Good to Know: Tips for Serbia
Serbia is safe, welcoming, and easier to navigate than you might expect. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Good news: Canadian citizens do not need a tourist visa to travel to Serbia for stays up to 90 days. Just bring a valid passport. Easy.
Serbia uses the Serbian Dinar (RSD). As a rough guide, $1 CAD ≈ 75 RSD.
Important: Belgrade is modern and card-friendly — you can tap almost everywhere. But Golubac is cash-heavy. Small shops, cafes, bakeries, and boat tour operators often don’t accept cards.
Our recommendation: Convert Canadian dollars to Euros before you leave Canada (easier to find and better rates at home), then exchange Euros for Dinars when you arrive in Belgrade. ATMs are everywhere and offer decent rates. Aim to have 10,000–15,000 RSD (~$130–200 CAD) in cash before boarding the shuttle to Golubac.
Canadian roaming plans are expensive — often $12–15/day.
Better options:
- Tourist SIM card: Buy a prepaid SIM from Yettel, A1, or MTS at the airport or any kiosk in Belgrade. Costs around €5–10 for a week of data.
- eSIM: If your phone supports it, download an eSIM app like Airalo before you leave. Quick setup, no physical card needed.
Serbia uses Type F (European Schuko) plugs at 230V, 50Hz.
You’ll need a plug adapter. Canadian phone and laptop chargers are usually dual-voltage and will work fine with just an adapter. But single-voltage devices (hair straighteners, curling irons, some electric razors) will fry without a voltage converter — check the label before you plug in.
Church Ceremony: Please dress respectfully. Shoulders should be covered (bring a light shawl or jacket if wearing a sleeveless dress). No shorts for men. Women may need to cover their hair — bring a scarf just in case. We’re confirming the specific requirements with the church and will update this page in the coming weeks.
Golubac Fortress: Wear flat, comfortable shoes. The medieval stones are uneven and there’s climbing involved.
Wedding Reception: Summer formal. Expect temperatures of 30°C+ (86°F+) in August — light fabrics are your friend. Gentlemen, a linen suit or dress shirt without a jacket is perfectly acceptable.
All foreign nationals staying in Serbia are required to register their residence with the local police within 24 hours of arrival. This sounds more intimidating than it is.
If you’re staying in a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb, the accommodation provider is responsible for registering your stay — you don’t have to do anything. They may give you a small white card or slip of paper as proof of registration. Keep this with your passport during your stay in Serbia. In practice, you’re unlikely to be asked for it, but it’s good to have just in case.
Serbian is written in both Cyrillic and Latin script. In Belgrade, most signs have Latin letters and English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas. In Golubac, English is less common but you’ll manage — and locals are friendly and patient.
A few useful phrases:
- Hvala (HVAH-lah) — Thank you
- Molim (MO-leem) — Please / You’re welcome
- Zdravo (ZDRAH-vo) — Hello
- Dobar dan (DOH-bar dahn) — Good day
Živeli! (ZHEE-veh-lee) — Cheers! (you’ll use this one a lot)
Serbia is on Central European Time (CET), which is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time. Plan your arrival accordingly — jet lag is real.
Language
Serbians are famously hospitable. If someone offers you rakija (fruit brandy), it’s rude to refuse. Pace yourself. And remember: Živeli!