If you want to mix work and travel, Serbia is a great place to explore. You’ll find friendly cities, strong internet, and beautiful places to visit by car. As a digital nomad or remote worker, you’ll enjoy the freedom of moving around while staying connected. In this guide, you’ll learn how to rent a car in Serbia, discover cities where you can stay and work, and explore scenic routes without giving up your work schedule.
Let’s say you just landed at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport and want to start your road trip right away. You’ll find several car rental desks near the arrivals area, but these can get busy, especially in summer. It’s better to book your car online in advance so it’s ready when you arrive.
If you're over 21 and have your local license, most companies will hand you the keys without any trouble. An international driving permit helps, but in many cases, it’s not required. Compact cars usually start at €45 a day. If you plan a longer drive across the country, ask for a diesel vehicle. It saves fuel money in the long run.
Once you’re on the road, highways like E75 are easy to drive. Just keep some cash or a card ready for toll booths. If you're heading into villages or mountain areas, expect narrow roads and a few bumps here and there. Always keep your passport, car documents, and insurance with you. Parking in central Belgrade can be tough. You might drive around for 20 minutes before finding a spot. That’s why it’s better to stay in hotels, which offer private parking for guests.
If you're a remote worker, Serbia offers low costs and stable internet in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš. Each has coworking spaces and coffee shops at reasonable prices. These cities are also great starting points for a Serbia road trip for digital nomads, giving you the freedom to work during the week and explore new places on the weekends.
Belgrade is the biggest city in Serbia. If you're planning a Serbia road trip for digital nomads, this is the best place to start. The city is full of coworking spaces, fast internet, and great places to eat, making it easy to mix work and travel.
For coworking, Startit Center Belgrade is a top pick. It's a welcoming space for individuals and team. You’ll meet other developers, marketers, and entrepreneurs who are happy to share ideas and help with new projects. Another option is Impact Hub Belgrade, which hosts startups, freelancers, and business events. It’s a great place to connect with professionals and thought leaders if you're looking to build your network.
When you need a change of scene, Belgrade’s cafés are perfect for working late or grabbing a coffee between calls. Places like Pržionica and Kafeterija Magazin 1907 are popular among laptop users and stay open until the evening. For living, most remote workers stay in Dorćol or Vračar. Dorćol is close to the river and filled with modern cafés, bars, and quiet walking streets. Vračar is more local, with access to the Vračar Sports Center, where you can swim, join a gym, or even take a martial arts class after work.
Once you're done for the day, take a walk around Kalemegdan Fortress, catch the sunset by the Danube, or enjoy a meal at Ambar, a well-known Balkan restaurant that also has Wi-Fi.
Novi Sad is smaller than Belgrade but has a more relaxed pace and open feel. It is located next to the Danube River, surrounded by leafy parks and calm cafés. It’s perfect for remote workers who want peaceful days with easy access to city life.
When you arrive, check out Project 72 Wine & Deli, a refined space where you can set up your laptop and enjoy gourmet dishes. Try their lightly gratinated goose liver with pear in red wine or duck's breast with carrot purée and currant sauce while tapping away at your keyboard. Save room for baklava with walnuts or raspberry sorbet for a sweet break.
If your visit falls in summer, mark your calendar. EXIT Festival takes place at Petrovaradin Fortress from July 10 to 13. This music and arts event draws international crowds for shows by DJs and bands. Even if you don’t attend, festival season brightens the city’s atmosphere with outdoor art, cafes open late, and walking paths buzzing with excitement. Between work sessions, take a stroll along the Danube, visit the historic fortress, or enjoy a sunset view from one of the riverside cafés.
Niš is one of the most affordable cities in southern Serbia, making it ideal for remote workers on a budget. You’ll find fast internet, quiet streets, and tasty local food that won’t stretch your wallet. Many digital nomads who want a calm work environment choose this city. The pace is slower here, which helps you focus during the day and relax after work.
For coworking, there are two great options. Think Innovative Hub is outside the city center, surrounded by trees and quiet paths. It offers a modern space with high standards, perfect for solo workers or small teams who need focus. If you prefer to stay downtown, try Flowhab, a cozy office and coworking space with private parking and green surroundings. It’s fully furnished, with 14 meeting rooms, reliable management, and a warm, relaxed feel. It’s a favorite among remote workers who want a balance of productivity and comfort.
When you want to grab a coffee, Tramvaj Café is a local favorite. Shaped like a real tram, it has long wooden seats. Outside, you’ll find shaded chairs with mist sprayers, perfect on hot days. The Wi-Fi is steady, and you can check emails or relax between tasks. Niš is also full of history. You can visit the Skull Tower, a famous Ottoman-era site, or explore the Mediana Archaeological Site, which dates back to Roman times. You can head into the nearby mountains on weekends or drive to small villages.
Working remotely in Serbia gives you the freedom to explore between deadlines. With a reliable car, you can reach most cities or nature spots in under 4 hours. Here, you can log in from a quiet guesthouse, take video calls with a view, and reset your mind after long work hours.
Zlatibor is about a 3-hour drive southwest of Belgrade. It's a favorite spot for fresh air, pine trees, and slow days. You’ll drive along the E-763 highway. Zlatibor has lodges and hotels with Wi-Fi, like Hotel Palisad and Hotel Mona, where you can work from your room or lounge. After work, visit the Stopića Cave, walk to the Tornik viewpoint, or enjoy grilled trout at Restaurant Perun. This route is great if you want to leave the city's noise behind and enjoy quiet mornings with your laptop and mountain views.
The drive from Novi Sad to Subotica takes about 1 hour. Subotica is known for its colorful Art Nouveau buildings, relaxed parks, and slow pace. Stay near the city center at Hotel Galleria, which has workspace and stable internet. You can work from cafés like Boss Café or Café Frei, then explore the historic City Hall, Subotica Synagogue, and the Palić Lake area nearby. Subotica is less crowded than major cities, perfect for focused work sessions and cultural walks.
From Niš, drive about 3 hours to Kopaonik National Park, one of Serbia’s most popular destinations for skiing, hiking, and nature walks. In winter, drive carefully and check the weather before heading out. Snow chains may be needed after heavy snowfall.
Hotel Grand Kopaonik and Gorski Hotel & Spa are excellent choices for staying and working. Hotel Grand Kopaonik is in the center of the resort, about 250 meters from downtown. It offers wide views of the national park and is just steps from the ski lifts. The hotel has modern rooms, indoor workspaces, and relaxing spa services, perfect for combining work with rest.
Gorski Hotel & Spa is 427 feet from the main ski center and closer to the Pančić ski lift. It has a wellness center, an indoor pool, and quiet lounge areas where you can work without distractions. Both hotels have strong internet, peaceful rooms, and easy access to the outdoors. By the afternoon, you can finish your tasks in the morning and be on the slopes or a forest trail. After a full day, enjoy a hearty meal at Etno Kafana, a traditional restaurant known for grilled meats, homemade stews, and a warm wooden interior that feels like a mountain cabin.
Vršac is 1 hour and 30 minutes from Belgrade and is perfect for a short work-travel escape. It’s known for vineyards and its hilltop Vršac Tower, which gives wide views of the region. You can stay at Hotel Srbija, which is close to both the town and the wine fields. Vršac offers more than just scenic views. You can enjoy wine tasting at Family Winery Vinik, where locals serve wines in a cozy setting. After the tasting, try grilled meats with tamburica music for a full local experience.
After leaving Niš, take the road east and enjoy a scenic 1-hour drive to Sokobanja. The route winds through quiet villages and tree-covered hills. As you climb higher, the traffic thins out, and you’ll notice the air getting cooler. Once you enter Sokobanja, it’s peaceful, green, and perfect for a midweek break from city noise.
For your stay, consider the newly renovated Hotel Sunce, known for having one of the finest spa centers in the area. Guests often say it’s the best spa they’ve visited in Serbia. You’ll also enjoy their breakfast and dinner buffet, which includes a wide mix of local and international dishes.If you want something more low-key, Apartmani Nikola offers a quiet setup with stable Wi-Fi and private terraces. You can work from your balcony in the morning, enjoy a peaceful lunch at a nearby restaurant, then spend the afternoon soaking in the thermal springs or hiking up Ozren Mountain.
When you're working remotely while driving across Serbia, it helps to be prepared. You might be checking email from a small town café in Zrenjanin, uploading files before reaching your mountain lodge in Kopaonik, or taking calls during a rest stop near the Danube. With the right setup, you can keep moving and still meet your deadlines.
Once you land in Serbia or make your first stop in a city like Belgrade or Novi Sad, look for kiosks or mobile shops selling prepaid SIM cards. A1, Yettel, and MTS all offer plans with 10 to 30 GB of data for around €5 to €10. Activation only takes a few minutes. Coverage is strong in cities and holds up well along highways and in smaller towns. With a local SIM, you can use maps, join calls, or tether your laptop as you pass through remote areas.
Let’s say you're heading through the hills near Sokobanja and plan to work later at a guesthouse. A mobile hotspot device will come in handy. Just insert your SIM, and you’ll be able to keep both your phone and laptop online. You can even work from the car while parked at a quiet viewpoint.
The best months to travel and work from the road are April to June and September to October. These seasons bring clear skies, open roads, and fewer crowds in popular places like Zlatibor or Subotica. In July and August, expect more heat in the south and busier streets in cities. Winter drives to places like Kopaonik may require snow chains or winter tires, especially after snowfall. Always check road conditions before heading into the mountains. During the off-season, you’ll enjoy more focus, lower hotel rates, and a better chance of finding quiet places to work without interruption.
Serbia gives you the best of both worlds. You can work online, stay in friendly cities, and drive to amazing places with short trips. Whether you're in the mountains, by the river, or inside a quiet café, you'll find a space where you can focus and still enjoy the journey. It’s a flexible, welcoming country for remote workers.
Final Rentals is a trusted car rental service with pick-up points in Belgrade and Niš. Depending on your route, you can book online and choose from compact cars or SUVs. We offer affordable prices, customer support, and a platform where you can book easily. Get the right car for your remote work journey and enjoy Serbia at your own pace.
