What is Serbia famous for? Serbia (Serbia). Treatment in Serbia

Serbia can be considered a kind of "crossroads" of Europe. The shortest roads connecting Western Europe and the Middle East run through this country. A large number of national parks, mountains, rivers make Serbia an excellent place for outdoor activities. However, Serbia also has a large number of unique attractions and several popular balneological resorts.

Geography of Serbia

Serbia is located at the junction of Central and Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. In the north, Serbia borders on Hungary, in the east - with Romania and Bulgaria, in the south - with Macedonia, and in the west - with Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro. The total area of \u200b\u200bthis Balkan country is 88,361 sq. km, and the total length of the state border is 2,397 km.

The autonomous region of Vojvodina occupies the Pannonian Lowland, while the rest of Serbia is home to the Dinaric Alps, the Eastern Serbian Mountains, as well as the Carpathian Mountains and Stara Planina. The highest peak in Serbia is Mount Jeravica (2,656 m).

The Danube, the longest river in this country, runs through the entire territory of Serbia. The largest tributaries of the Danube are the Sava and Tisza.

Capital

The capital of Serbia is Belgrade, which is now home to over 1.2 million people. Historians believe that the first settlements on the site of modern Belgrade were founded by Celtic tribes.

Official language

The official language in Serbia is Serbian, which belongs to the South Slavic subgroup of the Slavic group of Indo-European languages.

Religion

More than 82% of the population of Serbia are Orthodox Christians (Greek Catholic Church). Another 5% of Serbs consider themselves Catholics, and 2% - Muslims.

State structure of Serbia

According to the 2006 Constitution, Serbia is a parliamentary republic. The President is elected by direct universal suffrage. Legislative power is vested in a unicameral Parliament with 250 members.

The main political parties in Serbia are the Serbian Progressive Party, the Democratic Party of Serbia, and the Socialist Party.

Climate and weather in Serbia

Serbia's climate is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the Adriatic Sea, and various mountain systems. In the north of the country, the climate is continental with hot, humid summers and cold winters, and in the south - temperate continental, with elements of the Mediterranean climate. The average air temperature in July is + 22C, and in January - about 0C. Average monthly precipitation is about 55 mm.

Average air temperature in Belgrade:

• january - -3C
• february - -2С
• march - + 2C
• april - + 7C
• may - + 12C
• june - + 15C
• july - + 17C
• august - + 17C
• september - + 13C
• october - + 8C
• november - + 4C
• december - 0С

Rivers and lakes

The Danube, the longest river in this country, runs through the entire territory of Serbia. It has tributaries Sava, Tisa, and Begei. In addition, there are other rivers in Serbia - Velika Morava, Tamish, West Morava, Drina, Ibar, South Morava, Timok and Radik.

Serbia has several large natural and artificial lakes - Lake Djerdap, White Lake, Palich, Borsko, Srebrno, Zlatar, etc.

History of Serbia

The Slavs settled on the territory of modern Serbia in the 17th century A.D. After a while Serbia fell under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. In the middle of the 10th century, an independent Slavic principality was formed in western Serbia.

In 1170, the Nemanjic dynasty began to rule in western Serbia. In 1217, the Pope presents the crown to King Stefan Nemanich. The heyday of the Kingdom of Serbia came in the XIV century, when the country was ruled by Stefan Dušan.

However, in 1389, the Serbian army was defeated by the Turks in the Battle of Kosovo, and gradually the Ottoman Empire began to conquer the lands of Serbia. From 1459 Serbia became a province in the Ottoman Empire.

Only in 1878 did Serbia become independent, and in 1882 the Kingdom of Serbia was proclaimed.

The First World War in 1914 began after the invasion of Austrian troops into Serbia. In December 1918, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was formed, which then became known as Yugoslavia.

After the end of World War II in 1945, socialist Yugoslavia was formed, headed by Josip Broz Tito. The 1974 constitution was one of the reasons for the expansion of Croatian, Slovenian and Albanian nationalism.

In 1991-92 Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina separated from Yugoslavia. For almost all of the 1990s, Yugoslavia (i.e. Serbia) was at war with its former republics. It was especially difficult for the Serbs in the war in Kosovo after NATO intervention. As a result, Kosovo separated from Serbia.

In 2003, the state of Serbia and Montenegro was formed, which existed until 2006. Now the Republic of Serbia covers an area of \u200b\u200b88,361 sq. km, and has no outlet to the sea.

Culture

For many centuries Serbs have been careful about their culture, because thus they retained their identity under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Until now, Serbs annually celebrate various holidays, the history of which dates back to the early Middle Ages. The most popular Serbian holiday is Vidov Dan (local version of St. Vitus Day).

Serbian cuisine

Serbian cuisine was greatly influenced by the countries neighboring Serbia. Turkish influence is especially noticeable, because Serbia was a province of the Ottoman Empire for a long time.

Tourists in Serbia should definitely try ćevapčići (small minced meat rolls), Pljeskavica (cutlets), musaka, podvarak (fried meat with sauerkraut), proja (corn bread), gibanica "(Cheese pie), etc.

Traditional strong Serbian alcoholic drinks are šljivovica (plum brandy) and Lozovača (grape brandy, rakia).

Serbia landmarks

The Serbs have always treated their history with care, and therefore there are many interesting sights in this country. The top ten attractions in Serbia, in our opinion, include the following:

Cities and resorts

The largest cities in Serbia are Novi Sad, Nis, and, of course, Belgrade.

Serbia has no access to the sea, but there are many balneological resorts in this country. The most popular of them are Soko-Banya, Buyanovachka-Banya, Vrnjachka-Banya, Banya-Koviliacha, and Nishka-Banya.

Souvenirs / shopping

We advise tourists from Serbia to bring gingerbread in the shape of a heart, handicrafts, folk Serbian hats, embroidered shirts, traditional folk trousers, traditional folk shoes, folk Serbian jewelry (bracelets, beads, necklaces), wine, plum brandy, as well as folk Serbian musical tools (frula, gusle and dvojnice).

Opening hours of institutions

Is a country where the tourist season lasts from May to October. It will be possible to do winter sports in December-March, and at other times you can watch birds and join mountaineering.

Serbia: Where is the Homeland of the Roman Emperors?

Serbia, with an area of \u200b\u200b88,361 sq. Km, is located in the southeast, in the center of the Balkan Peninsula. Serbia includes autonomous territories - Kosovo and Metohija and Vojvodina, as well as 29 districts (Kolubarsky, Machvansky, Branichevsky, Shumadiysky, Zaecharsky, Rasinsky, Nishavsky, Pirotsky and others).

From the north-east side it borders on Serbia, from the west - and, from the east -, from the north -, from the south-west - and. Serbia is famous for four mountain systems - the Eastern Serbian Mountains, part of the Rila-Rhodope system, the Dinaric Highlands and Stara Planina. The highest point is the 2650-meter high Mount Jeravica, but it is located in the territory that Serbia does not control (the 2017-meter Pancic peak is located on the territory it controls).

How to get to Serbia?

Aeroflot and Jat Airways will send everyone on the flight. They will spend 2.5 hours in flight. The flight through will last up to 7 hours, after - up to 5.5 hours, after - up to 8 hours, after - up to 11.5 hours. To reach, tourists will have to stop at (7.5-hour trip), (the trip will take 8.5 hours) or Memmingen (the trip will take up to 25 hours).

If it is not a problem for travelers to obtain a transit Hungarian visa, they will be able to get to Belgrade from Moscow by a direct carriage (the journey through Hungary will take about 2 days).

Holidays in Serbia

Vacationers will be interested in Belgrade (famous for the Belgrade Fortress, standing on a 125-meter hill, the Danube Embankment, the Cathedral of St. Sava, the Church of St. Mark, the House of Flowers, the Nikola Tesla Museum, the New and Old Palaces), Novi Sad (here you can admire the Petrovaradin fortress, visit the Church of the Great Martyr St. George, go to the Fruska Gora National Park, in the summer visit the 4-day State of Exit music festival) (glory to this provincial town was brought by the vineyards that surround it on all sides; 15th century fortress; St. George; the harvest festival held in the fall, and in August - the Theater Festival), (there is a lake Buban, the complex “Circle of Prince Milos”, the memorial park “Shumarice”), the Yelovarnik waterfall (is a 3-cascade waterfall falling from a height of 70 m and located in the park at an altitude of 1500 meters; visitors to the park will be able to meet with wren, white wagtail, marsh tit, common shrike).

Serbian beaches

• strand beach: this Novi Sad beach is located on the banks of the Danube, equipped with changing cabins, restaurants, a boat rental station, sports grounds. In addition, there is a garden and music bands perform on a regular basis.
• beach of Ada Tsiganliya island: a 7-kilometer pebble beach on the banks of the Sava - a place where everyone can sunbathe, swim, have a picnic, go in for sports (volleyball and tennis courts are available, as well as a catamaran and boat rental), visit establishments with a playing there with live music.

Souvenirs from Serbia

Before leaving Serbia, you should buy bags, belts, gloves and other leather goods, lace tablecloths and napkins, olive oil, goat cheese, Orthodox icons, figurines, plates and other ceramics.

Serbia is perhaps one of the few countries where Russian-speaking guests are treated with special "brotherly" warmth and cordiality. Nevertheless, it is not a popular tourist destination among Russians and, like the Balkans in general, remains a kind of exotic in the center of Europe. And, I think, in vain! This region is interesting for its rich cultural and historical heritage, unusually beautiful nature and mild climate, ski and health resorts, simple and natural national cuisine and, in addition to this, attracts by visa-free travel and low prices in comparison with the average European prices. Having visited Serbia once, it is impossible to remain indifferent. So, for example, in my heart she settled forever.

Visa and border crossing

Citizens of Russia and most countries of the former USSR do not need a visa to visit Serbia. Entry only with a passport. However, it is allowed to stay in the country for 30 days. If you need more time, you will have to cross the border. Fortunately, Serbia is surrounded from the west and south by visa-free travel, and Macedonia and the so-called "visa-run" (fast crossing the border "round trip" to get a stamp in the passport) will not be a big problem. Without crossing the border, you can permanently stay in the country with a "boravak" (a kind of visa, it is also often called a residence permit). But to obtain it, you will need grounds: ownership of real estate, employment or registration of your own business, education, marriage with a citizen of Serbia. Plus, you will have to spend at least 200 euros on duties, health insurance and other fees.

An important point is mandatory registration ("white cardboard") at your place of residence. It should be carried out within 24 hours of entering the country. Hotels and hostels usually register their guests themselves. If you are staying with friends or renting an apartment, for example, on Airbnb, then ask the owner for such registration. You can get "white cardboard" at the nearest police station using your passport. The procedure will not take more than 15 minutes. When leaving the country, the customs officer may ask you to show "white cardboard", and in its absence, you face a fine from 5 to 25 thousand dinars (40-200 euros). In practice, checking registration at customs is rare.

As for the customs rules ... Import of foreign currency is not limited and its declaration is not necessary, but export is limited to the equivalent of 2000 euros. You can import personal belongings, 1 liter of wine or strong alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 250 ml of cologne or 100 ml of perfume in Serbia duty-free per person. Well, as a standard, it is forbidden to import drugs, poisonous, psychotropic, explosive, radioactive substances, pesticides, gold bullion, unprocessed, in coins, weapons, gasoline in cans. It is prohibited to export items of historical, cultural or artistic value from Serbia without special permission..

How to get there

Popular ways to get (by plane, train and bus) to Serbia are described in detail by me. I will only note that Serbia has a regular railway connection with neighboring Hungary, Montenegro, Macedonia, Romania and Croatia, as well as Slovenia, Austria, Germany and Greece, the schedule and prices of which can be found on the Serbian railways. You can view options for flights with different connections at this.

By plane

By car

Those who are going to visit the country by their own car need to have an insurance policy (green card), which is better to be obtained from insurance companies in their home country, but it is also possible at sales points (kiosks and houses with appropriate signs) before crossing the border. The cost of such insurance today starts at 30 euros and depends on the duration of the policy and the type of vehicle. It is not necessary to have international rights.

Tourist regions

Conventionally, relying on administrative divisions, Serbia can be divided into two regions: Northern (most of it is occupied by the autonomous region of Vojvodina) and Southern (central and southern Serbia south of the Danube).

The first is a flat, economically developed one that has preserved samples of the cultural and architectural heritage of Austria-Hungary. It is not rich in natural attractions, the main interest is cities and the national park Fruska Gora. The sphere of agritourism is very developed here.

The second - forest and mountain, it is here that the main natural beauty, ski and health resorts of Serbia are located. The largest cities of the country, Kragujevac and. If you want to immerse yourself in colorful and authentic Serbia, then you should definitely come here.

In this review, we will not consider the disputed territory and Metohija. Firstly, it has signs of a separate state (border posts, visa regime, euro as currency, and so on), and secondly, let's leave the disputes to those who are interested in them.

Top cities

Belgrade

Serbian capital, capital of the former Yugoslavia, one of the largest cities in the Balkans, dynamic, hospitable and comfortable, "the city that never sleeps". A lot of detailed material on Belgrade can be found. It remains to add: this is the main attraction of Serbia, a must-see. You can familiarize yourself with the options for tours.

Novi Sad

Serbia's second largest city, its cultural capital with numerous museums and educational institutions. It is located just 80 kilometers and 1-1.5 hours drive from Belgrade, has regular bus and train connections. much quieter and quieter than the Serbian capital, so many families with children prefer it as a place to live. On the banks of the Danube, opposite the city, there is the Petrovaradin Fortress, which hosts one of the largest music festivals in Europe EXIT. You can read a detailed city guide.

Niches

A large industrial and commercial city in southeastern Serbia with a rich history and culture. The main attractions are the Niš Fortress, the ominous and curious tower of skulls of Chele Kula, the Mediana archaeological complex, the first Serbian concentration camp (now a museum) Red Cross, and many churches and monasteries inside and outside the city. - the second city in Serbia with its own airport. Although there are much fewer flights to / from it compared to Belgrade, in some cases it can be considered as the destination / departure point for such European low-cost airlines as Wizz Air and Ryanair.

Subotica

A beautiful and cozy town in the north of the country near the border with Hungary with well-preserved buildings in the Hungarian Art Nouveau style of the early 20th century. Not far from Subotica is Palich - one of the best SPA-resorts in Eastern Europe with hot artesian springs and healing silt from the bottom of the lake of the same name. In general, if you are traveling on the route "Hungary-Serbia", then I strongly advise you to take a look.

Kragujevac

The first capital of Serbia (1818-1841), a city in the Balkan-Eastern architectural style: the straight lines of Slavic architecture are superbly combined with arches and ornate patterns of the East. Kragujevac is famous for its restaurant and bar culture. The cheerful and bustling bars, concentrated along King Alexander Street, open their doors at nightfall and stay open until early morning.

You can search for hotels in different cities of Serbia, it is convenient to book hotels on the well-known Booking - by. You can see the options for renting private apartments.

Top attractions

Fruska Gora National Park

The picturesque hilly area just 16 kilometers from Novi Sad is famous for its complex of 17 ancient monasteries and home apiaries and wineries. This park is one of the favorite vacation spots for residents of nearby cities (many families come for the weekend), an excellent place for hiking and cycling.

Drvengrad

Built by the famous Yugoslav filmmaker Emir Kusturica, the ethno-hotel is a village with traditional Serbian houses, streets and squares named after the director's revered historical characters and artists. For example, there is Che Guevara Street and Nikita Mikhalkov Square. Drvengrad is located in the small settlement of Mokra Gora on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The narrow-gauge railway "Sharganska osmitsa" operates nearby. It lost its original purpose in the middle of the last century and was closed. It was recently reopened. Now, winding among the mountains through numerous tunnels, she carries curious and enthusiastic tourists. It is important to note: it is not always possible to stay overnight at the Drvengrad Hotel itself (my advice: it is better to book rooms in advance and be sure by phone - the administration often does not respond to e-mails for some reason), however, a large number of houses and rooms are rented around by local residents, moreover, their price will be at least two times lower. You can walk and eat in the hotel without any problems.

Tara National Park

Literally 10 kilometers from Drvengrad, among the Serbo-Bosnian mountains, there is Tara National Park with a beautiful artificial lake in the center. The legendary place of Serbia is recognizable by the famous house in the middle of the Drina River. There is also the shortest river in Europe - Vrelo, which is only 365 meters long.

Uvac canyon

Perhaps the most incredible beauty place in Serbia. Previously, the Uvac rivulet flowed in a zigzag. Then a dam was built, and the canyon was flooded. There are many caves along the way, some of which are several kilometers long. In ancient times, they were used by people as roads. The griffon vulture, listed in the Red Book, also lives here. In warm weather, pleasure boats run along the canyon. I strongly advise you to use them - it's hard to forget such a walk.

Djerdap National Park

It is interesting first of all by the picturesque gorge of the same name (it is also called the Iron Gate), which separates Serbia and Romania. There are three other undoubtedly noteworthy attractions on the territory of the park: the Lepenski Vir camp of the Mesolithic hunters, the world's longest antique Trajan Bridge (also known as the first bridge over the Danube), and the medieval Goluback fortress, half submerged in the Danube.

Kopaonik

The largest mountain range in Serbia. Located in its southern part on the border with. A picturesque region with mountains covered with dense forest, clean air and healing springs. In winter, it is the main ski resort in the country. On the territory of Kopaonik there is one of the main shrines of the Serbian people - Studenica Cathedral, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Smederevo fortress

One of the largest lowland fortresses in Europe has an uncharacteristic triangular shape and stands on the banks of the Danube. Some of the towers and fortifications of the medieval fortress were destroyed or badly damaged by the explosion of a German ammunition depot during World War II and then during the Allied bombing. Inside the long-suffering fortress there is a cozy green park, which in summer becomes the site of the International Theater Festival.

Zlatibor

A plateau-resort with unique "golden" pines (this kind grows only here and nowhere else in the world) and a specific curative microclimate - above Zlatibor, mountain and sea air mix in an amazing way. The place perfectly combines modern tourist infrastructure and the opportunity for a quiet secluded holiday. The highest mountain in Serbia, Tornik, is also located here.

Vrnjachka Banya

The largest and most popular health resort ("bathhouse") in Serbia. There are seven carbonic and alkaline sources here, the temperature of one of them absolutely coincides with the human one - 36.6 °. This is the only one in the world.

Sremski Karlovtsi

The city is the focus of Serbian history and Orthodoxy. The oldest seminary in the country is located here. It is interesting that it was in this city that the headquarters of the white movement was located during the civil war in Russia. The place is famous for its specific drink "bermet" (a kind of mixture of wine, liqueur and grape juice), traditionally made according to old recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation in the families of winemakers. The town itself is quiet and cozy. Located near Novi Sad. You can successfully capture it for familiarization on the way from Belgrade.

Devil's City

A miracle of nature in the south of Serbia, consisting of two hundred stone pillars. The unusual place has given rise to a lot of dark legends among the local population. For a thrill it is recommended to visit at night. The "city" is located in the south of Serbia, 27 kilometers from the village of Kurshumlija.

Weather

Serbia is very well located in terms of weather conditions. From the north of the country to the south, the temperate continental climate is replaced by the Mediterranean. In summer, in July and August, it can be quite hot, sometimes the thermometer shows 35-40 ° С. But in the rest of the year it is quite comfortable: autumn is dry and warm, winter is short and non-frosty (the temperature rarely drops below -10 ° C), spring is often rainy, but the transition to summer can happen as early as March. If we take the regions of Russia for comparison, the weather conditions of the Krasnodar Territory are the most consistent.

Moving around the country

Many natural beauties of Serbia (for example, Uvac canyon or Djerdap gorge) are located in hard-to-reach places, which cannot be reached by public transport. Therefore, I recommend renting a car for a deep study of the country. You can do this already at the airport or, after looking for information in advance, familiarize yourself with the offers of numerous "rent-e-cars" and choose the most profitable one. The largest selection of models and prices can be found in the corresponding travelask section -.

For rent, in many cases you only need a passport and a deposit, which depends on the make and class of the car.

Not the best, but still an alternative to a car is a regular bus. Serbia has a very developed bus service, you can get to almost anywhere in the country. For detailed information with links to services, where you can specify the schedule, read.

A cheaper way is electric trains. I advise you to choose new modern lineups (they are marked with a RE rank). Old formulations are often messy and uncomfortable.

Communication

If you need a mobile connection, SIM cards of local operators can be purchased both in specialized stores and in ordinary newsstands "Moj kiosk", you will not even be asked for a passport. The cost will be 2.5 euros (300 dinars). The price of a minute of conversation within the country is not low by Russian standards - 10 euro cents (12 dinars)... You can also connect mobile Internet to the SIM card. Calls and Internet package for 4 euro (500 dinars) with infrequent use, it should be enough for a week or two.

In large cities, in some parks and even public transport, you can connect to free Wi-Fi, which, of course, is also available in many hotels, restaurants and bars.

Language and communication

The official language in the country is Serbian. It is interesting that two alphabets are used at once: Cyrillic and Latin. Cyrillic is the official alphabet and is more commonly found, for example, in legal documents, government magazines and newspapers. In everyday life, both alphabets are used equally. The Serbian language is similar to Russian, many words are recognizable, but they can have a different, and sometimes opposite, meaning. For example, "harmful wife" in Serbian means "hardworking wife", and "belly" means "life". Nevertheless, it is quite simple to understand a Serb for a Russian person (and vice versa), accompanying speech with sign language. In addition, the older generation of Serbs learned Russian at school and many can speak it.

In large cities, especially in Belgrade, young people speak excellent English. If you also own it, then communication problems will not arise. Feel free to use it in stores, catering places and just on the street.

Here are 10 simple words and phrases in Serbian to make your communication easier:

• Dobar dan (dobar dan) - good afternoon, hello,
• Ćao (chao) - hello / bye,
• Doviđenja (dovijenya) - goodbye,
• Hvala (praise) - thank you
• Molim (pray) - please
• Izvinite (sorry) - I think no translation is required,
• Ne govorim srpski (do not speak Srpski) - I do not speak Serbian,
• Ne razumem (do not understand) - I do not understand
• Kako da dođem do ..? (how do we dodge to ..?) - how to get to ..?
• Koliko košta ..? (colico kosta ..?) - how much is ..?

Features of the mentality

Serbs are a very hospitable and cordial people. Especially in relation to the Russians. Having learned that you are from Russia, the Serb will be genuinely happy to talk about common historical roots, brotherhood of peoples, mutual love and support at all times. Sometimes in the market after learning that you are Russian, the seller can make a good discount, and if you're lucky, then you won't take money at all... Serbs are sincere in their expressions and extremely polite. A smile and a "warm" word are their main attributes in any communication. However, there are also dubious qualities of their mentality. Like many southern peoples, Serbs are a little lazy and unhurried. in keeping promises... So, when going to Serbia, please be patient and restrained. Be prepared, for example, for a saleswoman in a supermarket to slowly chop a ham and at the same time discuss news from the life of relatives with a random buyer, while a line of 10 people has accumulated at her counter. No one will say a word, they will wait patiently. So, where is the rush?

Food and drink

Serbian national cuisine in a peasant style is simple and natural. There are no culinary delights in it. Serbs do not treat cooking with aesthetic awe, like the French or Italians, for example. Many dishes contain minimal ingredients and are easy to prepare. However, something deserves attention.

5 dishes worth trying

Bakery products

Serbs are fans of baking. There are bakeries ("bakers") everywhere, literally in every home. Every Serb's morning begins not with coffee, but with pastries and yoghurt in your favorite baker. They have such a variety of assortments that an unprepared person, not knowing what to choose, falls into a stupor. To prevent this from happening to you, I advise you to order a burek or pita first. The food is not easy, but hearty and budget (less than 1 euro per serving).

Rostil

This is the name of grilled meat dishes: pleskavitsa, chevapy, sausages. You can order at a restaurant, or you can try it at a fast food. The difference is not great: in the first case, the meat with a side dish will be served on a plate, in the second - in a pita bread. Cost - from 1.5 euros (150 dinars) in fast food and from 4 euros (500 dinars) in a restaurant.

Rakia

A kind of vodka, or fruit "moonshine". It is usually made on the basis of plums, quince, grapes and pears. It's worth looking for a homemade one. If you take the "store" one, then it is better to choose the one that is more expensive (from 8 euros), cheap options are not always good. It is worth drinking rakia in Serbian in small sips, enjoying and discussing the taste.

Kaymak and cheeses

Serbia is famous for its dairy products. Its diversity is sometimes not easy to understand. Of particular note are kaymak (a type of cream) and young or mature cheeses made from goat, sheep, cow milk or a mixture of these. They are easiest to find in a market or store. But in order not to be mistaken in your choice, order a Serbian cheese platter at the restaurant. Do not deny yourself the pleasure - try it!

Aivar

Aivar is a Balkan type of vegetable caviar based on red paprika and eggplants. Usually it is served with a rochelle. So, if you order, for example, pleskavitsa or chevapa, ask to add ayvar to the side dish. A good aivar can also be found in the market.

Prshut

Serbia has incredibly delicious meat delicacies. Balkan prosciutto dominates over them. It resembles Spanish jamon in taste and preparation method, but not quite. Homemade prosciutto can be bought at the market or ordered at a restaurant. From the "store" I advise the production of the meat factory "Zlatiborac".

Bermet

And, of course, the same bermet, which was discussed just above. The best bermet is undoubtedly made and sold in Sremski Karlovci. But you can also find it in other liquor stores.

Shopping

There is no shopping in Serbia. That is, absolutely. If you are coming here hoping to find a lot of branded goods at low prices, then you are mistaken: there are few brands here, and their prices bite. In this regard, Russia as a whole is much more favorable.

What to bring from this country

Serbia's business card is natural and inexpensive products: from honey and herbal tea to handmade cosmetics. You can bring the same prosciutto, wine and brandy with you and as a gift. But remember about the customs norm for the transportation of alcohol - no more than a liter per person.

Safety

Serbia is the safest country I've ever been to. Nevertheless, you should not completely relax, because, despite the low crime rate, no one will give guarantees against isolated criminal cases. Follow the standard safety rules - do not carry large amounts of money and valuables with you, do not show your wallet in crowded places - and your stay in Serbia will not be darkened by troubles.

Many are intimidated by the large number of Roma in the country. But they are completely harmless. There are, of course, those who "earn" their living by begging or compulsive trading on Kneza Mihail Street in Belgrade, but there are only a few of them. Most of them work as "city orderlies": they collect and hand over all kinds of waste paper and metal.

Popular types of scams

I only know about taxi scams. For some private traders, the trip is very expensive. So I advise you to contact official taxi services or catch cars with special identification marks. There must be a meter in the cabin.

5 things to do in this country

1. Walk around Belgrade, visit the Kalemegdan fortress, relax (like locals) sit in a summer cafe, sipping a cup of coffee.
2. Visit Drvengrad and the Sharganska Osmitsa narrow gauge railway.
3. See the impressive Uvac canyon.
4. Try bermet and rakia.
5. Enjoy national cuisine. Try rostil and kaymak.

Nearby countries

Serbia is a convenient transport interchange in Europe. Most border countries can be reached by train or plane, and absolutely everything - by bus or car.

To visit Hungary, you will need a Schengen visa, to Romania and Bulgaria - a Schengen or national visa.

Money

The national currency of Serbia is the Serbian dinar. Rarely where you can buy them for rubles (in the Serbian branches of Sberbank you can, but the rate is bad), so you should stock up on euros in advance or withdraw cash from an ATM from a credit card. If your card is issued by Sberbank, then I recommend getting dinars in Serbia at its ATMs - it will come out without commission. At ATMs of other banks, the commission can be 100-400 rubles. Euros are not in use, although many large prices, for example, for renting an apartment, are usually indicated in the currency of the European Union. However, many private taxi drivers agree to pay for their services in euros, they also often indicate the prices of souvenirs on the main tourist street of Belgrade - Kneza Mihail... In the cities of Serbia, there are usually a lot of exchange offices ("money changers"), and if you brought euros, you can exchange them there. I advise you to first compare the courses (they may differ significantly) in several and choose the most profitable option.

Bank cards (Visa, Maestro, Mastercard) are accepted in many shops and catering establishments. But it is always better to have cash with you - just to be on the safe side: the payment terminal may not work, but it happens that it does not exist at all.

Belgrade, major cities - Subotica, Novi Sad, Nis.

Telephone code:

Direct flight:

no, transplant required

Official language:

serbian

Time difference with Minsk:

2 hours behind

not needed, you can stay in the country up to 30 days

Currency unit:

Dinar / RSD (1 dinar \u003d 100 pair), 1 EUR \u003d ~ 84 RSD, 1 USD \u003d ~ 54.3 RSD

Description

If you've decided to spend your vacation in Serbia, you've made a good choice. These lands will surprise you with something. A variety of reliefs, a wealth of flora, an abundance of balneological springs - all this is Serbia.

And here you will also find many ancient and outstanding monuments of architecture, history, culture, and - what is important - amazing hospitality, benevolence and sincerity of Serbs and Montenegrins.

The country is divided into 2 regions - Serbia and Montenegro. This administrative division coincides with the natural one: Serbia is plains and lowlands, Croatia is mostly highlands and mountains. Both are interesting and beautiful.

In terms of climatic conditions, these areas are generally characterized by warm summers and mild winters, with summers on the plains slightly warmer than in the mountains, and the Adriatic coast, to which Serbia has access, provides weather similar to the Mediterranean.

If you want to get the most out of your trip and get to know this country from all sides, you need to be ready for action and not be lazy to move from place to place. After all, every corner of Serbia is rich in sights, and they are all different and each deserves attention.

But whichever route you choose, be sure to take a closer look at the capital of Serbia, Belgrade. Belgrade is a city with a history of about three thousand years. In any case, a settlement on this place existed already 3 thousand years ago.

Today's Belgrade creates a sense of the original interweaving of the culture of the West and the East. The Serbs calculated that their capital was destroyed to the ground 39 times, and each time, like a phoenix, rose from the ashes, becoming even better.

In the south of the capital (about 300 km from it) there is a mountain range called Kapaonik. Be sure to visit from these mountains.

In addition to the fact that they are a hundred kilometers of luxuriously sparkling snow slopes and mountain peaks, there is a national reserve with untouched nature and fresh air.

But the main thing is that Kapaonik is a wonderful ski resort, both accessible for a beginner skier and interesting for an experienced athlete.

Road

From Minsk to Belgrade You can get there by plane, but there are no direct flights, you can get there with a transfer on flights of airlines and. Since transfers are carried out in European cities, a transit Schengen visa will be required.

From Moscow to Belgrade Aeroflot and JAT Airways operate regular flights, the flight time is approximately 3 hours.

By train to Belgrade from Minsk you can go through Sofia or Budapest, but this will require a Schengen visa. There are b interchange carMoscow - Belgrade,travel time 50 hours, the route passes through the territory of Hungary, to travel through the Hungarian transit visa is required.

From Nikola Tesla Airport to Belgradecan be reached by JAT Airways branded buses, which run every hour, from 6 am to 10 pm. They will take you to Slavia Square, which is located in the city center. The fare is 200 dinars (about $ 3.5).

City bus number 72 leaves the airport every half hour to the city center with all stops, the journey will take about an hour. The fare is 20 dinars (about $ 0.3).

Serbia map. Resorts, cities and regions on the map

Where to call if that

Embassy of Serbia in Belarus:

Minsk, Surganova street, 29-A, phone: +37529 239 39 90

Embassy of Belarus in Serbia: Belgrade, st. Deligradska 13, phone: +381 11 3616938

Inquiry Office:998

Tourist information:987

Emergency services:police - 92, fire brigade - 93, ambulance - 94

Public transport and taxis

Serbia rail transport represented by the main line that runs from Subotica through Novi Sad, Belgrade, Niš, Pristina and on to Macedonia, the schedule is very convenient and trains run constantly. Another line is from Belgrade to the coast of the Adriatic Sea, which is very picturesque.

Trains are divided into four classes: "express" (express), "proverbs" (fast), "brzi" (high-speed) and "putnitski" (passenger). Prices vary, but they are not high.

In the summer, it is worth taking care of your ticket in advance and booking a few days in advance.

Public transport in cities of Serbia mainly represented by an outdated bus fleet. You can buy a ticket at any newsstand or from the driver (from the driver it is twice as expensive).

Taxi in Serbia quite inexpensive and very convenient way of getting around the city, but it can cause unpleasant troubles, as taxi drivers try to deceive tourists. It makes sense to follow the road using a GPS navigator. It is better to order a taxi by phone, in this case the trip will cost 10-20% less.

When the car stops on the street, you should either negotiate the cost of the trip in advance, or make sure that the driver turns on the meter.

Where to stay

Serbia's hotels have long been in decline due to the war and the country's international isolation. Therefore, many hotels in Serbia are going through an intermediate stage on the way from the "Yugoslavian" old-style to the hotels of the European level. Hotels in Serbia are represented, among other things, by the roadside motel system, which offers reasonable prices and quality service.

Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz. Sockets and plugs of the "European" type, with grounding. In rural areas, old-style connectors are often found - round two-pin, without grounding.

Power outages are common in Serbia, especially between November and April.

National cuisine

Serbian cuisine is varied. The cheapest appetizer itself is Balkan burek, puff pastry with cheese or meat and crompirus, which is the same burek, only with potatoes.

It is also worth trying grinded meat, which is called in Serbian chevapchichi and duvech - pork cutlet with peppers, tomatoes and rice cooked in the oven. Popular local dishes are moussaka- eggplants and tomatoes with layers of ground meat, stuffed cabbage sarma and kapama - lamb stewed with onions and lettuce stewed with yoghurt.

Popular drinks: beer, grape brandy and strong Turkish coffee, which is brewed in small cezves.

Dangers

The security situation in the country is ambiguous. The police are trying to suppress all manifestations of hostile attitude towards tourists, but cases of petty fraud are quite common, especially tourists should beware of fraud in the foreign exchange market, as well as pickpockets, often "working" at the airport, in public institutions and in crowded places.

You should not carry valuables, documents and large sums of money with you, remote areas of cities, it is better to avoid after dark.

Visa

Belarusians do not need a visa to visit Serbia; you can stay in the country for up to 30 days.

Customs

Allowed to import up to a liter of wine and spirits to persons over 16 years old, as well as up to 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco, 250 ml of cologne or 100 ml of perfume.

It is forbidden to bring into Serbia drugs, poisons, psychotropic and explosive substances, gold in raw form and in coins, weapons and ammunition, as well as pesticides.

Items of historical, cultural and artistic value can be taken out only with the permission of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations of Serbia.

Import and export of foreign currency is not limited, declaring is not required. Export of foreign currency without declaration is possible if the amount is within 2000 euros.

Hunting weapons are allowed to be imported exclusively at the request of the Serbian Hunters Association

Weather forecast

Serbia climate temperate continental, warm summers, average temperatures up to + 30C, snowy and mild winters, average temperatures - 8C.

Best time to visit Serbia: May to September-October.

Sea and sun

Beaches in Serbia varied, there is both fine sand and dull small pebbles, which are somewhat reminiscent of buckwheat, in some resorts there are artificial beaches, which are a concrete platform.

Diversity is not only about the characteristics of the coast. here you can find crowded and secluded beaches, for textile workers and nudists, paid and free, most of them are located in bays closed from wind and waves between steep rocks.

Car rental

Rent a car in Serbia very simple, for this you need an international license, pay a deposit for the car and be over 21 years old.

There is a tax for using two highways: about 7 euros for the segment from the Hungarian border to Belgrade and 35 euros - from Belgrade to the Bulgarian border. The tax is collected at the motorway exit. All other roads are free and are often not in the best condition.

Money

You can change money at exchange offices that work every weekday from 7:00 to 16:00. You can also change currency at bank branches, at the train station and at the airport.

In the center of Belgrade, as well as in the resort areas, many currency exchange offices are open on weekends.

Shopping

The most popular souvenir from Serbia is gingerbread hearts... It is believed that the most delicious heart-shaped gingerbread is made in Sombor, where the tradition of making painted gingerbread has existed for over 100 years.

Shaykach - the national headdress of Serbia, which is always green. Its top looks like the letter "V" or like the bottom of a boat when viewed from above.

Opantsi- traditional Serbian footwear with slightly curved toes. They are necessarily made by hand and from genuine leather. There are both real options that can be worn, and souvenir ones from 2 to 12 centimeters.

Jugs with dried plums another popular souvenir from Serbia. The most delicious dried plums in the world are stored in these jugs, which in themselves can be a wonderful souvenir.

Basil pouches embroidered by hand by Serbian craftswomen, since ancient times it is believed that such bags are a strong amulet.

Colubarian lacehandmade by Irish crochet technique. Lace is woven from the finest threads and is used as an accessory for clothes. or as tablecloths, napkins, curtains.

A traditional alcoholic souvenir drink from Serbia is considered rakiya , it is an analogue of brandy, made from different varieties of fruits. The most popular type of brandy is plum brandy

Shops in Serbia work from 9.00 to 21.00 with a lunch break from 12.00 to 16.00. Large shopping centers usually work from 6.00-7.00 to 21.00, and in resort areas and large cities there are also "round-the-clock" shops.

Tip

In restaurants and taxis in Serbia, it is usually customary to leave 10% of the bill

Features of the country and nation

Serbs are considered to be somewhat more reserved and austere than Montenegrins. However, in order to notice these features, one will probably have to come here with a clear prejudice towards the Serbian people, which have been so zealously supported in the West lately.

The fate of the Serbs is tragic and heroic at the same time. Suffice it to say that not a single war that swept across the European continent over the past two millennia has passed this small country, several times smaller than, for example, Switzerland, which has not been at war with anyone for 600 years. Therefore, one should not be surprised that the inhabitants of Serbia are indeed ardent nationalists, and do not hide this fact. However, their nationalism is completely different from what in some places they are used to describe in terrible propaganda about the Balkan wars. This is a common sense of national self-sufficiency, gained through centuries of suffering, pride in our history and the deeds of our ancestors, as well as bitterness over the centuries-old genocide of Serbs and the limitations of some politicians, including our own Serbs.

But in general, they are the same hospitable and open people, like most of the South Slavic tribes. Serbs also sacredly honor their culture, like Montenegrins, they have also relied on the main stronghold of their nation - the Serbian Orthodox Church for centuries, they also like to set the table, receive guests and arrange all kinds of festivities, eat the same dishes and even speak practically the same language. as the rest of the peoples of the former Yugoslavia. Even young Serbs know the history of their country at the level of a professional historian, and excursions to memorable places will be conducted no worse than an experienced guide.

Despite the fact that Serbia is not a very "promoted" destination for our tourists, this country is historically connected with Russia, and our people are welcomed here very warmly. Someone is attracted here by the picturesque nature and mild climate, others are attracted by a rich historical excursion program, and still others are attracted by medical and health-improving recreation at local resorts.

The temperate continental climate with warm summers and mild snowy winters makes it possible to visit this country at any time of the year. If there is a high level of service here, the prices for all services are quite moderate compared to the rest of Europe. At the same time, availability is a significant plus for Russian travelers, since the Russian language is taught here in schools, so you probably won't have any problems with understanding - you can talk to Serbs in Russian, and they will understand you.

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Climate and weather in Serbia

Cities and regions

In addition to the well-known Belgrade, in Serbia you can find other cities of interest to tourists. Below is a list of them, following the links you will find detailed information about each city.

Serbia landmarks

sights

Parks and recreation areas

Leisure

Transport

Private guides in Serbia

Russian private guides will help you to learn more about Serbia.
It is registered on the project Experts.Tourister.Ru.

Getting around the country

Serbia does not have domestic flights, but there are flights to neighboring Montenegro (Podgorica or Tivat) for those who want to relax on the seaside.

The main railway branch of Serbia runs from the Hungarian border: Subotica - Novi Sad - Belgrade - Lapovo - Niš, then there are branches to Macedonia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro and Romania. There are both high-speed trains in Serbia with a minimum of stops on the way, and ordinary regional ones, which stop even at small settlements. Accordingly, the travel time on such trains increases. There is a direct rail link with Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Macedonia. And indirectly - with the rest of Europe, including Russia.

Serbia has a well-developed bus service, thanks to which you can get by bus not only to any settlement in the country, but also to other countries. Travel on Serbian buses is often paid directly to the driver, while long-distance tickets can be purchased at the train station. For the use of some motorways in Serbia at special points, a toll is charged in dinars or euros (from the Hungarian border to Belgrade and from Belgrade to the Bulgarian border). There are mountain sections of the road with the danger of rockfall, but such rocks are usually fenced with special nets. On motorways the speed is limited to 120 km / h, on other roads 80 - 100 km / h, and within the city limits - 60 km / h. Those who travel to Serbia by their own car need to have not only an international driver's license, but also an international insurance policy, which can also be issued at the border crossing. When calling a taxi in Serbia, keep in mind that a car called by phone will cost you 20% less than a taxi caught on the street.

The following public transport operates in the Serbian capital Belgrade: buses, taxis, trolleybuses and trams. There is also a suburban service (electric trains) on 6 lines. In the city center, these trains run underground, where there are 2 underground stations, but this is still not a subway, since suburban train cars are used here, which follow strictly according to the schedule. There is also a water connection between Belgrade and other cities. On the banks of the Danube, there is the Belgrade port, which is located at the intersection of the main waterway of Serbia with the Sava River. This port is not only an important transport hub, but also a trade destination of all-European importance.

Serbian cuisine

Serbian cuisine has absorbed the traditions of several peoples and cultures at once. Here you can see borrowings from European, Turkish, Mediterranean cuisines and, of course, try original national dishes. This is due to the geographical position of the country and the historical interaction of the Serbs with neighboring peoples. For example, the influence of Turkish cuisine can be traced in the fact that the main drink here is "Turkish coffee", which is brewed in cezve, and the presence of all kinds of kebabs, kebabs and grilled meat in the traditional menu indicates precisely the Middle Eastern traditions. In the north of Serbia, the influence of European cuisine is felt more, in particular, Romanian, Hungarian and Bulgarian. For example, dishes made from corn and tortillas from it are very common here, as well as all kinds of dishes made from paprika (which we call "bell pepper").

As for the first courses, there are 2 types of soups - liquid broth (supa), for example, chicken with the addition of noodles and thick chorba (čorba) with the addition of vegetables. Meat dishes are made from pork, beef, lamb and goat meat. It is worth trying "chevapchichi" made from pepper minced meat, which are usually grilled, pleskavitsi (a type of cutlets), schnitzels (with or without filling), as well as baked meat. Vegetables or rice are served here with all kinds of shashlik (dishes for rostil). "Musaka" is a potato dish with meat and vegetables, which are laid in layers on a baking sheet and baked, and "sarma" is an analogue of our stuffed cabbage, when minced meat mixed with rice is wrapped in sauerkraut leaves. Serbs love spicy and well-started dishes, which is why they often use black pepper, sweet red paprika and garlic. And hot peppers (feferoni) will be served to you as an appetizer for any dish.

In Serbia, you should choose the one that can be bought at any bakery from the fast food in Serbia. By the way, there are a great many of them here, and you can taste fresh bread and pastries literally every 100 meters. The Balkan burek is the most popular snack food. This is a semblance of a closed puff pastry cheburek. The filling can be anything - from meat and cheese to herbs and potatoes.

Serbs attach great importance to homemade dairy products, because about half of the population of this country keeps their own cattle and prefers meat and milk to have their own. In addition to homemade cheeses, which can be “old” and “young,” a very popular snack is the fatty “kaymak” made from fermented milk that is spread on bread and is a cross between butter and cheese. Serbs also prefer to bake bread themselves, while it is not only part of the meal, but also plays an important role in many Orthodox rituals. Local pies ("pita") are no less tasty, which can be with almost any toppings. Puff pastry is usually used as a dough, and cheese, meat, herbs, apples or cherries are placed inside.

Beverages

Boiled coffee is especially popular as a beverage in Serbia, and tea is rarely drunk here - mainly for colds. Since there are many mineral springs in the country, mineral water (in Serbian "kissel voda") is inexpensive here and is often served with every meal. Liquid yogurt like our kefir is also very popular, especially if you have a burek snack. They also drink beer or wine in moderation at lunch or dinner. And guests are greeted with strong homemade brandy, which is “baked” (that is, “driven”) from any fruit. Plum Šlivovitsa is considered to be the national drink, grapes produce lozovacha rakia, and pears produce Williamsovka. And if you visit a Serbian restaurant, keep in mind that it is customary here to leave a tip for good service, which is about 10% of the bill.