Serbia

Overview

The Republic of Serbia is a landlocked country located at the juncture of Central and Southeastern Europe at the central Balkans and southern Pannonian Plain.

The country recorded a population of 6.982 million in 2018 and covers an area of 88,361 km2.

Its capital and largest city is Belgrade. The core landmark is Beogradska Tvrdava which marked the beginning of the city’s importance to the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Australian and Serbian Empires.

Other major cities are Nis, Novi Sad and Subotica.

Boats along the Danube River.

History

Serbia was part of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 18th centuries.

It became an autonomous principality in 1817. Its independence was however recognized by the International Treaties in 1878.

After the First World War in 1918, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was formed and later dissolved in 1991 after Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia and Bosnia withdrew.

The Montenegro and Serbia formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1992.

They separated in 2006 and Serbia gained full independence.

Food & culture

The country’s culture is based on the cultures of Greek, Mediterranean and Middle East regions.

The crops grown in the country are cereals, sugar beet, oil turnip, pepper, turnip, sunflower and hop.

The popular dishes are sarma, cevapi, burek, prebranac, gibanica and karadordeva snicla.

Wildlife

The animals living in Serbia are chamois, mouflon, wild boar, arctic wolf, foxes, bears and wild pigs.

Festivals & events

The main celebrated events are EXIT Festival, Belgrade Beer Fest, Guca Trumpet Festival, Love Fest and Niceville.

Things to see

People like visiting Belgrade Fortress that has an old citadel and Kalemegdan Park in Belgrade.

There is also the Kalemegdan Park, which is a historical monument in Belgrade and the country’s largest park.

Also, there is the Temple of Saint Sava, which is a Serbian Orthodox Church on Vracar plateau.

Other must-visit places are Knez Mihailova Street, Drvengrad and Petrovaradin Fortress.

Interesting facts

The official language is Serbian.

The main religion is Serbian Orthodox Christianity.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Belgrade

Run a marathon in Serbia

Belgrade Marathon

Belgrade · usually April

One of the oldest marathons in the Balkans, along the Sava and Danube.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Serbia

0 of 4 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from Serbia

April 2017 Balkans Road Trip

Belgrade

Whole trip gallery

Plan your trip to Serbia

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