Serbia is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets for road tripping. It’s small enough to explore in just a few days, packed with mountains, rivers, vineyards, and medieval towns. The best part is everything’s close. You can go from city streets to scenic hills in just a few hours. Renting a car in Serbia gives you the freedom to stop when something catches your eye, take the quieter backroads, and reach places most tours skip. Our guide covers four Serbia driving itineraries to match your stle, whether you're into nature, culture, photography, or slow travel.
Renting a car is one of the smartest ways to plan a road trip in Serbia. Foreign visitors need a valid driver’s license from their home country, along with an International Driving Permit (IDP) if the license isn’t in Latin script. You’ll also need to be at least 21 years old, though some companies require drivers to be 23 or older. A credit card is usually needed for the deposit, which varies by car type and agency.
It’s best to book your rental online before your trip. Compare rates and check what’s included, like mileage limits, insurance, or roadside help. Prices can jump at the last minute, especially during summer. Look for trusted agencies with good reviews and flexible cancellation options.
Most travelers pick up their car at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport or in the center of big cities like Novi Sad or Niš. Compact cars are great for city-to-city trips and narrow village roads. For mountain roads or nature trips, a mid-size SUV or crossover is more comfortable and safer to drive. With your own vehicle, you’re free to stop at viewpoints, small towns, and roadside cafés—perfect for travelers who want to explore beyond the usual routes.
If you love stories from the past, this route is for you. Serbia’s roads connect royal towns, war memorials, and ancient empires. From royal homes to Ottoman fortresses, this road trip feels like walking through a living, open-air museum.
Route: Belgrade, Topola, Kragujevac, and Niš
Belgrade is where centuries of history are in one city. Kalemegdan Fortress overlooks the spot where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. A short stroll away, the National Museum of Serbia houses everything from Roman coins to medieval icons. If you want to see performers, art galleries, and cafés, head to Knez Mihailova Street, Belgrade's main pedestrian and shopping zone. For dinner, Zavičaj Restaurant serves hearty Serbian food like grilled meats and baked beans with sausage. If you're staying overnight, Hotel Moskva is an Empire-stle building that offers free, unlimited access to the spa, wellness center, and gym. Another option is Mama Shelter Belgrade. It’s on Knez Mihailova Street, a 7-minute walk from Republic Square (Trg Republike). It’s inside the Rajiceva Shopping Center, so you’re close to shops and restaurants.
Topola is 75 kilometers away from Belgrade as you head south. At the top of the town, the Oplenac Royal Complex is a church and the resting place of the Karađorđević royal family. Inside, over 700 mosaic scenes cover the walls. The air is quiet here, and the hilltop views stretch for miles. Just outside town on the hilly terrains of Oplenac, Aleksandrović Winery has 75 hectares of vineyards. They produce different types of white and red wines. You can return to Belgrade by evening, but if you’d rather not rush, spend the night at Vila Etno Selo Moravski Konaci, a rustic resort with a garden, terrace, a restaurant, and bar.
From Topola, it’s a 45-minute drive to Kragujevac. While the city may not look dramatic at first glance, it holds some of Serbia’s most important historical sites. Šumarice Memorial Park covers a peaceful forested area, but its story is anything but light. It honors thousands of civilians executed in 1941, and the Museum of 21 October nearby gives context to the tragedy. Later, if you’re up for more, the National Museum in Kragujevac offers a broader look at the city’s role in Serbia’s growth, especially its time as the capital and its early factories. You can also check out the Old Foundry Museum, where machines from the 1800s still stand. In the evening, grab dinner at Restaurant Vuk, a local favorite known for grilled meats.
Niš is one of Serbia’s oldest cities. History here goes deep. Start with the Niš Fortress, which covers much of the city center. Its wide stone walls and open paths are great for walking, especially in the early morning when it’s still quiet. Not far away is the Skull Tower (Ćele Kula), one of the country's most haunting but memorable places. It was built with the skulls of Serbian rebels after a failed uprising. Drive or take a short taxi ride to Čegar Hill, another battlefield turned memorial site, where the uprising began. In the late afternoon, stroll through Tinkers Alley (Kazandžijsko sokače). This old street is lined with cafés, small shops, and stone buildings that hold onto the past. Order a coffee and try some baklava.
This is one of the best road trips in Serbia if you’re craving fresh air, calm views, and time in nature. Drive through quiet forests, along rivers, and past wide mountain meadows. Spot birds at Uvac Canyon or relax in Zlatibor’s clean mountain air.
Route: Užice, Tara National Park , Uvac Canyon, and Zlatibor
Užice is a small town in the Zlatibor district located on the banks of Đetinja River. It’s often overlooked, but a great entry point to western Serbia’s scenic side. Walk through the old center or head up to the Old Užice Fortress for a view over the Đetinja River. If you’re arriving in the afternoon, take it slow and grab stews, barbecue, or pizza at Restoran Gold, where the river runs right by the terrace. If you stay the night, Hotel Palisad offers mountain views, or you can opt for Sky Cabin Apartments for a more local feel.
From Užice, it’s a 2-hour drive to Tara National Park. Tara is one of Serbia’s most beautiful protected areas. Dense pine woods, wildflower meadows, and hidden lakes define the landscape. Spend the morning walking one of the shorter trails, like the Banjska Stena viewpoint hike, which gives you a dramatic view of the Drina River Canyon. In the afternoon, visit Lake Perućac, where you can rent a kayak, swim, or just sit by the water with a picnic. Wildlife lovers should watch for rare birds or brown bears. Bring cash, as some small cafés near the lake don’t take cards. Stay overnight in Villa Milikic, a favorite for its mountain views and hearty breakfasts. You’ll wake up to birdsong and fresh mountain air.
Next, head south toward Uvac Canyon, about 2 hours and 35 minutes from Tara. The drive is full of wide valley views and dramatic river bends. Once you get close, stop by the Uvac Special Nature Reserve. This is where the river loops into tight S-curves through steep limestone cliffs. You can hike to the Molitva Viewpoint, which takes about 3 hours but rewards you with postcard views. This area is also home to Griffon vultures, which are often seen gliding above the canyon. Boat tours are available from Lake Uvac, but they fill up fast in summer, so try to book ahead. In the evening, you can stay in the village of Sjenica. Etno House Uvac is a great local option, especially if you want a warm meal and a fireplace after a long day outdoors.
Wrap up your trip in Zlatibor, about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Uvac. Zlatibor is known for its open pastures, wooden homes, and slow pace. Take a walk around Lake Zlatibor, ride the Gold Gondola, the longest panoramic gondola in the world. Or, you can visit the open-air Sirogojno Village Museum, where you’ll see how rural life looked a century ago. For something relaxing, many hotels in Zlatibor offer spa treatments and saunas. Try Hotel Mona Plaza Zlatibor for a full wellness setup, or stay at Casa di Vista for something smaller and family-run.
If you travel for taste, this trip will make you happy. Drive through wine country, stop at farms, and try fresh local dishes. Taste wines in Fruška Gora, enjoy sweets in Sremski Karlovci, and explore food spots in Novi Sad. End in Subotica, where cafés meet charm and quiet streets. This route is for slow days, full plates, and bold flavors.
Route: Fruška Gora, Sremski Karlovci, Novi Sad, and Subotica
Fruška Gora National Park is a 1-hour drive from Belgrade. The park is known for its green hills, peaceful forests, and over a dozen old monasteries. But what brings most visitors? The wine. Fruška Gora is one of Serbia’s best-known wine regions. You’ll find vineyards everywhere. Plan a visit to Vinarija Kovačević, a family-run winery that offers tastings, tours, and a restaurant with local dishes like slow-cooked lamb and plum dumplings. Another favorite is Vinarija Deurić, which has a stunning terrace view over the vines. Spend a few hours sipping, snacking, and enjoying the peaceful pace of the countryside. If you’d rather not drive after wine, book a stay at Premier Prezident Hotel near Sremski Karlovci or a local guesthouse among the vineyards.
A 40-minute drive from Fruška Gora takes you to Sremski Karlovci, a baroque town in Vojvodina. The town square has pastel-colored buildings and cobbled streets. Walk through the center and visit the Four Lions Fountain and the Patriarchal Court. But the highlight here is the wine and dessert. Try bermet, a local spiced dessert wine once served on the Titanic. You can sample it at Podrum Probus or Bajilo Wine Cellar near the main square. Stay overnight in Premier Prezident Hotel, a grand boutique hotel with a spa, or continue on to Novi Sad if you want to explore more in the evening.
From Karlovci, Novi Sad is only a 15-minute drive. It’s Serbia’s second-largest city, but it is laid-back and walkable. Start your day at the Novi Sad Market (Futoška pijaca), where locals shop for fresh fruits, cheeses, and homemade ajvar. Pick local snacks, then head to Zmaj Jovina Street for cafés and people-watching. For lunch, grab a seat at Plava Frajla, known for its local twists on comfort food, or try Project 72, a modern bistro offering tasting menus with local wines. Walk it off at Petrovaradin Fortress, where you can catch views of the Danube and even a street concert or festival. Stay overnight at Hotel Leopold I, a luxurious hotel at the heart of the fortress, or check in at Arhiv Boutique House, a stylish family-owned hotel close to the old town.
End your journey in Subotica, which is about a 1-hour drive north. The roads are smooth, and the scenery turns flat and wide as you reach Serbia’s Vojvodina plains. Subotica is a mix of Hungarian influence, art nouveau buildings, and a café scene that feels almost like Vienna. Walk through the center and visit the City Hall and the Synagogue, two of the most stunning examples of Hungarian Secessionist architecture in the country. Then take a break at Café Boss, which offers air conditioning, free parking, Wi-Fi, a pizzeria, and a summer terrace. You’ll also find live music, cocktails, a disco, and a DJ. Try Stara Pizzeria or Kost for lunch if you're in the mood for something more upscale. The food here blends Serbian and Hungarian flavors—think paprika stews, stuffed peppers, and buttery pastries. Stay the night at Hotel Galleria, a modern hotel with a spa, or opt for Villa Majur for a more peaceful, countryside-stle retreat with a fitness center.
If you’re the type who packs hiking boots first, this road trip is for you. Start in Niš, then head into mountain trails, forest paths, and hidden caves. Climb Stara Planina, explore Sokobanja, and take on the steep slopes of Mt. Rtanj. This is Serbia’s wild side, far from the crowds.
Route: Niš, Stara Planina, Sokobanja, and Rtanj
Niš is a lively city close to nature. Spend the morning walking around Niš Fortress and grabbing a bite at Tinker's Alley, where you’ll walk through cobblestones filled with cafes and restaurants. If you have extra time, take a short drive to Niška Banja, a spa village where you can dip your feet into natural hot springs and stretch out before the hikes begin. For dinner, Gurmanova Tajna is a local favorite for grilled meats and soups. Stay the night at Ambasador Hotel if you want a view of the Monument to the Liberators of Niš and the city, or check in at Eter Hotel, which has a bar and is close to shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Leave Niš early and drive east toward Stara Planina. The trip takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This is one of Serbia’s least developed mountain ranges, which means fewer tourists and more untouched beauty. Once you arrive, lace up your boots and head for Midžor, the highest peak in the area. It’s a full-day hike, so pack snacks, water, and layers. If you want something shorter, try the trail to Temska Waterfall. Either way, the area is full of rivers, cliffs, and wildflowers, especially in spring and early summer. Stay the night at one of the mountain lodges like Hotel Stara Planina, where you can eat, shower, and rest before your next outdoor stop.
Sokobanja is a town long known for its healing air, warm springs, and pine-covered hills. Here, you can slow down but still stay active. Start with a walk through the Moravica River Canyon, then explore Ozren Mountain or the Ripaljka Waterfall, one of the tallest in Serbia. Make time to visit Lepterija, a scenic area outside town where forest paths lead to small shrines, viewpoints, and picnic spots. You’ll also find Bogovinska Cave nearby. It’s a lesser-known but fascinating cave with guided tours available during warmer months. For lunch, try Zupan Restaurant’s sandwiches with reasonable prices in garden seating. Stay overnight at Hotel Sunce, which offers spa options and easy access to trails.
Save your toughest hike for last. Mt. Rtanj is known for its perfect pyramid shape and mystery-filled legends, rising at 1,600 meters. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Sokobanja. The climb is steep with no switchbacks, so prepare for a direct, challenging ascent. Most people start from the village of Rtanj, and the hike takes two to three hours. At the summit, the view stretches across eastern Serbia. On clear days, you’ll feel like you’re above it all. Many say the mountain has orgone, electromagnetic, and ozone energy, which can heal your body. After coming down, head to Ethno Village Rtanj for lunch or to unwind. You can spend your final night here or return to Niš if you fly out or continue your journey.
Serbia is one of the best road trips in Europe waiting to happen. Now, you’ve got four unique routes to pick from. Each place is just a few hours apart, so you can explore freely. With FinalRentals, it’s simple to book your vehicle. You can pick up and drop off your car at Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade or Niš Constantine the Great Airport. We have what you need if you need a small car for city roads or a bigger one for the mountains.
