Serbia – Scandinavia’s fiercest competitor, in more than one way.

How I Would Describe It In One Sentence

An energetic and comical culture lives inside the borders of a nation that offers great bites, parties, and unusual landscapes. 

 

Summary

In many ways, Serbia is somewhat the inverse of the Scandinavian countries. Its people have short dark hair, dark eyes, and are usually quite loud. Compared to the Scandic countries which typically have long blonde hair, light eyes, and quiet personas. Yet, even with all of their differences, they still have a remarkable amount in common.

Statistically,  Scandinavia and the Balkans are the two tallest regions in not just Europe, but the entire world. Of course, the Netherlands offsets this trend a bit, as it is the tallest country on the planet, and doesn’t belong to either region. However, in the top five tallest, two are Scandinavian (Denmark #3, Norway #4), and two are Balkan (Montenegro #2, Serbia #5). Interesting enough, many people consider those two regions to also possess the most beautiful people in Europe.

Aside from it’s gene pool, Serbia also has an immensely fascinating history. During the years of former Yugoslavia, Serbia was the legislative capital of the country. The main city, Belgrade, was built up immensely, and financial capital rushed into it. Style, fashion, and trade were wildly successful in Belgrade and the rest of Yugoslavia, and the citizens lived comfortably. Yet after the death of the Communist leader, Tito, things started to slowly unravel. Trust issues emerged from each region, pitting governments and citizens against one another. To make matters worse, Belgrade experienced a series of gang wars that were tearing the city up from the inside.

Present day Serbia is a far more peaceful nation, with almost no violence, and an easy going and comical vibe. Quirky and unusual humor spurs around every corner, and the people seem to be pretty happy with their lives.

 

What It’s Best For

For most people traveling to Europe, a trip to the East is not something that they ever plan. After all, the most popular countries of Europe stem from the West and North, so the East gets dramatically overlooked.

With that in mind, it is easy to see why a country like Serbia would make for such an interesting place to travel to. Not only is the country from an entirely different gene pool than Western and Northern Europe, but it also isn’t even in the European Union. For this reason, the country has a dramatically different feel than most of the EU countries. It is rugged, adaptive, and extremely resourceful in more than one way. And the people have figured out how to live quality lives, even with all of the hardships that they have faced in prior decades.

Due to its relaxed culture and vibe, Serbia is also a great place to settle for a bit and take things slow. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants lining the streets, that are ideal for an easy afternoon with tea and snacks.

But contrary to its relaxed vibe, Serbia takes partying seriously. The people love to drink rakija like all of the other Balkan nations, as well as a host of other alcoholic beverages. So it should come as no surprise that the country really loves to cut loose and enjoy a party atmosphere. So much to the point, that some even call Belgrade the Berlin of the Balkans, as it has so many wild places to pass the night. The capital city loves to get wild every night of the week, which can keep young ones busy at any time of the year.

A little-known feature about Serbia, is that it does actually have some decent nature. The cities seem to be the main focus, but there is the occasional natural wonder that is absolutely worthy of a visit. Such places as the Iron Gates Gorge, River Uvac, and Đavolja Varoš can amaze even the most intense outdoor enthusiasts.

 

Cities/Events/Attractions I Visited

Belgrade

A somewhat unexpected food destination is Serbia’s capital city. The city offers a range of culinary goods and beverages that just can’t be found in Western Europe, or really any other part of the world. The most notable of dishes would be the red pepper relish (ajvar), deep fried pork schnitzel (karađorđeva šnicla), creamy spreadable cheese (kajmak), and spiced beef patty (pljeskavica). Serbians from all regions love to visit Belgrade just for the high quality and affordable foods that can be found at every neighborhood restaurant. And most shockingly – the pizza is really damn good in Serbia.

Aside from sampling the local cuisine, visitors can also explore the wild club and bar scene that frequents the city. There seems to be a venue for every type of occasion; at any night of the week. Whether the night calls for beer pong, a dance party at a floating disco club, or an epic Yugoslav rock concert – visitors can surely find a venue to suit their desires.

Zemun

When the Austro Empire swept throughout the Balkans in the 18th century, it absorbed a town just west of Belgrade that oozed of history. The historic town, Zemun, was settled as early as the 3rd century BC, by the Celts. Just a couple hundred years later in the 1st century BC, that same town was then swallowed up by the Romans. From that point on, the settlement changed hands to multiple other empires, such as the Byzantine, Bulgarian, Ottoman, Hungarian, Austrian, and even Croatian. Yet it ultimately was returned to Serbia, where it now resides just a few kilometers outside of Belgrade. Today’s Zemun is mostly regarded as a quiet neighborhood for those looking to have a picnic in the shade, or a stroll along the river.

Church of Saint Sava

Standing high above the rest of the Belgrade skyline is the Church of Saint Sava, an Orthodox temple showcasing wondrous Balkan beauty.

With white stone walls, green domes, and golden crosses, the temple is truly a spectacular sight from nearly any angle. What visitors don’t see though, is the incredible golden crypt that lies beneath the church. Beautiful decorations and paintings adorn the room from the floor to the ceiling, and tell the story of Serbia’s religious kings and bishops.

 

Cities/Events/Attractions I’ll Return to See

Novi Sad

Just an hour north of Belgrade lies a town with all the splendor of traditional Europe. Novi Sad, meaning ‘new plant’, is a moderate sized city with about 300,000 citizens, resting alongside the banks of the Danube. Serbian locals consider the city to be the most beautiful in the nation, as it is full of historic architecture and picturesque towns. Globetrotters can hang out in the traditional ‘kafana’ taverns, snap photos in the alleys, or attend the mega music fest, Exit.

River Uvac

Multiple bends and curves in just a few kilometers make the River Uvac a magnificent sight to see from nearly any perspective. The river, which winds along the border of Serbia and Bosnia, cuts through ages-old natural limestone and karst landscapes while making dozens of 180-degree turns. Hikers can easily walk the ranges alongside the river and capture aerial photos worthy of postcards.

Iron Gates Gorge

Similar to the River Uvac, the Iron Gates Gorge is one of Serbia’s best landscapes that lies on its borders. The gorge, which shares the border with Romania, is a stretch of river that was once navigated by only the boldest of Romans. However, due to the river’s ferocity, it was dammed in the 1960’s in a joint effort between Serbia and Romania. As a result, two large reservoirs now exist on each end, with a much safer stretch of river to pass on.

Ancient fortresses litter the riverbank and prove just how old the region is. Furthermore, those navigating the river will be able to catch views of the Tabula Traiana, a tablet honoring the Roman emperor who created the original bridge over the water. Opposite this tablet, on the Romanian side, viewers can witness a stone carving of the Dacian king Decabalus carved into the rocks. 

Belgrade Beer Fest

Though Germany’s Oktoberfest is great, it’s a bit overcrowded by the millions who rush to see it. Such is not the case for Belgrade’s Beer Fest.

Beer Fest is free to enter, and boasts amazing live concerts (7). However, the event is dramatically less crowded than Oktoberfest, while still offering all the same benefits. Those who choose to cut loose can choose from over 90 different brews, and 450 different artists to watch perform live – all while enjoying traditional Serbian food in the hot summer weather.

Đavolja Varoš

Martian looking stone structures have been capturing attention in the south of Serbia for centuries. The structures, called the ‘Devil’s Town’ in English, are reddish-brown rock pinnacles which range from 3-15 meters (15-50 ft) in height. The rocks occupy a series of earthy ravines, which provide elaborate and colorful backdrops for their natural beauty.

 

JUST A REMINDER – Though I have been to every country that I write about, I occasionally throw in places and events that I may have missed, or plan on going back to see. Those events/locations are in blue text.