Table of Contents
Introduction
Solo in Serbia wasn’t what I expected at all. I had told a few friends and colleagues, and the reactions were mixed: some were curious, some were confused, and others were genuinely surprised. “Why are you going to Serbia?” was the question I heard more than once. Many were like, why not just go to Spain! I love Spain, but I wanted something different.
It’s fair. Not everyone goes and says yes lets travel to Serbia, because it isn’t a country most people see as a solo destination, especially not for Black women. But a friend had mentioned how much she enjoyed it, and something in me just knew I had to travel to Serbia and see it for myself.
Looking back now, I’m soo glad I did. And I think it was even better, I went solo. I had no expectations and went with fresh eyes. Serbia reminded me why I love visiting new countries that aren’t always on everyone’s radar. As a Black woman deciding to travel to Serbia, this trip meant more than I can put into words. If you are ever considered going anywhere solo, I would highly recommend travelling solo. You can use my solo travel hub to get you started.
My travel to Serbia turned out to be everything and more. To be honest with you, I wasn’t sure what to expect solo travelling to Serbia as a Black women but it was warm with welcoming people were some of the kindest I’ve met. Everywhere I went, people were super helpful too. I prepared myself mentally for the possibility of stares or comments, but I didn’t get any. Like none at all. Instead, I received compliments, kindness, and genuine curiosity. One woman told me how beautiful I was. A child introduced himself and smiled warmly. The warmth I felt caught me off guard a little, but in the best way you could imagine.
I’ll be honest, at times it got me a bit emotional. A country that many people hardly talk about turned into being one of the most beautiful destinations I’ve been to.
This solo travel to Serbia guide covers everything you need to know if you’re doing solo in Serbia safely (especially as a Black woman), where to stay, what to eat, how to get around, and the magical hidden gems that I truly believe everyone should see. So if you are deciding should I travel to Serbia is perfect for solo travellers, couples, groups, and anyone who wants to experience something different.
You should also read:
- 16 Best Countries for Black Women to Solo Travel (Safe & Real Experiences)
- 5 Amazing Underrated Destinations For Black Women to Visit Solo
- Is Serbia Safe for Solo Female Travellers? My Honest Experience (as a Black Woman)
Entry Requirements to Travel to Serbia
Serbia is surprisingly easy for many nationalities. To travel to Serbia for British, American, and Canadian citizens, you can stay visa free up to 90 days within a 180 day period. For Chinese citizen, you can stay visa-free up to 30 days.
For Nigerians visas are required and must be applied for before arrival. For any other visa applications, you can apply through here.
(If your nationality isn’t listed, always check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for updates.)
About Serbia
Serbia is a landlocked country (where other countries surround one country) in Southeast and Central Europe. It is known for its rich history, warm hospitality and diverse landscapes from the flat Pannonian plains in the north to the dramatic Balkan mountains in the south. Its capital, Belgrade, is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and is filled with culture, architecture, art, and an energy you feel the moment you arrive.
The main language is Serbian, but many people, especially in Belgrade, speak excellent English, so communication is easy even if you don’t speak the local language.
The currency is the Serbian dinar (RSD). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, especially in Belgrade. However, it’s useful to carry a bit of cash for taxis or rural areas during day trips, but I barely struggled with card payments.
Why Travel to Serbia in Winter?
Serbia in winter is a magical fairytale. Snowy mountains, cosy cafés, lots of mulled wine, empty attractions, and quite beautiful gems. After being in a hot country for so long I was craving snow, good food, and an affordable luxury escape. And guess what Serbia delivered all of this and more.
Zlatibor especially blew me away. The snowy mountains, the clean air, the peacefulness taking the cable cars up into the mountains so I could see some snow!
Is Travelling Solo Travel to Serbia, Is it Safe for Solo Female Travellers (Especially Black Women)?
The simplest answer is yes. I felt very safe in Serbia. Like really safe. Serbia isn’t a country where you see many tourists from around the world, let alone Black tourists, and that’s exactly why I wanted to visit. I wanted to see it all for myself. And I’m so glad I did. It made me realise that underrated destinations are necessary for Black women, especially as a solo Black woman; we need to see ourselves more in places that we haven’t grown up being seen in. We need to take up more space.
Now don’t get me wrong. People were curious in a positive way, but never rude. A child introduced himself to me and then asked my name and waved at me with so much innocence. It was super cute. The hotel and restaurant staff treated me with so much kindness. And locals, they complimented me. I wasn’t once stared at. I wasn’t followed, and I didn’t receive any racial slur comments. This made the trip perfect, all of which made me feel so comfortable and fall in love with the fact that I did travel to Serbia.
We need to see ourselves more in places that we haven’t grown up being seen in. We need to take up more space.
Walking alone at night in central Belgrade felt safe. I felt comfortable exploring and eating solo. And can you believe that I even left my camera and selfie stick on a bus and truly believed they were gone forever, only for them to be returned to me the next morning with no issues at all. That tells you everything you need to know about the country.
How to Travel to Serbia
If you decide to travel to Serbia from London, flights to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport take around 2 hours and 45 minutes. My round trip cost £68, but I met other solo travellers on my tour to Eastern Serbia who paid even less, so definitely shop around. Airlines include Wizz Air, Air Serbia, and sometimes British Airways.
Where to Stay in Serbia
I stayed in three hotels, there is a lot of option in accommodation in Belgrade, Serbia. However, in Zlatibor Serbia, I would only recommend one place for you to stay. Of course all the accommodation I stayed in were super accommodating, came with good food and were situated centrally or close to things I needed.
Hotel Calisi (Belgrade) – A beautiful hotel with Asian-inspired décor, warm lighting, and a calm atmosphere. It was central, stylish and perfect for my first night.
Nobel Design Hotel (Belgrade) – Modern, minimalistic and chic. Super central, close to transport links, and great for solo travellers who love clean aesthetics.
Hotel Tornik (Zlatibor) – This was my winter paradise. A 5-star hotel with snowy mountain views, a spa, and even a rotating restaurant. Staying here felt like a proper retreat, peaceful and cosy. If you want the winter wonderland experience, this is where you go.
Below is a map of the hotels I stayed in Serbia, which you can click and follow to book.
How to Get Around Serbia
Transport in Belgrade
Getting around Belgrade is incredibly easy. Buses are free, trams are simple to navigate, and Google Maps works well. There’s no Uber, so taxis are metered and relatively inexpensive.
Belgrade to Zlatibor
Zlatibor is around three hours away. You can go by bus (most common) or train (more scenic, but less frequent). I took the bus because both stations were within walking distance of my hotel.
You can book through Onimo or in person. Just get to the station 20 minutes before it leaves. You can check the bus times here.
A Solo in Serbia Winter Itinerary (6 Days)
Day 1: Arrival in Belgrade
Check into Hotel Calisi. Relax, explore the area, and have dinner at Toro or Ambar for your first taste of Serbian food.
Day 2: Eastern Serbia Day Trip
I booked a guided day trip through Viator which took us to:
- Resava Cave a stunning limestone formation and quiet beauty.
- Krupaj Springs, a turquoise cold spring that felt like a real life fairytale.
- Lisine Waterfall was peaceful, tall and surrounded by nature.
We also stopped for lunch at Restoran sa prenoćištem “Gornjak”, where I had fresh trout with an olive oil and garlic sauce, which was one of the best meals I had in Serbia.
In the evening, we headed back to Belgrade, where I chilled at the hotel and then later in the evening, I headed to the Christmas Market for mulled wine, caramel popcorn and winter street food.
Day 3: Explore Belgrade
Spend your day wandering Knez Mihailova Street, Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade Waterfront and the churches. Grab a coffee at Kafeterija and enjoy the laid back city vibe.
Day 4: Travel to Zlatibor
In the morning, I headed to Zlatibor and checked into Hotel Tornik. The holiday resort came with a spa, beautiful views, and a 360-degree rotating restaurant that serves delicious cocktails and food.
Day 5: Zlatibor’s Snowy Mountains
In the morning, I took the Gold Gondola Cable Car a 25 minute scenic ride to the snowy peaks. In the evening, I caught a coach back up to Belgrade in the evening.
Day 6: Last Morning in Belgrade
In the morning, I walked to the Republic Square, bought a few souvenirs, and had one last Serbian meal, then caught a taxi to Belgrade airport. You can also catch a bus (which is free) or shuttle to Belgrade airport.
What to Eat in Serbia
Serbian food is hearty, rich and perfect for winter. Some of my favourites were:
- Kajmak (creamy, buttery spread)
- Urnebes (spicy cheese AMAZING)
- Ćevapi
- Sarma
- Komplet Lepinja (Zlatibor speciality)
- Mulled wine (my personal favourite).
- Palačinke (pancakes)
Restaurant must-visit: Ambar. I went twice because the food is THAT good.
What to Pack for Serbia in Winter
Moon boots or any type of winter boots if you are taking a bigger suitcase you can also take a pair of trainers:
- Thermal leggings x3
- One pair of jeans
- Jumpers/knitwear x3
- Two coats, one for evening and day time (light and heavy)
- Gloves, hat, scarves
- Power bank
- Crossbody for safety
- Skincare for cold weather
- Hair products
I have done a video of how I packed this, which you can watch here. And there is a packing list toolkit which you can download for free here.
Other Travel Resources
- My Instagram and TikTok have quick reels and specifics of my visit to Serbia.
- Always carry some cash, Serbians use Serbian Dinar your money will go far.
- Before going to any of these countries, I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
- Book with Viator or Get Your Guide if you want specific tours for Serbia. Please read the reviews before booking!
- I used Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279.
General Costs in Serbia
Prices vary by season, but overall, Serbia is extremely affordable compared to Western Europe.
- Hotels: £60-£150 per a night
- Meals: £6-£20 depending where you eat
- Taxi: £3-£20 depending on where you are going
- Day trip: around £80
Final Views: So Solo in Serbia?
Absolutely! Solo in Serbia was an absolutely amazing experience. I didn’t expect to be so welcomed to enjoy the food so much, and just to see so many beautiful gems and architecture. It was a perfect winter break, which I have been craving for the longest time.
Serbia gave me everything, peace and a fresh perspective of Eastern European or Balkan countries, despite going to the more popular countries like Montenegro, Bulgaria, Turkey and Croatia in the past.
It’s perfect for solo travellers, especially Black women who want to explore somewhere new without stress. I will certainly be going back, maybe sometime in the summer. I would like to get the train there, visit Subotica and Novi Sad in the North. Oh, and if I had the chance, I would have defo gone to visit Tara National Park. I need to find another cheap flight in the summer.
What do you think? Will you be doing solo in Serbia anytime soon? Let me know in the comments. And I will see you very soon.
If you have any questions, ask away, and my DMs are open on Instagram or TikTok for any specific questions on Serbia. And don’t forget to subscribe.
Debs MBV x
