Best Things To Do in Belgrade

A jewel of southeastern Europe with charming streets, parties until dawn and a fascinating culture awaits you in Belgrade. The capital of Serbia goes unnoticed and it is a pity because it offers traditions of the former Yugoslavia and a neighborhood that belonged to the peoples of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The Serbs will welcome you with their hospitality, joy and a glass of Rakija, their typical drink. If you stay a couple of days you will have time to immerse yourself in its gastronomy, take a boat ride on the Belgrade Amazon and kayak through its natural enclaves. You'll also find fascinating subway passages and escapades within walking distance - check out the must-sees!

Belgrade abounds with charming places, but I don't think any compares to Knez Mihailova Street. It is the equivalent of Gran Via or Time Square and here I recommend you spend some time exploring its 19th century buildings, where some of Serbia's most influential families lived.

Its cosmopolitan atmosphere will seduce you and you will hardly leave empty-handed, as it is the largest shopping street in Belgrade and there are plenty of stores. You will also find terraces to enjoy a gastronomic stop and, in addition, from there it is easy to connect with the Republic Square and the Belgrade Fortress.

At night it becomes the meeting point for locals and tourists, ideal for those looking for clubs to dance until dawn or pubs to sit and enjoy a beer or a Rakija.

It is usually a stop included when booking a segway tour in Belgrade, something great because you can know this emblematic street aboard an electric vehicle. This way, you can save walking and avoid traffic or crowds. If you choose this option, you can even see the contrast between the Mihailova and the old grid of Kralja Petra Street.

In the neighborhoods of Belgrade you can appreciate contrasts and the crossing of epochs, cultures and traditions. A route from neighborhood to neighborhood can be an excellent way to soak up the city. In each area you will be greeted by the friendliness of the Serbs, street food and even street shows.

Of course, some neighborhoods are full of stories that you will love to learn about and my suggestion is to book a guided tour of Belgrade. This way, you can enjoy the main neighborhoods and discover monuments such as St. Sava Church, the House of Flowers and the Avala Tower.

Eager to get to know the most charming districts of Belgrade? I'll tell you all about it!

Skadarlija

Arriving in Skadarlija you will be in front of a postcard-worthy neighborhood, as it is the district of old facades that have been modernized without losing their essence. Here you will find traditional taverns offering typical Serbian gastronomic experiences and folk shows. As you walk around you will come across street performers and discover why the poets and artists of the 1900s were in love with this district.

Stari Grad

To visit Stari Grad is to enter the Old Town of Belgrade, the hiding place of the oldest buildings. Here you can follow in the footsteps of the Celts and see an authentic Celtic settlement, as well as what remains of a Roman castrum. You will also come across the Kalemegdan Fortress, which offers panoramic views of Belgrade, the Sava River and the Danube.

Serbian gastronomy will delight you with its contrasting flavors, which come from Turkish, Mediterranean and Hungarian influences. A panorama full of traditions and recipes, as well as pleasant surprises awaits you. As you walk through its streets, you will probably be struck by the aroma of grilled cevapi and be enchanted by the lively atmosphere surrounding the street stalls.

Consider that Serbs often gather in Cafanas, known to be traditional taverns that combine mealtime with folk shows. In general, there are plenty of restaurants and gastronomic enclaves that will leave you with pleasant memories of Belgrade. Among the desserts, dishes and drinks you should try are the following.

• Ćevapi: it is the national dish of Serbia and consists of grilled meat sausages accompanied by bread, ajvar (paprika sauce) and onion strips.
• Burek: it is a filo dough pastry and there are plenty of fillings to choose from, the most popular ones are meat, cheese or vegetables. To enhance its flavors it is served with yogurt.
• Rakija: it is a strong liquor that takes an arduous fermentation process, with a plum or apricot flavor perfect to accompany appetizers.
• Palačinke: these are crepes with sweet or savory fillings, although most prefer those with nuts, chocolate or jam.

Booking a gastronomic tour of Belgrade allows you to delight your palate with appetizers and typical foods while a guide tells you the story behind each dish.

The capital of Serbia is surrounded by the Sava and Danube rivers, so signing up for a cruise seems like a great plan. You will be able to see the confluence of both rivers and the amazing difference in colors, as well as the exact point where they meet.

Booking a Belgrade river cruise offers a complete experience that allows you to see the Belgrade Fortress from the water and discover interesting facts from a local guide.

You will have time to visit a nature refuge on the Great War Island, where there are spectacular hidden birds. You will also see a protected wetland sanctuary and then continue sailing to the island of Ada Ciganlija which awaits you with man-made beaches ideal for water activities.

You will pass by Zemun's Millenium Tower and enjoy views of Mount Avala. In general, these rides extend for at least an hour and a half, but they do not offer free stops, just a rather relaxing scenic experience.

Belgrade partying is known for its atmosphere and options for all tastes. Among the outstanding areas to go out is Savamala, the epicenter of nightlife that owes its fame to the variety of trendy bars. If you are looking for something more bohemian and traditional, you can find your place in the traditional taverns of the Skadarlija neighborhood. Although you can always visit Centijska Clubbing District and explore an eclectic neighborhood that invites you into bars set up inside old warehouses.

When booking a pub crawl in Belgrade you have the option to enjoy 7 hours of partying in 7 popular venues and try different nightlife experiences such as:

• Casual club parties.
• Elegant parties.
• Boat parties.
• Special cocktail parties.

Going from pub to pub allows you to take advantage of rakija tastings in kafanas (traditional taverns) and explore Belgrade's nightclubs. If you are traveling alone, this is the opportunity to make friends and socialize. Also, walking around at night is more comfortable in the company of a guide. These types of experiences usually offer complimentary drinks, party games, tickets to local parties or nightclubs and options for after partying (the famous Serbian after party).

Zemun is a bohemian and charming neighborhood that a few years ago still belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and was a kind of village near Belgrade. That's why it has a Soviet architecture with cobblestone houses near the Danube and wonders like the Hotel Yugoslavia. You won't even be able to think it is part of the city because it is so different and seems frozen in time.

Most of the streets are hills with ups and downs, but it is worth it to get to the Gardos Tower and enjoy the panoramic views of Belgrade. Take the opportunity to pass by the most important and colorful market of the city that is located in this neighborhood and is known as Zemunska Pijaca.

In this case, I recommend you to book an electric scooter tour that offers an ecological excursion through outstanding areas of the city such as this historic district. Among the attractions you will have the opportunity to discover during this experience are:

• Zemunsky Key, it is the entrance to Zemun and a prominent monument of the capital. It will catch your attention and is a spectacular photo stop.
• Millennial Monument, this is where the President of Serbia spends most of his time and has a statue of Prince Mihailo Obrenović.
• Zemun Cemetery, it is a place with endless legends and the resting place of several personalities who marked the history of Serbia.
• Magistrate in Zemun, is a testimony of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as it used to manage the judiciary from here.

You will surely want to get out of the everyday and explore all facets of Belgrade. Booking a kayak tour allows you to experience the famous Belgrade Amazon that awaits you between the canals of the Danube. It is so nicknamed because of the variety of flora and fauna that will peek out as the tour progresses.

Getting to know it by kayak is more exciting and challenging, as you will have to work as a team and paddle for a while. I promise you it's worth it because it doesn't compare to other activities and you'll be in a hidden enclave, but without having to leave the city. Stay tuned and take out your camera! You won't want to miss the natural spectacle of herons, ducks, cormorants and hawks.

Renting a bike in Belgrade is quite affordable and rates are usually set by the day or hour. Some stations have maps with suggested routes, so you can discover the main tourist attractions and stay on the safe roads.

Personally, I recommend cycling to the iconic House of Flowers, the mausoleum of the former leader of Yugoslavia. Here you should take advantage of a stop to learn a bit of history and Serbia's past. As a curiosity, its name was chosen because of the flowers that used to surround the tomb, although they eventually withered and now there is only a stone path.

By bike it will be easier to get to the house, plus this activity allows you to optimize your time and vary between urban and natural areas so that you don't miss anything. Planning the itinerary can take time, so some people prefer to book a bike tour of Belgrade which usually also includes stops to see the National Assembly of Serbia and Trg Slavija Square.

Belgrade has an impressive past of dynasties, dictatorships and monarchies. Therefore, you will see several palaces that will take your breath away and arouse your curiosity. I tell you about its must-sees.

• Old Palace or Stari Dvor: it was the residence of Obrenović and currently houses the Belgrade Assembly. You are not allowed to visit it, but its facade is mind-blowing.
• New Palace or Novi Dvor: it was the Royal House of Karađorđević and now functions as the office of the President of Serbia. It can only be visited by appointment and there are several restricted areas.
• White Palace or Beli Dvor: was the residence of Tito of Yugoslavia and is open to the public on Saturdays.

During the wars, the Serbs had to manage to keep themselves safe. As in other cities in Europe, here you find a network of subway tunnels that were initially created by the Romans to control the local water flow. Later, it became a strategic network during war periods in history.

Many characters used them to flee during the Cold War or to communicate during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In total there are 14 kilometers of tunnels, but most of them are closed to the public. It is best to sign up for a guided tour to explore their secrets and get lost in bunkers from the communist period and discover the darkest moments of Yugoslavia's dictatorship.

If you plan to stay a couple of days in Belgrade, there is no excuse to miss out on wonderful escapades to its surroundings. It's a way to optimize your time and budget. You can get to know Northern Serbia and Western Serbia aboard a train that has years of history, as well as explore the magic of the Danube Valley.

Northern Serbia Excursion

If I were you, I wouldn't miss booking an excursion to northern Serbia from Belgrade to discover the wonders hidden in the surrounding area. You'll get a glimpse of the Petrovaradin Fortress, famous for its subway tunnels.

You will also witness the beauty of the Krusedol Monastery and the history of the nature refuge in the Fruska Gora National Park. Generally, there are several stops and usually include entrance fees to attractions and a wine tasting.

Excursion to the Danube Valley

The Danube is a spectacular river and well worth seeing during your trip to Belgrade. Don't just take a boat ride, go further and book a tour of the Danube Valley. This way, you will be able to appreciate the surrounding medieval sites and see the famous Iron Gates. You will also have time to explore the archaeological and Mesolithic gems of an ancient riverside civilization, preserved in the Lepenski Vir Museum.

Šargan Train Excursion

Boarding the Šargan Train takes you to see Western Serbia while enjoying a scenic route through the mountains. On board you will hear the history of the train and enjoy the experience in its narrow, retro carriages. Stops include the village of Küstendorf, the region's viewpoints and the Drina River.