Explore Belgrade, Serbia, Europe
by Nikolina Andric
Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers. With its population of over 1.5 million people, it is the most populated and the most bustling city in the country. Thanks to its architecture, it got the present name which means “White City”. Belgrade is also known as a crossroad between the East and the West. This city has a long and turbulent history, therefore you will surely find something interesting for you.
Where to start your visit? An average Belgrade citizen will certainly suggest visiting the Belgrade Fortress, “Kalemegdan”. This impressive structure is from the Turkish period. If you are wondering how much the visit costs, I will surprise you by telling “It`s a free”. Yes, it is free, but you better consider wearing nice comfortable shoes, because it is huge. In addition to the magnificent view of the city and the Danube and Sava rivers, you should visit the Military museum.
When you are arriving in Belgrade, crossing the “Gazela” bridge, you will catch a glance of the highest Vracar hill with breathtaking illuminated Saint Sava Temple. If you have the time you should visit it, because it is fabulous. Feel the religious spirit at the holiest place in the city. St. Sava was the first Serbian archbishop and protector of schooling; therefore he is one of the most respectful Saints in Serbia. The Template itself is recently constructed, exactly on the place where the St. Sava`s relics were burned during the Turkish rule, at the end of 16. century.
If you consider visiting Belgrade during the summer, you should visit the most popular swimming area Ada Ciganlija, popularly known as “The Belgrade`s Sea”. In meter of the fact, Ada Ciganlija is a river island on the artificial Lake of Sava, just 15 minutes from the town Centre. However, if you do not like crowd, you should avoid weekends. Nevertheless, a lot of opportunities for different type of sports are waiting for you: swimming, biking, running, skating, kayaking, windsurfing and so much more. Bathing area is opened from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and you can always enjoy some refreshing drink or cup of coffee.
What you shouldn`t miss is the main town`s street “Knez Mihajlova”. This oasis for walking and shopping also has significant number of historical buildings, galleries, cozy restaurants with friendly stuff, McDonalds` and numerous stores and boutiques with fashionable clothes.
If you are travelling with kids, one of the “must see” attractions is the Belgrade Zoo, the biggest in the country. Thanks to love and tenderness of the founders, the most of the Zoo`s are rare and extinct and considered to be the best of best. For example, American Alligator is the oldest live alligator in the World; German shepherd, the savior has a statue in the Zoo for self-sacrificing and defending their loving breeders.
In the evening you can enjoy your dinner at the most famous, 500 years old street “Skadarlija”, that is also known as a “Bohemian quarter”. The name itself is enough to assure you a great fun, but let be precisely. Can you imagine the crowd of people who are dancing on the streets, musicians who enjoy their music, artists who are trying to catch all dancer`s moves and events around them? Here you can choose one of the many restaurants and taste delicious traditional Serbian cuisine, such as “sarma”, which is made of the cabbage and pork, usually served with sour cream or horseradish.
Not enough? Want to deplete your energy a bit more? Why wouldn`t you feel trilling atmosphere at one of the rafts along the rivers; make new friendships? Belgrade`s citizens are sociable, open-minded and so friendly that you will never forget them. Good time is guaranteed until late at night…
So, come, try, and enjoy.
You will be back soon… I am sure!
by Nikolina Andric
Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers. With its population of over 1.5 million people, it is the most populated and the most bustling city in the country. Thanks to its architecture, it got the present name which means “White City”. Belgrade is also known as a crossroad between the East and the West. This city has a long and turbulent history, therefore you will surely find something interesting for you.Where to start your visit? An average Belgrade citizen will certainly suggest visiting the Belgrade Fortress, “Kalemegdan”. This impressive structure is from the Turkish period. If you are wondering how much the visit costs, I will surprise you by telling “It`s a free”. Yes, it is free, but you better consider wearing nice comfortable shoes, because it is huge. In addition to the magnificent view of the city and the Danube and Sava rivers, you should visit the Military museum.
If you consider visiting Belgrade during the summer, you should visit the most popular swimming area Ada Ciganlija, popularly known as “The Belgrade`s Sea”. In meter of the fact, Ada Ciganlija is a river island on the artificial Lake of Sava, just 15 minutes from the town Centre. However, if you do not like crowd, you should avoid weekends. Nevertheless, a lot of opportunities for different type of sports are waiting for you: swimming, biking, running, skating, kayaking, windsurfing and so much more. Bathing area is opened from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and you can always enjoy some refreshing drink or cup of coffee.
What you shouldn`t miss is the main town`s street “Knez Mihajlova”. This oasis for walking and shopping also has significant number of historical buildings, galleries, cozy restaurants with friendly stuff, McDonalds` and numerous stores and boutiques with fashionable clothes.
If you are travelling with kids, one of the “must see” attractions is the Belgrade Zoo, the biggest in the country. Thanks to love and tenderness of the founders, the most of the Zoo`s are rare and extinct and considered to be the best of best. For example, American Alligator is the oldest live alligator in the World; German shepherd, the savior has a statue in the Zoo for self-sacrificing and defending their loving breeders.
In the evening you can enjoy your dinner at the most famous, 500 years old street “Skadarlija”, that is also known as a “Bohemian quarter”. The name itself is enough to assure you a great fun, but let be precisely. Can you imagine the crowd of people who are dancing on the streets, musicians who enjoy their music, artists who are trying to catch all dancer`s moves and events around them? Here you can choose one of the many restaurants and taste delicious traditional Serbian cuisine, such as “sarma”, which is made of the cabbage and pork, usually served with sour cream or horseradish.
Not enough? Want to deplete your energy a bit more? Why wouldn`t you feel trilling atmosphere at one of the rafts along the rivers; make new friendships? Belgrade`s citizens are sociable, open-minded and so friendly that you will never forget them. Good time is guaranteed until late at night…
So, come, try, and enjoy.
You will be back soon… I am sure!
Nice article, but Skadarlija quarter is not 500 years old. It dates back from 19th century. Kalemegdan fortress in not just from Turkish period. Here lived different nations, so it has walls even from Roman times, then some parts from Serbian mediaval Despotate, Turkish period, and the most its look is from Austro-Hungarian period.
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