Pleasure

Belgrade

Belgrade (Beograd) is the capital of Serbia, and has a population of around 1.6 million. It is situated in South-Eastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe and has since ancient times been an important focal point for traffic, an intersection of the roads of Eastern and Western Europe.

Belgrade is the capital of Serbian culture, education, science and economy. As a result of its tumultuous history, Belgrade has for centuries been home to many nationalities, with Serbs of the Orthodox Christian religion making up the majority of the population (90%). The official language is Serbian, while visitors from abroad can use English to communicate.

The climate in Belgrade is a moderate continental one. The average temperatures in May are 23,9°C (day) and 12,9°C (night).
Belgrade is in the Central European Time (CET) zone (GMT+1 hour).
The official currency is the dinar (RSD), but Euros can be exchanged freely.
The Belgrade area code for domestic calls is 011 and for international calls +381-11.

 

Sightseeing


By foot

Belgrade: its people, its boulevards and walkways, seashores and gardens, sunsets, museums, cafes and restaurants, clubs, rhythm of life. Different walking tours arranged to let you discover the cultural heritage and the everyday life of a city at the border of two civilizations pulsing on the confluence of Sava and Danube.
Here are just some examples of walking tours:
Belgrade Town; Belgrade Fortress; Temples of Belgrade; Old Zemun; Literary guide to Belgrade; Topčider – cultural-historic and natural environment of Belgrade; Jevremovac botanical gardens; Archaeological tour.

 

  By bus

If you prefer an open bus sightseeing tour of Belgrade, discovering the city by wandering its streets and enjoying the guide's interesting story of both history, architecture and local lifestyle, this kind of tour will introduce you to the central area of the city and one part of New Belgrade.
It is available every Sunday and lasts about one and a half hours. The guided tour itinerary includes Belgrade City Hall, National Parliament, Terazije, Republic Square, Studentski Trg, Belgrade Fortress, Varoš Gate, Novi Belgrade, Topčidersko brdo, Dedinje, Trg oslobođenja, Slavija and Trg Nikole Pašića.

 

By tram

Another interesting way of exploring the city of Belgrade is riding the "Tram Called Belgrade". This kind of program of tram sightseeing is available every Sunday and it lasts for one hour and it is free of charge. The itinerary includes the zoo, Tadeuša Košćuška Street, stopping at Kalemegdan, the pier, Karađorđeva Street at the Railway Stations, Nemanjina, Resavska, Kralja Aleksandra Boulevard to the Monument to Vuk, Kraljice Marije, Džordža Vašingtona, Cara Dušana to Beko.

 

  By boat

Belgrade is the only European capitol on two big rivers, Sava and Danube. Feel the Belgrade charm from the rivers. Take a boat ride on the Belgrade Rivers and see the beautiful buildings, nature and atmosphere.
By cruising Sava and Danube rivers you will see the tallest buildings and those close to the coast in Belgrade city center as well as Zemun, Belgrade fortress, Gardos tower, Big War island, Ada Medjica island, Belgrade lake, bridges on Sava and Danube river, numerous raft houses and raft and boat clubs, Belgrade lake, Lido beach and many more sites that one can see and reach only from the river.

 

By balloon

Spectacular. Includes flight of 60-90 minute duration, diploma and presents, celebration on the landing spot with sparkling wine, insurance. Flying is possible every day in the year when there is no rain or snow, and the wind is not stronger than 5m/s. The balloon flies up to 1,000m high.
 

 

Belgrade attractions

 

Expand Belgrade Fortress / Kalemegdan
A host of Belgrade's most popular attractions for visitors are concentrated on the rocky ridge of Kalemegdan, site of the original fortified city, which overlooks the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The neighbourhood is now maintained as a park, containing the ancient fortress, zoo, art pavilion, observatory, planetarium, a Roman well, the Military Museum and some lovely walks.

 

Expand Skadarlija Street
Skadarlija Street is the Belgrade's equivalent of Paris' famous Bohemian Montmarte neighbourhood, and one of the most popular places to visit for tourists in Belgrade. Lined with restaurants and pubs, their tables and festivity spilling onto the pavements, it is a colourful spot to soak up the traditional Serbian scene, with strolling gypsy musicians mingling with artists and local revellers. It is the venue to sample the local specialities, washed down with beer and good conversation, perhaps pick up some souvenirs, art and antiques and promenade along the cobbled pedestrianised precinct.

 

Expand Temple of Saint Sava
Dominating Belgrade's cityscape is the massive Temple of Saint Sava, the largest Orthodox church in use in the world and still not quite completed although building has been going on for more than 50 years. This remarkable domed building, with its white marble and granite facade, is dedicated to the medieval Saint Sava, founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and its construction has been financed exclusively by donations. Visitors are welcome to view the church, which is set in lovely gardens.

 

Expand National Museum of Serbia
A must for any art lover, the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade houses a remarkable collection of more than 400,000 items, from Old Masters to medieval and modern art, numismatics and a sprinkling of archaeological exhibits. The artefacts are split into 34 archeological, numismatic, artistic and historical collections to form the most complete picture of Serbian culture and history you'll ever see.

 

Expand Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Serbia's Obrenovic dynasty has become a popular attraction, with its elegant salons, crammed with important artworks and magnificent décor, open for public tours. The palace was built in the 1880s, designed by Aleksandar Bugarski, who set out to outdo all former Royal residences in the country. Today it houses the City Assembly of Belgrade, and is regarded as a national architectural treasure.

 

Expand Residence of Princess Ljubica
Built between 1829 and 1831 as a private residence for the wife of Prince Milos, the stately home of Princess Ljubica is now the Belgrade City Museum, demonstrating the unique Balkan architectural style and incorporating some Baroque elements. The interior has been preserved to showcase the lifestyle of well to do Belgrade homes in the 19th century and is an important cultural heritage icon in the city.

 

Restaurants in Belgrade


It is not an easy task to acquaint the foreign visitor to Belgrade with Serbian cuisine. Many dishes cannot be adequately translated into another language, while others are simply not eaten anywhere else, even though they are made from ingredients available in all European countries. Therefore, a thorough investigation of Serbian cuisine is required, a guide to a cuisine that has evolved from a jigsaw of historical influences merging at the crossroads of civilisations.

Sit back and let Belgrade's experienced restaurateurs take over - you won't regret it! No complaints have yet been made by the many royals and heads of state, who have taken away only great memories of their night in Belgrade, with food, drink and of course, music!

In addition to Serbian, the menus in Belgrade's restaurants are also written in an international language, normally English. If you speak to your waiter in English, French or German, you will be understood in the majority of restaurants.

Restaurants are usually open between 08.00 and 23.00, but some are open from 12.00 to 01.00.

We are not even going to try to list all Belgrade restaurants. Instead, we will give you a brief guide through the cuisine and a selection of favorite restaurants in Belgrade.