Party with locals at a summer festival, marvel at towering citadels and follow hiking trails to mountainous villages in this fun-loving European nation.

At the crossroads between Central and Southeast Europe sits Serbia, a landlocked country known for its delicious cuisine, lively cities and idyllic villages. Embark on mountain hikes, picnic on the banks of the Danube River and admire the Serbian Orthodox architecture evident in churches across the country.

The rich history of Serbia dates back to foreign invasions of the Celts and the Romans. This is a land of passion and protest, and the country has seen its fair share of resistance movements and government overthrows. Find out more about Serbia’s turbulent history in museums that pay tribute to the country’s complex past.

Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, has a diverse mix of socialist architecture, Ottoman remains and modern nightclubs. Spend the day exploring the towering Kalemegdan Citadel. Also visit the Museum of Yugoslav History, which provides a stark look at the tumultuous history of the region and browse the Zeleni Venac Market, a good place to observe Belgradians going about their daily life.

North of Belgrade is Novi Sad, a riverside retreat filled with grassy parks and buzzing restaurants and bars. This is the home of Petrovaradin Citadel, which hosts the annual Exit music and party festival in July. Just 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) away is picturesque Sremski Karlovci, a town set on the Danube where visitors can sample local wines. Architecture lovers won’t want to miss the northern city of Subotica, which holds a fabulous assortment of art nouveau buildings.

For outdoor adventure, head to the mountains of Zlatibor. Small villages surrounding the Tara and Sargan Mountains are a great place to discover local communities mostly untouched by tourism.

Serbia enjoys great links to surrounding countries so it’s easy to access from the rest of Europe. Fly into Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport and make use of the country’s extensive bus network. To access the more remote regions of the country, obtain an International Driving Permit and rent a car.

Explore unpopulated regions or spend time in major metropolises in this diverse landlocked nation.