Start your tour in Knez Mihailova Street
Knez Mihailova is the main walking street and shopping zone in the center of Belgrade. It’s protected by law as one of the oldest complexes in the city. Lined with 19th century buildings, the street is filled with numerous cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops and national monuments. Take a break on some of the café terraces and just watch people go by, listen to street musicians and feel the beating heart of the city.
Explore Belgrade’s Fortress
Knez Mihailova Street connects the Belgrade’s Fortress and Belgrade’s downtown area. Located in the Kalemegdan Park, the Belgrade fortress is the symbol of the city and an impressive historic complex. The fortress lies on a hill overlooking the Sava and Danube confluence, rising above the city and protecting it. Kalemegdan’s most important highlights are the Roman Well, Pobednik Statue and The Military Museum. Around the Park there are nice green areas for chilling and enjoying romantic views. Also Belgrade Zoo, one of the oldest in Europe, is located within the Park. There are a few restaurants and cafes located on the site, featuring impressive views. Boho Bar is the latest hip spot on Kalemegdan, famous for serving delicious cocktails.
Visit the Nikola Tesla Museum
Dive into the magical world of Nikola Tesla, the famous inventor. The museum is dedicated to the life and works of Tesla and it’s dubbed as one of the best museums in the city. Here you can learn more about Tesla’s life and his machines. For those keen on learning even more, there are guided tours available in English.
Eat local cuisine at Skadarlija
Serbia is famous for its tasty cuisine which is a mix of Balkan and oriental cuisines. Serbian food is heavy with plenty of calories and meat is the main ingredient of almost every dish. Skadarlija is a historic place with cobbled streets and in the past it was known as the main bohemian quarter. Today here you’ll find lots of restaurants serving Serbian food as well as cute shops, bursting with vintage charm. The most famous restaurant here is called Three Hats and this is where you can tuck into famous dishes like cevapi, veil roast or Karadordeva steak.
Chill out at Tasmajdan Park
After you’ve had all that delicious Serbian food, it’s time to relax a bit. Tasmajdan is the second largest park in downtown Belgrade and the ideal place to get away from the city crowd and spend some time in nature. It’s not a well-known spot for tourists but locals adore it. Home to Belgrade’s second largest temple, St. Marko’s church, the park is not only beautiful but historically significant.
Party at “Splavovi”
Essential part of Belgrade nightlife are floating river clubs anchored along the Danube and Sava rivers known as “Splavovi”. These rafts are mostly nightclubs, restaurants or bar. Belgrade is world-wide famous for its entertaining clubs and great fun is a gurantee here. The best time to experience Splavs is during summer when all of the clubs are open. The clubs here play all types of music, from Serbian folk music to techno and hip hop music. Some of the best Splavs locals go to are Splav Leto, Freestyler and 20/44.
Recover from a night out with traditional Serbian breakfast
After a crazy night out in Belgrade and all that affordable alcohol, you’ll need a high-carb Serbian breakfast to start your day. Serbians start their day with a cup of Turkish coffee or an espresso. The best way to cure your hangover and raise your energy levels is eating a rich-calorie burek and yogurth for breakfast. Burek is a pastry filled with ground beef or lamb and it’s usually eaten with a yogurt on the side. Locals swear the best burek in Belgrade can be found in Petrovic bakery.
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Learn more about history at The Museum of Yugoslavia
The Museum of Yugoslavia is the most popular museum in Belgrade, situated just a bit outside the city center. For all history buffs and those interested to find out more about former Yugoslavia, this museum is the ultimate spot. With more than 200.000 items, the museum represents Yugoslavia from start to finish. Within the museum don’t miss visiting the House of Flowers which is resting place of Josip Broz Tito, president of Yugoslavia, and his wife Jovanka.
Visit the Church of Saint Sava
This church is not only the largest Orthodox Church in Serbia, it’s the largest in this part of Europe and one of the largest in the world. It’s considered as one of the most important landmarks in the city, so it’s not to be missed! Built in Serbian-Byzantine style, the church is impressive and so massive it can be seen from all approaches to the city.
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Eat lunch at Beton Hala
Belgrade’s Beton Hala is definitely one of the top attractions for dining and eating out. Whether you come here just for a drink or coffee or for clubbing, Beton Hala won’t disappoint you. This restaurant and bar oasis is located on the banks of Sava River, featuring impressive views and great vibes. At night, especially during the weekend, Beton Hala is the ultimate hotspot in Belgrade. Eat sushi at restaurant Sakura, try modern Balkan cuisine at Ambar or dance your heart out to live music at Cantina de Frida.
Take a stroll around Ada Ciganlija
After lunch visit Ada Ciganlija, proudly bearing the name of “Belgrade’s Sea”. Ada Ciganlija is a manmade island on the Sava river, located south of the city center. With first signs of spring, it becomes the favorite spot of Belgraders. Bounded by Sava River on one and the Sava Lake on the other side, Ada Ciganlija has sandy beaches perfect for swimming in the summer. The place is packed with lively bars, restaurants and sport areas, so you surely won’t be bored here!
Listen live Serbian music in a “Kafana”
“Kafana” when translated in English would mean something similar to a traditional tavern. Kafanas in Serbia have a long history, dating back to Ottoman Empire, but they still exist today. They’re the social heart of the city, where locals meet for lunch or where they drink rakija during the weekend. Kafanas that are restaurants mostly serve traditional Serbian food and some of the best you can find in Belgrade are Prolece, Stara Hercegovina and Salas. Around the city you’ll find a lot of kafanas that are clubs during the weekend, famous for their live music. These are the places where you can dance the night away to the sounds of Serbian folk music. For all those who want to feel the real soul of Serbia, kafana is the place to be!
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