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Dec

28

Belgrade Travel Guide

Filed Under Serbia

A trip to Belgrade
With tourism still improving, Belgrade is not the most tourist-friendly destination but nevertheless receives its visitors with a warm welcome. What you see here is what you get, and there are no superficial, sugar-coated campaigns to promote this former communist city. Consisting of three parts - Zemun, Novi Begograd and the Stari Grad - this historic Serbian city is ideal for adventuring souls. Only a short flight from many European destinations to Nikola Tesla Belgrade International Airport, you will be able to experience a unique holiday with fascinating traces of days gone by and an energetic atmosphere.

Flights to Belgrade
Most travellers choose to get to Belgrade by air. Nikola Tesla Belgrade International Airport receives a number of flights, both international and domestic. The airport is located about 12kms west of the city centre and is conveniently connected to the city by airport shuttles. You can also opt for bus number 72 which operates to the heart of the city. Don’t take a taxi from the airport as they usually charge tourists double and drivers often refuse to turn on their meters.

Getting around in Belgrade is easier than expected. There are hundreds of bus lines that go around the city and the suburbs. Minibuses are also a good option and are usually in tip-top condition.

Sightseeing in Belgrade
You’d better put on your comfy shoes as Belgrade is all about exploring on foot. Walk around Knez Mihajlova, a pedestrian zone and shopping centre where you can look at some of the oldest buildings in the city as well as urban houses. The street is packed with boutiques and shops so hang on to your cash. Sveti Sava Temple, the world’s largest Orthodox church, is not to be missed, while the Republic square is home to various monuments, built to glorify important events in the past. If time permits, a tour within the Old Palace is very worthwhile.

Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
One of many of the Serbs’ obsessions is their food. Famous dishes include grilled meats, sausages, delectable local cheeses and French fries. Forget KFC and go for the Serbian variety of grilled chicken.

Serbs are also very fond of their beer. There are many kinds of domestic beers you can try while you are in Belgrade. If you are a big beer fan, do not miss a chance to lick the creamy bits off various beers at the renowned Belgrade Beer Festival in September. Nightlife in Belgrade is thriving, with many pubs and bars in the city centre. Drink like a Serb and try rakija, a strong local brandy.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Shopping enthusiasts might be a bit disappointed to know that clothes and shoes here are more expensive than in most places in Europe due to import taxes. However, the city boasts all the brand names you can think of, but only window shopping is advised. Those travelling with children should head to Belgrade Zoo, boasting a wide range of animals, pretty fountains and many statues. Situated nearby is the beautiful Kalemegdan Park, where you can jog, walk, laze around or hide from the afternoon sun under a big shady tree.

Daytrips
If you rent a car during your stay in Belgrade, you’ll benefit from the opportunity to visit a number of interesting destinations located within easy driving distance of the city. Vojvodina to the north of the city is an autonomous province bordered by the Danube and Sava rivers and is worth a visit for its array of interesting Middle Age structures.

Novi Sad is the provincial capital and a charming destination with a pedestrianised centre and numerous open-air dining establishments. Alternatively, head south to Sumadija for traditional rural charm or east to the picturesque Danube area.

If historical buildings are your interest, then be sure to take a trip to see the splendid old monasteries located close to the Belgrade-Nis highway. The Manasija Monastery is located in Despotovac and dates back to the late 14th century, while the Ravanica Monastery is in Paracin and dates back to the early 15th century.

Must-see attractions
Belgrade has a good selection of sightseeing options, included a number of interesting museums and some eye-catching landmarks. The most famous landmark in the city, and perhaps the country, is the Kalemegdan, a magnificent old fortress situated on a promenade high above the rivers Danube and Sava. From the fortress’ best vantage points, awesome views over the city are possible.

In the city itself is Knez Mihajlova, a pedestrianised district offering good shopping venues as well as a variety of pretty 19th century private residences. Visit the old town area to see sights such as the Sveti Sava Temple (Orthodox Cathedral) and the Princess Ljubica’s Residence, the latter being the oldest official royal residence in Belgrade.

Republic Square is central to the city’s heritage and image, having been a feature since 1866. The square was built following the destruction of Stambol, the city’s main gate, and though it cannot match the beauty that the gate was famed for, it’s still an eye-catching location.

Best time to go
The summer season is the best time to take a holiday in Belgrade, with the months of July and August seeing fine continental weather. Average summer temperatures are around 22°C, but it’s not uncommon for highs to climb into the high 20s or low 30s (°C).

Since the summer brings Belgrade the best beach and sightseeing weather, you can be confident that it also brings the greatest volume of visitors and the city can get crowded at these times.

Rainy day suggestions
Belgrade receives its fair share of rain throughout the year and rain cannot be ruled out during the summer season, so it’s useful to have a few indoor entertainment options planned for your visit. The Nikola Tesla Museum is worth a visit, offering an insight into the inventions that brought fame to the physicist, inventor, and electrical engineer of the same name.

Should military history be of interest to you, then take a trip to the city’s Military Museum located within the Kalemegdan fortress. For a broader spectrum of interest, the National Museum with its collection of 400,000 artefacts is arguably the best museum in the city.

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