View from above of a harbour on a riverbank in the evening light. Several excursion boats are moored in the harbour. The riverbank is lined with trees and there are buildings behind it and a church tower in the distance.
View from above of a harbour on a riverbank in the evening light. An excursion boat is moored in the harbour. The riverbank is lined with trees and there are buildings behind it and a church tower in the distance.

Belgrade – A Balkan Metropolis Full of Contrasts

Published: 22 August 2024, 10:52

Belgrade is where old meets new, monumental meets minimal, east meets west: the pretty old town districts are filled with narrow streets and historic buildings, such as the Kalemegdan Fortress, which towers over the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Right next to it is the “new town” of Novi Beograd with its impressive high-rise buildings and wide boulevards. The architecture reflects Belgrade’s eventful history, from neoclassical and art nouveau buildings to socialist prefabricated buildings and modern glass fronts.

The Balkan metropolis’ vibrant nightlife is legendary: old town districts such as Skadarlija have a historic vibe with traditional restaurants, kafanas and live music, while the Savamala district is known as a hotspot for art, culture and nightlife. Belgrade is also characterised by its many splavovi – numerous bars and clubs on boats along the banks of the Danube and Sava rivers.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 1.4 million
  • Official language: Serbian
  • Currency: Serbian dinar (RSD)

Ten Belgrade highlights

Frontal view of a castle complex with two central, very large towers, between which a wooden bridge leads through a gate into the castle.
Kalemegdan Fortress and its park offer a spectacular view of the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. © Anze/stock.adobe.com
Frontal view of a large Orthodox church with a massive turquoise dome in the centre and a golden cross on top in the evening light. The main nave of the white, illuminated church is lined with several smaller towers and there are three arched entrances. Two large, rectangular, illuminated fountains can be seen on the square in front of the church to the right and left of the picture. There are trees on both sides of the church.
The Church of Saint Sava is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world and has the world’s largest area of mosaic at 15,000 square metres. © Bogdan Lazar/stock.adobe.com
View down a cobbled street with two steps in the foreground leading upwards. Numerous large plant pots with flowers and green plants can be seen on the right, and there are more plant borders on the left. There are restaurants and historic buildings in the background and several people strolling along the street.
The Skadarlija district with its cobbled streets, restaurants and lively art scene is an exciting place to visit. It is often referred to as the Montmartre of Belgrade. © krugli/stock.adobe.com
View from the water onto a modern, light-coloured steel cable bridge on the right of the picture; the steel cables converge on a high mast like a sail. On the left are trees with numerous small, colourful boats in the water in front of them.
The river island of Ada Ciganlija, to which the pretty Ada Bridge leads, is a popular recreational area with beaches, sports facilities and restaurants. © andrii_lutsyk/stock.adobe.com
View of a square lit up in the evening. In the foreground of the picture are trees planted in tubs on either side. A large, historic building with a red front and three towers can be seen in the centre of the picture. There is a statue in front of the illuminated building, with more trees to the right and left of it.
Republic Square is a central meeting point and is surrounded by important buildings such as the National Museum and the National Theatre. © Bogdan Lazar/stock.adobe.com
In the centre are two rectangular metal plates attached to a white, historic building. The panels are connected by the portrait of a man, also set in metal. The lower plate reads “Nikola Tesla Museum”, and the upper plate is written in Cyrillic.
The name stands for more than just electric cars: the Nikola Tesla Museum offers insights into the groundbreaking inventions of the famous electrical engineering pioneer. © Melih Evren/stock.adobe.com
View of an urban pedestrian zone with many people out and about. Buildings and shops can be seen to the right and left. In the middle of the pedestrian zone are several trees with autumn-coloured foliage, in the centre of the picture you can see a historic street lamp.
The main pedestrian zone Knez Mihailova is lined with beautiful historic buildings and numerous shops, cafés and restaurants. © Andrey Shevchenko/stock.adobe.com
View from above of a small town with numerous red-tiled roofs and a church tower in the centre of the picture. Another church tower can be seen in the background and a river in the left background.
The charming suburb of Zemun is a former fishing village and is known for its cosy atmosphere. © mitarart/stock.adobe.com
In the centre of the picture is a two-part high-rise building, which is connected by two column-like elements and a spire. There is a large gap between a pillar and one tower block. There are trees in front of the building.
The Novi Beograd district was built at the end of the 1940s as a flagship district and its architecture reflects socialist realism. © GiorgioMorara/stock.adobe.com
View of a five-storey art nouveau building decorated with turrets and bay windows. The front is sand-coloured with green elements and a green roof on which two more towers stand. To the left of the building is a smaller, white tower, and to the right a modern building.
Hotel Moskva was opened in 1908 and is a well-known Belgrade landmark. It is an important example of playful art nouveau architecture. © Blazenka/stock.adobe.com

Belgrade from BER

Aircraft shortly before touchdown on the runway

Air Serbia

Wizz Air

Pictogram Info-i

Belgrade Airport (BEG)

Five travel tips for ...

1. Visit Kalemegdan Park and the fortress of the same name

2. Stroll through the central pedestrian zone Knez Mihailova

3. Sample the nostalgic atmosphere while strolling through the Skadarlija district

4. Take a relaxing stroll along the water on the island of Ada Ciganlija 

5. Stroll along the Danube promenade in the Zemun district

1. Already familiar: ćevapčići – tasty minced meat rolls

2. Hearty: sarma, cabbage rolls filled with minced meat in a spicy tomato sauce

3. Breakfast: the flaky pastry burek filled with cheese, meat or spinach

4. Hearty vegetarian: prebranac, a dish made from baked beans and peppersa

5. Dessert: krempita, a cream slice filled with custard and cream

1. Enjoy the best view of the city from the 205-metre-high Avala TV tower

2. Experience wonderful forests and natural landscapes in Fruška Gora National Park

3. Visit the charming, historic town of Sremski Karlovci

4. Hike through the “Eastern European Sahara”, the Deliblatska Peščara sand dune region

5. Take a Danube boat trip to Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city

Picture Source title:
© mareandmare/stock.adobe.com

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