2 Days in Serbia

So here we go again…I am back in the Balkans! This time, I figured I’d give Serbia a shot. I’d never been before, and let’s be honest, Wizz Air was basically giving away flights (£50 return from London? Yes, please.) 2 days in Serbia seemed like a perfect weekend break.

Now, I’ll be honest and admit that Serbia was never on my travel wishlist. I always associated it with the Yugoslavia war in the ’90s and the not so great stuff I have heard from other Europeans. A lot of people I’ve met said they didn’t enjoy it and wouldn’t go back. So I had low expectations… but hey, 2025 is clearly the year of surprises because Serbia turned out to be the second place this year that proved me wrong. I had a negative view of Egypt as well before I went and ended up falling in love with the country.

I was surprised by Serbia in a good way! The locals? Very friendly. Random people went out of their way to help me, even if they didn’t speak English, they used hand gestures and smiles to make sure I was okay. That kind of warm energy sticks with you.

Day 1: Belgrade

The flight from London to Belgrade took around three hours, and I landed bright and early at 10am. I saw online that taxis from the airport to the city centre would cost around £25 (which I’m just not willing to pay for a 15-20 minute drive). Instead, I took the A1 minibus which goes straight to Slavija Square. It only costs 400 RSD (about £3) and takes around 30 minutes.

From Slavija Square, it was a 15-minute walk to the city centre. Thankfully I only had hand luggage, because dragging a suitcase in the heat would’ve been hell. By the time I reached the centre, all I wanted was a cold drink. I started my 2 days in Serbia by popping into a very obviously touristy café next to a museum and ordered an iced coffee… which came out looking more like a dessert than a drink, but I wasn’t mad about it. The top had whipped cream, and then a thick layer of ice cream I had to eat. Then there was cold coffee with 1 ice cube.

After chilling there for 1 hour, I went to check out the National Museum of Serbia. Entry was around 300 RSD, but honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Most of it was just portrait paintings. There were some bits about Serbia’s history that were cool, but not much else. I mostly went to kill time before check-in and have a break from the heat. The top floor includes a beautifully decorated café, but they had closed it. 😞

I eventually made my way to my accommodation, dropped my stuff, and headed straight out to explore Belgrade Fortress. This one is a must-see! It’s free unless you want to enter certain parts, but I stuck to the free areas and had more than enough to see. There’s a gorgeous little Orthodox church inside, people doing archery (random but fun), and even this underground-style bar selling old-school drinks like mead. I didn’t stay though, because it was empty, and solo female traveller instincts kicked in. No thanks to being alone in a basement bar with just the bartender!

I ended up spending way more time at the fortress than expected. The views were great, the atmosphere was super relaxed, and it honestly felt like one of the highlights of my trip. If you’re spending 2 days in Serbia, this should be at the top of your list.

By now, hunger had hit, and I was running on only two hours of sleep. I headed to Zavičaj Balkanska for an early dinner. I had sarma (cabbage rolls stuffed with pork—so good) and finally got to try Tufahije for dessert. This is something I missed out on during my trip to Bosnia and have been curious to try it ever since. Verdict? Worth the wait.

Day 2: Exploring Beyond Belgrade

My alarm went off at the brutal hour of 5:30am (yes, I questioned all my life choices in that moment), but I had a 12-hour tour starting at 6:30am, so up I got. Tired, but buzzing with excitement. The tour was heading west, out of the city, to see some of Western Serbia’s most beautiful rural spots. There were only three of us on the tour, all solo travellers which was perfect. One guy from Singapore, one from India, and me.

Our first stop was a quick one – a petrol station breakfast about an hour outside the city. Coffee, snacks, and awkward small talk that quickly turned into friendly chatter. After another hour on the road, we arrived in a tiny village called Rovni, where our guide pointed out a section of the river that borders Serbia and Montenegro (pictured above). It was early, the air was crisp, and the views were already delivering.

From there, we drove through stunning mountain villages and ended up in Bajina Bašta – a seriously picturesque place where I finally felt like I nailed my summer outfit. Bright orange seems to look great in pictures with nature. I was also shocked at how empty the area was, but not in a bad way, just pleasantly quiet. We only saw one big tour bus the entire day, and it was full of domestic tourists who always pulled in just as we were leaving places. Perfect timing.

Next stop: Drina House. Hands down, my highlight of the day. This little house, perched right in the middle of the river, looks like something out of a fairytale. It was originally built in the ’60s by a group of swimmers who wanted a chill place to rest – and despite being destroyed and rebuilt multiple times over the years, it still stands strong. It’s now privately owned as a kind of personal hideaway.

Photos don’t do it justice. The vibe, the scenery…it’s absolutely unreal.

Next to Drina House is a charming restaurant called Studenac, where we all had fresh raspberry juice. Super refreshing, and a nod to the fact that Bajina Bašta is famous for its raspberry farming.

After that, we headed to Drvengrad, a quirky little wooden village in Mokra Gora, built by Serbian film director Emir Kusturica for his movie Life is a Miracle. Everything there is made from timber – it’s rustic, photogenic, and full of charm. We had around 45 minutes to explore, and even though no one spoke English, the locals were sweet and welcoming. I was just nodding and saying “daa” (means yes in slavic languages). I figured some of it out in the end. An old lady showed me how to use something I purchased with a combination of speaking Serbian and using hand gestures. She was cute.

Final stop: Šargan Eight Railway – an old-school wooden train that loops through the mountains in the shape of a number 8 (hence the name). The ride lasted around 45 minutes and was so peaceful. It involves being completely surrounded by forest, hills, and nature – pure zen. This train ride is very unique and affordable, so I would definitely recommend it if you only have 2 days in Serbia.

We wrapped up the tour with a late lunch around 3pm at a local restaurant. We shared a shopska salad (I cheekily reminded the guide it’s technically Bulgarian and not Serbian – Balkan debates incoming!), and for the main dish, I ordered ćevapi.

Okay… honesty time: I got served ten kebabs! and while I was impressed by the quantity, the taste didn’t really wow me. I’ve had tastier ćevapi in Bosnia, Montenegro, and even Romania. The Serbian version comes with sjenički cheese on top – and as someone who likes cheese, I wanted to like it… but it just didn’t hit right. Super salty, and not the best match with the meat (in my opinion). I’m sure it tastes amazing in other local dishes though. If you only have 2 days in Serbia, there are plenty of delicious local dishes to try.

After this meal, it was time for a 2.5 hour drive back to the capital city. I really enjoyed this tour and was quite lucky to have Aleksandar as a tour guide. I’ve been on tours in many countries, and most of the time the tour guides are either really rude, dont provide any information, or just evidently don’t care. But Aleks clearly has a passion for what he does.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy Serbia as much as I did, but that’s the magic of travel, right? Sometimes the places you least expect end up surprising you the most. My 2 days in Serbia gave me a glimpse into a country full of kind people, rich history, and some seriously underrated natural beauty. If you’re considering a quick getaway somewhere a little different, Serbia might just be your next best decision.