Overview
Serbia is misunderstood. It has a mystique about it that gets lumped into people’s minds in all the wrong ways. When we talk about Serbia in the US, we normally don’t know where to start. It’s foreign, really foreign with a sort of Russian influence none of us can really understand. It’s far away and scary, a land forgotten and unreachable. Where exactly is it? Does it border Russia? They use that funny Cyrillic script don’t they? Too many questions left unanswered, too many people too lazy to ask.
But we did ask, and we loved what we found.
We say this because this is the idea of Serbia that we had before going there. We’re we expecting to meet some of the nicest and most generous people in the world? No. We’re we expecting ancient fortresses, monuments and some of the most miraculous churches you can find anywhere? Also, No. The good news for Serbia is that, we did find that and more, so much more.
It’s a modern metropolis trying to rebuild itself from its troubled past. It’s unique, beautiful and warm, and we cannot say enough good things about one of the most misunderstood but dazzling cities in Eastern Europe.
Is it Cheap?
Yes! Belgrade is certainly one of the cheapest cities that you will find in Europe, where an average meal will set you back around 7 Euros and a beer is closer to 2. Hostels all seemed to be fairly priced at around 18 Euros a night. In Serbia they use the Dinar and it is about 120-1 Dollar, so make sure you understand the exchange rate before making a purchase!
WE SAY A GOOD BUDGET FOR BELGRADE IS: 30-35 Euros per day including hostels.
The Danube River from the Belgrade Fortress
Bohemian District
St. Sava Cathedral
What To Do
Belgrade is a big city with a lot of great stuff to do. Whether you are in town to party, to sightsee or to simply just take a break during your excursion through the Balkans, Belgrade will have something great for you.
Take in the History at the Belgrade Fortress
The Belgrade Fortress has been sitting on the western side of the city overlooking the Danube River for centuries. It was once the home to Serbian royalty in years far gone. Today it serves as a monument towards Serbian military strength and a reminder of the dazzling creations that the Serbian peoples have created.
It is easily the most touristy thing you can go see in Belgrade but it is definitely worth it. You can check out a great military museum with tanks, artillery and like serving as a memoir to the Yugoslav war of the 1990’s.
The rest of the complex has been updated with basketball and tennis courts, a children’s area and a lovely park where you can take in the views of the Danube and escape the hot summer heat.
Get Bohemian
The Bohemian District of Belgrade also known as Skadarlija was once home to great Serbian poets, writers and artists. The neighborhood has an extremely artsy vibe with many of the buildings being painted in a unique fashion or adorned in blooming flowers. It is the perfect place to take a stroll and sit down for some coffee or traditional Serbian food at one of the Kafanas (Serbian Cafes).
Learn about Orthodox Christianity – The Serbian Way
Belgrade may very well have some of the most impressive churches that anyone at BeyondThePack has ever seen in person. We recommend making the trip out away from the old town to St. Sava Cathedral which is still under construction nearly 70 years after it was started. The crypt is newly finished, extremely adorned in gold and jewels and is truly a sight to be seen.
Orthodox churches certainly have a different vibe than their Catholic or Protestant counterparts. They are brightly colored interiorly, and shaped much more like mosques or synagogues than your standard church.
What To Eat and Drink
Belgrade is a great food town and a perfect place to try Serbian food in a normal restaurant atmosphere without breaking the bank. The following dishes and drinks come recommended by our Serbian friends and are a must try during your stay in Belgrade.
Cevapi: Cevapi is something you will find all over the Balkans and Serbia certainly loves the small beef kebabs. Ground beef, flavored with local spices is grilled and served with a flat bread, raw white onion, Ajvar (A paste made from red peppers and eggplant) and Kajmak (a thick sour cream like substance).
Burek: Burek is as essential to the Serbian way of life and is a favorite breakfast item in Belgrade and Novi Sad. Essentially, it is filo dough stuffed with either cheese, meat, spinach or potatoes and then either deep fried, baked or cooked in a large cast iron pot over wood fire. The exterior is crispy while the interior is rich and chewy. One of the best ways to start your day.
Corba: Meaning soup in Serbian, Corba is traditionally made with stewed beef or lamb in a rich broth. It’s origins and the word itself stems from Serbia’s time in the Ottoman Empire.
Pljeskavica: Very similar to Cevapi, this meat dish is sort of like a hamburger on steroids. The large flat spiced meat patty is served in a large flatbread with vegetables and sauces and often served alongside fries. This behemoth nearly costs 3 Euros, so don’t feel bad if you go back for another, which is unlikely.
Rakija: Rakija can be found all over the Balkans and is much like German Schnapps. The alcohol content varies but it’s typically over 40 percent and extremely potent. Serbians drink it in small vial like shot glasses, preferring to sip rather than shoot it back. Great flavors include honey, grape and blackberry.
Transportation
As we have stated, Belgrade is a large city and being very hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. We recommend to just take taxis, as an average ride of around 2 kilometers will only set you back around 4-5 Euros. There are obviously buses and a tram system if that is more of what you are looking for.
Clubbing and Nightlife
Belgrade has become a mecca for partying over the last ten years. They party hard in Belgrade and you won’t have any trouble finding a club or a bar that fits your fancy.
For drinks early in the evening head down to Skadarlija, where the Bohemian drinks turns from tourist cafes to vibrant and lively bars. You can also find tons of predrinking opportunities in the Stari Grad, or the old city center. Drinks are cheap and the people are great.
From there it is only logical to head down to the Danube and go seek a long night/early morning club experience on one of their various barge clubs called splavs.
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