Middle Ages, Slavic peoples came to these lands and the first independent Serbian states appeared: the Principality of Serbia (VIII-X centuries) and the Kingdom of Serbia (XIII-XIV centuries). These states included the south of modern Serbia, as well as the territories of Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia and Herzegovina. To feel the spirit of the Middle Ages, you can head south to Stari Ras. This fortress was the political center of the state formation of Raska, which later turned into the Kingdom of Serbia. There is also the oldest church in Serbia - Petrova Tsrkva, and the medieval monasteries of Sopocani and Djurdjevi Stupovi.
Stari-Ras
Peter's Church
Sopocani
Djurdzhevi step
In general, monasteries are the most characteristic buildings of the Serbian Middle Ages. On the territory of modern Serbia there are the monasteries of Studenica and Milesheva, the second is especially famous for its frescoes - for example, “The White Angel”. Two more legendary monasteries of that era are located on the territory of Kosovo - these are Vysoki Decani and Gracanica. Kosovo is important for understanding the history of Serbia, primarily because of the Battle of Kosovo, where in 1389 the Serbian army suffered a crushing defeat from the Ottoman army.
Studenica
Milesheva
White angel
Visoki Decani
Gracanica
Gazimestan: monument at the site of the Battle of Kosovo
Ottoman rule: Smederevo and Novi Pazar
After the Battle of Kosovo, the fate of the Serbian state was decided, but the Ottomans finally conquered Serbia only in 1459. The site of the tragedy was the fortress in Smederevo, which was the capital and last stronghold of the Serbs. The fortress is massive and impressive, it even withstood several attacks by the Ottoman army. Even now, when walking around the fortress, you can feel the atmosphere of impending threat.
The Ottoman period lasted until the beginning of the 19th century, but traces of it are difficult to find. Most cities underwent de-Ottomanization, and only a few buildings survived: mosques and clock towers. To imagine yourself back in the Ottoman Empire, head to Novi Pazar: the center of the Sandzak region, where Ottoman rule lasted almost a century longer than the rest of Serbia. In Sanjak, Muslims still make up half of the population. Novi Pazar has many mosques, including those from the 16th century, the remains of an Ottoman fortress, a hammam and the traditional house of the nobility, the konak.
Practical information: You can get to Smederevo by bus from Belgrade in just over an hour. A ticket to the fortress costs 120 dinars (1.02 €). You can also take a virtual walk around the fortress. In addition to its own attractions, Novi Pazar is a convenient point for visiting the Stari Ras fortress and surrounding monasteries.
18th century: Vojvodina
The northern part of modern Serbia, the autonomous region of Vojvodina, was already conquered from the Ottomans by the Habsburgs by the 18th century. Therefore, it is worth going to the small towns of Vojvodina - for example, Sombor - to be transported into the atmosphere of the Austrian Baroque. Novi Sad became the Serbian cultural and economic center during this period.
Sombor
Novi Sad
XIX: Nis and Kragujevac
In the 19th century, the struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire led to autonomy and then to the formation of an independent principality. The most impressive evidence of this struggle is Chele-Kula in Niš. The Ottomans built this tower on the skulls of Serbian soldiers who died in the Battle of Cegra during the First Serbian Uprising.
Kragujevac became the capital: the first Serbian independent political and cultural institutions opened here. To immerse yourself in the era, it is worth visiting the Old Parliament building ( Stara Skupshtina) and the house-konak of Prince Milos. The Kragujevac Museum complex also includes the exhibition “City Life in Kragujevac in the Second Half of the 19th Century”, where in the interiors of an old house you can imagine yourself as a resident of the city of that period.
Old Parliament
Old Parliament: inside view
Konak of Prince Milos
Kitchen of an old house
Practical information: a visit to Chele-Kula is included in the ticket to Mediana Park, which costs 150 dinars (1.28 €).A ticket to the Kragujevac Museum costs 100 dinars (0.85 €). The museum is open from 10 to 17 on weekdays, on weekends from 10 to 14. You can only enter the Old Parliament building on Tuesday or Thursday from 10 to 13.
Interwar period: Belgrade
After World War I, Belgrade became the capital of the newly formed Kingdom of Slovenia of Croatia and Serbia, later known as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The new status required drastic changes, so Belgrade underwent a radical restructuring. If you want to see the pathos of the administrative buildings, go for a walk along the wide streets of the center. An alternative is the outskirts of the time, where residential areas were built en masse: go to Dedinje, Neimar streets or the Professors' Colony to experience the charm of everyday life in interwar Belgrade among cozy mansions of different styles.
World War II: Uzice
Many of the famous Yugoslav modernist monuments of the people's liberation struggle are located in Serbia. For example, near Niš there is a Buban memorial park with monumental sculptures in the form of fists. But the first place to go is Užice, where communist partisans briefly succeeded in founding an independent republic in 1941. There is even a Hostel Republik in Uzice dedicated to this event. Not far from Užice there is also the Kadinjača Memorial Park, dedicated to the tragic battle that put an end to the republic.
Memorial Park Buban
Kadinjac Memorial Park
Kadinjac Memorial Park
Practical information : Bubanj Memorial Park can be reached in an hour's walk from the center of Niš or by city bus. It is more convenient to go to Kadinyachi from Uzhitz by rented car or taxi.
The Age of Socialism: Novi Belgrade
It was planned to build a new, improved version of Belgrade on the other side of the Sava River already in the interwar period, but it only came to fruition after the Second World War. As a result, Novi Belgrade turned into a socialist utopia. Unlike the impersonal Soviet high-rise buildings, the blocks of New Belgrade are very different from each other and sometimes look quite crazy. New Belgrade is also home to the new Museum of Contemporary Art.
“TV” - the building is so called because of the windows
Architecture of Block 23
The house known as "Little Red Riding Hood"
Modern Art Museum
Interesting socialist architecture can also be found in the southwestern part of Belgrade. For example, the Tserak-Vinohrady district is a unique attempt to overcome the shortcomings of socialist urbanism by crossing it with a garden city. Nearby is the Knezevac-Kievo complex, famous for its alien-looking transformer substation.
Cerak-Vinogradi
Knezevac-Kievo, now Vidikovac
Transformer station, Vidikovac
90s and modern times: Belgrade
Serbia did not participate in the wars of the collapse of Yugoslavia, so military operations were not carried out on its territory. However, the situation in Kosovo became increasingly difficult, leading to the NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999. Many cities were hit by air strikes, but administrative buildings in Belgrade suffered the most damage. The impressive ruins of the General Staff remained reminders of these tragic events for a long time.
Now most of the damaged buildings, including the General Staff, are being demolished and dismantled. They plan to build hotels and shopping centers in their place. Citizens perceive this as a threat to the city's heritage. Investment projects are also planned in other parts of Belgrade: for example, part of the old Savamala district was demolished for the construction of a huge tower " Beograd on the water", which local residents desperately opposed.
Image source: muzejzajecar.org, gounesco.com, timetravelturtle.com, juznasrbija.info, carskapalata.rs, mgb.org.rs, s erbia.com, rtvsumadija.com, serbianoutdoor.com, kampsrebrnojezero.rs, lonelyplanet.com, pribojska-banja.rs, tt-group.net, www.serbia.com, stczlatibor.rs, visitserbia.org, .turizamiputovanja.com , wondermondo.com, radiokim.net, thebohemianblog.com, virtuelnimuzejdunava.rs, mapio.net, sandzakpress.net, panacomp.net, .juznevesti.com, muzej.org.rs, danas.rs, niskevesti.rs, .u -strasse.com, mondo.rs, rentastan.com, aas.org.rs
Today I will introduce you to a great website for anyone interested in traveling in Serbia. In fact, Serbia can hardly be considered a popular tourist destination, there is no sea and the service often leaves much to be desired. The number of commercial tours to this country is an order of magnitude, if not two, less than to neighboring Montenegro.
Well, let it be - the more interesting this country is for connoisseurs of authentic recreation and genuine beauty!
If you are planning your trip to Serbia, the portal http://srbija.superodmor.rs/ - a complete online guide to Serbia - will be of great help.
Natural resources
The nature of the country itself is already a unique museum and a collection of natural attractions created over many millennia by powerful natural forces. National parks and reserves, overgrown with protected forests, a variety of fauna, clear blue lakes, deep canyons and underground cave systems - after looking at these beauties at least once, you will want to come back here again and again and, without a doubt, will deeply fall in love with the rich nature of this little countries!
For active adventurers
Culture and art
Perhaps the most common type of tourism in Serbia is religious. There are more than 300 monasteries, temples and churches in the country. The famous Studenica, built in the 12th century. Stefan Nemanja, is the cradle of Serbian Orthodoxy. The Milesheva Monastery houses a unique fresco “White Angel” - a masterpiece of world icon painting. Many monuments are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Other cultural attractions include:
Where to stay and what to eat
Serbia can open up for tourists from a very unusual side. An incredible region on the Balkan peninsula, which on the one hand resembles central Russia, and on the other, is its complete opposite.
Traveling through this most interesting country, you will not remain indifferent. Slavic cordiality, mountain hospitality and oriental hot temperament are all mixed up in Serbia!
Geography
Almost all of Serbia is located on the territory of the Balkan Peninsula. It borders Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Hungary.
The northern part is dominated by flat terrain, while to the south there is mountainous terrain.
That is why tourists who visit the northern part, including the capital Belgrade, observe the flat landscapes familiar to Russians and Ukrainians. But as soon as you go south, towards Greece, you find yourself in a magical kingdom of green forests, incredible beauty of lakes and rivers with turquoise water.
Story
The Slavs began to populate these lands in the 6th century AD, and already in the 8th century the first proto-state formations of the Serbs began to emerge, including the Serbian Principality.
Since then, the history of Serbia has regularly rushed between Byzantium and Russia. The Serbs themselves were proud of their first major power - the Serbian state, the Ottomans tried to subjugate them, and Russia considered these people the stronghold of Orthodoxy in the Balkans.
As a result of uprisings and struggles, Serbia gained independence in 1878. A monarchy was quickly established here. And already in 1912-1913, as a result of wars, they included Kosovo, part of Macedonia and Montenegro into Serbia.
After the First World War, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was formed (then the Kingdom of Yugoslavia). Occupied by Germany during World War II, the Serbs fought a war of liberation before proclaiming the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia.
As a result of interethnic and religious confrontations, a civil war broke out in the late 1990s and Yugoslavia disintegrated. At first, Serbia maintained unity with Montenegro, but in 2007 Montenegro seceded from the union state as a result of a referendum.
Safety
Security in Serbia is at a fairly high level. Visiting major cities like Belgrade, Nis and Novi Sad seems safe.
In the ranking of countries for intentional homicides, according to data for 2012, Serbia is among the 50 countries with the lowest proportion of homicides per 100,000 people. Neighbors in the rating are Great Britain, Portugal, Hungary and Andorra.
There is no actual terrorism in Serbia. As of 2017, the country has a terrorist threat level of 0.086, ranking 121st. This figure is declining all the time, so the situation is getting even better.
The largest number of crimes directed against tourists are theft, theft, robbery and fraud. Therefore, it is very important to follow basic safety rules: do not walk alone at night, do not display expensive things and equipment in public, do not trust strangers without reason.
The chances of becoming deceived by scammers are quite high, and usually in very standard ways. Therefore, be sure to read the article “How to avoid becoming a victim of scammers on vacation” and ““.
Photo of the central street of the capital of Serbia - Belgrade
In the south of the country there is a disputed region - the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Serbia and some other countries (including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Spain, etc.) consider this autonomy to be part of Serbia, while others (such as the USA, Germany, France, Canada) support its independence as a Republic Kosovo.
Different laws apply in Kosovo. The level of security is significantly lower. The entry rules are completely different, and the Serbian authorities do not control the situation in the region. For a trip to Kosovo, I recommend reading a separate guide.
In any part of Serbia, it is extremely undesirable to discuss, let alone enter into a discussion about politics and religion, especially with regard to the collapse of Yugoslavia and the civil war of that period, and ethnic issues.
The country has a number of laws that are not familiar to everyone. For example, a ban on smoking in all public places, including cafes and restaurants. And the fine for this is about 5,000.
Money
The country has a separate currency - the Serbian dinar. Currency code is RSD.
In circulation there are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 dinars, as well as banknotes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 dinars.
You can see the current exchange rate of the Serbian dinar for today on the informer.
Currency converter from Serbian dinar to rubles, hryvnia, dollars, euros.
var fm = "RSD";var to = "USD";var tz = "timezone";var sz = "1x1";var lg = "ru";var st = "success";var lr = "1";
Formally, dinars are divided into fractional pairs (1 dinar is equal to 100 pairs), however, due to the exchange rate, the corresponding coins are not issued.
Serbian dinars are the official currency of Serbia
In cafes and restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip - 10% of the total bill. In this case, you can leave money if you wish, but often the waiter may ask if you want to mark it. It is possible to include tips in the bill and pay them immediately by card from the terminal.
Health
The epidemiological situation in Serbia is safe. No special vaccinations or vaccinations are required for the trip.
It is enough to follow simple rules: wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet, eat only washed vegetables and fruits, check the expiration date of products before purchasing. You can learn more nuances from the material “How to stay healthy while traveling.”
Tap water cannot be drunk without additional treatment. It can be used for cooking and can be used to brew tea. In addition, you can wash fruits and brush your teeth with raw water.
Religion
The majority of the population of Serbia are Orthodox Christians (at least 85% of the country's population). Another 5.5% are Catholics, and just over 1% are representatives of Protestant churches.
Muslims today represent no more than 3.2% of the total population (not counting Kosovo).
In general, there is no intolerance towards the religious beliefs of tourists here, but it is highly advisable not to discuss religious topics.
The Serbs themselves greatly respect people who come to their country on pilgrimages to Orthodox shrines and temples.
Language
The official language is Serbian Cyrillic. In addition, there are regions where Hungarian, Ruthenian, Romanian, Croatian and Slovak languages, as well as Albanian, are officially used. A number of communities have other official languages, including Bosnian, Ukrainian, etc.
The overwhelming number of residents of Serbia use the Serbian language in everyday life, both in the Cyrillic alphabet (Vukovica) and the Latin alphabet (Gajevica).
For people who have knowledge of Cyrillic writing, reading Serbian is not difficult. At the same time, if a person speaks English, then the Latin version will be more accessible to him.
Those who speak Slavic languages (especially Czech, Polish, Ukrainian) can understand at least some of the words in colloquial speech, based on the context. It is worth knowing that many similar words can have completely opposite meanings.
Below is a table with the Serbian alphabet that will help you know how to roughly read Serbian letters and words.
| Cyrillic | Latin | Sound |
| A a | A a | [a] |
| B b | B b | [b] |
| In in | V v | [V] |
| G g | G g | [G] |
| D d | D d | [d] |
| Ђ ђ | Đ đ | [jj] |
| Her | E e | [e] |
| F | Ž ž | [and] |
| Z z | Z z | [h] |
| And and | I i | [And] |
| Cyrillic | Latin | Sound |
| With with | Ss | [With] |
| T t | T t | [T] |
| Ћ ћ | Ć ć | [whose] |
| U y | U u | [y] |
| F f | F f | [f] |
| X x | H h | [X] |
| Ts ts | C c | [ts] |
| H h | Č č | [h] |
| Џ џ | Dž dž | [jj] |
| Sh sh | Š š | [w] |
Hotels, airports and other tourist sites have staff who speak fluent English. At a basic level, it is also used by employees of cafes, bars, and restaurants in tourist areas.
The general population has poor command of foreign languages. Some ordinary residents can speak basic English or German.
Kitchen
Serbian cuisine combines elements of traditions from various countries. For example, in the same row at the market you can easily find baklava, sacher torte and hazelnut.
Soups are often served as a starter. It can be:
- soup– traditional liquid soup for the Slavs
- Chorba- soup with flour fried in butter. Many people confuse it with cream soup, but this is by no means a dietary dish.
- Thick soups– beef or chicken soups, with noodles.
- Lamb soup– a delicious soup with tender meat. Very dietary.
Like any Balkan cuisine, it replete with meat dishes. Mainly lamb, pork, and goat are used for their preparation. In this case, the meat is often marinated in kaymak - fermented milk.
Serbs love Many dishes are baked on coals. They are called roshtiya.
Many people are also familiar with meat dishes such as pljeskavica, sausages, and razhniki. A Srem kulen(raw smoked pork sausage) is registered as a mark of geographical origin in the EU and can only be tasted here.
As a rule, vegetables, potatoes or rice are served as a side dish. They also bring salads along with them.
Serbs eat three times a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch is considered the main meal, in which meat and other, more satisfying dishes are served.
Serbs consider bread to be an essential attribute for every meal.. Like all Orthodox Christians, they believe that this is an important component. It is not customary to throw away even bread crumbs.
In addition, the Serbs Sweet or savory pies are popular pita They can be with any filling. It’s very tasty to take burek with soup - a pie with meat or cheese on puff pastry. Gibanica with cottage cheese goes great with tea.
Also popular are:
- Zelyanitsa– cheese and spinach pie
- Strukli– nuts and plums baked in cheese
- Alva– boiled nuts in honey
Serbs drink a lot of strong coffee, fruit juices, fruit infusions. In hot weather, they prefer yogurt and kefir. Tea has low popularity.
From alcoholic drinks love beer, wine. However, the most common drink can safely be called rakia(a variant of moonshine). Moreover, it can be made from grapes, pears, apples and even wormwood.
Holidays
New Year Serbs celebrate according to the traditional calendar, on the night of December 31 to January 1.
The three-day period begins soon Christmas celebration. And the first of these days - Tutsinda, celebrated on January 5th every year. On this day, it is customary to slaughter a pig and mix the dough for the pie, which is prepared on January 6 ( Christmas Eve), and January 7, At Christmas, served to the table. The blood of a pig, according to local beliefs, will have healing properties.
January 14, according to the old tradition, is celebrated orthodox new year, and January 27 is the day Saint Sava(one of the most famous and revered saints among Serbs) when children are not in school.
Moving holidays associated with Orthodox rites: Maundy Monday(April 2, 2018), Good Friday(April 6, 2018) and Easter(April 8, 2018).
Serbs celebrate May 1st and 2nd Labor Day, and May 9 – Victory Day, traditional on this date for the countries of the post-Soviet bloc.
21 October Serbs remember the victims of World War II, and November 11 is marked on the calendar as Armistice Day in World War I.
Transport
The transport infrastructure of Serbia is sufficiently developed and is represented by road, rail, air and river transport.
The country is connected by rail with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Montenegro (read more about one of the most beautiful and dangerous railway route Belgrade - Bar). The rolling stock is not homogeneous: there are both old trains from the time of Tito, completely covered with graffiti, with compartment windows that cannot be closed, and seated cars written off from the German and Austrian railways, with air conditioning and dry closets. In addition, modern high-speed trains and electric trains have recently appeared, but so far they only serve a limited number of destinations.
Sleeping cars have compartments with 4 and 6 berths (in 2nd class). At the same time, if you are traveling with a child under 10 years of age, you may not need to buy a separate shelf for him.
Children under 14 years old pay 50% of the full fare and the full amount for a sleeping place.
When purchasing tickets, the following feature applies: you purchase a ticket for the trip, which allows you to travel on a specific train.
However, the location is not specified. You need to purchase a “seat reservation” - a reservation. It will already indicate the carriage and seat. Reservations have different prices for different categories of wagons.
The reservation can be purchased along with the ticket or after purchasing it, up to the day of travel, but not earlier than 2 months in advance. You can purchase it at the railway ticket office or by phone (011-360-28-99)
You must take the seat you have reserved no later than 15 minutes after the train departs from your station, otherwise it will be considered free.
A typical train carriage on the international route Belgrade (Serbia) - Podgorica (Montenegro) - Bar
The current schedule of Serbian railways can be viewed at the link http://www.srbvoz.rs/eng/timetable.html on the official website. The ticket price is also displayed there.
A number of trains have a road train (car) where you can transport a car. In addition, some trains allow you to carry bicycles (for an additional fee of 100 - 150 dinars).
Water transport provides transportation along the Danube and Sava. For this, ports in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Pancevo, Smederevo, Sabac are used.
International flights are served by the country's largest airport near Belgrade, Nikola Tesla Airport. The national airline of Serbia, Air Serbia, is also based here. In addition, the airport in Niš Constantine the Great receives a number of charter and low-cost flights. At the same time, there is no regional aviation in the country.
As before, the lion's share of passenger transportation is carried out by bus companies, which are widespread in Serbia.
Visa rules
A visa to Serbia is not required for citizens of most countries in Europe, Asia, South and North America.
Thus, for up to 90 days, citizens of the following countries can visit Serbia without a visa: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Australia, Japan, Mongolia, USA, Canada, Mexico , Brazil, Argentina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Greece, Romania, South Korea and others.
Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, India, Malaysia have the right to stay in Serbia for no more than 30 consecutive days.
Hong Kong passport holders – 14 days of visa-free travel.
At the same time, citizens of all African countries, as well as Israel, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Thailand, Vietnam and a whole list of countries must obtain a visa to visit Serbia.
On the map below you can familiarize yourself with the visa requirements for citizens of other countries when visiting Serbia.
Traditionally for the Balkans, passport stamps are treated negligently here. Stamps are most often placed at the airport. But they may forget.
Exit stamps are never placed on trains, at pedestrian and automobile border crossings. Again, a tradition for all Balkan countries.
Upon entry, you must, in addition to other documents, have valid travel medical insurance for the entire duration of the trip and with coverage of at least $30,000. Passport control officers often do not ask for it, but I have repeatedly said that it is better not to go anywhere without insurance and you need to know how to do it choose.
Registration
In addition, every citizen visiting Serbia is required by law to register their stay in the country.
If a tourist is staying at a hotel or hostel, all you need to do is contact its staff and ask them to register you.
If you are staying with a private person, you will have to visit the migration department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ministry of Internal Affairs) yourself within 24 hours after entering the country and fill out a form there.
In both cases you will be given a certificate of registration in Serbia. You must carry it with you and hand it over to the migration officer when leaving the country.
In practice, no one asks for a migration card or fines you for not having one, but I always recommend following the law. Registration is not a complicated (and free!) procedure, and if you live in a hotel, it does not take your time at all.
Please note that according to the law, you may be fined for not registering in Serbia.
Where to stay
You can stay in Serbia in a hotel or apartment, or use hostels or couchsurfing.
Any way to stay overnight here is available, so you don’t have to spend the night on a bench in the open air.
Hotel prices start from $10 per night, and they are present in any more or less large city.
Book a hotel in Serbia:
Hostels will cost from $5 and up. The variation in their quality is very strong, so always study the reviews and ratings in detail, as I do, so as not to get stuck.
Apartments are also a convenient way to live in Serbia, which allows you to stay in a place convenient for you, do not depend on other guests, gives you the opportunity to cook your own food, and the like.
You can pitch a tent in Serbia anywhere, as long as there are no prohibiting signs and it is not private territory.
Hitch-hiking
Hitchhiking in Serbia remains at an average level. Not to say that it was easy, like, say, in Georgia, when every driver is ready to compete to help you, but it is also more welcoming than in Ukraine or Russia, where you can stand by the road for a day and not go anywhere without money .
The rules are ordinary for hitchhiking in general. Although it is worth noting that in the dark it becomes almost impossible to leave.
There are no fines for this method of travel, and the police do not interfere.
Car rental
Renting a car in Serbia is no more difficult than anywhere else in Europe. It is enough to find a suitable car rental office, and then rent and return the car, following my advice (so as not to be deceived).
Rental prices in Belgrade start from 4,500 dinars per week. At the same time, both large car rental players (AVIS, GoldCar, SIXT, Hertz, etc.) and small local offices are widely represented in the country.
The latter are often not clean, and their cars are not always in good condition. But small companies usually cost less, and the deposit for the car is lower or completely absent.
Always check the rental details when searching and booking a car, as the rules vary for different companies and for different classes of cars. Below is a search form that allows you to quickly and easily find a car rental in Serbia.
Climate and weather
- In the north, the climate of Serbia is continental (hot summers, long winters).
- In the south – temperate continental. In the mountains, the mountain type predominates.
The coldest months are December and January, with temperatures ranging from -1 to +6 degrees. In turn, the warmest months are July and August (20 – 30 degrees).
Summer in Serbia can be swelteringly hot
The best time to go to admire Serbia is in spring and autumn, as well as at the beginning and end of summer. May, June, September and early October are great times to visit this country.
At the same time, if you want to enjoy winter sports here, then you should go to the mountains in January, when skiing and snowboarding in Serbia becomes a real pleasure!
Treatment in Serbia
Serbia is also famous for its healing mineral springs, but at the same time it is practically unknown to residents of Russia and Ukraine. We all know Mineralnye Vody, Truskavets, Morshyn or Karlovy Vary. But we simply don’t remember that there are more than a thousand different sources in Serbia. But in vain.
Throughout the country you can find a large number of sanatoriums and health centers that will help you improve your health. The specialization is very different: from neurological and cardiac to renal and gastric.
How to get there
From Russia to Serbia The fastest and easiest way to get there is by plane. Direct regular flights in the direction Moscow - Belgrade - Moscow and St. Petersburg - Belgrade - Peter are operated by the Russian airline Aeroflot and the Serbian AirSerbia.
In addition, a large number of flights can be arranged with transfers using an air ticket search engine. This will save a lot of money, and at the same time visit other cities and countries during transit, if desired.
Previously, there was a direct carriage of Russian Railways train 015B Moscow - Belgrade, which goes through Ukraine and Hungary. Travel time – 2 days.
From Ukraine direct flights to Serbia, unfortunately no. The best option is a connecting flight. For example, in Turkey, with Turkish Airlines (the best airline in Europe, which also provides a free hotel and excursion to transit passengers) from Odessa, Zaporozhye, Kyiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Kyiv.
An even cheaper option is the low-cost airline Pegasus, which flies from Kharkov, Lviv and Zaporozhye.
The cheapest flights can be from Italy (Milan - Nis), Sweden (Stockholm - Nis), Germany (Berlin, Dusseldorf, Memmingen, Hanover and many other cities), the Netherlands, Slovakia.
Buy air tickets to Serbia:
There are many inexpensive flights to from France, Malta, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Great Britain, Croatia, Romania.
If you want to be very economical, then you can go, say, to Poland, from where you can fly to Serbia.
There are buses and trains from neighboring countries. Tickets for them can always be bought at the bus station ticket office. The most popular buses are Sarajevo - Belgrade, Budapest - Belgrade, Zagreb - Belgrade, Timisoara - Belgrade, Becharest - Belgrade, Sofia - Belgrade, Sofia - Nis, Skopje - Nis - Belgrade, Bar - Podgorica - Belgrade.
In addition, you can get to Serbia by hitchhiking or using the wonderful BlaBlaCar service.
Attractions
The sights of Serbia are spread throughout the country, but the most interesting ones are located in Belgrade and its surroundings. Historical and cultural destinations, as well as religious tourism (Orthodoxy), predominate here.
Separate articles will be published on the TOP attractions of Serbia in general, as well as attractions of the capital - Belgrade. Here I will mention only the most famous ones, and the whole world is very desirable to visit.
The main attraction of all Serbia is, of course, the Belgrade Fortress
Belgrade Fortress– the most visited place by tourists in Serbia. This is a powerful, well-designed fortress with a magnificent view of the Danube, which is definitely a must-see. Moreover, on its territory there are a number of other, no less interesting attractions: the Natural History Museum, the Military Museum, the Museum of Military Equipment, the Observatory, the Ruzica Church, the Church of St. Petka and, of course, the zoo.
– one of the most memorable zoos in Europe and the best in the Balkans. It clearly doesn’t reach the level of the Prague one, but it can easily compete with the Viennese one. There are many interesting animals here that will impress both adults and children.
Prince Mikhail Street is the main pedestrian and historical street of Belgrade. There are many cafes, fashionable shops, and the facades of the buildings literally enchant with their beauty. In the evening, everything is filled with incredible magic, music sounds everywhere and you can quietly spend several hours drinking aromatic coffee in one of the local coffee shops and admiring the picture of pedestrians strolling.
Javolya-Varosh (city of the devil)– simply a fabulous place in the south of Serbia. It is formed by two natural phenomena at once: earthen figures and sources of highly acidic, highly mineralized water. Many tourists do not regret traveling 300 kilometers from the capital to visit the city of the devil.
Prices in Serbia
In Serbia, you can find products both in markets (bazaars) and in supermarkets. Everywhere the products are natural, since GMOs are officially prohibited in the country.
Very often there are small supermarkets of the Shop&Go chain, the most widespread in the country. There is good service here, polite sellers. Visa and MasterCard cards are accepted at the checkout.
The majority of stores are open until 20:00 – 21:00. There are also 24-hour markets (including some from the above-mentioned network).
Some prices for orientation (given in Serbian dinars):
Flour products:
Bread “Danube”, loaf weighing 450 grams, price 43 RSD
Toast bread, sliced, 500 grams for 109 RSD
Pasta, 400 grams, 48 RSD
Semi-finished products:
Chicken pljeskavica, 239 RSD per 200 grams
Chicken fillet, 399 RSD per 500 grams
Gourmet sausages, 250 grams, 129 RSD
Sunflower oil, 1 liter – 253 RSD
Dairy
Pasteurized milk, 2.8%, 109 RSD per 1 liter
Kefir, 180 grams, 2.8% – 28 RSD
Cottage cheese “President”, 500 grams – 279 RSD
Cheese Gouda, Eden. Sliced 250 grams, 54% fat for 300 RSD
Mayonnaise, 190 ml. — 70 RSD
Canned food:
Tuna, 160 gram jar – 132 RSD
150 grams of canned stew will cost 152 RSD
Sweets
Dry tomorrow Nesquik, 250 grams, 299 RSD
Croissants 7days, 80 grams – 67 RSD
Noblice cookies, 250 grams will cost you 128 RSD
Milka chocolate, assorted. 300 thunder tiles for 400 RSD
Hygiene:
Baby wipes, wet – 204 RSD
H&S shampoo, 225 ml. – 329 RSD
Shaving foam, Nivea, 200 ml. – 344 RSD
Ariel powder, 2 kg for 649 RSD
Beverages:
Fanta, liter bottle – 89 RSD
Instant coffee, in sticks, Nescafe 3in1, 6 sticks 108 RSD
Ground coffee, Grand, 259 dinars per 200 gram package
NeXt juice 1.5 liters – 133 RSD
Hello juices one and a half liters – 109 RSD
Beer Jelen, light, 0.5l – 57 RSD
Carlsberg beer, light, 0.5l – 99 RSD
The prices in the cafe are very reasonable. Even in tourist places, for 5 - 10 euros you can order a huge portion of pasta and pizza, as well as tea or coffee.
The portions are served large; one plate may be enough for two girls.
