The capital of Serbia seems to be changing all the time – and we’re not just talking about the constantly appearing and updating cafes and bars.
We found several reasons why you should come to Belgrade.
1. The waterfront parties are second to none
There are not many cities in the world that use embankments as successfully as Belgrade does. On the embankment of the Danube and Sava rivers there are more than 200 bars, clubs and restaurants, where life usually does not stop until dawn. Some of them operate only in the summer season, but there are also those that are open all year round (for example, Splav). The beautiful view of the river becomes even more beautiful after a few cocktails, which usually do not cost more than 500 dinars.
2. Excellent cuisine
The choice of restaurants in Belgrade can be dizzying, given that the prices here are hardly high by European standards. In the old town there are more restaurants with traditional cuisine (some of the best dishes: Balkan meat cutlets, cevapcici, and cheese stuffed peppers). Or you can go to one of the trendy restaurants on the embankment, where Spanish, Italian and Asian cuisines dominate.
3. Belgrade is a pleasure to explore on foot
Knez Mihailova Street is a wide pedestrian boulevard crossing the old town, which almost never sleeps. Street musicians seem to be playing here all the time, artists are working, and sellers with strollers are flashing by. In addition to them, there are many shops and coffee shops located in buildings of the 19th century.
Take a look at house No. 29, here is the Zepter Museum, whose exhibitions are dedicated to contemporary Serbian art.
4. It has its own fashionable areas
Go to the eastern bank of the Sava River to the Savamala district, where abandoned warehouses and dilapidated Art Nouveau mansions used to be. But over the past few years, everything has changed: many bars and clubs have moved into empty buildings, changing the life of the area beyond recognition. Later, fashionable shops and cafes appeared. Stop by for a cocktail at the Klub Dvoristance garden or the industrial Prohibicija before heading out to dance.
5. You will always be on time
Cross the Sava River towards Zemn and you will immediately feel the difference between the eastern and western parts of the city. Zemun, one of the suburbs of Belgrade, used to be part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918, and therefore there is so much heritage of the Habsburg Empire. At the same time, the atmosphere here is still Balkan – with the aromas of Turkish coffee and tantalizing smells from neighboring restaurants. Here it is worth climbing the Gardos Tower, which was built by the Hungarians in 1896. It offers a beautiful view of Belgrade and the Danube.
6. Even in tourist areas there is something to enjoy
Skadarlija is considered one of the most popular areas of Belgrade, and this is not surprising; it is a bohemian quarter of the 19th century, which in the past was very loved by poets and writers, and today is adored by tourists and fashionistas of the city. They make excellent coffee here, pour brandy and smoke a lot. All this takes place against the backdrop of cobbled alleys, old Serbian restaurants and street musicians. In general, the atmosphere here is more than relaxing.
7. History at every step
Kalemegdan is the oldest part of Belgrade, covering the history of the city from Roman times to the present day. It’s nice to take a walk in the park, look into ancient fortresses and the military museum; it’s also worth climbing the rampart to see the view of the Danube and Sava rivers. This is the greenest place in the city, so people often come here for picnics. A good place to have a snack is Kalemegdanska Terasa, it is very close to the zoo.
8. There is an excellent city beach
On Ada Ciganlija, an island on the Sava River, recently turned into a peninsula, there is the country’s only beach – Blue Flag beach. At the height of summer, everyone gathers here to sunbathe, swim or kayak. But even if you didn’t come in the summer, it’s still worth coming here: here you can have a nice walk, ride a bike and have a delicious meal.
Source: roughguides.com
