Jelena & Robin
Visit Belgrade
A day in Belgrade
The perfect blend of contemporary and vintage! This city will live forever! What else can you say about a place that was torn down over 45 times in its long history and yet, still proudly shines in all its beauty! Welcome to the capital of cheerful people, smiling faces, and modern life! (Seriously, according to statistics, Serbians are known to be the most hospitable people in the world!)
Skadarlija - Bohemian night in Belgrade
Skadarska Street called Skadarlija among locals, is the Bohemian heart of Belgrade. This old paved street about 400m long is surrounded by facades and cafes that haven’t changed for 150 years. You can visit some of the most popular taverns that offer traditional Serbian cuisine, home-made wine, rakija (moonshine) and beer, dinner is accompanied by a downtown orchestra. The taverns are lined up: Two deer, Three hats, My Hat, Golden Carafe, Two White Doves and Traveling Actor – each one is teasing you with pleasant ambient and gardens decorated with flowers.
Kalemegdan Park and fortress
Kalemegdan, today Belgrade’s most beautiful and largest park, was during the time that the Fortress was Belgrade’s main military stronghold, used to observe and await the enemy in battle. Consequently its name derives from the Turkish words kale meaning ‘fort’ and meydan meaning ‘square’ or ‘field’. The Turks also called Kalemegdan Fikir -bayır which means ‘hill for contemplation’. Kalemegdan contains the Keys of the Belgrade Fortress memorial, the Monument of Gratitude to France, the Cvijeta Zuzorić Art Pavilion, the Music Pavilion, the Great Steps (Veliko Stepenište), the Zoo, a children’s fun fair, and a number of monuments, sculptures, sports facilities, resturants and cafés.
Temple of Saint Sava
The Church of Saint Sava (Serbian: Храм светог Саве/Hram svetog Sava, literal translation into English: "The Temple of Saint Sava") is a Serbian Orthodox church located on the Vračar plateau in Belgrade. It is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world and ranks among the largest church buildings in the world. It is built on the Vračar plateau, on the location where his remains were burned in 1595 by Ottoman Grand Vizier Sinan Pasha. From its location, it dominates Belgrade's cityscape, and is perhaps the most monumental building in the city. This is actually the church we are getting married in :) I would visit the Temple of St. Sava and the Church of St. Marko in the same day, they're kind of in a similar directions as opposed to the rest.
Church of Saint Mark & Tasmajdan Parc
Located in the city centre, Tašmajdan may not have the photogenic romance of Kalemegdan, but sometimes it simply isn’t necessary. Known informally as Taš, the city centre park underwent a major reconstruction at the beginning of the decade and is all the better for it. Belgrade’s iconic Crkva Svetog Marka provides an idyllic backdrop, and writer Milorad Pavics honoured with a statue. That monument stands next to one for Heydar Alijev, the former President of Azerbaijan - absolutely no idea why.
Kneza Mihailova
Knez Mihailova is the main walking street in the center of Belgrade. It goes from Kalemegdan (central park and fortress) to the Republic Square (main central square), and continues to Terazije square, splitting the downtown in two. This street is one of the best places to feel the pulse of the city. Republic Square, located in the center of Belgrade, at the crossroads of past and present, here the most recognizable public buildings can be found, such as the National Museum and National Theatre. Republic Square is famous for its monument of Prince Mihailo on horseback, built in recognition of his achievements during the 19th century. Today, Republic Square is a famous Belgrade attraction for its beauty, cafés, lounges and restaurants, and a favorite for its constant hustle and bustle. The architecture in the street is a mixture of many of the styles featured in Belgrade - the street and it's surroundings are protected as important cultural heritage.
Ušće
Ušće is an urban neighborhood of Belgrade. Ušće is located on the mouth of the Sava river into the Danube, thus the name (ušće is Serbian for confluence). Ušće borders the neighborhoods of Staro Sajmište and Savograd on the south. As a compact grassy and forested area it stretches along the bank of the Danube into the Block 10, to the Zemun municipality and the Hotel Jugoslavija and the ENJUB shopping mall.
Kalemegdanska terasa
Gorgeous restaurant right in the middle of the ruins of Kalemegdan Fortress (in Old Town Belgrade) with a beautiful view overlooking Belgrade and the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.
Avala Tower
Like a tall watch tower over Belgrade, Avala, a smallish mountain with ancient mining passages, rises from a plain only 10km from the city. Today it is every Belgraders' favorite picnic destination, with an incredible pine forest and 8 springs of fresh mountain water. After a break, let the road take you to the very top of Avala where you can enjoy a unique view on the surrounding landscape. There, you will be welcomed by a symbol of Belgrade: the Avala Tower. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular PANORAMIC view of all Belgrade and the surrounding area from a café at the top reached by two elevators. The Tower is open for visitors every day except on Mondays. The current Tower with its 204.8 meters is, just like its predecessor, the tallest building in the Balkans, and it was opened on April 21st, 2010, just beneath the location of the old tower destroyed in 1999 during the NATO bombing.
Nikola Tesla Museum
Meet the man on the 100DIN note at one of Belgrade's best museums, and one of the greatest inventors and engineers of all time, where you can release your inner nerd with some wondrously sci-fi-ish interactive elements. Being of Serbian origin, in his last will he stated that his possessions should be transferred to Belgrade after his death. The museum, housed in a beautiful residential villa built in 1929, is the only home of Tesla's personal inheritance containing the original plans and drawings of his inventions, which revolutionized the fields of energy production and distribution. Tesla's archive forms part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, recognizing the value of this collection to scientists even in the present day.
Ada Ciganlija
The most popular beaches in Belgrade are located on the Sava lake, also known as "Ada" (by the adjacent island – Ada Ciganlija), about 5 km from the city center. Ada is the summer resort of Belgrade, featuring many different ground and water sports and attractions. Most of the 5 km of beaches are pebble beaches, while there's also a concrete and pontoon access to the water. Surrounding the lake there's a walking and a biking path, and numerous cafes, fast food stands and kiosks.
National Parliament
The Parliament palace in Belgrade was built in the early twentieth century, and it served as the national parliament of Yugoslavia, then Serbia and Montenegro, and it eventually become the parliament of Serbia in 2006. It is one of Belgrade's most significant buildings that has witnessed many important events in the history of the city and of the nation. The Parliament palace construction started in 1906 intended for the National Assembly of Serbia, but it wasn't completed until the thirties, when it started serving as the Parliament of Yugoslavia. It has since then witnessed and shared the fate of the city. The Parlaiment is right across from the beautiful Pionirski Park as well as the National Post Office. Tours inside the building are available.
Boho Bar
Wonderful open cafe/lounge/bar (depending on the time of day that you go) situated right smack dab in the middle of Kalemegdan fortress. Whether you have been walking through the ruins all day and want a cool drink to cool off, or you want to see spectacular views of Kalemegdan fortress and the river all lit up at night - Boho Bar is the place to visit!
Twenty Two Restaurant
Brand new lounge, set on top of the luxurious Hotel Metropol. Amazing views of Belgrade. Great food during the day, and becomes a lively lounge/bar at night. A little on the pricier side, but it is supposed to be a high-end lux lounge :)
Ebisu restaurant
Wonderful rooftop on the top of Hotel Square Nine. Very close to Knez Mihailova and Republic square. A couple minutes walk from the majority of the AirBnB's in old town. Japanese restaurant lounge.
Tri šešira (3 hats)
Skadarlija is a MUST see tourist attracion. This particular restaurant is an old school traditional Serbian kafana with live folk music and super traditional Serbian food. Located in Bohemian and cobblestoned Skadarlija street - don't miss out on the Rakija. Not for Vegeterians.
Epigenia Wine & Tapas Bar
Hands down the best garden seating in Belgrade. Live Spanish and Italian music, with a large selection of wine and tapas.
Jazz Basta
A themed open air cafe in the Savamala district. Live jazz music and an amazing view, with a rustic and whimsical garden.
Manufaktura Restaurant Belgrade
Right off of Knez Mihailova street. 2min walk from the beginning of Kalemegdan Fortress. Great food and often live music on weekend nights :)
Villa Maska
Hidden gem near the Temple of St. Sava. Amazing food, music, and wine.
Smokvica Dorćol
Their outdoors seating area is amazing and just right for the summer. Reservations are a must in August! They are located in Kralja Petra street - a wonderful street with higher end boutiques for anyone planing to shop ;)
Leto
Opened last summer, and apparently the new hotspot as far as lounges/splavs go. The actual place itself looks really nice!
Beton Hala
Some of the best restaurants (lounges) and live music can be found in Beton Hala. Located on the riverbank, with a gorgeous view overlooking the river and New Belgrade, this are is popular with both locals and tourists. My suggestions for restaurants are Iguana (jazz, intl cuisine), Frida (live music, my favorite), Sakura (amazing Japanese food), Sofa, Piazza (Italian), and Toro (amazing tapas and ambient). Reservations are a must Thurs - Sunday!