Serbia

Serbian is the official language, written in both Cyrillic and Latin scripts, which are used interchangeably on signage and menus. English is common among younger people and in tourist-facing businesses in Belgrade and Novi Sad; it's less reliable in smaller towns.

Prepaid SIM and eSIM plans from mts, Telenor, or A1 are easy to buy at the airport or phone shops. Mobile coverage and Wi-Fi are reliable in cities and along main roads, with some drop-off in mountainous or rural areas.

Tap water is safe to drink in Belgrade and most of the country. Pharmacies (apoteka) are common in towns and cities, with at least one open late in most larger towns. No special vaccinations are required for entry.

Serbia is not part of the EU or the Schengen Area, so it has its own separate entry rules. Citizens of the EU/EEA, the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter for tourism without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Travelers from countries without a visa-waiver agreement need a Serbian visa, applied for through a Serbian embassy or consulate before travel.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Guests are often offered rakija (fruit brandy) or coffee as a welcome, and it's polite to accept at least a small amount. Toasts are common at shared meals, and standing rounds of drinks is a normal social gesture. Shoes are usually removed when entering someone's home.

Public holidays can affect opening hours in smaller towns more than in Belgrade. Serbia follows the Orthodox calendar for religious holidays, so Christmas (January 7) and Easter fall later than in Western Europe.

• By bus: An extensive intercity coach network connects almost every town and city, and is generally more reliable than trains.
• By train: A modernized high-speed line connects Belgrade and Novi Sad; other rail routes are slower and less frequent.
• In Belgrade: The city center is walkable; trams, buses, and trolleybuses cover the rest of the city well.
• By air: Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is the main international gateway; Niš has a smaller airport with some European connections.

Grilled meat is central to Serbian cooking: ćevapi (grilled minced-meat rolls), pljeskavica (a large grilled meat patty, often stuffed with cheese), and mixed grill platters are everyday staples. Kajmak, a rich clotted-cream dairy product, is a common side or spread.

Sarma, cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice, is a classic winter and holiday dish, and burek, a flaky meat or cheese pastry, is common street food. Ajvar, a roasted red-pepper relish, is a pantry staple made fresh in autumn across much of the country. Rakija, a strong fruit brandy, is a near-universal welcome drink, and Serbian coffee culture, closely related to Turkish coffee, is meant to be lingered over.

Belgrade is the capital, with a hilltop fortress overlooking the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, and a nightlife scene centered on floating river clubs. Novi Sad, in the Vojvodina region, has a laid-back old town and hosts the EXIT music festival at its own fortress.

Niš, in the south, is one of Serbia's oldest cities, with a well-preserved Ottoman-era fortress and the somber Skull Tower monument. Subotica, near the Hungarian border, is known for its Art Nouveau architecture and a large Hungarian-speaking population.