Best Things To Do in Belgrade

Belgrade is a southeastern European gem with charming streets, parties until dawn and a fascinating culture. The capital of Serbia goes unnoticed and that's a pity because it offers traditions of the former Yugoslavia and a neighbourhood that belonged to the peoples of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The Serbs will welcome you with their hospitality, cheerfulness and a glass of Rakija, their typical drink. If you stay a couple of days, you'll have time to soak up the local cuisine, take a boat trip on Belgrade's Amazon and kayak through its natural sites. You'll also find fascinating underground passages and escapades within walking distance, so make sure you check out the must-sees!

Belgrade is full of charming places, but I don't think any compares to Knez Mihailova Street. It's 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'll hardly leave empty-handed, as it's Belgrade's main shopping street and there are plenty of shops. You'll also find terraces to enjoy a gastronomic stop, and from here it's easy to connect to Republic Square and the Belgrade Fortress.

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

It's often an included stop when booking a Segway tour of Belgrade, which is great because you'll get to see this iconic street on board an electric vehicle. This way, you can skip the walking and avoid the traffic and crowds. If you choose this option, you can even see the contrast between Mihailova and the old grid of Kralja Petra Street.

Belgrade's neighbourhoods are full of contrasts and a crossroads of eras, cultures and traditions. A neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood tour can be a great way to soak up the city. In each area you will be greeted by the friendliness of the Serbs, street food and even street performances.

Of course, some neighbourhoods 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 neighbourhoods and discover monuments such as the Church of St. Sava, the House of Flowers and the Avala Tower.

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

Skadarlija

Skadarlija is a postcard-worthy district with old facades that have been modernised without losing their essence. Here you'll find traditional taverns offering typical Serbian gastronomic experiences and folk performances. 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 cuisine will delight you with its contrasting flavours, which come from Turkish, Mediterranean and Hungarian influences. A panorama full of traditions and recipes awaits you, as well as pleasant surprises. As you walk through the 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 tend to gather in Cafanas, which are known for being traditional taverns that combine mealtimes 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: this is the national dish of Serbia and consists of grilled meat sausages served with bread, ajvar (paprika sauce) and onion strips.
• Burek: This is a filo pastry and there are plenty of fillings to choose from, the most popular being meat, cheese or vegetable. It is served with yoghurt to enhance its flavours.
• Rakija: a strong liqueur that undergoes an arduous fermentation process, with a plum or apricot flavour that is perfect with appetizers.
• Palačinke: These are pancakes with sweet or savoury fillings, although most prefer nutty, chocolate or jam fillings.

Booking a food tour of Belgrade allows you to indulge your palate with snacks and typical food while a guide tells you the story behind each dish.

Serbia's capital is surrounded by the Sava and Danube rivers, so signing up for a cruise sounds like a great idea. You'll be able to see the confluence of the two rivers and the striking difference in colours, as well as the exact spot 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 Great War Island, where spectacular birds are hidden away. You will also see a protected wetland sanctuary and then sail on to the island of Ada Ciganlija with its man-made beaches ideal for water activities.

You'll pass Zemun's Millennium Tower and enjoy views of Mount Avala. These rides usually last for at least an hour and a half, but don't offer any free stops, just a rather relaxing scenic experience.

Belgrade's party scene is known for its atmosphere and options for all tastes. Among the top areas to go out is Savamala, the epicentre of nightlife which 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 quarter. Alternatively, you can always visit the Centijska Clubbing District and explore an eclectic neighbourhood 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.

Pub hopping allows you to take advantage of rakija tastings in kafanas (traditional taverns) and explore Belgrade's nightclubs. If you're travelling alone, this is an opportunity to make friends and socialise. Also, walking around at night is more comfortable in the company of a guide. These types of experiences often offer complimentary drinks, party games, tickets to local parties or clubs and options for after-party entertainment (the famous Serbian after-party).

Zemun is a bohemian and charming neighbourhood 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 Soviet architecture with cobbled houses near the Danube and wonders like the Hotel Yugoslavia. You won't even think it's part of the city because it's so different and seems frozen in time.

Most of the streets are uphill and downhill, but it's worth the walk up to the Gardos Tower and enjoy the panoramic views of Belgrade. Take the opportunity to stop by the city' s most important and colourful market which is located in this neighbourhood and is known as Zemunska Pijaca.

In this case, I recommend you book an electric scooter tour which offers an eco-friendly excursion through the highlights of the city such as this historic district. Among the attractions you will have the opportunity to discover during this experience are:

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

You'll probably want to get out of the everyday and explore all the 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 called because of the variety of flora and fauna that will appear as you go along.

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's unlike any other activity and you'll be in a hidden enclave, but you don't need to go far from the city, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera out! 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 the opportunity to stop and learn a bit of history and Serbia's past. Interestingly, 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.

It's easier to get to the house by bike, and this activity allows you to optimise your time and vary between urban and natural areas so that you don't miss anything. Planning your itinerary can be time-consuming, 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. Let me 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 façade is amazing.
• New Palace or Novi Dvor: this was the Royal House of Karađorđević and now serves 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, Serbs had to figure out how to keep themselves safe. As in other European cities, here you'll find a network of underground tunnels that were originally created by the Romans to control the flow of local water. Later, they became a strategic network during periods of war.

Many people used them to escape during the Cold War or to communicate during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. There are 14 kilometres of tunnels in total, but most of them are closed to the public. It's best to sign up for a guided tour to explore their secrets and lose yourself in bunkers from the communist period and discover the darkest moments of Yugoslavia's dictatorship.

If you're planning to spend a couple of days in Belgrade, there's no excuse for missing out on wonderful trips to the surrounding area. It's a great way to make the most of your time and budget. You can see northern Serbia and western Serbia aboard a train with years of history, as well as explore the magic of the Danube Valley.

Northern Serbia excursion

If I were you, I'd be sure to book a trip to northern Serbia from Belgrade to discover the hidden wonders of the surrounding area. You'll get a glimpse of the Petrovaradin Fortress, famous for its underground tunnels.

You'll also witness the beauty of the Krusedol Monastery and the history of the nature refuge in the Fruska Gora National Park. There are usually several stops and usually include entrance fees to the 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 trip, go further and book a tour of the Danube Valley. This way, you'll be able to appreciate the surrounding medieval sites and see the famous Iron Gates. You'll also have time to explore the archaeological and Mesolithic gems of an ancient riverside civilisation, preserved in the Lepenski Vir Museum.

Šargan Train Excursion

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