There is more than enough to do in Belgrade, but if you have a car and are up for exploring the nearby surroundings, we have a few day trips from Belgrade to recommend. You’ll notice we’ve kept the more traditional spots, like Novi Sad, off our lists in hopes to inspire you to see more. And if you’re looking for tips or more things to do across Serbia, make sure to check out our full Serbia travel guide here.

Kabinet Brewery and Kosmaj Mountain

When looking for craft beer and alien-like monuments

Distance from Belgrade: ~ 50 minutes south

This day trip from Belgrade reminds us of home. Coming from the US where craft beer and tasting rooms were born, Kabinet Brewery would excel anywhere. It hits all the criteria needed for a great brewery. The food is fantastic, the beer is great and constantly being updated. They have a delicious selection of meats, including a mouthwatering chicken, and a surprisingly delicious celery puree. They offer around a dozen different kinds of beer, and they allow you to go up to the bar to try as many as you’d like until you’ve found one you’re satisfied with. We tried their IPAs, stouts and golden ale and enjoyed all of them.

Lastly and probably most importantly, the location of Kabinet is impressive. My only regret is that we didn’t go there over the summer. They have an enormous outdoor area on a hill that overlooks the Serbian countryside. In the summertime, they set up a bunch of outdoor umbrellas so patrons can sit outside, order food and beer and have a great time. It’s unfortunate we didn’t get to see that, but the indoor area is very tasteful as well, with floor to ceiling windows to watch the sunset and plenty of space between tables to make you feel comfortable, even during Covid times.

If you’re looking for a hike, we recommend making a day trip out of this visit. About 15 minutes away, you’ll find the beautiful and picturesque Kosmaj mountain, with well groomed hiking trails. There are plenty of places to explore nearby, including the Tresije Monastery and the different surrounding paths, but make sure to stop by the Kosmaj Monument (Spomenik Kosmajskom) for a unique view.

This is an impressive, historical landmark built to commemorate and pay tribute to the units from the Kosmaj area and Sava region who opposed the Axis occupation of Serbia and organized a resistance. The monument was unveiled in 1971 on top of the mountain where members had gathered 30 years before. We did a little background research and it’s not clear whether the “Spark of Freedom” – as it’s now known – is supposed to look like a five pointed star symbolizing the five fingers of a worker’s hand, or a bursting spark.

It looked alien-like to us at first glance, but regardless, it’s a sight worth seeing and one that will transport you back to another decade – or another world.

Belegiške Ade (in the town of Belegiš)

When looking for the closest thing to a beach

Distance from Belgrade: ~ 50 minutes north

When you find yourself in a landlocked country, you’d be surprised at what passes for a beach. Serbia actually has quite a few of these river beaches scattered around the country. Belegiske Ade seems to be the ugly stepchild of these beaches – and one of our close day trips from Belgrade. It’s nice and charming in certain ways but a little lacking in others. One thing is for sure, you won’t be accused of following the tourist crowd.

This beach only had local Serbs who were prepared for a picnic on the beach. Although a bottle of wine and dixie cups are essential for any picnic, we did not bring any of the other essentials. The beach is not commercialized at all so bring shade, towels and anything else you might need.

This beach only had local Serbs who were prepared for a picnic on the beach. Although a bottle of wine and dixie cups are essential for any picnic, we did not bring any of the other essentials. The beach is not commercialized at all so bring shade, towels and anything else you might need.

This little beach is located in the town of Belegis, on the right bank of the Danube. A fun part of this adventure was hiring a Serbian that speaks no english to take us across the channel in a small fishing boat. We are very glad we visited this hidden and overlooked destination because it was an authentic Serbian experience but we’d recommend you come better prepared.

We were able to round out the day with a trip to the Milanovic Winery and finally Garden of Adventures restaurant. The winery wasn’t fully finished yet and due to Covid, tours were suspended. However, this place has a lot of potential. Perched up on a cliff, there’s a great view of the Danube and the countryside. The tasting room has a medieval tavern vibe and it’s easy to see how this would be a good old time in normal times.

Now, don’t be fooled by the name, Garden of Adventures is a riverside restaurant and not an amusement park. It has a cool outdoor area right along the water. They specialize in fish from the Danube and no complaints here; the food was good. I wouldn’t suggest going out of your way, but if you’re in the area, it’s one of the few games in town.

Komuna Winery

When looking for charm and good wine

Distance from Belgrade: ~ 60 minutes west

Komuna Winery is a little magical oasis hidden in an unimpressive area of the Serbian countryside. We had absolutely no idea what to expect. We were looking for some wine and picked this spot randomly on a map. I wish you could have the same unassuming experience. Since the surrounding area is nothing but flat farmland and industrial apple orchards, you would most likely think, “this isn’t looking very promising.” It’s not until you descend from the dirt parking lot and step into a storybook image of Hansel and Gretel that you’ll change your mind.

The property itself is deceptively large and was deemed a historical site by the Serbian authorities. This is why the people at Komuna had to maintain a certain historical aesthetic when they renovated. The place has been up and running for a couple years, after a Russian couple left their busy city life for the Serbian countryside. They renovated the house and built a wine cellar, but a lot of the original structures like the watermill remain the same. Their kids help run the kitchen and the winery, giving it all a homey but professional feel.

They have a daily traditional meal with local products, including delicious goulash of course, and a good selection of reds, whites and even a rose. The Rajnski Rizling is what they’re most proud of as it’s made from the local Kopjar grape. You’ll notice their love for the area in their labels too – all inspired by rare bird species that live in the Fruska Gora National Park. As with most things in Serbia, the amount of food you get is generous and the wine is well priced. The food and wine get great reviews from us but the ambiance is really why we are looking forward to going back.

Sremski Karlovci

When looking for history and stunning views

Distance from Belgrade: ~60 minutes northwest

Sremski Karlovci is a little town between the two Serbian juggernauts of Novi Sad and Belgrade – and a favorite when it comes to day trips from Belgrade. It’s a small town with not too many options for food and a nonexistent night life, but it’s got a certain charm to it. The main square is clean, the entire town can be walked in under a few hours and there are multiple small wine houses to pop into. We haven’t exactly put our finger on it, but everytime we are coming back from Novi Sad, we’ve made a stop in Sremski Karlovci.

Maybe it’s the fact that it’s just easy to take in. You pull into the city and parking is right as you drive in. Within 5 minutes, you’ve already taken in all of the most beautiful buildings: the Karlovci Grammer School, the residence of the Serbian Patriarch, the Orthodox Cathedral, and the rest of the buildings and monuments that make up the town square.

If you’re looking for a nice panoramic view or a walk through the park, you can make the quick hike up to Vidikovac and Dvorska Basta. On our way back to town, we like to pick out a winery to try. There are more than a few, and last time we dropped into Vinerija Dosen. They had good wine and a charming outdoor area.

We ended our last trip on the river at Pasent restaurant. This restaurant is right along the river and boasts a large, stylish outdoor area. Every trip to Sremski Karlovci has just been nice and easy in a country where that isn’t always the case. It’s no wonder this city is where one of Serbia’s most influential poets made his mark.

Carska Bara Special Nature Reserve

When looking for open trails and rare birds

Distance from Belgrade: ~ 75 minutes north

This nature reserve (Specijalni rezervat prirode Carska Bara) is home to 240 rare species of birds – half of which migrate throughout the year. It is known as the Imperial Swamp, home to rare and protected species of plants. There is a guided portion of the reserve that we did not get to explore (we had our dogs and they weren’t allowed). Luckily, we did find a nice open trail to explore – and it’s quickly become one of our favorite day trips from Belgrade.

It’s one of the types of trails we see around Serbia which appear to be part livestock highway and part hiking trail. The good thing is these trails are typically elevated so you really enjoy the landscape and can see the livestock before your dog does!

The trail was fairly empty and went on for kilometers. We passed swamps, pastures, open fields, and what felt like a number of different environments all in one. There is little shade throughout the walk, so make sure to bring water and a hat if you’re going in the summer.

One of the best parts of this visit though had to be our stop at Salaš kod Stare Dunje which translates to Old Quince Farm House. We’d only been living in Serbia for a few months when we found this spot and for us, it was the first time we felt like we were really getting an authentic Serbian experience. They make homemade delicious pita bread in an outdoor oven and serve up a large selection of meat and cheese on a wooden platter. We ordered the mixed meats plate too and one was perfect for the four of us.

Fruška Gora

When looking for monasteries, hikes and good wine

Distance from Belgrade: ~ 75 minutes northwest

When we arrived in Serbia, Fruška Gora seemed to be top of the list of places to go visit. It’s a large national park, known as the Jewel of Serbia. Hundreds of years ago, 35 monasteries were built in these hills, and today 17 of them remain, including Krušedol and Vrdnik. The area is also known for its wonderful wine. One of the most popular continues to be the Kovačević Winery – family-owned and famous for its beautiful Wine House and authentic Serbian dishes. If you decide to go, make sure to make a reservation in advance.

However, we’ve had a little trouble when it comes to hikes and trails. Fruška Gora is definitely popular which has it’s pros and cons. Pros being the trails are cleared and worn in, but there is quite a bit of trash in some areas. We did get the feeling of being immersed in nature on some of the trails, but it’s common to find stray dogs throughout the park.

Up to this point, we still haven’t found a hiking trail we enjoy or feel comfortable with. It’s either been too close to the street, too busy or a bit dirty. You can see the potential and there are nice cafes, so we haven’t fully written it off. However, next time we go back, we will go with a plan of attack. This is what we’d recommend. If you go unprepared and just pop in for a day, you might leave disappointed.

Deliblatska Peščara Special Nature Reserve

When looking for well-marked trails

Distance from Belgrade: ~ 105 minutes east

This nature reserve (Specijalni rezervat prirode Deliblatska Peščara) is a large sand area covering around 300 km2 in Vojvodina. The sands are named after the village of Deliblato and are actually the largest sandy terrain in Europe – once part of a massive prehistoric desert.

We’ve been in the summer and the winter, and its been incredible every time. The area is beautiful and unique, but what was most memorable for us was the marked trails. We’ve found that it’s actually quite hard to find well marked trails in Serbia. Most of the hiking we’ve done starts with us wondering whether we’re trespassing. This is what makes this park especially nice to visit. It’s not really a Nature Reserve in the American sense but more of a state or national park with a restaurant, campgrounds and well marked trails.

Car Rental Options

If you’re looking to embark on this road trip, we recommend renting a car. Many of the highways have been recently renovated, but some roads tend to be narrow and windy around the countryside 

There are local rental options that we’ve used before, including Zim Car Rental Beograd. But pick-up options are only offered in Belgrade and they do run out of cars pretty quickly in peak season. For a larger option with more variety, we recommend using Discover Cars. The site is very user-friendly and aggregates all types of vehicles and prices to make sure you find the best deal.