Top 9 amazing places when traveling to Serbia for Christmas

Christmas holidays should be full of joy & fun activities in a beautiful destination. So here are the 9 amazing places when travelling to Serbia for Christmas!

Before we jump right into it, did you know that the Christmas season in Serbia lasts a bit longer? You see, the main Church is the Orthodox Church. Serbian people do not celebrate Christmas Day on 25 December but on the 7th of January! Thus, the advent in the Orthodox Church starts on 28th November and lasts six weeks. No worries, because as you see, you have plenty of time to enjoy the – most captivating time of the year – and numerous places to explore when travelling to Serbia for Christmas.

Wondering where in Europe you can travel for a festive time and Christmas in 2021? As I mentioned, we have you covered! Serbia has it all! From picturesque landscapes to winter magic ski resorts, fun activities, and delicious food! So here are the best places to travel and spend Christmas this year as romantic getaways or family bonding trips! 

Ethno villages are the best way to experience traditional Serbia. The term “ethnic” or “ethnic” means that the place preserves the traditions and national heritage of the people there. You can experience ethno in national cuisine, activities, architecture, and way of living. Nowhere else you can feel that unique and traditional spirit of this terrific country in the Balkans. Thus, ethno villages were built in the same way as the old Serbian villages.

Charming Ethno villages in Serbia are scattered across the most beautiful landscapes and hidden natural wonders. They are located in peaceful areas away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You will feel like a proper Serbian in an ethnic village. The hosts are offering delicious and traditional food that will blow your mind. A warm hospitality and ancient ways of living, the customs of an old life, ethno villages will provide you with a terrific experience.

In most villages of such kind, you can participate in adventures and activities such as making the famous plum brandy and wine, picking the food, making the honey, preparing spicy Serbian dishes, or learning how to make some crafts. Clean air, tranquillity, intact nature, delicious food, clean waters, traditional atmosphere, and the kind hospitality of local people are a perfect getaway from stressful city life. Besides, those are the reasons why you should visit at least one Ethno village when travelling to Serbia for Christmas and enjoy some family bonding activities! Book a maisonette in nature or book a wine and food tour in Rajac and taste the best of your holidays!

Glamping became quite popular in the last decade. Without a doubt, it reached its potential thanks to social media and the stunning appearance of accommodations. But what is glamping? Glamping is a luxury camping where nature meets luxurious stay. In other words, glamping is a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities that are way more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping. Also, glamping is camping without its uncomfortable parts! So when you choose glamping you usually sleep in a yurt, teepee, safari kind of tent, or canvas bell tent.

Glamping is perfect for you if you love nature, but you like more comfort, one that does not exist in a traditional way of camping. Whether you choose camping or glamping, the important thing is that we all chill out in nature and become better people. Luckily, glamping spots are everywhere, and Belgrade is no exception. The Serbian capital and its surroundings have two different natural systems: a Pannonian depression and Šumadija. The rivers Sava and Danube offer more peaceful and natural settings in this busy metropolis with many glamping options!

Please do not leave Serbia without tasting the delicious local food! As mentioned above, Serbian Christmas aligns with the Julian calendar more than the Gregorian one. That means that the key dates for festivities are the sixth and the seventh of January, rather than the 25 of December. Nevertheless, the festive seasons in Serbia start sooner than in most countries. So if you visit Serbia at the end of November or the beginning of December, you surely shall not miss out on that Christmas feeling.
There are many excellent guided food tours in Belgrade. But you can also explore the traditional delicacies by yourself.
During the festive days, Belgrade’s main square – Trg Republike becomes an ‘Open Heart Square’. It is a Christmas market with wooden decorations, souvenirs, and tasty delicacies – most of them homemade! Mulled wine here and winter punch are as good as – or even better than any other Christmas market in Europe! Try Cesnica – bread with a coin hidden inside, and if you find it, you will experience a good fortune for the year ahead! Sarma is another traditional winter treat made out of mince and rice in cabbage leaves.

The two big happenings here! Suitable for the youngest and the oldest ones! The New Year fair starts in the second half of December, and it consists of a super large amusement park, a beer festival, a skating rink, concerts and shows, stalls, souvenirs, etc. Enjoy the Santa race at the end of December. Witness 3,000 people dressed up as Santa and run through the capital for charity. Just for the record, Deda Mraz in Serbia is Santa., which translates as Grandpa Frost. Make sure you don’t skip Belgrade when travelling to Serbia for Christmas!
To not skip anything tasty, book a food tour and taste delicious local food in Belgrade!

Zlatibor is one of the places in Western Serbia situated amongst the most captivating mountains and stunning Tara National Park. It is one of those places whose beauty will ‘wow’ you many times! Here you can enjoy many entertaining activities. Such as horse riding, ranches, exploring the beautiful mountains if it snows, and charming villages! Spice up your Christmas with some fun adventures during the cosy festive days of December.

Besides Zlatibor, Serbia offers many other outstanding mountains that often get covered in snow preparing you the field for perfect winter holidays and snow activities! If you fancy hiking, enjoy the Rtanj mountain hiking adventure and admire the unique shape of this mystical mountain. Starica Mountain is another magical place where you can go hiking and hear all about its wonders, thanks to our professional guides! The best part of this adventure, local food is included! Hiking to Iron Gate Djerdap National Park will also blow your mind with its natural beauty and unique winter landscape!

There are many kinds of accommodation, but I advise you to treat yourself because it’s a festive time – only one time during a year! Choose amongst the many best Zlatibor hotels and enjoy services such as wellness and spa. And if you can come by yourself, gift someone a unique stay and experience in Serbia during Christmas. Let’s hope someone will give us something similar too! 😀

Read below the Zlatibor best places to see and activities to do!

One of the best activities in Zlatibor is horse riding. Animal farms and ranches provide a perfect getaway amongst many cute animals. Experience horseback riding as a couple, but also with your family, kids, or friends, and fill your soul with a sense of calm. Meet numerous wild and domestic animals – they will fill you with great energy! Explore horse trails near Novi Sad for some extra fun! 

The horseback riding adventure is suitable for all people regardless of riding experience. So grab your loved ones and enjoy ranch Zova on 4 hectares of land. From the Zova ranch, you can exit the magical landscape and admire the views of Bosnia, Tara, and other surrounding mountains. Have a warm drink on the ranch, and enjoy the company of animals and nature.

Čigota is a viewpoint of stunning 1422 meters. The views are beyond words. If there is a place from where you should do paragliding. Then, that is Čigota in Zlatibor! I know you might be scared, but trust me, paragliding is such an activity that only adds something extra, something more to remember from your festive holidays in Serbia! I advise you to try it, and to convince you more because you obviously should not miss being a bird at least once in your lifetime. Here are the top 10 reasons to try paragliding in Serbia!

Zlatibor paragliding may also be a gift from you to yourself for Christmas 2022! And after your fun outdoor activities, here are the Zlatibor best restaurants to taste some delicious winter food! Remember, travelling to Serbia for Christmas and skipping Zlatibor is a BIG NO!

Cabins are usually a wooden type of accommodation that gives you an extra sense of coziness. From minimalistic ones to luxury ones, here are the best cabins to spend the Christmas holiday.

Have you ever experienced a thrilling off-road adventure? If not, now is your time! Off-roading provides outstanding views in a low-speed roller coaster ride. With every season there is a different off-road tour thanks to weather conditions, and in winter time, the landscape looks surreal!

After the off-road adventure, there is a cute mountain house Zlatarska Pahulja. This mountain house is a place to relax and soak in the beauty of untouched nature. Sit between the pines and spruces and feel the scent of pure Serbia. Taste the delicious traditional food and even try the gym, sledges, and skis that can be rented free of charge in the winter in case of icy or snowy weather! Book your 4×4 off-road driving experience and taste the adrenaline!

Another adrenaline adventure is a fun 4×4 off-road driving experience in Uvac or in Rajac vineyards where you can taste the delicious local food, and natural wines and spirits!

Here comes the grey part – entry requirements due to the global pandemic situation. First of all, beware that there might be some changes due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. So make sure to check all the websites before planning your trip! 

Explore more about Serbia’s travel entry requirements.

Right now, to enter Serbia, you need a negative RT-PCR test or a negative Antigen FIA rapid test if you are coming from the US. They should not be older than 48 hours from the date of issue of the results. However, you can skip those two and show only your certificate of complete vaccination, a certificate of overcoming COVID-19 disease, or an EU digital certificate. If you have none of the above, you must be in quarantine for ten days from the date of crossing the border. Again, please read carefully – Serbia travel, entry requirements before booking any dates. Nevertheless, if you follow the travel advice wherever you are, there won’t be any problems!

To wrap up, Serbia provides many entertaining events, winter activities such as snowboarding lessons in Kopaonik, charming accommodations, and delicious food. Nature is gorgeous here, and Ethno villages can show you the best of this underrated Balkan country. Without a doubt, it is worth visiting Serbia for many reasons, and on top of all, it is still one of the most affordable European festive destinations. I hope you liked at least one of the 9 amazing places on my list, and I bet you are already thinking about booking your ticket or hitting those roads! Travelling to Serbia for Christmas holidays is a way to go! Ho-ho-ho!