SERBIA

Understand the locals and their culture

Serbs are known for their warmth and genuine hospitality, especially towards visitors. Tourists are still relatively few in number, which often makes the experience even more personal and welcoming. While younger generations generally speak English (and are often eager to practice it), older Serbs are more likely to speak German or French. In summer, you’ll hear a mix of German, Italian, French, and English in Belgrade’s streets, while around New Year, Slovenian, Austrian, Bosnian, and Hungarian visitors flock to the city for the festive season.

Once part of the former Yugoslavia – a country celebrated for its many diverse and beautiful destinations – Serbia was often overlooked. Today, however, it remains one of Europe’s hidden gems, waiting to be rediscovered not only by travelers but even by many Serbs themselves. Though landlocked, Serbia offers an impressive variety of landscapes: from the snowy, cinematic plains of Vojvodina that evoke scenes from Dr. Zhivago, to its striking mountains, serene lakes, and ski resorts.

Positioned at the crossroads of European history, Serbia is a fascinating blend of cultures, ethnicities, and religions. Its people, despite old stereotypes, are among the most welcoming you’ll find anywhere. Belgrade, recently ranked as one of Europe’s most vibrant emerging capitals, reflects this spirit. It has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest and is home to global icons like Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic, who embody the energy and pride of “New Serbia.”

Serbia may not have the name recognition of some other destinations, but it has something far rarer: a unique cultural soul, a rich mix of traditions, and an unmatched passion for life that leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.

History of Serbia

Serbia’s history is remarkably rich and full of fascinating milestones. For instance, nearly one in five Roman emperors was born on what is now Serbian soil – including Constantine the Great, the first emperor to legalize Christianity. The region was also home to the Vinča culture, one of the most advanced Neolithic civilizations, and to Plocnik, the site where the world’s earliest evidence of copper smelting pushed the start of the Bronze Age back by 500 years. Visitors can also explore unusual historic landmarks, such as the Skull Tower in Niš, and discover the story of the most decorated female warrior in military history – a Serbian heroine.

The first Serbian state emerged in the mid-9th century and, by the 14th century, expanded into a powerful empire covering much of the Balkans. However, the pivotal Battle of Kosovo in 1389 against the Ottoman Empire marked the beginning of centuries of Ottoman rule, which fully took hold in 1459. Serbia regained its independence in 1815 after a series of uprisings known as the Serbian Revolution.

In 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo by a young Serb set off World War I. After the war, Serbia became the driving force behind the formation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (renamed Yugoslavia in 1929). During World War II, Yugoslavia was invaded by Axis powers but fiercely resisted through two main movements: the royalist Chetniks and the communist Partisans, the latter led by Josip Broz Tito. After the war, Tito’s Partisans emerged victorious, establishing a socialist republic independent from both the Soviet Union and the West.

Following Tito’s death in 1980, Yugoslavia began to fragment. In the 1990s, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia declared independence, while Serbia and Montenegro formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This period was marked by conflict, including the Kosovo crisis in the late 1990s, which led to NATO intervention.

In 2006, Montenegro voted for independence, and Serbia became a sovereign state. In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence – a status still disputed by Serbia and several other countries. Today, Serbia is focused on economic growth and EU integration, offering travelers a chance to explore a land where layers of history and culture come vividly to life.

Typical for the Locals

It doesn’t take long for visitors to Serbia to experience the country’s greatest treasure: the hospitality, kindness, openness, and warmth of its people.

When meeting someone for the first time, it’s customary to shake hands with your right hand, regardless of gender. While kissing is not expected during an initial meeting, once a bond has been formed, the Serbian way of greeting is with three kisses on the cheeks. That said, no one will object if you kiss once or twice and add a heartfelt hug instead.

Toasting is an important social ritual in Serbia, and the drink of choice is often rakija (fruit brandy), frequently homemade. When toasting, people clink glasses, make direct eye contact, and cheerfully say “Živeli!” (meaning “To life!”). Speeches are usually reserved for formal occasions and are most often made by the host, but guests are welcome to give one as well.

Food plays a central role in Serbian culture. Locals enjoy hearty, flavorful meals, with lunch traditionally being the largest. Dining with Serbs often comes with a cultural surprise for visitors: the host almost never lets a guest pay. Treating guests is seen as a matter of pride and genuine hospitality.

Nightlife in Serbia is vibrant and inclusive. Unlike in many European countries, there’s no single “going-out night”—you can enjoy a lively evening out any day of the week, regardless of age, taste in music, or budget. After hours of dancing and socializing, it’s a beloved tradition to head out for late-night grilled meats or a warm, flaky burek around 3 or 4 in the morning.

Entry Requirements for Serbia

Most European nationals do not require a visa to enter Serbia. Citizens of the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Chile, Israel, Singapore, Japan, Australia, and several other countries also enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Nationals of the EU, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Switzerland can enter Serbia using only their ID card, without the need for a passport. For the most up-to-date requirements, it’s always best to check with the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Special Note on Kosovo

Serbia has announced in the past that visitors holding Kosovan visas or passport stamps would not be permitted entry. In practice, however, this is not currently enforced; instead, Kosovan visas and stamps are simply overstamped with “cancelled.”

⚠️ Important: Entering Serbia directly from Kosovo without having previously entered Kosovo from Serbia (i.e., without a Serbian entry stamp) is considered an illegal entry. The only exception applies to those nationals who are permitted to enter Serbia using an ID card instead of a passport.