Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and also of Jugoslavia before the breakup. The city was founded at the point where Danube River and Sava River combine.
Why Belgrade :
In Turkey people are often compare Belgrade to Kyiv. While they are capitals , historical cities and also the economy and location. There are also many good restaurants in Belgrade , better than in Kyiv. I found security is enough and there seems no danger for tourists. Most of the people speak english. You can stay around 5-6 days in Belgrade. People seem cold but this doesn’t mean that they hate people , this is just their lifestyle. Number of the people who smokes outside can surprise you. Nightlife also great in Belgrade and you can have this trip with a small budget.
Transportation :
After leaving Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport , turn your left and have a 1 minute walk , then you will arrive at the bus stop. If you get in the bus 72(number) , you can buy the bus ticket from bus driver for 150 Serbian dinar or you can buy it in the buffet for 90 dinar. In around 30-40 mins you will be in Zeleny Venats Bus Station which is the central bus station in the city center. Then you can have a walk to the place you stay.
Note : People don’t buy bus tickets in Belgrade as a protest for the high ticket prices and demanding for a free transportation. But as a tourist , you should buy your ticket. If there is any ticket control , you can levy a fine.
Accommodation :
You can stay at a hotel , hostel or an apartment in Belgrade. I chose an aparment there and was so happy fort his. Apartment was in the city center with a view and the houseowners were nice people. We paid 4000 serbian dinar per night for this nice place but it was in winter.
Things To Do in Belgrade :
Here first i want to explain the places in the old city center , then i will go on with the places outside of old city. So if you don’t stay so short , you can also visit other places too.
1-) Belgrade Fortress(Kalemegdan) :
Belgrade Fortress built in the intersection point of Danube and Sava. Fortress speards into a large area. You will see many places in turkish language in Belgrade , like Kalgemegdan means kale meydanı in turkish. There is no entrance fee for the fortress. There are also some other places to see inside the fortress like Saint Petka Church , Belgrade Zoo and Military Museum. I would recommend to visit a half day and also enjoy the view from the fortress.
2-) Belgrade Zoo :
Zoo is right next to Belgrade Fortress. You can visit the zoo for 400 dinar.
3-) Belgrade Military Museum :
Military Museum also located inside of the fortress. It is similar to the one in Kyiv , and open air museum and for free.
4-) Dorcol :
Dorcol is a small area locatedn next to the fortress. I would recommend to walk the streets here.
5-) Knez Mihailova :
Knez Mihailova Street is the main and most famous Street in Belgrade. It is 1 km long. It is also known fort he similarity to Istiklal Street in Istanbul. I would suggest to have some walks around the main Street and also in the evenings ou can visit some bar in t he next streets.
6-) Skadarlija :
Skadarlija Street is located at the end of Knez Mihailova Street. This Street hosts the best restaurants of Belgrade.I will mention about these restaurants in food part. Next to this Street you can also visit Republic Street.
Note : These 6 Titles are in the same district next to each other. You can visit all in a day.
7-) St. Mark’s Church :
It will be on our way on the second day. So you can have a look just for around 15 mins.
8-) Tasmajdan Park :
You can also visit the park next to St. Mark’s Church but of course parks by the river will be much better to speand time.
9-) Nikola Tesla Museum :
Nikola Tesla is one of the most important people in the history , thank to his efforts that we can have better technology and life. While he was a Serbian , his museum located in Belgrade. It is normally a very small museum but i liked it. You will watch a representation video which you can also do this at home. But besides , you will have an amazing experience of an experiment of Tesla. In the experiment , you will have a fluorescence in your hand and with the wireless electricity coming from Tesla Coil , it will work and lighten. Especially if you accept the sciend as the most important thing , you should with Tesla Museum. Entrance fee is 500 serbian dinar.
10-) Church of Saint Sava :
This is one of the symbols of Belgrade. You should have a search of the building. While there are not old historical church in Belgrade , this should be the only Church which must seen and there is no entrace fee.
Note : These 4 titles are in the same direction and i would recommend to see them in same day.
11-) Zemun District :
Zemun District is on the other side of the river. You can reach to district by bus. But i would recommend to have a walk from old city for around 1 and half hour passing Branko’s Bridge , Usce Shopping Center , Hotel Jugoslavia and boat restaurants and bars along Danube. You will find a totally different architecture in Zemun District from the age of Austraia-Hungary like in Novi Sad. Another place to see in Zemun District is Gardos Tower(The Millenium Tower).
12-) Ada Ciganlija :
Ada Ciganlija is a river island in Belgrade. If you visit Belgrade in summer , you can join to Belgrade People and enjoy swimming.
13-) Tram Number 2 :
You can have a short tour in old city by tram.
There are some more places which are not in the list. Some of them are far and some of them are not preffered by everybody. But i would like to write these places in a sentence ; Avala Tower , Josip Broz Tito Mausoleum , National Museum , Red Star Belgrade Stadium , National Theatre and Hotel Moskva Belgrade.
SHOPPING
For souvenir or any kind of shopping , i can recommend the shops in Knez Mihalova Street and also Usce Shopping Center.
FOOD
Belgrade has good food and good restaurants. It is effected from turkish kitchen much. You can try many diferent kinds of steaks and meat.
1-) Dva Jelena :
Dva Jelena means 2 deers. This restaurant is located in Skadarlija. I tried a dish with deer meat and i liked it. I will recommend for you to visit here in the evenings and you can join to people dancing with traditional live music.
2-) Terminal Gastro Bar :
Of course there are many options in Belgrade but this place near to Church of Saint Sava. After visiting many places , Tesla Museum and the church at the end , you will feel hungry. So this place will be the best location for you. Here i ordered a dish with meat but i regret that i also wanted to try a traditional soup before. Soup made me full and i hardly tried other dishes.
3-) Domino Pizza :
Sometimes you don’t want to eat much but you need some energy. Especially at nights after or before clubbing. There are many pizza shops in Belgrad efor this. Especially Domino Pizza located next to Knez Mihailova Street on your way. You can try many different kind of tasty slice pizza for only for around 120 dinars.
There were some other places too which i didn’t remember the names. For example one of the is on the top floor of Usce Shopping Mall. I tried cevapi or cevapcici which is similar to kofte. You can also try pljeskavica and pecenje too.
On the other hand i made many researches and got also suggestions about the good restaurants in Belgrade , if you would like me to share them with you ; Little Bay , Lorenzo&Kakalamba , Zavicaj , Restaurant Topciderac , Frans , Lovac , Kalemegdanska Terasa , Bela Reka Nacionalni Restaurant , Toro , Mezestoran Dvoriste , Durmitor , Restaurant Plato , Ambar , Botako , Mala Fabrika Ukusa and Boutique.
As you see there are really many places in the list unfortunately.
On the other hand bakeries are also common like pizza shops , for example Pekara Toma. Jelen and Lava are their most common 2 beers. Rakija is also famous and very similar to turkish raki. But they have it fruity and just shot.
Note : You should better have a reservation fort he restaurants and clubs in advance or you can can become disappointed.
BARS and CLUBS
I didn’t like the bars and pubs much while there are thousand good ones in Istanbul. But their clubs are really good and Belgrade is the nightlife center for all Europe. You can make a reservation for a club via whatsapp and there will not be any entrance fee the menus are quide good and cheap. You can visit some bars first , next to Knez Mihailova and then go on with clubs later. My favourite was Hype Club and second best can be Mr. Stefan Braun which also has a city view. There are many boat clubs on the river which are opened only in summer. While i visited Belgrade in winter, there were not many options. In summer you will have much more options.
NOVI SAD and PETROVARADIN
It seems like a bad idea to be back without seeing Novi Sad and Petrovaradin. There is an intercities bus station in Savamala District which is close to the clubs district. You can make a day trip to Novi Sad and Petrovaradin. If you buy you return ticket together , it will be half but you should ask fort he time schedule fort he return bus. For example i bought my bus ticket to Novi Sad for 750 dinar and the return ticket was 380 dinar. Novi Sad is a small city on the west part of Serbia , which has a similar architecture to Zemun District. While the old city area is so small , i will suggest you to walk around. If you pass the bridge by walking , you can reach to Petrovaradin Fortress and spend some time. On your way back then , you can visit Project 72 Wine and Deli , taste some serbian wine while having some traditional delicious food. I didn’t mention about this restaurant before while it is not is Belgrade.
I hope you enjoyed my Belgrade Page. I would be glad to hear your suggestions or some more information.
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