Don't have a lot of time in Serbia but want to see the essential highlights of the country, like the vibrant city of Belgrade and the European capital of culture, Novi Sad, all in 3 days? You are in the right place.
With this itinerary, we will be basing ourselves in Belgrade as we explore the city's incredibly vibrant attractions and nightlife, as well as go on a day trip and visit Novi Sad and see a bit more of what Serbia has to offer outside of its capital city.
Without further ado, here is the ultimate 3-day backpacking itinerary for Serbia based in Belgrade. Let's begin by looking at all the places we will be visiting in this itinerary with the map below:
- 3 Days Backpacking Serbia Itinerary Map
- 3 Days Backpacking Serbia Itinerary
- More Serbia Activities
- When to Visit Serbia?
- How to Get to Serbia?
- How to Get Around Serbia?
- How Much Money Do I Need for 3 days in Serbia?
- Is it Safe in Serbia?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Serbia?
- What to Pack for Serbia?
- Further Reading for Serbia
3 Days Backpacking Serbia Itinerary Map
3 Days Backpacking Serbia Itinerary
Day 1 - 2: Belgrade (4 nights)
Our itinerary begins in Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia, well known for its incredible nightlife, which rivals those of Berlin and Amsterdam, as well as its incredibly diverse history and architecture ranging from art nouveau remnants of the Habsburgs to socialist modernist monoliths from bygone times.
There is a lot to see in this city so let's begin by visiting Belgrade Fortress, an incredible historic fortress that spans across a ridge overlooking a confluence of two rivers, providing a great view of the natural beauty around the capital city.
Other than the impressive vantage point the fortress provides, the place is also known for being one of the oldest and largest fortresses in Europe, with a rich history that dates all the way back to the Celt and the Roman periods.
- Best of Serbia in one week - SMALL GROUP (7 days)
- Discover Serbia (7 days)
- Private Best of Serbia in one week (7 days)
Right out of the gate, you will find a War Museum, showcasing all kinds of weaponry like tanks, artilleries, and more, all lined along the fortress walls. Once inside, you will find yourself in a huge park with a number of walking trails you can take.
Be sure to go all the way to the Victor Monument, a monument celebrating Serbia's victory during the Balkan Wars, and check out the views of the 2 rivers. It is quite a sight to behold.
You can also explore the fortress with a walking tour which will take you deeper into the fortress, going underground, and exploring the underground fortifications, spooky tunnels, and bunkers and caves carved out through the ages, from Roman times to the 20th century, hidden under Serbian's capital city.
After you are done with the fortress, you can make your way down to Kneza Mihaila Street, a pedestrian-only street located in the heart of the city center. It is one of the oldest and most famous streets in Belgrade, named after Mihailo Obrenoviฤ III, the prince of Serbia who ruled in the mid-19th century.
The street is lined with beautiful buildings, cafes, restaurants, and shops, and it's a popular destination for both locals and tourists to stroll around and hang out. It is one of the liveliest places in the city, which makes for a great place to hang out and go people-watching.
As you stroll along Kneza Mihaila Street, you will eventually arrive at Republic Square, the central square of Belgrade, one of the busiest and most recognizable public spaces in the city, surrounded by some of its most important landmarks and cultural institutions.
Surrounding the square are several notable buildings, including the National Museum of Serbia, the National Theatre, and the Cultural Center of Belgrade, all of which are housed in these stunning art nouveau buildings the city is known for.
Not too far from Republic Square, you will also find another awesome piece of architecture, Hotel Moskva, a historic luxury hotel built in 1906 in this incredible Art Nouveau style, which has since become one of the most iconic landmarks of the city with its unique design that looks like a castle straight out of a fairytale.
As you continue east from Hotel Moskva, you will arrive at St. Mark Orthodox Church, a grand Serbian Orthodox church that is famous for its unique design which perfectly combines traditional Serbian and Byzantine architectural styles unlike any other structures in the city.
Once you are done, it is time to visit Saint Sava Temple, one of the most important landmarks that you should visit while you are in Serbia. With its massive size standing more than 70 meters tall, the church is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.
This church is definitely my favorite in the country, with its striking design and imposing size that dominates much of the Belgrade skyline. Its domed structure is so prominent that it can be seen from many parts of the city.
The crypt of Saint Sava Temple is also a must-visit with its incredible golden frescoes and murals that cover every inch of the crypt, brightening up even the darkest of rooms. It is located beneath the main church and is accessible from the inside, and it is my favorite part of the church, so be sure to make your way down there while you are here.
After you are done with Saint Sava Temple, it is time to learn more about the history of the forgotten country of Yugoslavia, a country that unified the Slavic people of the Balkans... for a brief moment at least, and there is no better place to do that than at the Museum of Yugoslavia.
The museum consists of several buildings and exhibitions, with one of the highlights being the House of Flowers, which was the former residence of Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito.
The house has been converted into a museum dedicated to Tito's life and work, with exhibits showcasing his personal belongings, gifts he received from foreign leaders, and photographs and documents chronicling his political career. Tito's mausoleum is also located on the grounds of the House of Flowers.
In addition to the House of Flowers, the museum complex also includes the Museum of Yugoslav History, which features exhibits on the history of Yugoslavia from the early 20th century up until the country's dissolution in the 1990s. The museum has a large collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents, as well as multimedia exhibits and interactive displays.
To get there, you can catch bus #41 from Republic Square's bus stop or if you are at Saint Sava Temple, you can catch bus #36 from Karadordev Park's Bus Stop, and you should be there in no time.
These should occupy your entire first day in Belgrade. You can spend the rest of the day exploring all the awesome cafes in Belgrade, relax, and enjoy the vibrant city vibe at Kafeterija Magazin 1907, one of my favorite cafes in the city.
After that, you can go out into the night and explore the incredible nightlife scene of Belgrade that rival those of Berlin and Amsterdam with its selection of awesome bars, clubs, and pubs, that light up the city's street at night and keep the fun going until sunrise.
And one of my favorite areas to explore is Skadarlija, a charming bohemian quarter in Belgrade featuring all sorts of awesome restaurants, cafes, and bars, where you can spend your time enjoying traditional Serbian dinner or dancing the night away.
Huge shout out to my lovely friends from Serbia, Deric, and Emina from Adventurous2 who took me out on my birthday and showed me around the parts of Belgrade that I would never have discovered by myself!
For the second day in Belgrade, I highly recommend you go and rent a bike from iBike Belgrade and ride along the Danube River, enjoying the incredible nature and green space along the way, while also spending some time exploring New Belgrade and all its Brutalist buildings.
You can bike the biking path along the bank of the Danube River all the way to Gardoลก Tower where you can climb up to the top for an incredible view of Belgrade and its converging rivers.
While you are in New Belgrade, you will also spot some of the most interesting-looking buildings in New Belgrade like the Palace of Serbia, Museum of Contemporary Art, Hotel Jugoslavija, and Genex Tower which is an awesome change from all the art nouveau buildings you saw in Old Belgrade.
After spending the second day exploring New Belgrade, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing, hanging out in the numerous restaurants and cafes in Old Belgrade before retreating for the night and preparing for your next destination, Novi Sad.
Where to Stay in Belgrade?
Getting from Belgrade to Novi Sad
To travel from Belgrade to Novi Sad, you can easily catch one of the many buses from Belgrade Main Bus Terminal that runs between 4:30 AM to 10 PM every day. The journey will take about 1.5 hours and costs around 6 - 9 EUR. You can check the bus schedule here.
You can also visit Novi Sad with an organized tour which will take you to Novi Sad and back as well as other towns in Northern Serbia like Sremski Karlovci without you having to worry about the logistics.
Day 3: Novi Sad (Day Trip)
For our third day in Serbia, we are going to visit Novi Sad, the second-largest city in Serbia and by far, one of the most beautiful cities in the country with such a long and rich history, the city has often been referred to as Serbian Athens.
Novi Sad feels so different from Belgrade that you might even wonder if you are actually still in Serbia as you find yourself surrounded by all the Western-style buildings, Catholic cathedrals and churches, and a town square that feels more like Austria than Serbia, thanks to the far-reaching touch and influences of the Habsburgs.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Novi Sad came under the control of the Habsburg Empire and became a center for education and the arts. The city's architecture and cultural heritage reflect this period of Austro-Hungarian influence, with many beautiful Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings still standing today.
One of the first places you should visit is Freedom Square, home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. The most prominent architecture of them all is the Name of Mary Catholic Church, which stands front and center, right in the middle of the square.
Surrounding the area, you will stunning buildings and attractions like the colorful City District Office, a line of beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, and the Monument of Svetozar Miletiฤ where you will often find people as well as street performers hanging out, entertaining one another.
It is the liveliest part of the city, which makes for a great place to start your exploration in Novi Sad. From the square, you can make your way north, past the Name of Mary Catholic Church, you will find the striking Vladicanski Dvor, a bishop's palace with an exceptionally vibrant exterior design, as well as Saint George's Cathedral, one of the most beautiful and revered Orthodox churches in the city.
If you are interested in the history of Novi Sad, you can also check out some of the museums here, like the City Museum of Novi Sad and Muzej Vojvodine to learn more about the city through collections of artifacts, historical objects, and guided tours.
Be sure to make your way to Petrovaradin Fortress, and stroll around the fortress courtyard, checking out the panoramic view of Novi Sad, visiting the museum inside, and enjoying a nice meal while looking at the beautiful Danube River from one of the restaurants on that side of Novi Sad.
It is one of my favorite cities in Serbia, with a more relaxing and chill vibe that is a welcomed change from all the bustlings in Belgrade. If you have a few days to spare in Serbia, I highly recommend you spend at least 2 nights here instead of visiting Novi Sad as a day trip so you can really give your undivided attention to appreciate the Novi Sad's incredible beauty.
More Serbia Activities
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour from Belgrade? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Best of Serbia in one week - SMALL GROUP (7 days)
- Discover Serbia (7 days)
- Private Best of Serbia in one week (7 days)
When to Visit Serbia?
The best time to visit Serbia is between May to September when the weather is nice and warm, great for doing outdoor activities, with a high chance of beautiful clear sky.
That said, Serbia does get a fair bit of tourists during the summer months between June to August, and that can drive up the price of accommodation a little bit. If you wish to avoid the tourist crowds as well as the high season price hike, I highly recommend you stick to either late April or early October.
Although, statistically, the weather might not be as good, there are still chances of nice beautiful clear days with great weather during this period. The crowds are also getting thinner while the prices are starting to come down. Either way, as long as you stick to the recommended period, you should be good to go.
How to Get to Serbia?
From the US, you can fly to Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia, via Lufthansa, Austrian, or Turkish Airlines that often leave from big cities like New York and Chicago, transiting in their respective country of origin before arriving in Belgrade in about 12 hours.
From Europe, you can find plenty of flights flying from major European hubs to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) via airlines like AirSerbia and WizzAir that will take you to Belgrade in no more than 3 hours.
From Asia, you can also fly with European airlines like Austrian Airlines and Emirates from any big cities in the region, and it should take you about 15 - 17 hours, including transit time, before you arrive in Belgrade.
To find a cheap flight to Serbia, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get Around Serbia?
By Buses: Buses are the cheapest way to get around Serbia. There are several buses running between big cities like Belgrade and Novi Sad as well as to and from other neighboring countries like Bulgaria and Romania in case you are visiting Serbia as part of a bigger trip in the Balkans. You can check the bus schedule online and book the ticket directly here.
By Tours: If you just want to enjoy the place without having to worry about the logistics, you can also rely on organized tours. There are plenty of organized tours and day trips from Belgrade to other parts of Serbia in case you want to extend your trip. You can browse for more available organized tours here.
By Rental Cars: You can also rent a car straight from Belgrade Airport and drive around Serbia, but for this itinerary, you won't need it. If you insist, hit the link below to rent a car in Serbia:
How Much Money Do I Need for 3 days in Serbia?
From this 3-day itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:
Accommodation: For 4 nights in Serbia, you can expect to pay around 108 EUR for accommodation, considering you are staying in budget guesthouses or hostels.
Food: For 4 days, 3 meals a day in Serbia, you can expect to pay around 63 EUR for food, considering you eat out every day. It will be significantly cheaper if you buy your own groceries and cook yourself instead.
Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to pay around 28 EUR for bus travel between Belgrade and Novi Sad and an 8-hour bike rental in Belgrade, and that is it.
Activities: Depending on how much you want to do in Serbia, you can expect to pay approximately 15 EUR for entrance fees to tourist attractions around the country.
Total Budget for 3 days in Serbia: 214 EUR
Is it Safe in Serbia?
It is very safe in Serbia. In fact, a female friend told me they feel safer walking at night on the street of Belgrade than they do at home in Germany, which is pretty interesting. That said, it is always a good idea to exercise precautions by not leaving your belongings unattended, especially when in crowded places like bus or train stations, and ALWAYS keep an eye out for your belongings at all times.
Keep your hands in your pockets when entering or exiting crowded places to secure your phone and wallet. Other than that, you should be perfectly fine traveling around Serbia independently.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Serbia?
There are 3 major carriers in Serbia, mts, Yettel, and A1, that offer prepaid sim cards tourists can buy while they are traveling in Serbia. That said, if you are looking for a more convenient way, I highly recommend you look into getting esims instead which is something that you can buy prior to your arrival in Serbia.
If you have a smartphone that supports esims, I highly recommend you take a look at these esims. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from.
The setup is fast and instant and you can buy it prior to your trip so you don't have to scramble your way to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local sim card with 4G speed across the entire country.
Or if you are traveling to Serbia as part of a bigger Europe trip, I highly recommend you get the regional Eurolink esim which will give you access to data from over 39 countries across Europe. I have personally used this esim on my 3-months trip around Europe and it has worked wonders.
For more information on esims in Serbia, click here: Check Serbia's Available eSim.
What to Pack for Serbia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Serbia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Serbia
- Want to plan a trip to the Balkans, but not sure where to go? Here is the 31 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Balkans.
- For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
- Renowned for its incredible nightlife, diverse history, and architecture, Belgrade is a capital city like no other. Here are the 12 Best Things to Do in Belgrade.
- As the European cultural capital of 2022, Novi Sad is one of the most beautiful cities in Serbia that you must visit to see what a Western-style Serbian city looks like. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Novi Sad.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Serbia, visit the Serbia Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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