For a long time Serbia was a pariah on the world stage. However, it is now a multicultural hotspot, emerging from relative isolation to showcase its many delights and shake off its negative image of previous years. The dominant part of the former Yugoslavia, Serbia has played a pivotal role in world history as well. And the legacies of this history are clear everywhere you go.
Our Serbia holidays and tours take you through a land of fertile plains, forested mountains, vibrant cities and gushing rivers. You’ll discover the stories, sights and traditions that have remained relatively unknown to outsiders.
We explore ancient monasteries richly decorated with frescoes and icons and old fortresses. Elsewhere, the remnants of the Turkish occupation can be seen in atmospheric backstreets and bazaars thick with the aroma of coffee and kebabs, where the Orient seems close.
Like its neighbours, Serbia occupies a place at the juncture of different civilisations, on old trade routes between north and south, east and west. Roman ruins vie for space with old Turkish fortresses and Orthodox cathedrals. The fault lines that run through the region make it an exhilarating destination to explore. They have, of course, also been the source of many of the problems that the Balkans have faced over the years.
Top highlights on Serbia holidays and tours
- Visit the monasteries of Fruska Gora, the ‘Holy Mountain’
- Wander through the Turkish quarter of Novi Pazar
- Explore the bustling capital, Belgrade
- See the skull tower of Nis
Modern cities like Belgrade – one of the Balkans’ largest and liveliest – look very much towards the future. At the same time in the hills, old farming villages have changed little in generations. Here the people follow gentle rhythms of traditional life, with old customs still playing a role. Whether in the cities or villages, you’ll find the Serbian people irrepressible, always welcoming, and with a spirit that cannot be quenched.
Culture
Most people belong to the Serbian Orthodox church, a self-governing body that has wielded a great deal of political power throughout the country’s history. In the southwest of the country there is a sizeable Muslim population, and there are also Catholic and Protestant minorities. Serbs speak Serbian, a Slavic language related to Croatian but written in the Cyrillic alphabet.
The zadruga – an extended family household composed of several generations – still survives in Serbia, unlike most of its neighbours, although it is more often seen in rural areas than in the towns. Also important is the vamilija, or lineage traced from a common male ancestor. Vamilija members share a last name and venerate the same patron saint, whose annual feast day is one of the most important for the family.
Serbs also have a grand tradition of oral poetry, often accompanied by a single-stringed instrument called a gusle. This is now becoming more rare, but if you get the chance to experience a performance, we’d heartily recommend it.
When to go on holiday to Serbia
The best time to visit Serbia is from May to October – the winters can be cold, especially in the mountain regions, and early spring wet. It can be quite cool at any time of year, depending on where you are, but the summer is reliably the warmest and most pleasant time to explore Serbia.
Start planning your Serbia holiday or tour
Check out our small group tour to Serbia: Highlights of the Balkans. Many of our trips are small group adventures with set departures. However, as a bespoke operator, we can design and create trips to suit any traveller, from solos to larger groups. If you would like to find out more about tailor-made holidays to Serbia or our group tours, call us on 01473 328546 or email us via our contact page. We’d love to hear from you.
