Belgrade - sightseeing and useful information

Discover Belgrade

While you are in Belgrade it would be a shame not to discover all the hidden beauty of the city. You will be amazed of how live this city is. The City Center is never empty, cafes, restaurants, parks are full of both young and older people enjoying every minute in their favorite place. Don't hesitate to discover every part of this amazing city. Here are some suggestions...

Belgrade sighseeing walking tour (3 hours)

October 10th 2018
Meeting point at the hotel Metropol at noon (12:00 pm), meeting guide and introdaction, the walking trough Vračar streets toward Nikola Tesla museum and some interesting info about, then going to Saint Sava temple with visit to the crypt if the guest want(it is amazing).

Later we go to Slavija square and the King Milan street with the flowers square, student cultural center and 3rd highest building Beogradjanka and the oldest tree in the city center. We will see the old and the new Royal palaces (nowdays city hall and presidency) pioneers park, Terazije square with the old fountaun and gotel Moscow, the Palace of Albania, the Republic Square. Pedestrian street Knez Mihailova, kalemegdan park with Belgrade fortress, victor monument, confluence of the Sava and the Danuve rivers, stories about history, New Belgrade and the old town of Zemun as well. After this we go to agreed position for pick up transport back to hotel.

Knez Mihailova Street

Knez Mihailova Street or Prince Mihailo Street is the main pedestrian and shopping zone in Belgrade, and is protected by law as one of the oldest and most valuable landmarks of the city. Named after Mihailo Obrenovic III, Prince of Serbia, it features a large number of impressive buildings and mansions built during late 1870s. 1km long Knez Mihailova Street was declared Spatial Cultural-Historical Units of Great Importance in 1979, and it is protected by Republic of Serbia. It is a common meeting point for Belgraders. The street has been named one of the most beautiful pedestrian zones in Eastern Europe and is a constant buzz of people and tourists. The street is home to Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU), Instituto Cervantes, Goethe-Institut, Centre Culturel Français, as well as many other leading shops and several cafes.

Belgrade Fortress – Kalemegdan

Belgrade Fortress, represent old citadel and Kalemegdan Park on the confluence of the River Sava and Danube. It was declared Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1979. Belgrade Fortress is one of the most beautiful natural lookouts in Belgrade. Fortress is generally divided into four sections: "Lower" and "Upper Town", "Little" and "Large Kalemegdan Park". Here are located Kula Nebojsa (Fearless Tower, turned into a museum of the Greek revolutionary Rigas Feraios), as well as Orthodox churches of Ruzica (former Austrian gun depot) and St Petka, beautiful promenades and the statue of "The Victor", the "Roman well", the Observatory and Planetarium, etc. Northern section of Little Kalemegdan Park is occupied by the Belgrade's ZOO, opened in 1936. In Belgrade Fortress are also located the Military Museum, Museum of forestry and hunting, and the Monument of Gratitude to France.

Ada Ciganlija - "Belgrade's Sea"

Ada Ciganlija colloquially shortened to Ada, is a river island that has artificially been turned into a peninsula, located in the Sava River's course through central Belgrade. The name can also refer to the adjoining artificial Sava Lake and its beach. It is an immensely popular recreational zone, most notable for its beaches and sports facilities, which, during summer seasons, can have over 100,000 visitors daily and up to 300,000 visitors over the weekend. Due to this popularity, Ada Ciganlija has been commonly nicknamed "More Beograda" ("Belgrade's Sea"), which was officially accepted as an advertising slogan in 2008, stylized as More BeogrADA. Apart from the sport facilities, a 7 kilometer-long beach of the Sava Lake has a closely supervised, fenced-off children's swimming area.

 

Ortodox Temples

Belgrade is one of the spiritual centers of the Balkans. Orthodoxy is the majority religion in the area. The intertwining of the orthodox Christian thought, Byzantine culture and Slavic spirit can be felt in every orthodox temple, among frescoes of rulers and saints depicting the power of faith and the centuries that lie behind us. Catholic temples, the mosque in the city center and the Belgrade synagogue are places of spiritual life and peace.
One of most impressive Orthodox Temples, by all means, is the Temple of St. Sava. Construction of temple began in 1935, and was halted due to the outbreak of World War II and the bombing of Belgrade; followed by the time of Tito’s communist Yugoslavia and thus the temple had to wait for better times. Construction was only resumed in 1985 and is still underway.

Shopping in Belgrade

Belgrade offers quality shopping opportunities, similarly to other European capitals. Shopping opportunities are many and varied. Large and luxurious Western-style shopping malls and supermarkets are gaining in Belgrade and Serbia, but there is also traditional way of buying apples from the greengrocer, meat from the butcher, bread from the bakery. Clothing shops are plentiful and well-stocked with latest fashions. If you are a fan of malls Belgrade offers many among which are Rajiceva Shopping Center, Ušće, Delta City and Big. If you prefer shopping streets than definitely visit Knez Mihailova Street, Kralja Milana Street and Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra.

Nightlife in Belgrade

Belgrade's nightlife is well and truly awake and in this city you can have a lot of fun. Belgrade has a reputation for its nightlife, and with good reason. Unlike in other parts of Europe, there is no day of the week in Belgrade when you cannot have a night out. This is true whatever your age, whatever your lifestyle and however much you want to spend! Most importantly everybody can find some fun by their taste, if you like crazy parties or you are a fan of spending a quiet night with friends, or maybe you wish to spend a romantic evening, Belgrade has a place for you.

"Enjoy the finest nightclubs, bars and restaurants in Europe's new capital of cool." Times Online

WHAT TO SEE

Attractions

Skadarlija

The old, bohemian quarter of Belgrade, Skadarlija, arose during the late 19th and early 20th century when its inns were the gathering place of the best known names in Belgrade. It is frequently compared to the Montmartre of Paris, both in appearance as well as the exuberant and dynamic artistic atmosphere.

Zemun

Once a separate town, Zemun has been a municipality within the city of Belgrade since 1945. People have settled the area of Zemun as far back as the Neolithic, using the favourable position of the banks of the Danube and the Sava.

Republic Square

The existing square was formed after the demolition of Stambol Gate and the construction of the National Theatre building in 1869.

Terazije Square

The best known of the Belgrade squares began taking shape during the early 19th century.

Nikola Pašić Square

It was a barren meadow crossed by the Istanbul Road during the first half of the 19th century.

Slavija Square

The square was a marshy pond prior to 1880, where the citizens of Belgrade hunted wild ducks.

Kralja Petra I Street

The Kralja Petra I Street (“King Peter I Street”) is one of the oldest streets in Belgrade.

Students’ Square

During Turkish times it was the location of a Turkish Cemetery, remaining in place until the second half of the 19th century.

Museums

  1. National Museum

The oldest of museum institutions in Belgrade was founded in 1844 at the initiative of the Serb writer Jovan Sterija Popović. The founding of the National Museum coincides with the rise of the civic culture and the establishment of the state institutions of the Principality of Serbia. The National Museum in Belgrade, a complex type museum, is the most significant, oldest and central museum of Serbia containing 34 archaeological, numismatic and historical collections at this moment, after 160 years of growth and development.

Address: Republic Square 1a; Open: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10-17h, Thursdays and Saturdays 12-20h, Sundays10-14h, closed for renovation.

 

  1. Museum of Vuk and Dositej

Founded in 1949, it is located in the building of the former Grand School, opened in 1808 as a lyceum by the great Serb luminary and first Serbian Minister of Education Dositej Obradović. The museum contains a professional library, with a small reading room and consists of two parts – the ground floor contains an exhibit dedicated to Dositej Obradović, while the first floor is dedicated to Vuk Stefanović Karadžić.

Address: Gospodar Jevremova 21; Open: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10-17h, Thursdays and Saturday 12-20h, Sundays 10-14h, closed on Mondays

  1. Memorial Museum of Ivo Andrić

The museum preserves the memory of the Nobel Prize winning author Ivo Andrić. Part of the authentic ambient showing the everyday life of the writer is preserved, and various exhibits present the life of Andrić, as well as important stages in his creative biography. In addition to representative documents (student’s cards, passports, certificates, diplomas, the Nobel Prize and medal, Vuk’s Awards, honorary doctorates) and photographs, the exhibit also displays original manuscripts of Andrić’s work, letters, various editions of books in local and foreign languages, as well as his personal effects.

Address: Andrićev Venac 8, Open: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays 10-17h, Thursdays 12-20h, Sundays 10-14 h, closed on Mondays

  1. Military Museum

The Military Museum in Belgrade is located within the Belgrade Fortress complex. Founded in 1878, it was first open to the public in 1904. It consists of a diverse collection of weapons and military equipment from various historical epochs, prehistory to modern times, with uniforms, national banners, flags and medals, as well as artistic paintings from the 17th to the 20th century. Among the more interesting items are Turkish lances and the armour of a Turkish vizier from the battle of Kosovo, a collection of old weapons, war banners and uniforms (including the uniform of King Alexander Karageorgevich, assassinated in 1934 in Marseilles), as well as a collection of medals of national heroes from World War II. An additional open-air attraction in the area surrounding the museum (the wall and moat of the Fortress) are the exhibited cannons from the 18th and 19th century, armoured weapons from the two world wars, antiaircraft and ship cannons, partisan boats...

Address: Belgrade Fortress bb; Open: 10-17h, closed on Mondays

  1. House of Flowers

The House of Flowers was built in 1975 as a winter garden with work and leisure space for Josip Broz, close to his Residence. In accordance with his wishes, Tito’s body was interred in the central flower garden in 1980. From 1945 to 1987, May 25 was celebrated as the birthday of Josip “Tito” Broz. From 1957, on the initiative of Tito himself, the date was celebrated as Youth Day with a festival in the Yugoslav People’s Army stadium. May 25 became a youth review in which the physical and spiritual achievements of young Yugoslavs were presented at a rally which included the presentation of a baton to Tito as part of the event. On display in the House of Flowers are local batons presented as gifts by members of the Pioneer youth organisation and by various other youth, social and political organisations. There are also federal batons from the period after 1957, when May 25 was celebrated as Youth Day and Tito’s batons were increasingly institutionalised and renamed Youth Batons. The Museum of Yugoslav History comprises 3 buildings (the Museum “May 25th”, the “House of Flowers” and the “Old Museum”).

Address: Botićeva 6; Open: During summer period (May 9 to October 15) from 10-20h every day except Mondays; During winter period (October 16 to May 9) from 10-16h every day except Mondays.

  1. Nikola Tesla Museum

The museum preserving the complete heritage of the greatest Serbian scientist and inventor Nikola Tesla is located in the heart of Belgrade, in a beautiful residential villa built in 1929, designed by the notable Serbian architect Dragiša Brašovan. In accordance with Tesla’s last will and testament, his heritage was moved to Belgrade in 1951. The permanent exhibit consists of the original documents, books, magazines, plans and drawings of the greatest Serbian inventor. This is an extremely valuable collection containing over 160,000 original documents, 2,000 books and magazines, 1,200 historical and technical items, 1,500 photographs and glass photoplates, original technical items, instruments and devices, 1,000 plans and drawings.

Address: Krunska 51; Open: 10-18h, closed on Mondays

  1. Railway Museum

The museum was founded in 1950. The extremely valuable items show the development of the railroads in the country and the world. The collection includes several old locomotives: a locomotive from 1861, the Rama locomotive pulling the parade train for Sarajevo in 1882 and reconstructed to look as an engine from 1877, as well as the Milan locomotive, the first one built in Serbia, in Majdanpek in 1882.

Address: Nemanjina 6; Open: 9-15h, Saturdays and Sundays, visits by appointment

  1. Museum of Aviation

The Museum of Aviation was founded in 1957 with the intent of preserving material evidence of importance for the birth and development of aeronautics in this region. The attractive museum building is located on the plateau of the “Nikola Tesla” Airport and contains over 200 aircraft, 130 aircraft engines, several radars and rockets, aeronautical equipment, 20,000 books and over 200,000 photographs in its collections and funds.

Address: “Nikola Tesla” airport, Surčin; Open: 09-18:30h (summers), 09-16h (winters), closed on Mondays

  1. Nebojša Tower

In the annex of the Nebojša Tower the history of the Tower as a military facility that has been, ever since its construction around 1460, a part of the defensive system of the city. The exhibition on the ground floor is devoted to the history of Nebojša Tower as a prison, while the one on the first floor is dedicated to personality of Rigas Feraios, a great Greek poet and a revolutionary who died in the prison of the Tower. The topic of the exhibition on the second level is the First Serb Upraising and the creation of the modern Serbian state at the beginning of the 19th century. On the topmost level of Nebojša Tower the history of Belgrade in the first decades of the 19th century is presented, as well as the process of transformation of the Oriental town into a modern European city.

Address: Bulevar vojvode Bojovića; Opening hours: from 11-19h (June – September), from 10-18h (October – May)

Palaces

Although it cannot lay claim to an overlong monarchic past, Belgrade can boast of its palaces.

Contemporary Belgrade contains two court complexes – the city complex, comprised of the Old Palace and the New Palace, and the Dedinje complex encompassing the Royal Palace and the White Palace.

Old Palace

The Old Palace of the Serbian Obrenović dynasty was built between 1882 and 1884, designed by Aleksandar Bugarski in line with the architecture of academism of the 19th century.

New Palace

The New Palace was built for the residential needs of the Karageorgevich dynasty during the period between 1911 and 1922.

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace in Dedinje was built between 1924 and 1929, on orders by King Alexander I, as the official royal residence.

White Palace

The building of the White Palace, located within the same complex as the Royal Palace, was constructed as per the wishes

Sacral

Temple of St. Sava

Preparation for the construction of one of the largest orthodox temples in the world began in 1894. The temple was built on the location where, according to legend and on orders by Sinan-pasha, the remains of the first Serbian archbishop Sava were moved from the Mileševa monastery in 1594, there to be burned.

 

USEFUL INFORMATION

Embassies in Belgrade

All contact information of diplomatic missions in Belgrade may be found on the web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following the link to a diplomatic list: http://www.mfa.gov.rs/diplomatic_list.pdf

Important Phone Numbers

Information Centres of the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade - TOB:    Knez Mihailova 5, tel. +381 11 26 35 622,

Monday to Sunday 09-19h

Main railway station: tel. +381 11 36 12 732, Open 07-13:30h, Sun closed

Airport "Nikola Tesla": tel. +381 11 20 97 828, Open 09-21:30h

Money

The Serbian currency is the dinar (RSD). You can change money in a bank or any of the exchange offices dotting the city (they are marked with the logo of the National Bank of Serbia). Most banks in Belgrade will change travellers cheques, American Express, Thomas Cook, VISA and Eurocheques. Western Union money transfers from abroad can be collected from the post office and most banks. You can buy almost all goods and services with bank cards, and you need cash only for green markets, kiosks, and parking fees. Throughout the city, there is a large number of ATMs where you can collect money 24h. Cards widely acceptable in Belgrade are VISA, VISA Electron, MasterCard, Eurocard, Maestro, Diners Club and local DinaCard. American Express has recently been introduced to Belgrade market, and a rather limited number of shops and ATMs will accept it. Euro is definitely the best currency to take to Serbia. While US Dollar, Canadian Dolar and British Pound will be accepted, the commission fee is far greater than the one for Euro. Please don’t forget to exchange money at the airport if you do not hold any dinars.

Please check the official exchange rate of the National Bank of Serbia at the link below.

http://www.nbs.rs/internet/english/scripts/ondate.html

Local time

Serbia is in the Central European Time Zone: GMT + 1 hours (in winter), GMT + 2 during daylight saving time. When it is noon in Belgrade it is: 11:00 in London, 06:00 in New York, 21:00 in Sydney and 14:00 in Moscow.

ARRIVING TO BELGRADE

Hotel Metropol Palace, Address: Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 69

Coordinates: 44.806423 N, 20.473971 E


By plane

Nikola Tesla Airport is located some 18km west of the city centre, near a place called Surcin. The arrivals hall houses car rentals, a 24-hour exchange office, several ATMs, and a currency exchange machine available in Terminal 1. There is no difference in currency exchange rates at the airport and in the city.

In case of the lost lugagge you may contact Air Serbia, CENTRAL BAGGAGE TRACING OFFICE, tel: +381 11 2097839, ground.lz@airserbia.com.

Arriving to the hotel from the Nikola Tesla Airport

Option 1 - Taxi ride

First option is a Taxi ride to hotel. There is a Taxi information stand at the international arrivals hall of the Nikola Tesla airport. If you wish to take a taxi to your destination, go to this stand and state your destination. You will be given a voucher with the price you will have to pay the taxi driver once you get to your destination. There are 5 zones with prices ranging from 1800 to 6000 dinars (around 15-50 Euro). The city center is in the second zone and getting there will cost you 1800 dinars (around 15 Euro). Hotels are located in the Zone 2. Apart from the voucher you will be given a leaflet with information on what to do if the taxi driver charges you more than the amount stated on the voucher. Once you obtain the voucher, exit the building and get the taxi. When you get to your destination, pay the taxi driver the fee stated in the voucher.

Option 2 - Public Transportation

Bus line: 72
Route:    Direction A "Nikola Tesla" Airport – Zeleni venac; timetable can be downloaded here

Direction B Zeleni venac - "Nikola Tesla" Airport; timetable can be downloaded here

Ticket price: 150 RSD (tickets can be purchased on the bus)
Approximate travel time: 30-40 minutes

Option 3 - Shuttle bus

Route:    Direction "Nikola Tesla" Airport – Slavia square; timetable can be downloaded here

Direction Slavia square - "Nikola Tesla" Airport; timetable can be downloaded here

Ticket price: 300 RSD (tickets can be purchased on the bus)
Approximate travel time: 30 minutes

Slavia square is 1.000 meters away from hotel Metropol Palace

 By car

Belgrade lies at the intersection of E-70 and E-75 motorways. Foreign drivers in Serbia need an international driving license, vehicle registration certificate and insurance policy. The valid insurance policies are issued by the signatory countries of the Vehicle Insurance Convention and citizens of other countries are required to buy an insurance policy onentering Serbia. You cannot miss Belgrade, because the motorway runs through the city. The speed limit in the city is set at 50 km/h unless otherwise indicated by speed signs. Permitted Blood Alcohol Level is 0.3 g/l.

 

MAP OF THE VENUE AND ACCOMMODATION LOCATION

USEFUL LINKS

Toursit organization of Belgrade - http://www.tob.rs/

Guide In Your Pocket - http://www.inyourpocket.com/serbia/belgrade

Guide About Belgrade - http://www.aboutbelgrade.com/

 

WHERE TO EAT

Restaurants

NATIONAL

Restaurant Kalemegdan Terrace
Mali Kalemegdan bb, +381 11 32 82 727, 12-01h
www.kalemegdanskaterasa.com

Restaurant Kolarac
Knez Mihailova 46, tel. +381 11 26 38 972, 10-24h

Restaurant Mala fabrika ukusa
Nebojšina 49a, tel. +381 11 24 35 272
www.malafabrikaukusa.com

Restaurant Manjež
Svetozara Markovića 49, tel. +381 11 36 21 111, 08-01h,
www.manjez.rs

Restaurant Salaš
Sinđelićeva 34, Gardoš, Zemun, tel. +381 11 21 90 324, +381 11 65 21 90 324, 12-24h,
www.salas-gardos.com

Restaurant Sinđelić
Vojislava Ilića 86, tel. +381 11 24 12 297, 12-24h
www.restoransindjelic.com

Restaurant Stara Hercegovina
Carigradska 36, tel. +381 11 32 45 856, 09-24h, Sundays 10-19h (nat)

Restaurant "?"
Kralja Petra I 6, tel. +381 11 63 54 21, 07-23h

 

INTERNATIONAL

Restaurant Đorđe
Moravska 10, tel. +381 11 34 41 422, 12-24h
www.restorandjordje.rs

Restaurant Franš
Bul. oslobođenja 18a, tel. +381 11 26 41 944, 09-01h
www.frans.rs

Restaurant Frida
Karađorđeva 2-4, Tel: 011/ 21 81 107
www.cantinadefrida.com

Restaurant Iguana
Karađorđeva 2-4, Tel: 011/ 32 83 749
www.iguana.rs

Restaurant Klub književnika
Francuska 7, tel. +381 11 26 27 931, 08-01h
www.klubknjizevnika.rs

Restaurant Le petit Paris
Birčaninova 17, tel. +381 11 36 21 496, 08.30-01h

Restaurant Little Bay
Dositejeva 9, tel. +381 11 32 84 163, 11-01h
www.little-bay.co.uk

Restaurant Madera
Kralja Aleksandra Boulevard 43, tel. +381 11 32 31 332, 10-01h

Restaurant Na ćošku
Beogradska 37, tel. +381 11 32 36 470, 12-23h

Restaurant Square Nine
Studentski Trg 9, tel. +381 11 33 33 533
www.squarenine.rs

Restaurant Tribeca
Kralja Petra 20, tel. +381 11 32 85 656, 09-02h
www.tribecabeograd.com

Ušće
Ušće bb, tel. +381 11 13 96 92, 09-24h

Restaurant Zaplet
Kajmakčalanska 2, tel. +381 11 24 04 142, 09-24
www.zaplet.rs

Restaurant Žabar
Kej oslobođenja bb, tel. +381 11 31 91 226, 12-23h
www.zabar.rs

 

FISH RESTAURANTS

Restaurant Marinada
Savski nasip 7, tel. +381 11 22 74 128, 09-23h

Restaurant Reka
Kej oslobođenja 73b, tel. +381 11 26 11 625, 07-04h

Restaurant Porto
Francuska 52, tel. +381 11 32 25 624, 12-01h

Restaurant Stara koliba
Ušće bb, tel. +381 11 31 17 666, 09-01h

Restaurant Šaran
Kej oslobođenja 53, tel. +381 11 61 82

 

GETTING AROUND

Public transportation

Belgrade does not have an underground railway system, but still its public transport network cover almost all areas. City transport comprises buses, trams and trolleybuses.

There are several types of tickets (image given below):

  • ticket bought from the driver, at cost of 150 RSD
  • prepaid paper ticket that is bought at kiosks; it costs 40 RSD and is empty when bought, so you have to put some money on it
  • tourist paper ticket is bought at kiosks too; it costs 250 RSD for one day, 700 RSD for three and 1000 RSD for five days
  • prepaid plastic ticket that looks like a credit card; it costs 250 RSD and is also empty when bought; can be recharged to any amount

All tickets (except those bought from the driver) must be validated on machines inside the vehicle (image to the right). Every time you validate your ticket, the amount of 89 RSD will be subtracted from the total amount on your. Public transport runs from 04:00 to 00:00. During night time, buses run at half-hour intervals. Night buses depart from special stops at the Republic Square towards other parts of the city. The night fare is 150 RSD, available on board (you can't use your daily ticket for the night rides, tickets must be bought on board). You are advised to avoid trams if you are in a hurry.

 Transport authorities routinely check tickets for validation — especially at peak hours on major lines.

 Taxi Services

There are numerous taxi terminals throughout the city or you can flag one down on the street. Most hotels are happy to book a taxi for you with a reputable company and advise on the likely cost of the fare; prices are reasonable whenever you travel, but rise a little after midnight and on Sundays. Official taxis have a blue sign on the roof in contrast to privately owned cabs having a white marker on the top. Also, official taxis have their license plates ending with TX (for example: BG-1234-TX).

Taxi fares:

Service Tariff 1 Tariff 2 Tariff 3
Start 170 170 170
Price per km 65 85 130
Waiting per hour 750 750 750

Some taxi associations:

Lux taxi, 303-3123
Pink taksi, 19803
Naxi taxi, 19804
Alfa taxi, 19807
Gold taxi, 19806
Beogradski taxi, 19801

Our recomendations:

PINK Taxi
19803, 065 48 89 977

LUX Taxi
011 30 33 123, 065 30 33 123

Some can be paid with a credit card, just demand for it.