24 Hours in Belgrade
“Berlin of the Balkans”, “City with energy of New York” – these are only some of the words describing one of the most interesting cities in Europe. The capital of Serbia is also the fourth largest city in Southeastern Europe, after Istanbul, Athens and Bucharest. This popular tourist destination has it all – delicious Balkan food, Kalemegdan Fortress, historic monuments, vibrant nightlife and the best part – cheap prices! If Belgrade somehow finds itself on your bucket list, we have prepared for you a 24-hour guide to make sure you don’t miss out any of the city’s attractions!
08:00 – If you only have one day to visit one of the most fascinating cities, there is no time to waste! Start your day with a yummy breakfast at Trpković bakery, a 109-year-old bakery with the most amazing food such as burek – flakey pastry filled with cheese or minced meat. Considering the fact it is one of the most famous places to eat, be prepared to wait in line to try this delicious traditional – food (you won’t be sorry)!
09:00 – Only a short 10-minute walk uphill and you will find yourself in front of the Temple of Saint Sava. This magnificent landmark is also one of the largest churches in the world! It is dedicated to Saint Sava – the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is also one of the most monumental buildings in the city from where you can enjoy Belgrade’s breathtaking city view!
10:00 – Head to the Mutapova Street which will take you to Kalenić Pijaca. It is the most popular and the biggest market in the city. Spoil yourself with fresh food and traditional baked goods. Sounds yummy! After filling your guts, the path will lead you on to the Krunska Street, where you can take a look at old villas from the 19th and 20th century. Make sure to check out the Nikola Tesla Museum – the guided tour which starts every hour will take you through a large collection of items dedicated to honoring the work of Nikola Tesla the most famous scientist of all time. Check out the entrance fees here.
12:00 – Continue your way to King Alexander Boulevard and take a short walk in the nature along the Tašmajdan Park. After passing the park, take a look at St Mark’s Church. It was constructed as a scale copy, only a larger one, of the Granačica Monastery. The church is well known for its rich collection of icons from the 18th and 19th century. Take another short walk until you reach Terazije Street, where you can find the Hotel Moskva – the city’s most recognisable and most famous building and also one of the oldest hotels in Belgrade.
13:30 – You have now reached Knez Mihailova Street – Belgrade’s pedestrian zone. This is one of the oldest and most important streets in Serbian capital city. It is also the epicentre of the city filled with elegant and various shops, galleries, cafes and important buildings such as Academy of Fine Arts. You can experience modern day Belgrade’s atmosphere just by talking a long walk along this vibrant street.
14:30 – Lunch time! We bet you are pretty hungry after all those walking and sightseeing! After reaching an end to the Knez Mihailova Street, you will pass a Republic Square. Turn left down the Pariska Street and you will find the most amazing place to eat – Beton Hala (The Concrete Hall). This old port storage building is located on the Sava river and it is also home to numerous restaurants and bars. If you want to taste modern Balkan cuisine then Ambar restaurant is the perfect place to surprise your taste buds with something delicious! You can enjoy delicateses such as ajvar on lamb plate, pork roulade and traditional beverage rakija. Bon appetit!
16:00 – Time to head back uphill! After filling your stomach with tasty food, take a walk until you reach the intersection of Kralja Petra and Kneza Šime Markovića Street. Here you will find Belgrade’s most important monuments and landmarks such as the cathedral, the Patriarchate and many more. Make sure you also take a peek at Princess Ljubica’s Residence – the oldest residence in the city, turned into a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1979. It also shows the lifestyle of Serbian royals from 19th century. Check out the tickets and working hours.
18:00 – Your visit to Belgrade wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t climb Belgrade Fortress. It consists of Kalemegdan Park and the old citadel. This historic monument has been built and rebuilt numerous time throughout the centuries. Make sure to walk along the Kalemegdan park, Belgrade’s central park which overlooks Sava and Danube river. Check out the viewpoint from where you can take wonderful selfies with the two rivers and the rest of the city in the background.
20:00 – As the night slowly approaches, head towards Skadarlija Street – Belgrade’s bohemian and hedonist quarter. This historic neighbourhood was once the gathering point for numerous poets and artists in the 19th century. Today it is filled with all kinds of different and delicious restaurants to choose from. Since we are sure you have enough room in your stomach for a delicious dinner, make sure to eat in Tri Šešira (Three Hats) restaurant. One of the oldest restaurants in Belgrade serves mainly national dishes followed by the bohemian tavern music. You can thank us later!
22:00 – Party mood – ON! Your 24-hour visit to Belgrade must end up with the proper night out in the city. Go to the Cetinjska Street – an old industrial zone turned into a most vibrant and alive street with many different cafes and nightclubs. The most popular ones are Zaokret – a great place if you are a fan of indie music, Showroom – a must-see club if you are into karaoke night and Dvorištance – and ideal place during summer where you can enjoy a night out in the garden. Whatever you end up choosing, we are sure it would be an amazing touch to this unique Belgrade visit!
