About Belgrade

About Belgrade

Located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe and, beside Athens, the largest urban area on the Balkans. Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, with about 1.6 million inhabitants.

Belgrade is the capital of Serbian culture, education and science. Most of science and art institutions of national importance are concentrated here. Belgrade spirit is something that every Belgrader will be willing to talk about. Communicative and in the mood for fun, many Belgraders will argue that they are true hedonists and that they know all about good food, wine and music. And many of them really do.

Belgraders enjoy pleasant conversations and long walks, drinking coffee in the morning. They like to be on the move and therefore the streets, walkways, cafes, restaurants are always crowded and full of people.

There are places in Belgrade that you absolutely have to see and feel – streets, squares, monuments, parks, fountains and other sights. In the inner area of the city of Belgrade there are over 5,500 streets, 16 plazas and 32 square. Many of them have been designated as cultural assets.

Knez Mihailova Street

Knez Mihailova Street is the favorite pedestrian zone that extends from Terazije to Kalemegdan. It is also the main meeting and leave-taking place, and is easily accessible from all parts of the city. It is the epicenter of culture and history. Because of its great historical and cultural significance, the street is under state protection. Although its original appearance has not been changed greatly, the purpose of the buildings sure have. Thus, the former private apartments became boutiques, cultural centers, bookstores, restaurants, cafes and offices of various companies and airlines.

Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) is also located in Knez Mihailova Street. Part of the ground floor of the Academy was transformed into an exhibition gallery which hosts concerts, exhibitions, and in front of the building there is also a pyramid with the coordinates of Belgrade, and it was placed there in the honor of science. At the end of Knez Mihailova Street is the City library, the place where once stood the most modern hotel in Belgrade, the Serbian crown.

In addition to the aforementioned buildings in this street, their place "under the sun" have found institutions such as the cultural centers of France, Spain and Germany, as well as the Zepter Museum. In immediate vicinity you can also find two monumental buildings – the National Museum and the National Theatre, as well as numerous cinemas, hotels and hostels. Until a few years ago, Knez Mihailova Street was the main shopping area. Although, nowadays most of Belgraders spend time in shopping malls, there is still something special about this street and spending money in it.

The Republic Square

If your friends from Belgrade suggest you to meet them in the city center, in front of the horse, what they really mean is that they need to meet you in front of the statute of the horse. But do not let that confuse you, because in slang talk it refers to the central square where the statue of Prince Mihailo riding the horse is. That is why that place affectionately was called out “next to the horse”.

The official name is the Republic Square, and this point is the true heart of the city. This is the main meeting place for various purposes. Here you can drink coffee in the beautiful gardens of nearby cafes, listen to concerts, watching different performances. The Square is the crossroad of different ways and a place that not only you shouldn't but you simply can not miss during your visit to Belgrade.

Terazije square

Trademark of the square is Terazije fountain. The fountain known by four lion heads from whose mouths flows cold water is one of the most famous symbols of the city. However, this fountain as the focal point of the square is not only a meeting place, but also a place where both, the young and the old exchange pictures for their albums.

Kalemegdan

During your stay in Belgrade, you can visit one of the oldest and most unique fortresses in the world. The Belgrade Fortress is the largest free attraction in the city and its gates are open 24 hours a day, throughout the year. There you are surrounded by pleasant environment, a lot of history, culture, entertainment and places to relax. The Belgrade fortress is the heart of Belgrade. It is located at the top of the ridge that looms over the confluence of the Sava into the Danube river. The Military Museum takes a special place within the Kalemegdan complex. The biggest attraction for tourists is an outdoor museum collection consisted of cannons and tanks from nearly every war in which Serbia and Yugoslavia participated throughout the 20th century. Beside the Military Museum, symbols of Belgrade fortress are the Roman well and the Clock Gate as well, and the most important among them is certainly the Victor monument, city's most recognizable landmark. This statue of a naked man with a bird in his hand was built to commemorate Serbia's victory during the Balkan Wars by famous Yugoslav sculptor Ivan Mestrovic in 1928.

Skadarlija

Skadarlija, as Belgraders like to call the Skadarska Street, was and still is the bohemian heart of the city. Here you can experience the Serbian way of having fun with plenty of rakija (Serbian traditional spirit), good food and live music played on tamburitza. It revives the spirit of friendship and cheerful nightlife, as it once was. Skadaralija was the main gathering place for Serbian poets, artists, painters and all those who like to drink, discuss politics and enjoy the atmosphere of bistros. This street has managed to keep the old look with cobblestone pavement, more or less identical facade and bistros that stand in the same place for more than 150 years.

Church of Saint Sava

Church of Saint Sava, the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans, was built in the Serbian-Byzantine style and with a cross on top of the dome 82 meters high. Its construction lasted more than 80 years since it was disrupted by numerous wars and poverty. The church is so large that it can hold 10,000 people at one time. Saint Sava Church is known for its polyphonic bells that go on every hour, so we recommend you plan your visit right at that time to hear their interesting sound.

The royal palaces

The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Serbian royal family Karadjordjevic and it is located in the elite part of Belgrade. The royal palaces were only recently opened to the public and are a very attractive destination for tourists during their visit in the city. The Royal compound in Dedinje neighborhood of Belgrade consists of the Royal and White Palace. In the Royal and White Palace, many valuable art collections of the great painters such as Rembrandt and Nicolas Poussin, and sculpture and decorative objects of great value can be found.

Zemun

On the other side of the river, we can say that Zemun is one of the most beautiful parts of the city. With its ideal location right next to the Danube River, the picturesque cobblestone streets and the Millennium Tower of Zemun is an unavoidable point during your visit to Belgrade. Gardos hill is the heart of Zemun. Millennium Tower is located at the top of Gardos hill. Today, on the ground floor of the tower there is a gallery, and from the first floor which is a great viewing platform you can enjoy the magnificent view of Zemun and Belgrade. Walking along the promenade you will find numerous restaurants with delicious seafood specialities. In addition to a great selection of fish, they also offer a wide selection of wines.

Nightlife

Many of the world's magazines write about nightlife in Belgrade. Today, a large number of tourists come to Belgrade because of the excellent nightlife that this city offers. Clubs on the water became perfect places for worldwide known nightlife. Also, all other bars and clubs meet the tastes of all nightlife lovers.

And as the infamous writer Dusko Radovic once said: "Who was lucky enough to wake up in Belgrade this morning, can consider that he has achieved enough for that day. Any further insisting on something else, would be considered immodest."

• Tourism Organisation of Serbia www.serbia-tourism.org
• Tourist Organization of Belgrade www.tob.rs
• City of Belgrade www.beograd.org.rs
• Airport "Nikola Tesla" www.beg.aero
• Belgrade Fair www.sajam.co.rs
• Belgrade Stock Exchange www.belex.rs
• Bus Station www.bas.rs
• Railway Station www.zeleznicesrbije.com