From stunning avenue artwork to sundown on the fortress, listed here are the best possible issues to do in Belgrade, Serbia.
There are a handful of cities that I’ve visited on my travels which have left a mark upon me, which have piqued my curiosity past simply preliminary intrigue and have impressed me to dig deeper and to find greater than what’s on the floor.
However there’s one metropolis that has accomplished this greater than the others – Belgrade, Serbia.
I had by no means explicitly meant on visiting Belgrade. It got here onto my radar throughout an intoxicated late-night dialog in a Budapest damage bar with a French traveller.
“Belgrade?” he stated after I discussed it as a potential vacation spot when discussing onward journey plans.
“Go! You have to go!” And if his tone didn’t betray his ardour, his eyes did. Earlier than this, I had thought Belgrade to be only a social gathering vacation spot, a spot the place broke backpackers went to drink on a budget.
“However it’s so a lot extra!” The Frenchman informed me. And that was that. The subsequent day I used to be on a southbound practice, travelling straight into the beating coronary heart of the Balkans.
Disembarking from the practice whereas exiting the primary station, it grew to become immediately clear that I used to be freed from the snug, environment friendly security web of the EU.
Right here males vehemently tried to hold my backpack for a worth, to lure me into their unlicensed taxis – provides I ignored as I made my manner on foot to my hostel.
Scams are widespread amongst cabbies in Belgrade as it’s a poor metropolis, many individuals search for methods to make an additional buck and vacationers are prime targets.
“It’s since you’re wealthy,” an area who labored on the hostel informed me in clarification.
I laughed, “I’m undoubtedly not!”
“Even for those who’re not,” he stated. “We nonetheless suppose you’re.”
At first sight, Belgrade is crumbling. As I walked by means of the gritty, gray streets that very first night it grew to become clear to me why many vacationers don’t usually go to Serbia’s capital.
It’s not a reasonably metropolis, not on the floor anyway, and the distinction between close by Central European capitals is night time and day.
However nonetheless, there was one thing within the decrepit panorama that appeared to inform me I used to be in the appropriate place as a result of, regardless of its ugliness, town felt undeniably alive.
My intuition was proper; from the second I set foot in Belgrade I may really feel myself falling in love. And I saved returning – a complete of 4 occasions in two months, every for per week or extra.
I realized rapidly that you would see the “principal sights” in only one or two days.
Issues To Do In Belgrade, Serbia
It takes little or no time to go to the St. Sava Church (the most important Jap Orthodox church on this planet, relying on who you ask), the Nikola Tesla museum, and the cobbled Bohemian quarter of Skadarlija. However, just like the French traveller informed me, Belgrade is a lot extra.
After spending greater than a month within the White Metropolis, as it’s known as, I can let you know the perfect issues to do in Belgrade. Observe these pointers and let your self fall in love with the booming, vibrant capital of Serbia.
Tip: For those who’ve already made your manner round all of Belgrade points of interest, ask round what day journeys can be found from Belgrade.
Need to see all of it in a day? Take a look at this superior guided day-tour of Belgrade with Get Your Information!
1) Chill Out At The Kalemegdan Fortress
Whereas Belgrade’s huge fortress turned central park is among the principal vacationer websites within the metropolis, it’s also a well-liked native hangout and with good motive. Presiding over the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, on a heat day the fortress is the perfect place within the metropolis to spend a day.
There aren’t any legal guidelines prohibiting the general public consumption of alcohol in Belgrade, so seize a few beers and benefit from the space because the locals do.
Tip: When you enter the park by means of the primary entrance (from Knez Mihailova, proper throughout Belgrade’s Metropolis Library), take the left pathway. It should lead you out to an exquisite level. Sit on the stone fence and benefit from the open views of New Belgrade, river and elements of the decrease Kalemegdan. It’s undoubtedly one of the vital stunning issues to see in Belgrade.
2) Go to Novi Beograd And Zemun
Few vacationers in any giant European metropolis enterprise exterior of the Outdated City, however it’s all the time one thing I encourage – particularly in Belgrade. The neighbourhoods of Novi Beograd (New Belgrade) and Zemun are improbable locations to discover for those who’re looking for a extra “native” vibe. For those who want to perceive town, it’s important to add them to your record of locations to go to in Belgrade.
These neighbourhoods additionally include extra remnants from the 1999 NATO bombings than the Outdated City and seeing the bombed buildings can present the extent of devastation that Belgrade noticed in the course of the Yugoslav wars.
3) Drink Rakija – The Nationwide Drink Of Serbia
Spend greater than an evening in Belgrade and I might be wholeheartedly stunned if somebody hasn’t provided you rakija – an area brandy-type spirit that’s rampant all through the Balkans.
Typically made at dwelling with something from plums, grapes, or apricots, rakija can have an extremely excessive alcohol content material – usually upwards of 60% – so consuming giant quantities just isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. It’s also value noting that, when toasting, it’s thought-about to be unhealthy luck for those who don’t keep eye contact.
Tip: Head to Rakia bar! Because the title suggests they serve principally rakia however additionally they promote their very own – good memento. Having a rakia with an area is part of the Belgrade sightseeing expertise! Belgraders are very keen about their metropolis, so you’ll undoubtedly hear bits of historical past and all the time extra attention-grabbing, just a few city legends.
Belgrade is dwelling to arguably the best soccer rivalry of all time between the 2 native groups of Purple Star and Partizan. For those who occur to be within the metropolis throughout a derby, don’t cross up the prospect to go.
The ambiance of the fanatical supporters is sufficient even to entertain those that aren’t soccer followers. Simply make certain to remain protected because the crowds can get rowdy and have been identified to riot every so often.
Tip: The group supporters are all the time trying to provoke and trigger an altercation – even throughout pleasant matches. For those who nonetheless aren’t deterred from seeing a match dwell, right here’s some recommendation. The die exhausting Partizan followers (black and white jerseys) will all the time be sitting within the South stand whereas their rivals, Purple Star (purple and white jerseys) sit within the North stand. So for those who’re getting seats, e-book East or West! A number of soccer followers from totally different nations journey simply to witness one among these derby matches – it’s one of many extra common Belgrade vacationer points of interest amongst soccer lovers.
5) Get together Till Daybreak
Whereas I discourage heading to a vacation spot solely to social gathering, I might be remiss if I didn’t point out it as among the best issues to do in Belgrade. Serbia’s capital could be the best place to social gathering in all of Europe and there’s nightlife on provide to swimsuit any character.
Probably the most well-known late-night venues of Belgrade would undoubtedly be its splavlovi, barges turned nightclubs moored to the banks of the Danube and Sava. Whereas the splav are solely open in the course of the summer time months, there are myriad different choices for those who don’t occur to be visiting throughout this time.
They’ve a really spectacular techno scene the place each world famend DJ has performed a minimum of as soon as. In addition they have numerous hipster pubs (the place they promote not simply worldwide but in addition Belgrade’s craft beer) and a thriving cafe scene. If Belgraders now the best way to do something, it’s loosen up.
Tip: Meals and drinks are very low-cost in comparison with costs in Western Europe, so if you’re making an inventory of what to do in Belgrade, don’t overlook to incorporate attention-grabbing eateries and cafes.
I belief my intestine instincts greater than I belief something on this planet, and my intestine led me to Belgrade. It’s a metropolis that modified me, that continued to drag me again with no motive or clarification and that, I’m positive, will proceed to take action time and time once more.
Go to Belgrade, give it time and get to realize it past the museums and church buildings. Get to know its historical past, each grim and superb. Get to know its folks, ever heat and pleasant, humorous and hospitable.
Do these items and Belgrade will ship for you because it has accomplished for me and because it has accomplished for all travellers who take the time to open their minds and permit Belgrade to work its magic.
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