Serbia is one of Europe’s most underrated travel destinations. However, this gem in the heart of the Balkans offers curious travelers many experiences. One of the best ways to explore these gems is by renting a car in Serbia.
There's something for everyone, from the medieval fortresses along the Danube River and the picturesque vineyards of Vojvodina to the centuries-old monasteries.
Renting a car is the ideal way to unlock Serbia’s destinations. Unlike guided tours or buses, a car lets you tailor your journey. Here’s why a self-drive adventure is ideal:
A Serbia village road trip involves discovering places most tourists miss. Serbia has around 4,600 villages, yet many remain off the typical tourist path. We’ve picked five hidden Serbia villages showcasing the country’s charm.
Gostuša is a remote village in the Stara Planina mountains of southeastern Serbia, famed for its all-stone construction. Homes are built entirely of local rock. Even the roofs are flat stone slabs with no mortar holding them together. In this 19th-century “Stone Village,” only about 100 residents live here, providing a ghostly, nostalgic atmosphere.
Historical significance
The village's preservation efforts earned a Europa Nostra Heritage Award for its unique vernacular architecture. Wandering among Gostuša’s crumbling cottages provides a rare glimpse into traditional mountain life that has disappeared elsewhere.
Travel tips
The village lies about 30 km from Pirot. The drive up is on narrow mountain roads, so take it slow. There are no restaurants or hotels here. So, plan to visit as a day trip and bring snacks. Park at the entrance to the village and explore on foot, as the lanes are extremely narrow.
Drvengrad, also called Mećavnik or Küstendorf, is a wooden village built by famed director Emir Kusturica atop Mokra Gora in western Serbia. It was originally constructed in 2003 and 2004 as a set for Kusturica’s film "Life is a Miracle".
However, it was too charming to take down, so it became a living village celebrating Serbian culture. The streets are lined with rustic log cabins, a tiny church, an old-fashioned cinema, and a library.
What to Do in Drvengrad
Stroll the wooden lanes and feel like you stepped back in time. Drvengrad hosts the annual Küstendorf International Film and Music Festival when the village buzzes with filmmakers and musicians worldwide. You can savor local Zlatibor cuisine at the village restaurant any time of the year and browse handicraft shops. Don’t miss the art gallery and the views of the surrounding mountains.
Travel tips
There is a small entrance fee to enter Drvengrad, but it’s worth it. Driving there is about 250 km from Belgrade, which takes around 4 hours by car. Park in the lot by the entrance. The village has a hotel with cozy wooden lodges if you plan to stay overnight.
Tršić is the home village of Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, the 19th-century linguist who reformed the Serbian language and alphabet. Today, it serves as an open-air museum dedicated to his legacy.
The village has been preserved as it looked in Vuk’s time, with traditional wooden houses and exhibits showcasing Serbian rural life and the story of Vuk’s language reforms. You can visit Vuk’s childhood home and see artifacts related to his work on the Cyrillic alphabet.
Museums and Workshops in Tršić
The entire village is a designated ethnographic complex. A cultural center on-site offers workshops in traditional crafts and calligraphy, especially during summer. If you visit in September, you can attend Vukov Sabor, an annual folklore festival celebrating Karadžić’s contributions with music, dance, and literary events.
Travel Tips
Tršić is located about 8 km from Loznica in western Serbia. It is easy to reach via a paved road. Plan to spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the village and its small museums. There is a large parking area at the entrance. The site is open year-round, with peak events in late summer.
Sirogojno, in the Zlatibor region, is home to the “Old Village” (Staro Selo) Open-Air Museum. Dozens of 19th-century wooden buildings from surrounding villages were moved here to recreate a traditional settlement.
Walking through, you’ll see authentic cottages with thatched roofs, a blacksmith’s forge, a bakery, and a small wooden church. Each was furnished with period tools and decor illustrating rural life over a century ago.
Crafts and Activities
This village is famous for its knitters. Sirogojno’s wool sweaters are renowned worldwide. At the museum, you can watch demonstrations of old crafts like wool spinning, weaving, and pottery. A gift shop sells these handmade sweaters, textiles, and local products like plum jam and rakija (brandy). The museum often holds workshops and folk events in the summer.
Dining and Accommodation
Enjoy a meal at the rustic on-site restaurant serving Zlatibor mountain specialties. If you stay overnight, you can rent one of the simple wooden cottages on the museum grounds. You can also find lodging in Zlatibor town, a 30-minute drive away. Cool evenings are common here due to the altitude, so bring a sweater.
Rajac is a tiny village in eastern Serbia’s Negotin wine region, famed for the Rajačke pimnice—a cluster of stone wine cellars on a hill above the town. Over 270 of these stone cellar houses, some dating to the 18th century, still stand today. Arranged like a village of their own, these cellars were built purely for winemaking. Wandering among their mossy walls feels like traveling back to an era when every family made wine.
Wine Tasting
Local families still use many of the pimnice to age their wines. You can knock on cellar doors to sample robust reds and sweet whites. Rajac hosts a harvest festival (“Days of Wine”) each autumn with music, food, and tastings to celebrate the year’s vintage.
Tips for Visitors
Plan to taste light or have a designated driver if you're driving. Better yet, stay overnight at a guesthouse in Rajac or in nearby Negotin so you can fully enjoy the wine culture. The road to Rajac is paved but narrow, about 3.5 hours by car from Belgrade. When visiting the cellars, wear sturdy shoes on the cobbled paths and bring cash, as many small vintners only accept cash payments.
Driving in rural Serbia requires preparation and attention to detail to ensure a smooth trip. The best time to visit is late spring through early fall. Winter snow can close mountain roads, making warmer months more suitable for a countryside adventure.
While major roads are paved, narrow lanes and potholes are common in villages, so driving slowly is important, especially on blind curves. At night, rural roads can be very dark, so it's best to avoid driving outside of towns after dark.
Fuel can be scarce in remote areas, so make sure to fill up whenever you come across a gas station, as they can be many kilometers apart. Carrying cash for remote stations is also advisable.
To navigate effectively, download offline maps. Cell service may drop in the mountains, and road signs are often in Cyrillic script. Learning basic Serbian greetings can also help ease interactions with locals during your journey.
Here’s how to spend five days exploring Serbia by car:
Start your day in Belgrade in the morning and drive to Tršić, which takes about 2 to 3 hours. Once there, explore the birthplace of Vuk Karadžić. In the afternoon, continue your journey south towards western Serbia. Plan to arrive in the Zlatibor mountain area by evening, with towns like Užice or Zlatibor being approximately 3 hours from Tršić. End your day with a hearty Serbian dinner, as this region is famous for its grilled meats and creamy kajmak cheese.
Start early and drive to the Sirogojno Open-Air Museum, which is approximately 1 hour from Zlatibor. Spend the morning immersing yourself in the rich village history. After lunch, head west to Drvengrad, which takes about 1.5 hours. In the afternoon, wander through Kusturica’s famous wooden town. Stay overnight in the Mokra Gora area. In the evening, enjoy some local mountain dishes and homemade plum rakija.
Crossing Serbia is a long driving day. Depart Mokra Gora and head east toward Niš, about a 5-hour drive. Take breaks along the way, and aim to reach Niš by late afternoon. Once in Niš, enjoy a hearty dinner. The city is known for its delicious grilled meats, particularly ćevapi.
Drive from Niš to Gostuša in the morning, which takes about 1.5 hours via Pirot. Spend an hour or two exploring the Stone Village and capturing landscape photos. By early afternoon, head north toward the Negotin region, a drive of approximately 3 hours. Arrive in Rajac village by late afternoon and take some time to relax. Stay overnight in Rajac or Negotin, where many wine cellars offer guest lodging.
In the morning, tour the Rajačke pimnice wine cellars in Rajac and perhaps sample a little wine before hitting the road. Around midday, begin the journey back to Belgrade, which is a 4-hour drive. Arrive in Belgrade by evening, return your car, and celebrate the end of your road trip with a well-deserved dinner in the capital.
Ensure you meet the requirements. Most agencies require drivers to be at least 21 with a valid license (non-EU visitors should also have an International Driving Permit). Bring your passport and a credit card for the deposit.
Serbians drive on the right side of the road, and seat belts are mandatory for all passengers. Stick to posted speed limits (generally 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on rural roads, and up to 130 km/h on highways. Always drive sober, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.03%. Keep your headlights on during the daytime for safety.
When you rent a car, Serbia offers many reliable companies. Book in advance for the best rates, and consider full insurance coverage for peace of mind.
Serbia’s lesser-known villages offer an enriching journey into the country’s soul, from stone houses and wooden churches to heartfelt local welcomes. Renting a car with Finalrentals lets you explore hidden gems at your own pace. With 24/7 airport service, unlimited mileage, and no hidden fees, you can easily travel to Serbia's scenic routes.
