Belgrade: Past Meets Present

Belgrade meaning ‘White City’ is Serbia‘s beloved capital. As soon as you step into the city you will see its chaotic past before you, from socialism, the Ottoman Empire, and even a Hamburg legacy, there is plenty of history to be explored. You will find the Danube and Sava rivers meet in the city, which is surrounded by historical buildings, creative hubs, and museums that guard the culture and religious heritage of Serbia.

The Belgrade Fortress is famous in the city, but it is also a park, known as Kalemegdan Park, and is filled with history and culture. You will find museums scattered throughout and provide an array of Serbian history. It is also a spot that provides fantastic views over the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Take yourself on a visit to the Church of St. Sava or to pick up some interesting fashions, the Knez Mihailova is the spot to visit with plenty of shops to peruse. It is also a good spot to lounge in cafes and enjoy the local cuisine in the restaurants that line the street.

Belgrade is known for having a vibrant nightlife, with boats and clubs to keep you entertained. The two main streets for the nightlife are Skadarlika and Cetinjska. Skadarlika is the bohemian quarter with the oldest restaurants, where you will be able to enjoy fine food whilst live bands serenade you. Cetinjska has plenty of bars and clubs to venture for an action-packed evening.

Belgrade Bus Station → Sremski Karlovci Rail Station | Duration: 1:38h | Transfers: 0

There are four options to go by bus to Sremski Karlovci, with three being in the early morning and one in the afternoon. The journey takes a little over an hour. This leg of the journey was at one point serviced by train but it is no longer running. The Sremski Karlovci bus station is found at the Sremski Karlovci railway station. Buy these bus tickets online from OMIO.

Sremski Karlovci: Scenic Vistas

Set against the famous Danube River, this small town has an abundance of history dating back to the Romans and has interesting baroque architecture. You will find delicious local wines to sample and easy access to the Fruška Gora National Park.

You will be able to see the entire town on foot since life tends to revolve around the main square. This square is home to the Patriarchate Court which now hosts the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church inside. The town has a few restaurants to enjoy the local cuisine, and the Bermet Villa looks out over scenic vistas whilst serving delicious dishes. And if you want to enjoy the taste of the local wines then you can head to the Beekeeping Museum of the Živanović family that combines apiculture with winemaking.

You will have the chance to wind down the day with tasters and look out over the view. Take a trip to the Fruška Gora National Park, which envelops rolling hills filled with wineries and plenty of hiking trails to explore.

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Sremski Karlovci Railway Station → Novi Sad, Autobuska Stanica | Duration: 0:16 h | Transfers: 0

The bus stop There are four daily buses to Novi Sad. The ride only takes 16 minutes. Book your bus tickets online with OMIO.

Novi Sad: Picturesque Beauty

Next stop on this Serbia itinerary, you will have plenty of idyllic parks, outdoor cafes and vibrant bars to enjoy in this picturesque town. You will find an interesting and creative history, filled with galleries and an alternative music scene. It is set in one of Serbia’s prettier regions, which is home to gorgeous villages to explore and intriguing architecture.

Petrovaradin’s Fortress is the most visited tourist attraction due to its views over the area and also has the famous ‘drunk clock’ that tells the time a little differently. Freedom Square is the center of the city and is between two impressive buildings. The Catholic Cathedral is opposite the town hall, showing the sheer difference between neo-gothic and neo-Renaissance architecture.

Novi Sad’s Štrand is a sand beach that runs along the Danube that is host to many activities, especially during the summer. Many visit to enjoy drinks, food, and swimming. There are several museums within the town to be explored. The City Museum and Museum of Vojvodina give great detail of the history of Serbia. There are also a variety of galleries to enjoy, showing the different styles throughout the city.

Novi Sad Train Station → Sombor Train Station | Duration: 2:23 h | Transfers: 0

There are 6 direct connections to Sombor daily, however, tickets are not able to be bought online. Check the train timetable here but buy your ticket at the station.

Sombor: Scrumptious Snacks

Sombor is considered to be one of the prettiest towns in Serbia and is a famous city in the region of Vojvodina. Here you will find beautiful architecture and interesting culture. You will be able to explore interesting galleries, enjoy a bit of statue spotting, try delicious Serbian delicacies and also learn about the history and architecture of the town.

You may even want to take a look at one of the famous paintings in Serbia by Frank Eisenhut that depicts the Battle of Senta. You should head to the Municipal Assembly Building that has a vibrant facade that attracts plenty of visitors. Having been built due to Sombor being declared the administrative center of this particular district, it is marveled at often.

Take a stroll down the relaxed pedestrian center that is full of shops and cafes, showcasing the charm of the town. You will also have the chance to do a bit of statue spotting due to Sombor having unique statues set around the city.

Sombor Train Station → Subotica Train Station | Duration: 1:12 h | Transfers: 0

There are 5 direct connections to Subotica daily, however, tickets are not able to be bought online. Check the train timetable here but buy your ticket at the station.

Subotica: Flea Markets and Serbian Art

A unique city that is on the cusp of the northern border with Hungary, you will find a variety of influences on the architecture. The city hall is often considered to be a masterpiece of Serbian architecture, an art nouveau structure with various colors, and is a standout structure for the city.

The Raichle Palace is colorful and home to Subotica’s Museum of Modern Art that shows the growth of art within Serbia. Subotica’s famous flea market hosts a variety of local artifacts to purchase, such as jewelry, handmade crafts, typewriters, and plenty of intriguing gems. Lake Palić is a great place to visit where you can relax along the shore and look out over the beautiful expanse of water.

Subotica Autobuska stanica → Kikinda Autobuska stanica | Duration: 2:00h | Transfers: 0

There is one bus that leaves daily from Subotica to Kikinda. The journey takes less than 2 hours and tickets can be reserved and bought online from OMIO.

Kikinda: Owl Sanctuary

Located to the north of Serbia is Kikinda, which is home to wonderful scenery and wildlife. You will see beautiful buildings, interesting museums, try delicious Serbian food and plenty of cafes to enjoy.

Head to Kikinda Square where a lot of the points of interest of the city are located. You can sit in one of the open cafes that look out over the square and enjoy views of the historic architecture. The Museum Kurija is located on the town square and hosts history exhibitions of the town and the district. The central yard of the museum also has a mammoth skeleton replica that was excavated nearby.

You can also head to one of the public markets held around the city and buy plenty of domestic goods to take home as souvenirs. If you visit the city in the winter you may even have the chance to spot the famous long-eared owls around the main square.

Kikinda Autobuska stanica → Vršac Autobuska stanica | Duration: 3:46h | Transfers: 0

There are no direct connections to Vršac, but with a transfer in Zrenjanin, Kikinda and Vršac are easily connected. The bus from Kikinda to Zrenjanin takes around 1:05h and departs 5 times a day. The next bus from Zrenjanin to Vršac takes 1:45h and departs 6 times a day. You will need to look up up the bus timetables for each leg separately as well as buy tickets for these two legs separately on OMIO.

Vršac: Historical Brilliance

Set in the far east of Serbia, Vršac is filled with delightful hikes and scenic views. You will see plenty of historic buildings, cafes, and bars to explore. The City Hall stands out with its brown and white color scheme that shows the reserved elegance of the city.

You will be able to walk through the collection of squares and parks in the city, with the main area being the Svetog Theodore Vrsackog Square, which also holds an enjoyable market every weekend. The Roman Catholic Cathedral is a sight not to miss with its tall twin spires that can be seen from many places in the city. It has a beautiful rose window and ornate interiors that are worth visiting.

You should climb up the Vrsac Castle that is settled on top of the hill to the east of the city. Climb the series of staircases that go through the outer neighborhoods, which provide great views of the city and the countryside that surrounds it.

Vršac Train Station → Belgrade Vukov spomenik | Duration: 1:35 h | Transfers: 1

Until train services on this line are up and running again, there is an option to take a direct bus from Vršac reaching Belgrade city center in less than two hours. Check timetables and buy these bus tickets on OMIO.

Thank you for following along on this exciting trip throughout the beautiful country of Serbia.  After enjoying any sights that you may have missed in Belgrade, consider tacking on another adventure to your trip if you’re not reading to go home yet.