15 Best Things to Do in Serbia: Hidden Gems Beyond the Balkans

Serbia unfolds across river gorges and mountain silences, where fortress shadows stretch long over Danube curves and ancient monasteries hum with unseen chants. Fortress towers watch cargo boats slip past at dusk, while wolves prowl Tara's shadowed edges. Tight kafana alleys echo with rakija toasts and plucked gusle strings, blending Ottoman stone with Austro-Hungarian vaults. Villages cling to gorge walls, their painted facades catching the first snow. Caves breathe cold air carrying bat echoes, and lynx eyes glint from Uvac's hairpin turns. Steam rises from roadside ćevapi grills as locals share wooden benches under linden shade. Dusk paints Kalemegdan gold while eagles wheel above Petrovaradin's underground jazz cellars. These rank among the best things to do in Serbia. Keep surfing while you move around Serbia using SimCorner’s eSIM, ideal when hiking the Tara canyons, eating ćevapi at a local spot in Novi Sad, wandering Belgrade’s painted alleys, or talking to folks in traditional dresses out in rural towns.

1. Wander Belgrade’s Riverside Fortress (Kalemegdan)

Walk around Belgrade, where the old fortress watches over the meeting point of two rivers; when the sun drops, golden light hits the big white temple that used to host royal ceremonies under imperial rule. Sellers offer hand-carved religious figures while musicians pluck deep-toned strings close to weathered stone, remnants of Turkish days blend with bold murals painted on brick. Head up to the tall clock tower for wide-open views, or just hang out at a floating bar-boat as cargo boats drift past. This iconic spot anchors the classic and best things to do in Serbia, blending Ottoman remnants with vibrant street life since the 3rd century BC.

2. Explore Novi Sad’s Petrovaradin Fortress

Near Zmaj Jovanović Square, fountains glimmer while coffee scents float through the air. Below ground, jazz hums in spots carved during Austro-Hungarian times. The EXIT Festival pumps energy into hidden fortress passageways. That is inside Petrovaradin, called the "Gibraltar of the Danube." Climb up the clock tower, city rooftops stretch wide across sight. Built in the 17th century across 16 hectares with 16 km of underground tunnels, this fortress hosts Europe's biggest summer music festival, one of Serbia's top attractions.

3. Visit Niš Skull Tower and Ottoman Heritage

Wander through this old Ottoman town where UNESCO spots meet the eerie Skull Tower, made from rebel remains, close to the lively Čair Spring. Baroque rooftops rise above hot mineral pools; locals serve rakija at lodges shaded by linden canopies, blending Turkish traditions with southern Serbian taste. Check out outdoor displays uncovering hidden WWII stories. The 19th-century Skull Tower contains 952 rebel skulls as a grim Ottoman warning, now a protected monument and key Serbian tourist attraction.

4. Discover Subotica’s Art Nouveau Palic Lake

Renaissance Plaza is surrounded by fancy ironwork, look out from Palic Lake where scenes blend into market stalls full of dried plants, whereas underground taverns hum with string music. This spot holds the continent’s highest timber altar inside St. Theresa Church. Over 100 Art Nouveau buildings grace this Vojvodina gem near Hungary, with the lake offering thermal waters and lakeside promenades, a Serbian hidden gem.

5. Ride Zlatibor’s Mountain Cable Car

Tara's entrance mixes hot springs with a climbing cable ride. Paths trade quietly for market stands selling honey, while children roll past old murals, now loud with spray paint. Seats rise toward sharp edges cutting through clouds. At 1,500m elevation, this resort connects to Tara National Park via Serbia's longest gondola (5.8km), highlighting prime things to do in Serbia.

6. Experience Serbian Slava Festivals and Gusle Music

Serbia holds tight to old ways, gustle songs drift across Vojvodina’s fields, while folk costumes carry hidden meanings. Over at Gamzigrad, echoes of emperors linger in broken walls. Slava celebrations burst with life, where families lay out grain-covered dishes for holy days. When summer peaks, bonfires blaze just as flower crowns sail down the Danube. Meanwhile, streets ignite with horn-heavy music, people dancing under masks. Villagers string flowers while circling fires, singing, linking past and now. In spring, Vidovdan stirs horned figures dancing out cold, moving to pounding rhythms. Kalemegdan hides gems where church bells chime. Inside museums, you will find detailed Easter eggs on view. In villages, noisy puppet acts bring out giggles. During Fasching, people fly kites in big groups. Streets burst, crusty rye torn by hand, tangy kraut piled deep. Music hums through plazas, tables swathed in fabric send up hot wisps of bean stew.

7. Trek Tara National Park’s Bear Trails

Wander Serbia's untamed spots, thick Tara woods humming with bears, silent wolves prowling, and eagles circling high above. Drift through Đerdap's narrow cliffs, check old scratches on tree trunks, watch small birds zip across waterfalls. Europe's largest virgin beech forest (220 sq km) hosts brown bears, wolves, and over 200 bird species across 30 peaks above 1,500m. Tara National Park offers essential things to do in Serbia for nature lovers.

8. Explore Drvengrad: Kusturica’s Wooden Village

Wander Serbia’s untamed spots, thick Tara woods humming with bears, silent wolves prowling, and eagles circling high above. Drift through Đerdap’s narrow cliffs, check old scratches on tree trunks, watch small birds zip across waterfalls. Hike along winding Uvac paths under skies filled with gliding vultures. Misty thickets hide night owls; wetlands burst with rare flowers, beavers slipping by as day breaks. Start along the Danube from Belgrade, float past carp. When dark comes, glide around curves where stars mix with far-off glimmers. Head inland to Resava Cave, bats skitter, their sounds bounce, warm water eases your muscles. As evening deepens, locals point out tiny glowing worms; you might spot deer stepping through silver-lit meadows. Then the Uvac Gorge wild ride, rusty ladders climb above roaring drops at Međuvršje; sheer cliffs mean gear is a must. This reveals Serbia's hidden gems.

9. Descend Stopića Cave’s Ice Formations

Step into a 2km stretch of limestone wonder, where dripping water builds giant hanging spikes inside shimmering chambers, while ice stays frozen in motion. These ancient structures hover just above freezing, glowing like clusters of glass lights. Crawl through icy, narrow paths; picture-takers grab dreamy blue tones that feel like the Arctic, Serbia's coldest hidden gem. Year-round ice at -2°C creates Serbia's largest ice cave with 18 halls.

10. Climb Golubac Fortress on the Danube Cliffs

Balanced on rocky cliffs above Đerdap, this 14th-century fortress watches over the Danube, and carved stones from 100 AD tell old tales. Climb winding staircases up to walls where views stretch far; underground rooms hold weapons in dim light. Not far off, hot springs soothe tired legs after walking; roadside grills roast kolači over open fire. Nine towers span 3 football fields in Iron Gates National Park, a top Serbian tourist attraction.

11. Raft Uvac Canyon Attraction

Besides rafts drifting through Uvac's curved turns, cliffs of stone catch glimpses of lynx moving quietly, while eagles wheel above open southern stretches. Trek the Three Peaks Path, it ties old watchposts together, and opens up wide views down below. Crocus blooms burst out when spring hits; come autumn, slopes glow red and gold. The famous meander horseshoe viewed from Veliki (560m) lookout makes Uvac Canyon Serbia, a standout.

12. Stargaze at Kopaonik Astro Observatory

On Kopaonik's heights around 2,000 meters, watching stars feels like discovery meeting mountain silence; thin air makes meteor streaks sharp. When daylight hits, frozen lakes throw back cliff faces clear as glass. Once dark falls, telescopes pull out spiral worlds hidden above. Serbia's highest peak (2,017m) hosts Europe's southernmost dark-sky observatory, one of the best things to do in Serbia.

13. Photograph Tara Dawn and Kalemegdan Sunset

Dawn paints Tara's slopes in light, and mist hides Pančić's top. Over Uvac, herons glide while rivers tremble. The sun sets Kalemegdan glowing. Wind shakes Golubac's banners. Rain calls out kingfishers; eagles rise like those above Orava, climbing from soaked walls. Prime drone spots include Uvac viewpoints and the Petrovaradin clock tower. Then, a remote village in the east hides deep in a gorge, surprising visitors with over 100 houses covered in old geometric patterns, sharp black and white markings dating back to the 1700s. Instead of paint, locals once used hearts and eyes carved into wooden beams. Each cabin now holds small displays showing how these designs were made; meanwhile, winter drops thick snow that looks like magical patchwork spread across rooftops. A perfect spot to capture moments, a true Serbian hidden gem.

14. Taste Serbia’s Street Food: Ćevapi and Rakija

Highlands bring strong flavors, think sharp cheese depth. Ćevapi goes well with kvass instead. Gulaš cooks slowly alongside leafy greens. Ocvirki grill up smoky on busy streets. Salami's rough edges come from fermentation. Krompiruša fries until crisp, then gets a creamy finish. Rakija heats you up, made from distilled plums. Kapusnica turns tangy, built around winter cabbage. Ćevapi (grilled minced meat) served with ajvar in lepinja bread; rakija (fruit brandy) at 40-50% ABV.

15. Serbia Itinerary: Belgrade to Uvac

Glide along Tara’s paths where echoes mimic deer, while a gustle whispers beneath the dimming Danube sky. Cross Vlasina Lake in old wooden boats, watching reeds rise from the water's edge. Sip rakija near flickering bugs, munching pljeskavica under endless stars. Work Zlatibor soil alongside shepherds, see flocks spiral after dawn. A hut by Užice, handwoven rugs warm, flames humming old tunes, hunting wild mushrooms served over cornmeal. Soar above Vojvodina’s flatlands, or wander icy tunnels deep inside Arsen’s cave, where frost builds glassy ceilings nonstop. Hit Belgrade's fortress first, then take a slow walk by the Sava River instead. Take an old train up to Tara National Park, sleep in a small hut when night hits. The next day, walk through Novi Sad on foot, no rush. Paddle across quiet Vlasina Lake in a kayak later. Soak stiff muscles at Vrnjačka's warm springs after that. Climb one of those twisty Spomenik towers shaped like spirals. Check out wooden churches along the Danube before looping back. Wrap it up in Belgrade with smoky ćevapi stands and villagers dancing kolo in circles. Finish strong hiking steep paths near Uvac Canyon, Serbia. This itinerary highlights the top things to do in Serbia.

Staying Connected With SimCorner

Serbia's rugged mountains, deep gorges, and remote parks like Tara National Park and Uvac Canyon Serbia often lack reliable signals, making navigation, trail maps, wildlife apps, bookings, and photo sharing challenging, especially on multi-day hikes or rural drives. SimCorner eSIMs solve this with instant activation upon arrival, no physical SIM swaps, no local registration hassles, and superior coverage over roaming fees or local SIMs. They provide reliable 4G/5G in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, plus rural data everywhere. Explore eSIM Serbia or Serbia SIM card options, and check our full collection for regional Balkan plans. Power banks prove essential for extended Tara treks.

Things to do in Serbia: FAQs

What are the best things to do in Serbia for first-time visitors?

Start with Belgrade fortress and Kalemegdan for essential Belgrade things to do, add Novi Sad's Petrovaradin and EXIT Festival vibes, then Tara National Park hikes. These top Serbian tourist attractions capture cities, culture, and nature in 7-10 days, blending urban energy with wild landscapes for an ideal introduction.

How many days to see Serbia's highlights?

Spent 7-10 days: Belgrade (2-3), Novi Sad/Niš (2), Tara National Park/Uvac Canyon, Serbia (3-4). Two weeks adds Kopaonik, Đerdap cruise, and Serbia's hidden gems like Drvengrad for deeper best things to do in Serbia. Adjust for festivals or winter sports.

Do you need an eSIM for Serbia travel?

Yes, essential as urban 4G works well, but rural Tara National Park or Uvac fades fast. eSIM Serbia or Serbia SIM card from SimCorner ensures maps, bookings, and apps function everywhere without roaming fees or hassles, outperforming local options.

Best time for Serbia attractions?

May-June or September-October offer mild weather for hiking top attractions in Serbia like Tara National Park trails. Summer brings the EXIT Festival (July); winter delivers Kopaonik snow (Dec-Mar). Avoid the July-August heat for fortress climbs and canyons.

Is Serbia safe for solo travelers?

Serbia remains very safe, and welcoming locals share rakija and trail tips at Serbian tourist attractions. Stick to marked paths in Tara National Park, use apps for night taxis in Belgrade, and book guides for remote caves like Stopića. Standard precautions suffice.