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Serbia is, by far, one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever seen. Between the stunning architecture, breathtaking landscapes, and incredible culture, visiting this country is definitely an experience you won’t soon forget!
So if you’re planning a trip to Serbia (and you’re anything like me), you’re probably trying to map out all the details – what attractions you want to see, how to get around while you’re there, and where to stay. And one thing you need to know before traveling to this country is what kind of currency they use.
If that’s something you still need to figure out, you’ve come to the right place! I’m about to dive into what the currency of Serbia is and everything you need to know about it. And don’t worry, you won’t have to do any math – although you can if you want to!
Serbia and its Currency
The Serbian dinar is the currency of this Balkan country. The National Bank of Serbia produces the dinar, and the currency symbol for the dinar is дин. The ISO code is RSD, although it used to be CSD until it was changed in 2006.
The history of the Serbian dinar dates all the way back to medieval times! The first known use of the dinar was in 1214, under the reign of Stefan Nemanjić.
Originally, the Serbian dinar came in the form of coins, but that changed in 1868 when the country began printing dinar as bank notes. And in 2003, the modern dinar as we know it came into the picture.
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The Denominations
You’ll be happy to learn that the dinar is actually very simple to use! It comes in nine denominations – 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 5,000.
And you won’t need a Ph.D. to figure out the exchange rate. The dinar is pretty straightforward, and it’s worth about 0.01 USD or 0.01 EUR. So, if you’re looking to live like a local, you can snag a cup of coffee for just around 150 dinars before strolling through the lovely streets of Serbia.
I should mention that the 5,000 banknote is not commonly used within the country, and a business might even refuse to accept these notes since they’re difficult to break or for fear that it’s counterfeit!
Now, each dinar is broken down further into coins known as para, and there is 100 para in one Serbian dinar.
You can find para worth 10, 20, and 50 as well as coins worth 1, 2, and 5 dinar. Although it’s worth noting that while there are still coins in circulation, they’re not used as often as bank notes.
Did you know that you’ve probably already seen a Serbian dinar before? The 100 Note has become quite popular in recent years.
This banknote features Serbian-American inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla. It is a brilliant blue and is pretty easily recognizable, even to those who aren’t familiar with dinars!
Actually, all the banknotes in Serbia feature historical figures – from philosophers to historians to painters and mathematicians!
And both the notes and coins are decorated with important monuments from this stunning country. Each banknote is a different color, making it easy to know if you’re using the right bills when paying with cash.
I really loved not only how beautiful the currency is but also the rich history and culture that each piece represents. I even took some dinar home with me as a cool keepsake from my trip!
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Other Currency in Serbia
While the dinar is the only official currency in Serbia, some businesses may accept euros as payment.
But keep in mind that no business is obligated to accept euros, so it’s always best to keep dinar on you just in case.
You can also use your debit or credit cards while in Serbia. Some commonly accepted cards include Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
Typically, the only fees you’ll encounter from this payment method are those from your bank. And definitely don’t forget to tell your bank that you’ll be traveling – that way you can avoid dealing with a frozen bank account while in another country!
If you prefer to use credit cards, keep in mind that you could possibly end up paying more since the conversion rates are done through your credit card company.
Plus, some ATMs and businesses may not accept certain credit cards. So try to always keep some dinar on you while traveling here, especially since using the local currency is the best way to get the most bang for your buck!
Where to Exchange Money in Serbia
Speaking from my own experience, the best place to exchange currency in Serbia is through an official exchange office.
I found plenty of exchange offices around the country during my visit, and they even have some in certain airports that you can use if you’re really in a pinch!
At an authorized exchange office, you can exchange so many types of currencies, including major currencies like euros, pounds, American dollars, and Canadian dollars.
These offices have a reputation amongst travelers for being reliable, safe, and transparent with fees. Plus, they tend to have the best exchange rates!
It’s also a good idea to check exchange rates before trading any money because some places may have a worse exchange rate or higher fees than other nearby places.
I noticed that the exchange office in the airport had a worse exchange rate than other places, probably because of its convenience.
Either way, try to keep an eye out for where the best rate is or exchange only a small amount at any place that doesn’t have a good rate.
Another thing is to make sure you exchange your money again before leaving the country since exchange offices in other countries might not accept Serbian dinars.
If you need to exchange any foreign currency in Serbia but you aren’t close to any exchange office, you can always trade money at a bank, ATM, or money exchange machine.
And you can call and check with your bank to see if there are any international fees to watch out for when using an ATM in Serbia.
Bank exchanges may take a little longer due to different paperwork you need to fill out, and again, you’ll want to check the exchange rate at the banks and ATMs as they may not have the best rates. But either way, these are all really convenient if you find yourself strapped for cash!
Exchange offices, ATMs, and banks will all be easily accessible in larger cities, so take advantage of it while you’re in big cities because smaller towns or more rural areas may have fewer options.
And one last tip on how to get the best exchange rate while in Serbia – download a reputable currency conversion app to check the best currency rates in the city around you.
XE Currency Converter is one of the best-rated ones out there, but you can also check the exchange rates online if you don’t want to download an app!
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Final Words
Traveling through Serbia is such an incredible experience! And when you’re traveling, you shouldn’t have to worry about having enough cash or trying to find the best exchange rate near you.
With this guide, you’ll know all the basics about the Serbian dinar and where to exchange your money so that you can just explore and unwind while in this charming and incredible country!
Hello, I’m Emma! I’ve been exploring the world since 2015. People always ask me lots of questions when I travel and come back. So, I started a blog to answer them all and share with the world. If you are curious about something, use the search bar on my site or send me an email emma@timetositback.com