What You Need to Know Before Visiting Serbia For the First Time
It is challenging to call Serbia a popular tourist destination. The same is true of its capital. If you plan a city break, Belgrade will be near the bottom of your list. It’s a bit unfair. Tourists tend to choose the Croatian coastline, mountain views of Montenegro, or skiing in Slovenia. Still, it’s well worth visiting the small country in the heart of the Balkans, once the centre of great Yugoslavia. Historical cities, picturesque countryside with beautiful rivers and peaceful lakes, breathtaking mountains, ethnic music and fantastic food are good reasons to visit Serbia.
1. Cultural differences
When coming to Serbia, you should remember it’s a post-communist country. Many things here are different than in Western Europe. Serbia is developing rapidly in many ways, but in others, it’s rooted deeply in the past. People’s mentality is also different. They fully embrace all the conveniences of modern life, and at the same time, they are very protective towards their culture and customs. Strangers may get struck with some behaviour and habits, but for a Serb, it is how they have lived for a long time. They simply may not see any reason for a change. Serbs are also very proud people. They respect what they have. It may not seem much, but it’s significant for them.
Tip: if you see someone standing in the middle of the road and not moving out of their way, blocking the entire path for others, smile. Smile when someone pushes past you without saying a word, knocking you and rubbing your back with a shopping basket. Every culture has its flavours. Look around and absorb. You’ll have a lot to tell back home.
2. Coming to Serbia
Entry requirements for Serbia vary from country to country. Be sure to check them in advance to avoid problems on the border. In general, all EU citizens may travel with valid passports or ID cards and don’t need any visa for recreational stays of up to 90 days. The same situation is for citizens of Russia, China, Japan, Israel, and some South American and African countries. Citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India and many other countries need visas to enter Serbia. There is no golden rule here.
Tip: check the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for detailed and up-to-date information.
3. Mandatory registration of stay
“The foreign national is required to register with the relevant authority his/her stay within 24 hours from the date of arrival, “ says the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. That is the law. It’s simple and free of charge. The accommodation provider will do it if you stay at the hotel (hostel, B&B). If you stay in a private residence, your host should do it for you (they will need your passport), or you can do it yourself. It requires visiting the local police station and filling out a two-page form. The signed and stamped form is called “beli karton”; you should carry it everywhere (with your passport). Be aware that the form is in Cyrillic and must be filled in Serbian (Cyrillic or Latin). They don’t accept any other language, and quite often, they don’t speak any foreign language there.
Tip: you must have a beli karton if you stay in Serbia longer; it is needed to handle many official matters. If you’re visiting family or friends for a few days, you don’t really have a use for it, and Serbs will tell you that they never register anyone, and no one ever asks for a beli karton when crossing the border. However, you may need it if something terrible happens. Once the police stop you, it’ll be too late to get it.
4. Transport
By far, the car is the best way to travel around Serbia. It will take you everywhere quickly and conveniently, and renting a car at the airport is easy if you want to drive. If not, every major city has its public transport (buses, trams, and trolleybuses), which is well-developed and reasonably priced, although usually outdated. Exploring Serbia in the old-school way (buses, trains) is also possible, but it requires much more patience and time. There is an extensive network of intercity bus connections, and each small town has its stop (or bus station) where you can buy a ticket or check the timetable. The problem with buses is planning, as there is a lack of reliable information online. You have to go to the station in person or call; there is a good chance they only speak Serbian there.
Tip: chill in the face of the inevitable, just like the locals. The timetable says the bus will arrive in two minutes and you’ve been waiting for twenty? Don’t panic. It will come when it will come anyway.
5. Money, ATM and currency exchange
The official currency in Serbia is the Serbian Dinar (RSD), and €1 is around 117 dinars.
You can get your travel money ahead, but locating a bank is easy if you need more. Locals never go there, though, as they prefer small currency exchange offices (officially approved and called menjačnica), which are everywhere (commission is less than in a bank, and they accept any foreign currency).
ATMs are also easy to find and use, offering a few language options for foreigners.
Tip: never get out of cash when you are in Serbia. In some places, they don’t accept cards (taxis, street markets), and occasionally, they experience problems with POS terminals in shops and or Kiosks so that you may end up without shopping or a bus ticket. Serbians love cash. They go to the ATM before they go shopping. Don’t be surprised by empty self-service checkouts and endless lines to the classic, manned checkout.
6. Prices
Researching Serbia on the internet, you can find comments that the country is cheap or that Belgrade is one of the cheapest European capitals. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially now, when prices in Serbia are increasing just as much as elsewhere. Yes, average earnings in Serbia are lower than in the European Union, but it is a mistake to translate this into lower prices. For a few days in Belgrade, you have to pay the same as in Rome or Barcelona. You will pay similarly for dinner in a restaurant, KFC, or grocery shopping in a local store. Of course, some things are cheaper (cigarettes, taxis, public transport or entrance tickets to local attractions), but others are even more expensive (clothes from well-known Western brands, electronics). By definition, local things are cheaper than imported ones, and you can usually find a decent local substitute for what you know from home.
Tip: open yourself and enjoy a different culture. Don’t go to McDonalds for lunch. Instead, go to the local Pekara and try burek or pita. It is a Serbian fast food that tastes so much better. It’s also a much healthier and cheaper option.
7. Language
In Serbia, as you can easily guess, people speak Serbian. Writing uses two alphabets: Cyrillic, enriched with a few additional letters, and Latin transcription. We will see such dual inscriptions on road signs, although, for example, official documents are written only in Cyrillic. Serbs are relaxed about the written word and use both alphabets simultaneously. Foreign films on TV sometimes have subtitles in Cyrillic, sometimes in Latin, and the same is true of street names. You can ask for a menu in English in a restaurant, although some have a menu in Serbian and written in Cyrillic only. Fortunately, there is Google Translator, which does a decent job.
Serbian is a Slavic language. If you’re from Eastern Europe, it will be a pleasant murmur in your ear, as many words sound similar in this part of Europe. A Pole or a Czech will come to terms with a Serb when they speak slowly and want to listen. An Englishman, a German or a Chinese person will not understand anything, but they will still receive friendly attention and a sincere desire to help.
Tip: you will be surprised how many people in Serbia speak English fluently. Virtually everyone speaks in restaurants, larger stores, healthcare facilities and banks. Random people on the street can switch to English just like that. Unfortunately, it is the only foreign language spoken here. A French or Italian will have to change to Shakespeare’s language whenever possible.
Serbia as a travel destination
Serbia is well worth visiting. It is a beautiful country with a long history. You can find exciting monuments here, stunning landscapes, healthy and tasty food, and feel the traditional Balkan folklore, which, in its uniqueness, is so intensely saturated with Turkish influences. For many, Serbia can be like travelling back in time because, despite the increasing modernity, it often feels like time has stopped here for a moment. It is an excellent destination for a more extended, quiet rest and a quick, refreshing city break!
