The City of Many Tales

Belgrade is my city: home. This is where I was born and where I grew up. Where I met my husband and where we got married. All my memories are connected to this marvelous and unique place on Earth.

I am not going to tell you the history of the city like many before me that have heard from some tourist guide and now presenting it like revealing some secret. No. I will tell you about people and life in this city.

Belgrade was destroyed and resurrected quite a few times in its lifetime. Each time it came back stronger and more beautiful. In the last decade of 20th century it embraced hundreds of thousands of refugees from all over the Balkans (majority Serbs but also other nationalities) and survived another bombing. During all this people were trying to be positive and didn't let the aggressor destroy and break our immortal spirit!

And after everything that Belgrade and its people went through in the history, everybody is still welcome. No matter what nationality you are, if you come as a friend with good intentions, you will be welcome. I have noticed that, while writing about Belgrade, people tend to treat it as some "Third World Wonder"! Don't forget that Belgrade and Serbia are Europe even if not a member of European Union. And we were never isolated as communist countries. In fact, former Yugoslavia was never a communist country but a socialist, one which is a big difference, no matter what your media has told you.

When you come to Belgrade talk to people. Don't just stick to your guide and your group. Explore the city! There are no "Not recommended for tourists" parts of the city! Sit on a bus or a tram or a trolley and experience how thousands of people commute daily in this city. Visit as many museums as possible but spend time on the streets too. Observe people, listen to languages people are speaking. You'd be surprised how many foreigners visit Belgrade daily! Have a coffee or a drink in one of many Belgrade's coffee houses. Go on banks of both rivers and enjoy time on rafts turned into restaurants and bars. Enjoy the city 24/7 because that's how this city lives. And finally, you have to visit some of Belgrade churches and St. Sava Temple which is still in construction but still amazing.

Quick Tips:

The language is not a problem. It's not like if you don't speak Serbian you are not going anywhere. English is quite common, but you can also get around with German, French, and lately more and more Italian and Spanish. Of course Russian and any other Slavic language is not a problem.

The local currency is "dinar" and it is not convertible, which means that you can't get it in your country. But that is not a problem! There are a lot of ATM machines and Exchange offices. On every exchange you will get a receipt and you will not be cheated on.

Official exchange rate:
www.nadlanu.com/Dynamic/SingleItem,intLangID,2,intCategoryID,48.html

If you like partying, this city is the place to be. As I have mentioned earlier, Belgrade lives 24/7. There is something for everybody's taste: from clubbing, pubs, night clubs, restaurants with live music, casinos, to cinema, theatre, and opera. Something for everyone!

I would recommend that you visit one of Belgrade's many green markets where peasants sell their home made products. Exquisite quality and good prices. And not only that, but it's also fun!

Night clubs:
www.nadlanu.com/Dynamic/ListAddress,intLangID,2,intCategoryID,40.html

Coffee Shops and Bars:
www.nadlanu.com/Dynamic/ListAddress,intLangID,2,intCategoryID,103.html

Pastry shops:
www.nadlanu.com/Dynamic/ListAddress,intLangID,2,intCategoryID,109.html

Restaurants:
www.nadlanu.com/Dynamic/ListAddress,intLangID,2,intCategoryID,109.html

Galleries:
www.nadlanu.com/Dynamic/ListAddress,intLangID,2,intCategoryID,109.html

Museums:
www.nadlanu.com/Dynamic/ListAddress,intLangID,2,intCategoryID,109.html

Cinema:
www.nadlanu.com/Dynamic/ListAddress,intLangID,2,intCategoryID,36.html

Theatres:
www.nadlanu.com/Dynamic/ListAddress,intLangID,2,intCategoryID,106.html

Concert Halls:
www.nadlanu.com/Dynamic/ListAddress,intLangID,2,intCategoryID,107.html

Best Way To Get Around:

Airport is probably going to be the first site you'll get to see in Belgrade. If you are not coming with any organized tour group, I recommend that you use JAT Airways bus and not a taxi because it is very likely to get ripped off. Simply ask around with stuff at the airport and they will help you with directions. www.airport-belgrade.co.yu/code/navigate.php?Id=54

Commuting around the city is easiest with public transportation or with taxi (here does not apply the airport rule). But once you are in the centre where the most of the action and sites are, you can go on foot or again by public transportation. You can also rent a car, but I wouldn't recommend it because Belgrade has big problem with parking spots.

The city itself is excellently marked and all the sights are well marked in the centre you have directions on every major crossroads pointing you to touristic attractions.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the whole world! Beside seafood, since 1999 they have grill too, so it's not very likely that you will leave hungry.

It is on bank of river Sava in a boat. Beside serving excellent food the family atmosphere is very nice with live music every night except for Sunday.

This restaurant is both well known as the family place as it is a place where you bring your business partners. It's especially nice in the summer when the terrace is opened.

This old fortress that dates from Turkish times is the best place to take your family, especially when the weather is nice. It is the place where, not only tourists can be found, but also "natives" spend time with families. Here, you can just walk around and enjoy the view from "Pobednik" plateu or you can visit the Zoo, the Museum of Nature, Military Museum, "Cvijeta Zuzoric Pavillion" (art gallery with a café) etc.

First of all it is not very likely to miss it because it is in the centre.

The museum has several departments and each is equally great. You can find everything from prehistorical times to modern day art. It is not very likely that you will have enough time to visit all Belgrade's museums, so I would recommend that you "squeeze" this one in your schedule because it is well worth seeing.

Please, copy-paste the link for more information:
www.narodnimuzej.org.yu 

You probably didn't know that Belgrade has the biggest city beach in whole Europe. In summer, up to 500.000 people visit this beach which "beogradjani" call: Belgrade's See and Belgrade's Hawaii.

This is an artificial lake, made of a Sava river branch. "Ada" is actually a Serbian word for a river island.

The beach is secured with lifeguards and proper medical service is provided. Restaurants, coffees, and stands with fruit and fast food are all over the place. Bikes, rollers, canoes, etc., are available for renting. There is also a walking path to enjoy all year round. For those of you who do not care too much for walking, a little "train" runs around the Ada which is actually a nice way to see the whole place. There is also a nude beach which is separated from the rest of the beach.

Ada can be reached by car, public transportation (bus), or from New Belgrade side, by a boat.

The only "con" would be that in summer, it is crowded and if you don't come early enough, it is going to be difficult to find a spot.

This is a mountain (510m) near Belgrade where "beogradjani" spend a lot of their free time. It is a great place for picnic, hiking, and there is a monument to "An Unknown Soldier" at the peak. This spot provides a marvelous view.

Lately, golf has become a new interest for "beogradjani." In addition, the city has built a course on Ada Ciganlija. It is not as big as you would expect, but take into account the location.

There is also a course for "small" golf. I am not sure this is the right expression in English, but I am sure that you understand what I mean.

Belgrade has several green markets which are called "pijaca." Now, I personally like visiting green markets and markets in general wherever I visit. I think that this is the place where you can catch the spirit of people and get to know some of their habits. Since it is most likely that you will be in the centre, visit Zeleni Venac pijaca. If in Novi Beograd, make sure not to miss the one in Blok 44 and the "flee market".