Serbia is a kind of nations that doesn’t get the extent of publicity different European nations – resembling Spain, the UK, and France – get.
Because of this we beloved this information from journey blogger Allison about the perfect 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 should do, together with some native secrets and techniques.
Over to you, Allison, to share your Belgrade journey information!
Is Belgrade price visiting?
The quick reply is sure.
Because the capital metropolis, Belgrade is among the greatest locations to go to in Serbia. Belgrade is one among my favourite cities within the Balkans – and in Europe generally. 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 greatest 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 referred to as a splavovi.
Nonetheless, 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 road artwork and funky cafés, there are such a lot of issues to do in Belgrade which you could endlessly wander town and nonetheless discover new issues to shock and delight.
Greatest issues to do in Belgrade
Listed below are the highest issues I feel 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 greatest seen at sundown. There are different locations contained in the Fortress complicated price seeing, particularly the Clock Tower, Ruzica Church, and the Roman Properly.
Take a stroll down Knez Mihailova, the most well-liked pedestrian road and the guts of Belgrade’s Stari Grad (Previous Metropolis) district. That is Belgrade’s hottest procuring road, so if it’s worthwhile to top off on any new garments, that is the place you’ll discover all of the outlets and numerous eating places and cafes you may people-watch from!
Sip on espresso at a kafana (conventional Serbian espresso home) on Skadarska Road, 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 novel characteristic of Belgrade’s legendary nightlife scene. There are a number of riverboats – ultimately rely, 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 endlessly 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. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless fairly spectacular and it’s practically full, so it’s price a go to. It’s one of the crucial stunning issues to see in Belgrade.
What to do in Belgrade – some native secrets and techniques!
Past the highest vacationer sights, there are many hidden gems in Belgrade. Each time I return to Belgrade, I preserve discovering increasingly more cool issues to do.
Head to the oldest outside market in Belgrade at Zeleni Venac and store for recent honey, ajvar, and rakija. It helps to talk a bit Serbian or have some spectacular physique language expertise, as this isn’t a touristy market in any respect and the shopkeepers doubtless gained’t communicate a lot English.
Go off the crushed path and take a look at the cute suburb of Zemun, which is now a part of Belgrade however as soon as was a part of one other nation totally: the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Because of this, the structure is sort 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.
Take into account visiting the Avala Tower, 30 to 40 minutes outdoors 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 while you go to Belgrade.
The place to eat in Belgrade
So, while 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 greatest brunch at Kafe Kozmetičar.
Lunch
Get pleasure from a scrumptious conventional Serbian meal beneath 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 fashionable twist on Serbian delicacies on the stunning Belgrade Waterfront on the stylish Ambar restaurant. Every part right here is scrumptious, so order up!
For those who tire of Serbian meals, which is admittedly fairly meat-heavy, I’ve vetted their worldwide meals choices as properly. Istok is the perfect place to go for something Asian, with nice pho, bibimbap, recent summer season rolls, and different Asian fusion delights.
La Taqueria provides what are critically the perfect 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 if in case you have a yearning for queso and – what else – nachos! All the above eating places have a superb variety of vegetarian choices as properly.
The very best nightlife in Belgrade
As I mentioned above, the nightlife in Belgrade is unbelievable! Listed below are a couple of of my favourite spots:
- A cool café by day, Meduza turns into a full of life 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 unbelievable 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 Road.
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 attention-grabbing areas of Belgrade.
- Savamala is greatest if you wish to be near the gorgeous Sava River and the nightlife that takes place on the river boats, whereas nonetheless being simply accessible to town centre.
- Stari Grad is greatest if you wish to really feel such as you’re within the coronary heart of the motion and wish the entire high Belgrade sights to be at your fingertips.
- Dorćol is greatest in the event you’re a hipster at coronary heart who lives for craft beer, specialty espresso, and scrumptious worldwide eating places.
Total, you could find loads of reasonably priced, comfy inns in Belgrade.
How one can 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 town’s buses and trams (there isn’t any metro) by holding your loaded public transportation card in opposition to the reader; every journey prices 89 dinars, or lower than US$1.
Nonetheless, I desire to get round both by foot or by taxi, which is cheap at about US$3 per journey throughout the metropolis heart. 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 may ebook a personal switch to town.
You should definitely additionally allocate a day or two to get outdoors of Belgrade on a day journey! Inside about two hours you could find a few of Serbia’s most attention-grabbing cities and sights, resembling 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 achieved all three, and all work fairly properly, although admittedly public transportation is the slowest possibility.
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 typically discover her petting unusual canine, face-first in a glass of wine, or looking for the perfect Asian meals in Jap Europe (and sometimes ending up dissatisfied). Observe Sofia Adventures on Instagram and Fb right here.
Hold exploring the Balkans:
