Northern Serbia is known for its flat plains, fertile vineyards, and mix of Central European and Balkan influences. The region is part of the Vojvodina province, where towns like Novi Sad, Subotica, and Sremski Karlovci blend Austro-Hungarian architecture with Serbian culture.
For French travelers in Serbia, it’s a chance to explore charming towns, enjoy local wines, and relax by the Danube. With a rental car, you can move at your own pace and reach places often missed by tour buses. Keep reading to make the most of your northern Serbia road trip for the weekend.
Other parts of Serbia, like the west, tend to get crowded, especially during summer holidays. If you're looking for a quieter and more relaxed trip, northern Serbia is the perfect choice. Here, you can enjoy cultural towns, peaceful vineyards, and scenic drives without the long lines or packed viewpoints. Take these stops to discover the top spots in northern Serbia.
Start your road trip by picking up a rental car in Belgrade or Niš, two major cities with good rental options and access to airports. Belgrade is more convenient because it has highway routes leading straight to the north.
To rent a car in Serbia, you’ll need a valid driver’s license, passport, and often an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your license isn’t in Latin script. Drive on the right side of the road, wear seat belts, and follow the speed limits—50 km/h in towns, 80–100 km/h on open roads, and 120–130 km/h on highways.
Belgrade is the best starting point for visiting northern Serbia. Cities like Novi Sad or Subotica are only 80 to 190 kilometers away, and you can reach them in 1 to 2 hours. Starting from Niš takes longer, with a distance of 236 kilometers to Novi Sad. While still doable, the drive can take 3 hours. So if your goal is to explore the top spots in northern Serbia, Belgrade is a better and more direct option.
Novi Sad is a riverside city in northern Serbia. Start with a walk around Petrovaradin Fortress, a massive 17th-century structure offering sweeping views of the Danube River. Locals call it the “Gibraltar on the Danube” for its size and strength.
After that, head down to the Danube promenade, where cafés and walking paths line the riverbank. Novi Sad also has a growing wine scene, thanks to nearby Fruška Gora, where the fertile slopes and mild climate create ideal conditions for vineyards. The region has a long winemaking tradition, with many family-run wineries offering tastings of local varieties like Bermet and Grašac.
Just 25 kilometers from Novi Sad, Fruška Gora National Park offers a peaceful escape into nature. Known as the “Jewel of Serbia,” the park features rolling hills, dense forests, and a network of quiet roads perfect for scenic drives.
Winding through charming villages and vineyards, the routes offer plenty of viewpoints where you can stop and enjoy sweeping countryside views. Along the way, you’ll find over a dozen historic Orthodox monasteries, including Krušedol, Grgeteg, and Šišatovac. These were built between the 15th and 18th centuries as a spiritual refuge during the Ottoman era, earning the area the nickname “Serbian Holy Mountain.”
There are so many monasteries here because the region became a haven during invasion. As the Ottomans moved through southern Serbia, Orthodox monks fled north, settling in Fruška Gora’s quiet hills. Under Habsburg rule, they were allowed to continue their faith freely, leading to the construction of more than 30 monasteries. Today, about 16 remain, each preserving centuries of religious tradition, art, and Serbian identity.
Just 30 kilometers from Fruška Gora National Park, Sremski Karlovci is a town known for its winemaking traditions. Set along the Danube River, it offers a peaceful atmosphere with baroque architecture and scenic views. The town is famous for its unique dessert wine called Bermet. This wine is made by infusing red or white grapes with 20 herbs and spices. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, held by only a few families in the area. Bermet has a strong flavor and was once served on the Titanic and in royal courts.
Sremski Karlovci is home to several family-run wineries where you can taste Bermet and other local wines. Notable wineries include Vinarija Vinum, known for its award-winning wines, and Djurdjic Winery, a boutique winery offering tastings in a cozy setting. Beyond wine, the town features landmarks like the Four Lions Fountain, the Patriarchal Court, and the Karlovci Gymnasium, Serbia's oldest secondary school.
Located about 118 kilometers from Sremski Karlovci, Subotica is a hidden gem near the Hungarian border. This city is renowned for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture, also known as Hungarian Secession stle. Buildings here are adorned with colorful tiles, intricate ironwork, and floral motifs, reflecting a rich blend of cultural influences.
Start exploring the City Hall, designed by architects Marcell Komor and Dezső Jakab in the early 20th century. Its ornate façade and stained-glass windows are a testament to the city's artistic heritage. Nearby, the Subotica Synagogue, completed in 1903, is one of Europe's finest examples of Art Nouveau religious architecture.
Don't miss the Raichle Palace, a masterpiece by architect Ferenc Raichle, now housing the Modern Art Gallery. For a unique experience, visit the world's only Art Nouveau McDonald's, set in a beautifully preserved historic building. Just a short drive from the city, Palić Lake is a great retreat with its own collection of Art Nouveau structures, including the Women's Lido and the Music Pavilion. The area also has its wineries, such as the Zvonko Bogdan Winery.
After exploring Subotica's elegance, drive about 120 kilometers via the A1 motorway to reach Bačka Palanka. This quiet riverside town sits along the Danube River and offers a calm contrast to the city sights.
Unwind at Tikvara Park along the Danube, a peaceful green space where locals come to walk, cycle, or relax by the water. It is a part of the Upper Danube Region, home to rare birds, forest wildlife, and wetlands full of unique plants and aquatic life. The town is also home to the Church of St. John the Baptist, a Baroque-stle Orthodox church built between 1783 and 1787. Inside, you’ll find a gilded iconostasis, colorful wall frescoes, and classic Orthodox chandeliers.
Wrap up your visit with a walk or drive across the Ilok–Bačka Palanka Bridge, which connects Serbia and Croatia. From the bridge, you’ll enjoy open views of the Danube. If time allows, cross into Ilok, Croatia, to explore its historic castle, charming vineyards, and celebrated wine cellars.
From Bačka Palanka, drive about 74 kilometers via Route 123 to reach Zasavica Nature Reserve. This protected wetland is one of Serbia’s last untouched swamp areas. Zasavica boasts over 600 plant species, including rare orchids and water lilies, and is home to more than 200 bird species, such as the white-tailed eagle and kingfisher.
The reserve also shelters unique animals like the Balkan donkey, mangulica pigs, and reintroduced beavers, which had been extinct in the region for a century. Visitors can enjoy boat tours along the river to see close-up views of the diverse flora and fauna. The reserve also features wooden walkways, watchtowers, and picnic areas.
From Zasavica Nature Reserve, drive 17 kilometers east via Route 20 to Sremska Mitrovica, a city with over 7,000 years of history. Known in Roman times as Sirmium, it was once one of the four capitals of the Roman Empire and the birthplace of several emperors.
Begin at the Sirmium Imperial Palace, located under the town's central market square. Here, you’ll see original 4th-century floor mosaics, heated rooms (hypocaust systems), and stone columns that once supported an imperial complex. The underground site includes a small museum with sculptures, coins, and artifacts found on-site. Then, head to the Museum of Srem, located in a former 19th-century palace. It holds Roman pottery, military items, jewelry, and collections from prehistoric, Roman, and medieval times.
To complete your northern Serbia adventure, drive back to Belgrade, 75 kilometers east of Sremska Mitrovica. The trip takes about 1 to 1.5 hours via the E75 route. If you're not in a rush, take the local road through Šabac and Obrenovac. This route winds through small villages, open farmland, and quiet country roads. You can end your journey with a few more views before heading into the city.
Once in Belgrade, return your rental car at your chosen location. Return the vehicle with a full tank, follow the company's drop-off instructions, and double-check for any personal items.
The northern Serbia road trip is a journey best enjoyed slowly. You’ll visit the wine cellars of Sremski Karlovci, walk through the colorful streets of Subotica, explore the forest trails of Fruška Gora, and relax by the riverside in Bačka Palanka. Each stop offers a quiet, meaningful look into Serbia’s charm.
Renting a car gives you full control of the journey. You can stop where the views are best and visit towns that most tourists miss. Finalrentals makes it simple. You can rent a car from Belgrade or Niš and start your trip without hassle.
