Belgrade and Novi Sad are large, well-known cities with modern buildings, busy roads, and many tourists. But Serbia has much more to offer beyond the main cities. The small towns are calm, full of history, and surrounded by nature. In our guide, we’ll visit the best small towns to drive to in Serbia. These places have old castles, quiet streets, and local food. They are perfect for travelers who want to see the real side of the country. Renting a car in Serbia makes it easy to reach these towns. You’ll have more freedom to explore, stop when you like, and enjoy the drive through scenic routes.
Exploring rural towns in Serbia gives a deep look at local culture, history, and nature. Most trips begin in Belgrade or another big city because car rentals are easy to find there. Driving lets you reach these towns and see more than the usual tourist spots. Here are reasons to explore these small towns by car:
Serbia has dozens of charming towns best explored by car. These places stay under the radar, which is part of their charm. When you rent a car, you can drive to hilltop monasteries, lakeside villages, and quiet towns tucked between forests. You don’t have to follow fixed timetables or transfer routes.
One of the best things about road trips is making the journey your own. Want to pull over for a vineyard view or a roadside bakery? You can. Driving through Serbia gives you that flexibility. You decide where to go, how long to stay, and what to explore next.
Most roads in Serbia are in good condition and easy to follow. Drives often pass through lush hills, wide plains, and river valleys. Many of the best towns are on or near scenic routes, so getting there becomes part of the experience. Just plug in your GPS and enjoy the ride. Smaller cars are ideal if you plan to visit villages with narrow streets.
Serbia has many small towns perfect for a scenic and relaxed road trip. Most small towns have stone houses, family-run bakeries, old churches, and wide squares where neighbors gather. The pace is slow, the food is homemade, and the views often include rivers, forests, or green hills. If you're planning a road trip to Serbia villages, these towns are worth every mile.
Sremski Karlovci is one of the most historic and picturesque towns in northern Serbia. It’s known for its baroque architecture, rich wine-making tradition, and important role in Serbian history. Highlights include the Patriarch’s Palace, the Four Lions Fountain, and the Karlovci Gymnasium, one of the oldest schools in the region. The town is also famous for producing bermet wine, a spiced dessert wine made with aromatic herbs and aged in oak barrels. It has a complex flavor and is traditionally paired with cakes or served as an aperitif.
Its walkable streets and scenic setting along the Danube make Sremski Karlovci feel like a charming open-air museum, where every corner invites a slow stroll, riverside photo, or café break with a view.
Travel time from Belgrade: 1 hour 5 minutes via А1
From Belgrade, take the E75 highway and follow signs for Novi Sad. Merge onto the A1 toll road and exit at Sremski Karlovci. The drive continues through local routes, including Route 100 and Jovana Jovanovića Zmaja Street, leading straight to the town center.
Zlakusa is best known for its traditional pottery. Craftsmen in the village use a rare technique that mixes clay with ground calcite, shaping and firing each piece by hand in open kilns. This method, unique to western Serbia, is listed as part of the country’s intangible cultural heritage. Travelers can visit family-run workshops, take part in short pottery lessons, and buy one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces directly from the source.
Aside from pottery, Zlakusa is surrounded by peaceful countryside, ideal for a quiet walk or a photo stop. The nearby Potpeć Cave features one of the tallest cave entrances in the Balkans, along with guided tours inside its limestone chambers. You’ll also be just a 17-minute drive from Užice, a regional town with historic architecture, local markets, and the old hydroelectric power plant on the Đetinja River, one of the oldest in Europe still in use.
Travel time from Belgrade: 2 hours 23 minutes via A2
Starting in Belgrade, follow signs toward A2 using Bulevar Vojvode Mišića and Route 26. Merge onto the A2 highway, pass through the Čačak region, and continue toward Užice. From there, local roads lead you straight into Zlakusa. The drive is smooth, with well-maintained highways and scenic rural landscapes along the way.
Drvengrad sits high in the Zlatibor District. The village has a central square, small shops, wooden guesthouses, and cafes that serve local food. Streets are named after famous people like Nikola Tesla and Diego Maradona, which is unique to the town's layout.
Drvengrad is special because of its location near Tara National Park, one of Serbia’s top nature reserves. Travelers can enjoy fresh mountain air, access to quiet forest trails, and panoramic views over the nearby valleys. The nearby Mokra Gora area is known for clean rivers, healing spring water, and wooden bridges that blend into the landscape.
Travel time from Belgrade: 3 hours 13 minutes via A2 and E763
Begin your drive from Belgrade by heading southeast toward A2 using Bulevar Vojvode Mišića and Route 26. Merge onto A2 and continue past Čačak. Follow signs for E763 and exit onto Route 28 toward Mokra Gora. The final stretch winds through forested hills and quiet mountain roads, offering scenic views all the way to Drvengrad.
Vrnjačka Banja is Serbia’s most visited spa and wellness town. It is famous for its natural mineral springs, some of which date back to Roman times. The town has seven thermal springs, with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 36°C, used for both drinking and bathing therapies. It's a top destination for those seeking rest, wellness treatments, and fresh air. The area has well-maintained walking paths, fountains, and landscaped gardens, perfect for slow strolls and quiet moments.
Travelers can visit the Japanese Garden, the Bridge of Love, and the Vrnjačka Park, all within walking distance from the town center. Local hotels and villas often offer spa services, thermal pools, and massage treatments. Whether you stay overnight or stop for a few hours, Vrnjačka Banja is a refreshing pause on your road trip to Serbia villages.
Travel time from Belgrade: 2 hours 45 minutes via A1 and Route 23
From Belgrade, head southeast through Bulevar kneza Aleksandra Karađorđevića and connect to the A1 motorway. Continue toward Pojate, then take the exit to Route 23 heading for Kruševac. Follow the signs to Vrnjačka Banja. The roads are well-paved and clearly marked, making this a smooth and pleasant drive through central Serbia.
Golubac is best known for the Golubac Fortress, a medieval structure built directly into the cliffs by the river. The fortress features visitor platforms, lookout towers, and a small museum. It is located at the entrance to the Đerdap Gorge (Iron Gates), the largest river gorge in Europe, situated within Đerdap National Park. This part of the Danube flows between steep cliffs, creating one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in Serbia.
Besides its historical value, Golubac offers peaceful riverside cafes, biking trails, and boat tours that take you closer to the gorge. The fortress complex also includes a modern visitor center with exhibitions and interactive displays for kids and history lovers.
Travel time from Belgrade: 2 hours 23 minutes via Route 14
From Belgrade, head southeast through Starine Novaka and Dragoslava Srejovića streets, then continue onto Pančevački Put. Merge onto Route 14 and follow it all the way east, passing towns like Smederevo and Veliko Gradište. The drive offers riverside views and peaceful countryside roads, ending at the edge of the Danube River where Golubac awaits.
Topola is one of Serbia’s most important historical towns, best known for its connection to the Karađorđević royal family. The town’s main attraction is the Oplenac complex, which includes the Church of St. George and the royal mausoleum where members of the dynasty are buried. The church is famous for its white marble exterior and interior mosaics made from over 40 million tiny pieces of colored glass, depicting scenes from Serbian medieval art.
Vineyards, fruit orchards, and soft hills typical of the Šumadija region also surround the town. Visitors can enjoy wines at local wineries like the Royal Wine Cellar and Aleksandrović Winery, both located near the Oplenac estate, walk around the royal estate grounds, or stop by the Karađorđe Museum to learn more about Serbia’s revolutionary past.
Travel time from Belgrade: 1 hour 13 minutes via E75 and Route 25
Leave Belgrade heading southeast through Bulevar oslobođenja, then join the E75 motorway. Exit onto Route 25 and continue south through the scenic Šumadija region. The road winds through small villages and open countryside before reaching Topola. It’s a direct and well-marked route, ideal for a short and pleasant drive.
Ljubovija is nestled in western Serbia, close to the Drina River, which marks the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This area is perfect for travelers seeking nature, peace, and outdoor activities. The town is surrounded by dense forests, rolling hills, and river valleys, making it ideal for hiking, fishing, and scenic drives.
The nearby Rogačica and Crnča villages offer additional natural spots, with views over the river and wooden cottages scattered along the hills. One of the area’s highlights is the Drina River viewpoint, where you can stop for photos or a riverside picnic. There are also local rafting tours if you want a bit of adventure.
Travel time from Belgrade: 2 hours 35 minutes via A2
Begin by heading southeast from Belgrade and connect to the A2 motorway. Drive past Lajkovac and follow the exit toward Valjevo. From there, continue through hilly terrain along Routes 27, 143, and 141. The final stretch winds through scenic countryside before reaching the quiet riverside town of Ljubovija.
Pirot is a cultural hub in southeastern Serbia, best known for its handwoven rugs, locally called Pirotski ćilimi. These rugs are made using ancient weaving techniques and feature colorful, geometric patterns unique to the region. Visitors can explore the Pirot Rug Museum, where they can see traditional looms and learn about the town's textile heritage. Local workshops also sell handmade items if you are looking for authentic souvenirs.
Beyond crafts, Pirot is home to the Pirot Fortress, built in the 14th century to guard trade routes near the Bulgarian border. Nature lovers can head toward Stara Planina Nature Park, which is 30 minutes away. It has hiking trails, waterfalls, and mountain viewpoints. The nearby villages of Temska and Dojkinci offer rustic guesthouses, traditional food, and access to wild landscapes. Temska is known for its historic monastery and natural springs, while Dojkinci is a gateway to some of the park’s most scenic trails and waterfalls.
Travel time from Belgrade: 3 hours via E75
From Belgrade, take the E75 motorway heading southeast toward Niš. Continue along the A4/E80 toward Pirot, passing through well-maintained toll roads and clear signposts. The final stretch brings you through the southern plains and into the Pirot valley, surrounded by the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains).
These beautiful towns in Serbia offer more than lovely views. Each place brings something unique, like craft traditions, spa culture, royal history, or quiet nature. These towns are often missed without a flexible plan, but they’re some of the most rewarding stops in the country. That’s why renting a car with FinalRentals is the smart choice. It gives you full control of your route, helps you reach places public transport skips, and makes the journey smoother. With easy pick-up in major cities and a wide range of vehicles, FinalRentals makes your road trip more personal and convenient.
