Beautiful Places To See In Belgrade In 2 Days

Belgrade.

I have a long and beautiful relationship with this city, that as of this post, spans 10 years. Yes, you heard me correctly, which makes Belgrade the city I’ve visited the most outside of Toronto, the city I was born in. So when it comes to places to see in Belgrade or things to do in Belgrade I’m pretty much a local.

Admittedly, the first year was a bit rocky as having a black person with dreads stroll through the pedestrian street Knez Mihailova was not typical and as a result, I received a lot of stares. Nothing racist, just collectively we were all wondering why I’m there.

Then the questions inevitably come.
Question 1: Why Belgrade?

Well, my partner in crime, Gordana, is ex-Yugoslavian and ultimately she is responsible for first bringing me to Serbia 10 years ago – I’m so grateful for that.

Along the way, I’ve made some lifelong friends there, all of which have welcomed me into their homes and into their hearts. Amongst friends and family, I’ve eaten the best lamb I have ever tasted, drank shots of the finest rakija and laughed so hard my stomach would hurt.

They’ve also attempted to teach me Serbian, which as a result, I now swear very well.

These are the people who drop everything to come to see me when they know I’m in town for a few days.

Question 2: Is it safe?

Well, if it wasn’t, I can assure you I wouldn’t have been coming back for 10 years but – let’s entertain that question for a bit.
For some reason, Serbia tends to get confused with Syria. It’s unfortunate that Syria has been dealing with some rough times as of late but they are two different countries on two different continents, so for the record, Serbia is safe, Syria is not safe.

I’m not trying to be facetious, but I’ve actually been asked these questions.

All that said, I’ve noticed more and more tourists walking around the fortress and visiting the Cathedral. This is great! I like to believe I had a part in that, so as an unofficial local, let me show you the places to see in Belgrade if you had two or three days.

This article is now available as a mobile app. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article.

Belgrade RS (Republic of Serbia)

• The history of Belgrade is quite impressive as it goes back to about 7000 BC and is actually one of the largest prehistoric cultures. The Vinča culture evolved around the 6th millennium BC
• Belgrade was conquered by the Romans, the Ottoman Empire and passed from the Ottomans to Habsburgs.
• Belgrade was named the capital of Serbia, once again, in 1841 while the north of Belgrade stayed as a Habsburg outpost until 1918
• Belgrade has always been a strategic location which means it has been battled over in 115 wars and raised to the ground 44 times.
• Lastly, Belgrade was the capital of Yugoslavia from its creation in 1918 to 2006 when the countries republics became individual countries.

Getting in and out of Belgrade

By Train

Look, I need to be honest with you.
Travelling by train in Belgrade sucks as most of the trains are old and slow. That being said Belgrade is connected to all major European capitals and is an important spot on European InterRail itineraries. If you’re coming to Belgrade by train, you’ll most probably arrive in one of its three main stations: Glavna, New Belgrade or Prokop.

By Plane

Nikola Tesla is the only international airport in Belgrade, and the largest in the country and connected with major European, Middle-Eastern and North-African airports. Serbia signed the “Open Sky” agreement in 2009, which resulted in an increase in the number of flights.

By Boat

Belgrade has an international passenger terminal known as Belgrade (Sava) Port, just below the Kalemegdan fortress. The number of Danube cruises stopping in Belgrade is increasing but at the moment there aren’t any regular lines between Belgrade and other cities that sit along the Danube.

Where to Stay

The Best Hotels In Belgrade

Day 1

Places to see in Belgrade

Kafeterija is one of Belgrade’s most popular coffee shops, and one of my favourites. They have a few locations but the Kralja Petra is the most beautiful. They have a diverse assortment of more than 15 unique coffee blends from across the world.  

Saint Petka (Kalemagdan)

Saint Petka is a Serbian Orthodox Church and one of Belgrade’s prized landmarks. My friend Jagoda told me that Saint Petka is the protector of women: Girls, Sisters, Daughters, Mothers, Aunts, Grand-Mothers. The stone-built church has these beautiful mosaics, as well as a spring that is believed to have holy water running from it.

Gordana told me on the day she was to travel to Toronto, Canada to try and start a new life she came here to say a prayer and ask for protection.

It was touching and I had to mention it.

Ružica Church (Kalemagdan)

Every time I visit Kalemagdon there is a wedding happening here at Ruzica Church. It is one of Belgrade’s oldest churches and has been around since the 16th century. It was constructed in 1867 and has more than a century’s worth of transformations.

The church was used as a gunpowder storage facility during the 18th century, a military church during the mid 19th century and it was severely damaged during World War 1 – which put it through another transformation.

Ruzica Church has chandeliers made of weapons which is pretty cool!

Military Museum (Kalemagdan)

The Military Museum was founded in 1878 and has over 3,000 ancient and modern items. Roman swords, daggers, helmets, crossbows, helmets, armour, shields as well as Western medieval weapons. Head outside and you’ll find tanks and cannons on display.

National Museum in Belgrade

The National Museum is the largest and oldest museum in Serbia with over 400,000 Serbian and international works.

Republic Square – The Monument to Prince Mihailo

Republic Square is believed to have been built in the 19th century and is the meeting place for the locals… “Meet me by the horse” or “Vidimo se kod konja” 

The pedestrian street Knez Mihailo is named after Prince Mihailo – a Serbian Prince who rid Serbia of Turkish control during the 19th century. In the middle of Republic Square, there is a monument dedicated to Prince Mihailo.

Day 2

Things To Do In Belgrade

Farmer’s market (Zeleni Venac)

Zeleni Venac is the oldest green farmer’s market in Belgrade which has been in operation for over 170 years. Strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, pomegranates.

Gordana bought a frigging watermelon and made me lug it back to the Airbnb – and I don’t even like watermelon.  

Stari Dvor | Old Palace

Stari Dvor was once the Royal Palace of the Obrenovic Dynasty – think Prince Mihailo. The Obrenovic was Serbia’s ruling dynasty throughout the 19th and mid-20th centuries. Nowadays Stari Dvor functions as the House of Belgrade’s City Assembly.

National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia | Narodna skupština Republike Srbije

The House of the National Assembly of Serbia is a political symbol of Serbian democracy as well as a huge part of  Serbian architecture – neo-baroque.

Osmatračnica sa Kajmakčalana

This monument contains the names of all the key generals of the Serbian army who commanded in the First World War.

Central Post Office of Serbia

This building was declared a cultural monument in 2013 and since opening in 1938, the building has been used by various Serbian departments of public service – oh and it is Belgrade’s main post office.

Saint Mark’s Church

Saint Mark’s Church is dedicated to Jesus’ apostle and evangelist Mark. Although Saint Mark’s Church is not as large or as ornate as The Church of Saint Sava, Saint Mark’s Church’s architectural beauty is just as captivating. Saint Mark’s Church was built during both World War I and World War II (1931-1940).

Nikola Tesla Museum

The Nikola Tesla Museum is dedicated to celebrating the life and work of Nikola Tesla who was a Serbian inventor and an electrical/mechanical engineer who is known for his contributions to the design of the modern Alternating Current.

Monument to Vuk Karadžić

Located between Kralja Aleksandra Boulevard and Ruzveltova Street the Monument to Vuk Karadžić commemorates the life and accomplishments of Vuk Karadžić.  Vuk Karadžić was behind the transformation of the Serbian language.

Orasac 

Orasac is not only one of the oldest restaurants in Belgrade it is a leader when it comes to traditional Serbian cuisine. The restaurant’s interior will make you feel like you’re eating in a Serbian grandma’s kitchen – while listening to live Serbian music.

I’ve eaten here twice. Gordana’s late father used to take her, her brother and her mother here for lunch and dinner. 

The Temple of Saint Sava

On my list of favourite Cathedrals, St. Sava is in the top 10. It’s a beautiful cathedral. It’s also Gordana’s brother’s favourite cathedral so it was the first place he wanted to take me on my first visit to Belgrade.

The Church of Saint Sava is the largest Serbian Orthodox church in the world and is noticeable from almost anywhere in the city. It’s 82 meters tall, has more than 49 bells in its bell tower and a stunning 4000-to dome topped with a gold-plated cross.

At the time of this post, the cathedral is still under construction. I was granted rare exclusive access which I’ve documented in the video just above.

The crypt which was under construction in the video is now complete.

Slavija Square

Slavija Square is a major commercial junction and round-about. It used to be called Dimitrije Tucović Square but over the years I’ve watched it as it was rebuilt into a beautiful water fountain.

Black Turtle Pub

Another great pub with a few locations around Belgrade that my good friend Sunny introduced me to. The Black Turtle  Brewery opened in 2010 in the village of Kukujevci. 

I tried this blueberry-flavoured beer that was absolutely delicious!

Day 3

Zemun

One of my favourite neighbourhoods in Belgrade is Zemun. It’s a great place for shopping, eating food, grabbing a drink or strolling by the water.

Gardos Tower

Gardos Tower, also known as Millenium Tower is a memorial tower that celebrates a millennium of Hungarian settlement throughout Central Europe.

Saint Demetrius

The Church of St. Demetrius is a temple of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Zemun dedicated to St. Demetrius. It was built between 1874 and 1878 and was built by Gregory Hariš based on the bequests of his wife Mary – who is considered its founder.

Venecija

Venice is located right beside the Danube river and is the type of place that you grab a beer, sit back and enjoy the breeze. It has top-quality seafood from the river and standard meat dishes from the barbecue.

It was built in 1913, which makes it over 100 years old and one of the best restaurants in Zemun.

All’angolo

A great little place to grab a coffee and a delicious cake!

Dunabe & Sava Boat Cruises

One of the first things I did during my early trips to Belgrade was a sightseeing boat cruise along the Dunabe and Sava rivers. Gordana’s childhood friend Jagoda really wanted to make a good first impression of Belgrade.

Coincidently the lady with the beautiful smile is Sunny’s sister Zorana which I did not know at the time. Interesting how Sunny and I found each other and became good friends.

The boat cruise is a relaxing in a half-hour tour that and gives you beautiful views of Belgrade Fortress and the city. Although Zorana’s smile is reason enough to take the cruise she does not work there anymore so you’ll have to settle for beautiful views and relaxation.

Topčider Park & Milos konak

The Residence of Prince Milos, also known as Topcider Park, was once the royal residence of Serbian royalty Prince Milos Obrenovic. The estate was built in 1831 after Serbian gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. Today, Topcider Park is home to the Museum of the First Serbian Uprising.