Best Time to Visit Serbia

Belgrade sets the pattern

Belgrade is the only Serbian destination we cover, so think of this page as a guide to the capital and its seasons. The best times are April, and September to October. Days are mild, and walking along the Kalemegdan fortress walls or the Sava and Danube riverbanks is easy.

If you plan to head out to the mountains, such as Zlatibor or Kopaonik, or to the Vojvodina plains, expect different weather. We don't have figures for those places, so check a local forecast first. The hills are usually cooler than the capital, and winter snow is the main draw for skiers.

Summer: hot, lively and a bit sticky

August is the hottest month, at 31°C. Afternoons in the city feel heavy, so do your sightseeing in the morning and spend the late hours by the water. The floating river clubs called splavovi (they sit on the Sava and Danube) come into their own now, and nights stay social and loud.

Summer is high season for nightlife. Music fans may also head north to Novi Sad for the EXIT festival, which usually runs in July. Rooms there fill up fast.

Spring and autumn: the sweet spot

April brings fresh air and green parks, though showers come and go. May is the wettest month, at 83 mm, so keep an umbrella handy for café-hopping in Skadarlija, the old cobbled artists' quarter. September and October are calmer and golden. Outdoor tables stay busy, and the crowds thin out after summer.

Holidays and quiet months

Orthodox Easter usually falls in April or early May, and dates differ from Western Easter. Shops and offices close for a few days, but it's a lovely time to see local traditions. New Year and Orthodox Christmas on 7 January are also big, with many Serbs taking time off.

Winter is low season. It's cold and often grey, but you'll find cosy kafanas (traditional taverns) serving grilled meat and rakija, a fruit brandy. Fewer visitors means easier bookings and a more local feel.