Serbia is worth exploring if you’re a Spanish traveler looking for quiet views, old villages, and places most tourists miss. You’ll come across stone-built homes in the east, peaceful rivers in the west, and small towns that still keep their old ways.
Renting a car in Serbia is the best way to see these hidden gems. Buses won’t take you to remote mountain roads or quiet gorges. But with your car, you can drive at your own pace, take small roads, and stop when something catches your eye. Our blog will guide you through your road trip across Serbia.
You can rent a car at the airport or in big cities like Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš. Booking online is the easiest way, especially if you are not fluent in Serbian. This way, you can check prices and choose the best type of car for your journey. To rent a car, you must show your Spanish driving license, passport, and a credit card. Drive on the right-hand side of the road and watch out for toll booths on some highways.
A compact car is fine for this trip if you plan to visit towns and light countryside. An SUV is better if your plan includes remote villages or mountain roads. This will help you drive safely on gravel and dirt roads. Car rentals in Serbia usually offer both manual and automatic options. Check fuel type and mileage limits before you book.
Eastern Serbia is full of rolling hills, fast-moving rivers, and remote villages between mountains. The people here keep many old traditions alive. It’s a great area to start your road trip ideas for Spanish tourists who enjoy culture and simplicity.
Gostuša is a stone village in the Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains). The houses here are built entirely from natural stone, wood, and mud, using dry-stone masonry. This old construction method helps keep the houses cool in summer and warm in winter. With almost no tourists, you can enjoy clean mountain air, explore intact rural architecture, and take photos without distraction. It’s a good place to learn about eco-friendly building techniques and the traditional way of life in southern Serbia.
The Temska Monastery dates back to the 14th century and was rebuilt in the 19th century. It sits along the Temštica River, surrounded by pine and oak forests. You can find simple frescoes and a peaceful church with wooden iconostases inside. Next to the monastery is a community wool workshop where local women make traditional Serbian wool products. They spin, dye, and weave wool using manual looms and natural dyes, often made from local plants. You can see how felt slippers, scarves, socks, and blankets are made. Products are sold directly at the workshop; the money helps support rural women and preserve traditional craft skills.
Šarkamen is a Roman archaeological site in eastern Serbia. It contains the remains of a 4th-century imperial complex, believed to be built during the rule of Emperor Maximinus Daia. The highlight is a mausoleum thought to belong to the emperor’s mother. Excavations revealed gold jewelry, glass urns, and mosaic fragments, some of which are now displayed in the National Museum in Zaječar. The site is open and unfenced, with informational signs in Serbian only. There are no entrance fees, and the area is rarely visited.
Western Serbia has beautiful natural features, but many travelers only visit the big parks. This area also hides calm spots that are just as lovely. These places are perfect for travelers who enjoy nature but want to avoid busy tourist areas. You can take small roads and stop wherever you want with your rental car.
Sopotnica is a group of multi-tiered waterfalls near Prijepolje in southwest Serbia. The waterfalls flow from the Jabuka Plateau, dropping over limestone rock formations at different heights, with some cascades reaching up to 20 meters. The water is clean and cold year-round, and it comes directly from mountain springs. You’ll find wooden bridges and stone footpaths. There are also designated picnic areas with tables and benches. The marked forest trails are well-kept and shaded by tall beech and pine trees. There is free parking near the entrance, and it’s a 30-minute drive from Prijepolje town center.
The Trešnjica River Gorge is located near the village of Donja Trešnjica. This gorge is part of a protected natural reserve and is one of the last nesting places of the Griffon vulture in the Balkans. These birds have a wingspan of nearly 3 meters, and you can often see them circling above the steep limestone cliffs. The best time for birdwatching is early morning or late afternoon, when they are active. The area has marked hiking paths that follow the river, passing through dense forests, clearings, and lookouts. Bring binoculars and water-resistant shoes, as some paths can be slippery.
Northern Serbia is part of the Vojvodina region, a flat and fertile area between the Danube, Tisa, and Sava rivers. Driving through this area offers wide views, small towns, and peaceful breaks from busy roads.
The Arača ruins are located in the Vojvodina region. These are the remains of a 13th-century Romanesque-Gothic basilica, once part of a larger monastic complex. The church was abandoned in the 16th century after Ottoman raids, and now only the tall stone walls, arched windows, and parts of the apse and nave remain. The site is in an open field without fences or tourist facilities. You’ll need to drive on a gravel road for around 2 kilometers to reach it and park along the edge. There is no entrance fee, and you can freely walk around the ruins.
Deliblato Sands is a special nature reserve in between the towns of Kovin and Bela Crkva. Covering over 300 square kilometers, it is often called the "European Desert" because of its loess-based sandy terrain. The dunes are now partly stabilized by planted pine and acacia forests, creating a mix of steppe, forest, and wetland habitats. The reserve is home to over 900 plant species and rare animals, including European rollers, deer, and jackals. There are marked walking trails, and you can access entry points by local roads like Route 114 or 313. Some areas allow cycling and light off-road driving, but campfires and camping are not allowed.
Čoka is a small town in northern Vojvodina. It lies on the Tisa River. Its history goes back to the Austro-Hungarian period, which is still visible in its urban layout and architecture. The town is known for its traditional wine-making, especially small cellars that produce local white and rosé wines. One of the best ways to experience Čoka is to visit a wine cellar, many of which welcome visitors by appointment. You can also stroll past early 20th-century buildings, such as the Town Hall and the Čoka Cultural Center, or stop at a local kafana (tavern) for coffee or lunch.
Southern Serbia has both history and nature. Many people visit Devil’s Town or Niš, but there are also less-known spots with real character. If you enjoy old buildings and mountain views, this part of Serbia will surprise you.
In Niš, you can visit Ivkova’s House, a small museum that shows how people lived in the 1800s. The furniture, clothes, and tools inside tell the story of daily life. The house is not large, but it’s full of detail. It’s also not listed on most tourist maps, so you will likely have the space to yourself. This is a good stop for travelers who enjoy folk culture and quiet museums.
The Latin Church is one of the most beautiful and oldest churches near Niš. It sits quietly on Metoh Hill, just above the village of Gornji Matejevac. Built over 1,000 years ago, it is one of Serbia's best-preserved early Christian churches. The area around it is peaceful, surrounded by green fields and far from busy roads. The church has ancient stone walls and a modest interior that reflects its long history.
Radan Mountain is close to Devil’s Town but far less crowded. The roads here are narrow but beautiful. Prolom Spa is nearby, and it has natural mineral springs. The water is believed to be healing. The mountain trails are quiet and surrounded by trees. If you want clean air, hiking, and a peaceful break, this is a great area to visit by car.
The Danube River flows through eastern Serbia, and many famous places sit along its banks. Here are some parts Spanish tourists can explore:
Ram Fortress was originally built in the 15th century by the Ottomans. It was restored in 2019, preserving its five towers, stone walls, and inner courtyard. The site is free to enter, with a small parking lot just outside the gate. From the top, you get wide views of the Danube River, the Carpathian foothills, and even parts of northern Romania on a clear day. The site is rarely crowded, making it ideal for quiet sightseeing, landscape photography, or simply enjoying the river breeze.
Silver Lake is a long, narrow lake created from a former river channel of the Danube. It stretches for about 14 kilometers, with calm, clean water suitable for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. There are several cafés and kiosks open during the warmer months, and most offer basic meals and cold drinks. The lake is a good detour if you drive along Route 34, which connects Požarevac to Kladovo.
Near Negotin, in eastern Serbia, you’ll find the Rajac wine cellars (Rajačke Pimnice), a complex of over 200 stone cellars built in the 18th and 19th centuries. These sandstone and timber cellars have sloped tile roofs and sit along cobbled paths on a small hill. They store homemade wines, especially from local Prokupac and Tamjanika grapes. The site is part of Serbia’s wine heritage, and some families open their cellars for tastings, though visits should be arranged in advance.
A road trip across Serbia gives you full control of the experience. You don’t need to follow bus routes or join crowded tours. Drive into quiet mountain villages like Gostuša, take photo breaks at Trešnjica Gorge, or go for a swim at Silver Lake. For Spanish travelers, this is the best way to find hidden gems in Serbia that most tourists miss.
Final Rentals is a trusted car rental service in Serbia. Choose from compact cars to full SUVs, book online in minutes, and pick up your car in Belgrade or Niš. It’s simple, fast, and built for travelers who want to see more.
