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Europe > Balkans > Serbia Serbia From Wikivoyage Serbia (http://www.serbia.travel/) (Serbian: Србија, Srbija) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe and the Balkans, on one of the major land routes from Central Europe to the Near East. It is bordered by Montenegro to the south, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the west, Bulgaria to the southeast, Croatia to the northwest, Hungary to the north, Macedonia and Kosovo to the south, and Romania to the northeast. The status of Kosovo — an Albanian-majority land today Capital Belgrade though historically part of Serbia and the site of the 1389 Battle of Currency Serbian dinar (RSD) Kosovo, to this day a highly charged event in which the Serbian Population 7 million (2016) Electricity 230 volt / 50 hertz defenders were annihilated but also killed most of the attacking (Europlug, Schuko) Ottoman forces and the Ottoman Sultan in the process — is quite Country code +381 controversial in Serbia, which does not recognize the region as Time zone Central European Time to independent. UTC+02:00 and Europe/Belgrade Emergencies 192 (police), 193 (fire Regions department), 194 (emergency medical services), 92 (police), 93 Serbia can be divided into five regions and one de facto independent (fire department), 94 republic: (emergency medical services) Belgrade Driving side right Podunavlje edit on Wikidata Podrinje Šumadija Vojvodina Disputed territory Kosovo Considered an autonomous province of Serbia by the United Nations, Kosovo has been recognized by many nations and is de facto an independent republic. It has an ethnic Albanian majority; however, the northern, Serb majority part of Kosovo remains connected to Serbia. We cover Kosovo in a separate article. While the legitimacy of the Kosovan government is disputed by many countries, from a traveller's point of view the Kosovar government has de facto control of the area (separate visas, laws, currency, etc), with the exception of North Kosovo. This is not a political endorsement of claims by either side in the dispute. Cities Belgrade (Beograd/Београд) — the capital of Serbia. Kragujevac (Serbian Cyrillic: Крагујевац)— The first capital of modern Serbia, industrial hub and the 4th largest city in Serbia. Kragujevac is located in the region Šumadija, 120 km south of Belgrade. Lepenica, a small river, flows through Kragujevac. Near the town is Lake Gružansko (Гружанско Језеро).The city has a university, and important cultural and medical buildings. It has a rich history and many cultural and historical monuments. Kraljevo (Serbian Cyrillic: Краљево)-Kraljevo is an important economic center in Serbia, located 170km south of Belgrade.It lies on two rivers, the Morava and The Ibar river.In the outskirts of the city is very famous monastery "Žiča"(Жича) with a rich history, and in addition to the monastery and the famous Mataruška spa(Матарушка бања), and a little further Bogutovačka Spa(Богутовачка бања). Map of Serbia Niš (Serbian Cyrillic: Ниш) — The third largest city in Serbia. Niš is a great car and railway junctions in that part of Serbia and the Balkans, with great industry and a rich history and cultural-historical monuments.Niš has a large university, there are important cultural and medical buildings.Nearby is the famous Niska Banja(Нишка Бања). Among other things, Niš is the birthplace of Constantine the Great, where are the remains of his summer home, etc. Novi Sad (Serbian Cyrillic: Нови Сад) — Nicknamed "Serbian Athens", Novi Sad is the provincial capital of the Province of Vojvodina and the second largest city in Serbia (after Belgrade). Novi Sad is located about 80 km northeast of Belgrade, on the Danube river. The city is an important industrial, cultural, educational, sport, and touristic center with many cultural and historical monuments and museums. It contains well-known temples, the Petrovaradin fortress, and is in the vicinity of Fruška Gora hill, renowned for its vineyards, as well as the Fruška Gora National Park. Fruška Gora is also home to many monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church (over 16 of them) and is sometimes referred to as "The Second Holy Mountain" (after Mount Athos). Southeast of the town, on the Srem side of the river, along the "old road" to Belgrade, lies the small town of Sremski Karlovci, which has a rich history, famous churches, buildings, museums, and famous wine cellars. Požarevac (Serbian Cyrillic: Пожаревац) — One of the oldest cities in Serbia with a large historic heritage. An important commercial and cultural center, in addition to the Velika Morava river, is situated about 80 km east of Belgrade. Near the town is a small town of Stari Kostolac where is the famous archaeological site Viminacium. In Požarevac was born former president of the Republic of Serbia - Slobodan Milošević (he was also buried there). Pozarevac is also known for Ljubičevo Equestrian Games. Subotica (Serbian Cyrillic: Суботица) — has been rated as one of the most beautiful cities of Serbia. It is in North Serbia, and is the closest city to Palic.An important commercial and cultural center with a rich history. The main languages are Serbian and Hungarian.In the vicinity of Subotica is a famous resort and lake Palić, and Ludoško lake. Vršac (Serbian Cyrillic: Вршац) — One of the most beautiful cities in Serbia. Located at 80 km northeast of Belgrade, near Romania. Vrsac has developed economic and cultural and sports center, rich in vineyards. City of Subotica, Town Hall Other destinations Kopaonik National Park (Serbian Cyrillic:Копаоник Н. П.) — as well as the ski-resort in the Kopaonik Mountain in southern Serbia. Kopaonik is the major ski resort of Serbia, with total of 23 ski lifts. A national park spread over 118.1 km2 (45.6 sq mi). Kopaonik has a rich historical heritage. Sports and recreation are key factors to the tourism of Kopaonik. There are various other activities as well. Other features which attract tourists are a luxurious hotel, and entertainment. Kopaonik has many cafes, bars and night clubs, etc. Palić (Serbian Cyrillic:Палић) — the lovely lake area in the north with baroque parks, the monuments of art nouveau architecture and a long tradition in catering made it fashionable summer resort. Palić is the host of a film festival, World Ethno Music Festival, and various sporting events. Soko Banja (Serbian Cyrillic:Соко Бања) — the road to Sokobanja detaches on 200-th kilometer of the motorway Belgrade - Athens. Sokobanja is situated in basin between the mountains Rtanj (1,560m) and Ozren (1,117m), 400m above the sea level. Sokobanja is a famous spa and tourist place in Serbia for its moderate continental climate and immense surfaces of woods, fresh air and a lot of thermo-mineral sources. They all make Sokobanja an exceptional place in Serbia. Zlatibor (Serbian Cyrillic:Златибор)— a very famous mountainous tourist site and ski-resort in the southwest. Zlatibor is located near the town of Užice, en route to Montenegro. Zlatibor is situated at an altitude of 1000 m., summers are sunny, fresh air, cold winters, beautiful landscapes, meadows, pastures, valleys, ethnic villages, sports facilities, etc.There you have special medical and famous Rehabilitation Institute. Tara, Serbia (Serbian Cyrillic: Тара), is a mountain located in western Serbia (near Zlatibor). It is part of Dinaric Alps and stands at 1,000-1,500 meters above sea level. The mountain's slopes are clad in dense forests with numerous high-altitude clearings and meadows, steep cliffs, deep ravines carved by the nearby Drina River and many karst, or limestone caves. The mountain is a popular tourist center.Most of the mountain is a "National Park Tara". Mountain Tara has a nice Zaovine Lake, at an altitude of 800 m. Understand Serbia is a relatively new tourist destination. During the summer tourists love spending their time in Belgrade and enjoy the nature of many national parks throughout the country. In winter, they are attracted to the mountain resorts, one of the most popular being Kopaonik. There are also many spa resorts such as Sokobanja, Niška Banja and Vrnjačka Banja. Serbs are a warm people and welcoming towards foreigners. Many Serbs will speak some English and will be eager to practice it (seniors, however, are more likely to speak German and/or French), so you will be able to find your way around by asking directions. Most tourists come to Serbia in the summer and you can often hear German, Italian, French and English in the streets of Belgrade, while Slovenian tourists pour in for the New Year holidays. Serbia was developed as a tourist destination much later than neighbouring Croatia, although it is also a varied and beautiful nation. From the plains of Vojvodina that remind one of the scenes of 'Dr. Zhivago' in winter, to many mountains, lakes and ski resorts. Serbia is on the crossroads of European history and as such, it is a mix of cultures, ethnicity and religions. Its people, contrary to a recent political issues, are one of the most hospitable and welcoming and Belgrade was voted as one of the up-and-coming capitals of Europe. It has hosted a Eurovison song contest. Serbia has a spirit and a soul that is rare to find coupled with melange of different cultures and a gusto for good living. Medieval castle in Golubac Climate In the north: continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall); central portion: moderate continental climate; and to the south: hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall. Geography Extremely varied: to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills. Although the region around the town of Mionica has been known for some earthquakes in recent years, these were by no means destructive.