Serbia is a type of nations that doesn’t get the extent of publicity different European nations – reminiscent of Spain, the UK, and France – get.
Because of this we liked this information from journey blogger Allison about the very best issues to do in Belgrade, the capital metropolis of Serbia. Right here, she shares her insider tips on what to do in Belgrade – the touristy belongings you simply need to do, together with some native secrets and techniques.
Over to you, Allison, to share your Belgrade journey information!
Is Belgrade value visiting?
The quick reply is sure.
Because the capital metropolis, Belgrade is among the finest locations to go to in Serbia. Belgrade is one in every of my favourite cities within the Balkans – and in Europe usually. Since first stepping foot in Serbia in 2016, I’ve returned to the nation 3 times and gotten to know Belgrade higher and higher on every go to.
The factor that Belgrade is finest recognized for amongst vacationers is its nightlife, which is certainly legendary: I spent the one true non-academic all-nighter in my life dancing till dawn on a get together boat known as a splavovi.
Nevertheless, I’ve gotten older since my first go to to Belgrade and I’ve found that this metropolis has a lot extra to supply than low cost drinks and continuous nightlife.
From stunning structure to historical fortresses to avenue artwork and funky cafés, there are such a lot of issues to do in Belgrade that you would be able to endlessly wander the town and nonetheless discover new issues to shock and delight.
Finest issues to do in Belgrade
Listed below are the highest issues I believe first-timers ought to placed on their Belgrade itinerary.
Stroll round Belgrade Fortress and take a look at the views of the Sava River colliding with the Danube. It’s actually a spectacular view and finest seen at sundown. There are different locations contained in the Fortress advanced value seeing, particularly the Clock Tower, Ruzica Church, and the Roman Nicely.
Take a stroll down Knez Mihailova, the most well-liked pedestrian avenue and the guts of Belgrade’s Stari Grad (Previous Metropolis) district. That is Belgrade’s hottest procuring avenue, so if you want to fill up on any new garments, that is the place you’ll discover all of the retailers and numerous eating places and cafes you possibly can people-watch from!
Sip on espresso at a kafana (conventional Serbian espresso home) on Skadarska Avenue, the guts of the bohemian mini-neighborhood of Skadarlija which is among the cutest locations to go to in Belgrade. It’s one other nice people-watching spot.
You possibly can’t go to Belgrade with out partying all night time on a river boat (splavovi), a singular characteristic of Belgrade’s legendary nightlife scene. There are a number of riverboats – finally depend, someplace over 200 – however my favourite is Klub 20/44!
Go to the largest Orthodox church within the Balkans, the Saint Sava Church. It has been in comparison with La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona just because it’s taking eternally to complete! Building started in 1935, however between WWII, the breakup of Yugoslavia, and the NATO bombings of the late Nineteen Nineties, the church is but to be completed. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless fairly spectacular and it’s practically full, so it’s value a go to. It’s one of the stunning issues to see in Belgrade.
What to do in Belgrade – some native secrets and techniques!
Past the highest vacationer points of interest, there are many hidden gems in Belgrade. Each time I return to Belgrade, I maintain discovering an increasing number of cool issues to do.
Head to the oldest outside market in Belgrade at Zeleni Venac and store for contemporary honey, ajvar, and rakija. It helps to talk a little bit Serbian or have some spectacular physique language abilities, as this isn’t a touristy market in any respect and the shopkeepers doubtless gained’t converse a lot English.
Go off the overwhelmed path and take a look at the lovable suburb of Zemun, which is now a part of Belgrade however as soon as was a part of one other nation solely: the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Because of this, the structure is kind of completely different and the suburb has a very completely different vibe than central Belgrade. It’s one of many extra off-the-beaten-path issues to do in Belgrade.
Contemplate visiting the Avala Tower, 30 to 40 minutes exterior of downtown Belgrade.
Everybody marvels on the structure of Resort Moskva however few individuals know to go inside and ask for a scrumptious Moskva schnit (a cherry and almond cake) – you should definitely pair it with the wine your waiter recommends, he is aware of what he’s speaking about! That is an absolute must-do whenever you go to Belgrade.
The place to eat in Belgrade
So, whenever you go to Belgrade, the place do you have to eat between sightseeing? Listed below are a few of my favourite locations to eat in Belgrade, damaged down by meal.
Brunch
Head to the leafy residential neighborhood of Vračar for Belgrade’s finest brunch at Kafe Kozmetičar.
Lunch
Get pleasure from a scrumptious conventional Serbian meal underneath some cheerful crimson umbrellas at Manufaktura within the Previous City. I extremely suggest making an attempt the native Fruska Gora wines and cheeses!
Dinner
Get pleasure from a trendy twist on Serbian delicacies on the stunning Belgrade Waterfront on the stylish Ambar restaurant. Every little thing right here is scrumptious, so order up!
Should you tire of Serbian meals, which is admittedly fairly meat-heavy, I’ve vetted their worldwide meals choices as nicely. Istok is the very best place to go for something Asian, with nice pho, bibimbap, contemporary summer time rolls, and different Asian fusion delights.
La Taqueria affords what are severely the very best tacos in Europe (licensed by a choosy Californian) because it’s run by a Mexican immigrant who imports his personal corn to handmake his tortillas! In the meantime, Nachos serves satisfactory Tex-Mex in case you have a yearning for queso and – what else – nachos! All the above eating places have a very good variety of vegetarian choices as nicely.
One of the best nightlife in Belgrade
As I stated above, the nightlife in Belgrade is unimaginable! Listed below are just a few of my favourite spots:
- A cool café by day, Meduza turns into a vigorous however relaxed place to spend the night within the funky Dorćol district.
- Take heed to jazz within the vibrant Savamala district at Jazz Basta, an unimaginable jazz bar close to the Sava River.
- Dance the night time away in one of many hottest golf equipment on the Sava River on the ultra-trendy Lasta River boat membership.
- Strive the standard Balkan liquor of selection at Rakia Bar in Dorćol, not removed from Stari Grad and Knez Mihailova Avenue.
The place to remain in Belgrade
I’ve written up a complete information of the place to remain in Belgrade, together with my seven favourite neighborhoods, however here’s a quickie information to the three most central and fascinating areas of Belgrade.
- Savamala is finest if you wish to be near the attractive Sava River and the nightlife that takes place on the river boats, whereas nonetheless being simply accessible to the town centre.
- Stari Grad is finest if you wish to really feel such as you’re within the coronary heart of the motion and need all the prime Belgrade points of interest to be at your fingertips.
- Dorćol is finest should you’re a hipster at coronary heart who lives for craft beer, specialty espresso, and scrumptious worldwide eating places.
General, yow will discover loads of reasonably priced, comfy resorts in Belgrade.
The best way to get round Belgrade
Belgrade has loads of public transportation, which you employ with a BusPlus card that may be bought at kiosks across the metropolis. You should use this with the town’s buses and trams (there is no such thing as a metro) by holding your loaded public transportation card in opposition to the reader; every experience prices 89 dinars, or lower than US$1.
Nevertheless, I choose to get round both by foot or by taxi, which is cheap at about US$3 per experience inside the metropolis middle. I don’t suggest driving or biking because the site visitors is loopy and Serbs aren’t precisely recognized for being affected person drivers!
From the airport, you possibly can e-book a non-public switch to the town.
Make sure to additionally allocate a day or two to get exterior of Belgrade on a day journey! Inside about two hours yow will discover a few of Serbia’s most fascinating cities and sights, reminiscent of Subotica, Novi Unhappy, Kragujevac, and Golubac Fortress. You possibly can lease a automobile, use public transportation, or be part of a guided tour. I’ve completed all three, and all work fairly nicely, although admittedly public transportation is the slowest choice.
Allison Inexperienced, a California native, runs two journey blogs: Everlasting Arrival, the place she writes about city and cultural journey specializing in off-the-beaten-path locations, and Sofia Adventures which is devoted to the Balkans. You possibly can usually discover her petting unusual canine, face-first in a glass of wine, or looking for the very best Asian meals in Jap Europe (and sometimes ending up disenchanted). Observe Sofia Adventures on Instagram and Fb right here.
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