Things to do in Belgrade

Birthday Trip, a long weekend in Belgrade

I usually celebrate my birthday by travelling somewhere, in 2022 I went to Amsterdam in 2019 I went to Morocco, in 2020 to Israel and this year (2023) I decided to visit Belgrade. The Balkans is an area in Europe that I had never been to before, so I was very curious to travel there for the First time.

From Budapest, Belgrade is quite close, by bus is around 5 hours. Unfortunately, I spent there just a long weekend (Friday to Monday), which is enough to see the main things but to enjoy better the city one or two days more is a must.

This time I didn’t travel alone, most of the time I do it, but I travelled with my girlfriend, it was our first trip together and it worked very well, we have a similar approach to it and we have the same curiosity that pushes us to do it.

Belgrade, “white city” in the Serbian language (Beograd), is a vibrant and historic city located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, and at the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. With a history dating back over 2,000 years, from the Romans to the Ottomans and Austro-Hungarians, Belgrade has been shaped by a diverse range of influences that are reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions.

Despite its tumultuous past, Belgrade has emerged as a modern and cosmopolitan city that offers visitors a wealth of cultural and entertainment opportunities. Whether you're interested in exploring the city's museums and galleries, sampling traditional Serbian cuisine, or experiencing the vibrant nightlife, there's something for everyone in this dynamic and welcoming city.

In my opinion, Belgrade is not a beautiful city, but it is very interesting and worth a visit to this mixture of cultures and things to do, you can, for sure, find something to see, to do or that you like. As a photographer, I found here a source of inspiration: places, people and in feelings.

Republic Square

Republic Square, or Trg Republike in Serbian, is one of the most important public spaces in the capital of Serbia. Located in the heart of the city, this historic square is surrounded by some of Belgrade's most iconic buildings and landmarks and is a hub of activity day and night.

One of the most notable features of Republic Square is the equestrian statue of Prince Mihailo Obrenović, a prominent Serbian ruler who played a key role in the country's modernization during the 19th century. The statue, which was created by the Italian sculptor Enrico Pazzi, has become a symbol of Belgrade and is a popular spot for taking photos.

Another landmark on the square is the National Museum of Serbia, the museum is housed in a magnificent neoclassical building that was originally constructed in the late 19th century. The square is also home to several other cultural institutions, including the National Theater and the Belgrade City Library.

We visited this square for the first time on a walking tour and I remember that the guide was telling us a funny story about the equestrian statue, Prince Mihailo is without any kind of hat on his head, which was very bad for a ruler at that time. A popular story said that the sculptor was so hurt that committed suicide, but in reality, Pazzi lived another 17 years.

Belgrade Fortress, Kalemegdan Park

Belgrade Fortress, also known as Kalemegdan Fortress, has been an important military stronghold for over 2,000 years and has been shaped by a diverse range of influences, from the Romans to the Ottomans and Austro-Hungarians.

The fortress complex is situated on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers and offers breathtaking views of the city below. It is possible to explore the fortress's many ramparts, towers, and gates, as well as its ancient walls and underground tunnels.

Adjacent to the fortress is Kalemegdan Park, a vast green space that offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park is home to several historic monuments and landmarks, including the Monument to the Victor (Pobednik), a towering statue that commemorates Serbia's victory over the Ottoman Empire in 1918.

In addition to its historical significance, Kalemegdan Park is also a popular destination for sports and recreation, with several sports fields, courts, and running paths scattered throughout the park. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic, take a stroll, or simply soak up the sun while taking in the stunning views of the city and the surrounding landscape.

This was the end of the walking tour we did, and then we enjoyed the view and the park, we had lunch near the people that were playing chess. The garden is very big and we didn’t have time to visit it fully, we didn’t see the clock tower or the tunnels or all the gates. I liked this place because it was a nice source of pictures, the landscape, the garden, monuments and people, I like the pictures of the chess game and of the runners.

Skadarlija

Skadarlija is a historic street known for its bohemian charm, lively atmosphere, and traditional Serbian restaurants. Located in the heart of the city, Skadarlija is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike, offering a glimpse into the city's cultural heritage.

The street dates back to the 19th century when it was a hub of activity for artists, poets, and intellectuals. Today, it is lined with colourful buildings and cobblestone streets and is home to a variety of restaurants and cafes that serve up traditional Serbian cuisine.

The restaurants in Skadarlija are known for their traditional Serbian dishes, including cevapi, a type of grilled meat served with bread and onions, and kajmak, a creamy dairy product that is often used as a condiment. You can also enjoy a variety of local wines and spirits, including rakija, a strong fruit brandy that is a popular Serbian drink.

We visited this street also with the walking tour, but it was in the morning and the street was empty, so we came back late in the day and there was more life, it is a nice part of the city, very vibrant but touristic. We didn’t try any restaurants or bars in this part of the city, we preferred to eat in other parts of the city, there are more traditional and cheap restaurants in other parts of the city.

Belgrade Green Market

One thing that I love to do while I’m travelling is visit markets, they are places reach of opportunities for pictures, where you can see the local life and the relationship of the local people. I always feel a nice energy when I am visiting a market, and Belgrade is full of markets. Also my girlfriend likes to visit markets, this is one of the things that we both like to do while travelling and here we visited two.

The first one was Bajloni Market, a popular outdoor market located in the Savamala neighbourhood at the end of Skadarlija. Unfortunately, we arrived at the closing time so we lost a big part of what the market can offer. Bajloni Market is a bustling hub of activity, offering a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and other local specialities.

The second market we visited was Kalenic Green Market, one of the most popular outdoor markets in Belgrade, located in the Vracar neighbourhood. We went to Kalenic Green Market on the last day, here we found a lot of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as meats, cheeses, and baked goods. The market is famous for its high-quality products and its friendly vendors who are always happy to share their knowledge of Serbian cuisine and culture.

Also in Kalenic Green Market is possible to find artisanal crafts and handmade goods, including traditional Serbian embroidery, pottery, and woodcarvings.

Tasmajdan Park

Tasmajdan Park is a beautiful green space located near the Kalenic Green Market. One of the most notable landmarks in Tasmajdan Park is St. Mark's Orthodox Church, which is located on the park's western edge. The church was built in the late 1930s, it is a Serbian Orthodox church built in the Serbo-Byzantine style by the Krstić brothers on the site of a previous church dating to 1835. It is one of the largest churches in the country.

We had a stroll through the park's winding paths, enjoying the peaceful ambience. The park is a destination for joggers, picnickers, and families with children, and there are several playgrounds and sports fields located throughout the park.

In the park, there is a monument to Milica Rakic, a three-year-old Serbian girl who was killed by a cluster munition during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. On 17 April 1999, her home was bombed because it was located 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the Batajnica Air Base, which was repeatedly targeted by NATO during its air campaign against Yugoslavia.

Zemun

Zemun is a historic neighbourhood of Belgrade. Situated on the banks of the Danube River, Zemun has a rich cultural heritage that dates back to ancient times and is known for its charming architecture, cobblestone streets, and laid-back atmosphere.

This part of Belgrade was part of the Austo-Hungarian empire till 1881, and the difference in architecture is visible, living in Hungary when I arrived there I got the feeling to walk into a Hungarian city.

One of the most notable landmarks in Zemun is the Gardos Tower, a medieval fortress that offers panoramic views of the city and the Danube River. It is possible to climb to the top of the tower to enjoy the breathtaking scenery, or explore the historic fortifications and learn about the area's rich history.

Zemun is also home to several cafes, restaurants, and shops, and it is possible also to do a nice stroll along the Danube River.

Zemun is part of Belgrade but it is not near the historical centre of the city, it is easy to reach from there using a local bus, the ride is about 50 minutes, it is worth a visit because it is a very nice village.

Belgrade was the first country in the Balkan area that I had the opportunity to visit, it was a long time since I wanted to start to explore this area of Europe, and a lot of people told me that it deserved a visit. I liked it and I’m sure that I will be back in the area soon, I want to go to Sarajevo, Skopje, Tirana and more, I will be back to write about it soon.