Serbia hadn’t crossed my mind as a country to visit on its own. It was always going to be a “while I’m in that kinda area I’ll visit…..” I didn’t know much about it so my time there was eye opening in many ways.
There is so much to love about Serbia. The people are among the friendliest I have come across. So genuine, welcoming and kind. I love their sense of humour, which is often compared to the larrikin nature Australians are famous for. As a relatively poor country (the average monthly wage is about €300), travelling in Serbia is incredibly cheap for me and I enjoyed not having to think about my budget as much as I might in other places. I loved that there was so much I didn’t know and therefore so much to discover.
I spent three weeks in Serbia. Not a long time in the scheme of things, but more than most travellers spare – that’s if they come here at all. This wonderful Balkan heartland was a highlight of my travels, during which I’ve visited 20 countries in the last two years.
But I can’t recommend travelling to Serbia unreservedly.
You see, being a tourist in Serbia is frustrating. Frustrating in a hair-pulling-why-didn’t-I-learn-any-Serbian-curse-words kinda way.
Travelling in Serbia is like finding a gorgeous guy on Match.com who loves travel, reading and has no spelling mistakes in his profile.
You wonder how he’s still single.
Then right under where he names his dog Max as his best friend, he admits he’s married.
Likewise, Serbia promises so much, but it is unavailable in so many ways.
There is a huge, infuriating lack of information and services for tourists. Much of my trip was dictated by where I could go rather than where I wanted to go. There are several wonderful things I heard of or read about, but getting there was, in most cases, either a logistical nightmare or just impossible.
It’s not just that there’s not much information for tourists in English. It’s that there’s not much information for tourists AT ALL.
I visited Uvac Canyon with two girls from Belgrade and I mentioned I’d had a lot of trouble finding information in English, and even most of the pages I translated online weren’t helpful. The language barrier wasn’t the problem, they said. There’s no information in Serbian either.
At a bus station in Kragujevac, my friend, a Serb, enquired about the bus to Niš. There were two buses, she was told. One was at 1.30pm. One was at 1.45pm. The first one was 900 dinar. The woman at the ticket desk didn’t know how much the second one was, but thought it may be cheaper. Did the cheaper one take longer? The woman didn’t know. What time did the first one arrive? She didn’t know that either. If someone who speaks the language can’t find out this kind of information, what hope does a visitor have?
At first it’s fun. Charming even. It’s as if Serbia has no idea how appealing it is. Actually, in a lot of ways that’s true. I met many a Serb who while full of pride and devotion for their country (“I’d never want to live anywhere else,” they told me) couldn’t understand why I came here to visit. But a week in the novelty fades and I start pulling my hair out!
Serbia wants tourists. The English information available on the national tourism site indicates as much. And of course there are tourists there. It’s a popular destination for people from other Eastern European or Balkan countries and especially the Russians, who relish going to Serbia as it’s one of the few countries that welcomes them with open arms and a free visa.
Its neighbours such as Montenegro, Croatia and Hungry are cashing in on the tourist industry and Serbia deserves a piece of that action. The fact those places are becoming so popular can work in Serbia’s favour because the more popular they become, the more expensive they get and the more travellers start looking for the next “place to be”.
Tourism is growing in Serbia. In 2005 Belgrade had one hostel, now there’s countless and many aren’t even that cheap anymore. Užice had no hostels at the beginning of the summer and finished the season with two. Tourism is growing and people want to come here, but Serbia makes it so hard.
I’m a patient traveller and also have a knack for researching. As a journalist I prided myself on being able to dig out personal mobile numbers from the depths of the internet so I could bypass annoying communications officers. But researching sights, accommodation and transport options in Serbia put my skills to the test.
I found an email address for organised tours on the Uvac River at the bottom of a family blog. The website for the organisation involved made no mention of the tours. Once I’d booked the tour I was told I would have to make my own way to the starting point, which was about 13km from the nearest town and of course, there’s no public transport. Perhaps I’ve become too accustomed to the highlife, but I would have thought having a bus organised to meet people at a more central location and take them to the lake for the tour (at an extra cost of course) would be logical. In a lot of places, it would be standard.
When I shared this thought with Serbs, I was laughed at. “This is Serbia!!”
So? Doesn’t Serbia want tourists? Doesn’t Serbia want our money?
In a lot of ways I find myself feeling a bit hypocritical. I love discovering places that aren’t yet “touristy”. The less known and the harder it is it get to, the bigger sense of achievement and excitement I feel when I get there. I’ve had that feeling a lot in Serbia, such as at the thermal spa I found in Knjazevac or the stunning Uvac Canyon. I worked hard for those experiences and I felt I was rewarded by discovering Serbia’s secrets.
But at the same time, I think Serbia deserves to be known for these things. Serbia has such a tortured history. It was pointed out to me that children under the age of 10 are the first generation to grow up without living through war and conflict. That’s the Serbia of the past, but it’s not the Serbia of the present or the future. What I found here is a country full of beautiful sights and great travel experiences.
While this article is extremely critical of Serbia, I mean it in the way my Mum likes to point out mistakes I’ve made in my writing. She wants me to get better. And that’s what I want for Serbia. I’m glad I got to visit. I had some memorable experiences and I will come back one day and have a lot more.
In the meantime, Serbia needs to make it easier for people discover what a great country this is.
16 Comments
Its a such good blog about Serbia! I agree with everything you wrote. You should send this entry to Serbian National Tourist Office.
I loved this honest account of Serbia! It’s one of the countries I most want to visit, though now I’ll be more prepared for the frustration haha. Thank you. Hopefully Serbia gets its shit together, for lack of a better metaphor!
Mostly, it is about money. After decades of continues impoverishment and economical decline, it is very hard to find half a billion dollars to repair railway Belgrade-Bar or billion dollars to finish highway Belgrade-Monte Negro. In a first place, economy has to improve, to increase Serbian GDP which is still only 50-60% of GDP in 1989 (before recent wars).
I’m from Serbia, and I must agree with this blog post. Our country is beautiful, but not easy to explore. Most easy way is renting a car. Public transport outside from the major cities is not very functional, and there is a lack of information how to get to those beautiful places. Money is just a part of the problem, but no hope and no willingness to improve is much major problem.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who finds it frustrating. I really enjoyed my visit though – even if it was challenging at times.
I was born in Serbia,and it’s fun to visit because its not expensive,but its hard to live there since my parents got 320 euros per month.But I have to agree with the nature and how beautiful it is 🙂
Eventually we had to move since there is like 6 of us in the family and we were living of pasta. But it is really fun to go back and visit a few places
I live on Martha’s vineyard, where many Serbian college students come during summer to work. Most of them are intelligent, friendly, hard working kids and I want to travel to Serbia, but must do so after our tourist season ends in october, when most of the Serb kids head back to school. Is a three week trip around October 20th going to be pleasant in terms of weather? I know my encounters with Serbs will be good and I don’t mind the ‘backwardness’ of the infrastructure. The last thing I want to see is the ‘hamburgering’ of Serbia! Sadly SE Asia is being destroyed by this crap a mile a second!! I hope Serbia hangs on to what makes Serbia wonderful! PEACE
I was near Serbia in late October last year and still walking around in shorts and T-shirts, but you never really know what the weather will do. I would check to see if any of the places you want to visit have been affected by the floods.
jeff, last October was very hot, which was unusual. in 90% you’ll need an autumn clothes, with layers =)
I don’t think it’s critical, it’s more constructive criticism and that’s always welcome. Where did you stay? I recommend you (for your next visit) to rent in Belgrade. Yup, renting apartments is the cheapest way of accommodation.
Thanks so much for this – an interesting insight. I am travelling to Serbia in February. I think after what we have read, my friend will consider hiring a car.
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Totally agree on you on this one. It’s definitely one of my favourite countries to travel to and currently running a blog about generally travelling in the Balkans. Are you still in the region? Plans would be to go around there for half a year or something just to explore all the places. Do you think getting a car would make it difficult to write about how to access places by public transport?
Best Regards, Kimmo
Very good article. I am Serbian and but born outside of Serbia. Love visiting the country and don’t even mind the ‘backwardness’ (sometimes!). I find that everyone is really open and friendly, some of the most hospitable people I feel. However the tourism question probably isn’t on most people’s minds. The have what they have and live how they live. Very simple. I certainly hope that they don’t go down the tourism path and charge several euros for everything and anything. I love the fact the you can walk around just about anywhere and go inside just about anywhere without someone badgering you for a ticket. But I do think that you’re right about making things easier for tourists. Especially for places outside of Belgrade like Uvac Canyon. I’m a Serb and have no idea how to get to these touristy areas. Plus if you’re thinking about renting a car… keep in mind…. just drive like a maniac and you’ll fit right in! My taxi driver was tailgating a police car the last time that I was there! LOL
So true, you can’t be more accurate (now this goes with a smile and a sigh together)! It’s not even about super-commercial tourism, simply country just needs slightly more structure in daily life, also some entrepreneurship touch, more sense for organizing. Hope things have improved a bit at least. Knowing Serbia… it will take some time :-). There are definitely many ‘hidden’ totally non-commercial places well worth checking out whether you like nature or history (well, what’s left of it) or just being exposed to some raw spontaneous life. Also, in spite of the very modest economy – my impression is that people still keep that peculiar character and spirit, they are creative and amazing in a way, but they just don’t care.
I stumbled upon your blog randomly (one of the photos from the blog was indexed in google search) and ended up reading the impressions from travels, eventually reaching article(s) on Serbia. Thanks for bringing out my faraway hometown Uzice online by the way, I never thought any tourist would drop by, certainly not many from other (faraway) continents. Thanks!
İt s amazing beatifull country and nice people..I was there last year.By the way I ll tell u my experience on Avis Office in Nicola Tesla Airport.I rent eco car for 112 Euro which was fully paid.Therefore I never tought there was a game or hidden cost.I never ask them extra insurance or what ever.But when I returned my country they withdrawed 500 euro from my card.Pls never Rent a Car in Nicola Tesla Avis office.This is real thing happened me…I called them and asked they said “this this cost comes from winter tires and insurance..Car rent 112 USD winter tires 500 Euro even I never asked them ..İf u go there never use Nicola Tesla Airport Avis Office,they cheat the people…