Embarking on a route through Serbia by car is ideal if you want to enjoy a quintessential Central European experience, because this Balkan country is one of the great unknowns of the continent. We tell you how to get around the country and the main spots you should visit.
Route through Serbia by car: a different and varied experience
A route through Serbia by car can easily be done in a week. From the north to the south of the country, distances are short and, in normal conditions, it won't take you more than two or three hours to travel to each location. There are several potential routes, from the north, the south or the capital, to be able to spend a day or two in each place, or travel from neighbouring Montenegro or Croatia. These are some of the options available to you:
1. Vojvodina: Novi Sad, Subotica and Fruška Gora
The autonomous province of Vojvodina is a crossroads of cultures where, in addition to Serbian, there are Hungarian, Slovak, Croatian and Romanian influences. This is not only noticeable in the use of language, but also in its architecture. From Novi Sad, you can reach other places by car.
Novi Sad is the regional capital and the second most populated city in the country. On the banks of the Danube, this city has an old town with an Austro-Hungarian air, the monumental Church of the Holy Name of Mary in the Main Square, its 18th-century Petrovaradin fortress (nicknamed "Gibraltar on the Danube") and the urban art murals in the city. If you want, you can also go on a river cruise.
Subotica is a small town in the northern tip of the country, right on the Hungarian border. This proximity, and the influence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, means that it features numerous examples of Art Nouveau, such as the town hall building, the synagogue, the Subotica Savings Bank Palace, the Golden Lamb hotel, and the Leovic, Demeter and Raichle palaces.
The Fruška Gora mountain range is one of the country's main landscapes. The Serbian part was declared a National Park in 1960 and consists mainly of oak, beech and, above all, linden forests. In this area, you will find 12 perfectly preserved Orthodox monasteries, ideal for a day out.
2. Route through Serbia by car: Belgrade
The Serbian capital, also on the banks of the Danube, is the most populous city in the country and you can spend two or three days exploring on foot or using public transport. Because of its traditional dimension, the city has a great number of tourist attractions. The Kalemegdan fortress is the most significant and imposing, built during the third century B.C. with successive refurbishments. It is the oldest part and traditional heart of the city, as well as a park for everyday activities for the locals. There is also the museum of Nikola Tesla, the Church of St. Sava and the Republic Square.
The city also has a lively shopping hub and nightlife to fully disconnect; it is one of the continent's best kept secrets.
Belgrade has an international airport (Nikola Tesla) with direct flights from London. This might be a good place to start your route because it takes no more than 3 hours on local roads and highways to reach any of the country's borders.
3. Niš
Niš is the third most populated city in the country and is also known for being the birthplace of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. Some of the must-see places are the 18th-century fortress, the Skull Tower (macabre, but a Serbian nationalist monument) and the Red Cross concentration camp.
On the lighter side, you have the King Milan Square or you can go shopping in the evenings. Due to its characteristics and university-focused centre, Niš has been able to combine the traditional and the cosmopolitan to a T. From here, it is easier to reach Mokra Gora, another must-see.
4. Mokra Gora
Mokra Gora, situated in the extreme southwest of the country, is another key hotspot for anyone looking to get to know the country in depth. It features a stunning natural environment and the so-called "iron railroad" or Šargan Eight, in the Zlatibor mountain, restored in 2003 and following a route in the shape of eight.
As a traditional place, Mokra Gora is considered by the UN as one of the best tourist villages in the world, as a complex that combines landscapes with traditional architecture. It is close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically with the Serbian sector.
Rent your car in Serbia with OK Mobility and get ready for a journey full of discoveries. This road trip through Serbia is truly fascinating — you’ll discover new places along the way. At OK Mobility, we offer you several rental options to suit your needs. Contact us and explore all the possibilities available!
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