Top 15 places to visit when you are in Belgrade

Belgrade is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting cities in the world. History, culture, heritage, good time, nightlife, and great Serbian food, all mixed together in one city, the largest and most exciting in this part of Europe.

However, despite so much that Belgrade gives to its visitors, both domestic and foreign guests, it is not always easy to choose a place to visit.

That is why we have compiled the following list of the best 15 places you should visit when you are in Belgrade, regardless of the occasion. Well, if you're ready, let's go!

1. Kalemegdan

Certainly, the biggest (in every sense) and most recognizable symbol of the city of Belgrade is Kalemegdan.

Also known as the Belgrade Fortress, Kalemegdan is the largest and probably the most beautiful city park. With its many attractions and interesting locations, it is a great place to spend a whole day exploring the history of Belgrade.

For example, you can visit the oldest church in the city, the Ružica Church, the Military Museum, the Roman Well, the Natural History Museum, the Zoo, and at the end of the day, go to the Victor Statue and watch the sunset over the Sava and Danube.

2. Košutnjak

If you prefer nature, activities such as running, exercising, or maybe some other sport, then Košutnjak is the right thing for you.

This park-forest is one of the most popular picnic areas in Belgrade, and it is interesting that it is protected as a natural monument. Earlier, Košutnjak was a hunting ground intended for the royal family and their friends, and today it is a great place for excursions, recreation, entertainment...

3. "Jevremovac" Botanical Garden

Another exceptional natural and cultural monument that should be visited is the botanical garden "Jevremovac". If you love plants and want a little break from the city streets, then this is the right place for you.

In the botanical garden, you can see a huge number of species, more than 1000, and special parts that attract attention are the greenhouse and the Japanese garden.

It is interesting that King Milan Obrenović donated the property for "Jevremovac" in 1877, and the garden was named in honor of his grandfather Jevrem Obrenović.

4. Knez Mihajlova Street

Certainly, the most famous street in the whole city is Knez Mihajlova Street. According to some sources and conclusions of experts, it is believed that this was the center of the ancient Singidunum.

By walking in the total length of 790 meters, you will understand why Belgrade visitors love this place so much. Apart from walking, Knez Mihajlova is also known as a great place for shopping due to a large number of stores of the world-known and domestic brands.

It is important to say that Knez Mihajlova Street is located between Kalemegdan and Republic Square, so it makes perfect sense to continue walking through the capital of Serbia towards the square.

5. Republic Square

As we have already mentioned Kalemegdan and Knez Mihajlova Street, there is nothing left but to continue the walk to the third after the first two popular locations in Belgrade.

Of course, it is Republic Square, a place with a lot to see. First of all, the Monument to Prince Mihajlo occupies a central place.

In addition to the magnificent monument, you should not miss visiting the National Museum and the National Theater. An interesting fact is that this square used to be called Theater Square, for quite clear reasons.

In addition to the mentioned theaters and museums, another important building located in Republic Square is the House of the Serbian Army. This building was built in 1931 and today is a place where you can see exhibitions of artists, and in general, attend various gatherings in the field of culture, art and science.

6. Avala

Another well-known symbol of the city is Avala, a low mountain (only 511 meters) with well-known buildings such as the Avala Tower and the Monument to the Unknown Hero.

The first, the Aval Tower, is by far the tallest building in Serbia and beyond, with its 205 meters. It was built on the site of a former tower of almost the same appearance, which was slightly lower and which was demolished in the NATO aggression in 1999.

When it comes to the Monument to the Unknown Hero, this one is the final monument that was built after a much more modest one, which was erected by the inhabitants of the surrounding villages after the First World War in 1922 in honor of the fallen Serbian soldiers.

It was built in 1934, and a rather controversial fact is that due to its construction, the remains of the medieval town of Žrnovo were destroyed forever.

7. Skadarlija

When it comes to Skadarlija, this is a place you must visit if you want a good atmosphere, food and drink and of course bohemian music.

Skadarlija is a bohemian district, and there are some of the most popular and oldest restaurants in the city such as Tri Šešira and Dva Jelena, but also many others.

Today, Skadarlija is a street that you simply have to experience and walk at least once, because it represents the true spirit of the city and its inhabitants.

8. Saint Sava Temple

The Church or Temple of Saint Sava is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, and certainly the largest in this part of Europe. It is dedicated to the greatest Serbian saint, and probably the greatest among all Serbs, St. Sava.

Whenever you visit Belgrade, this temple is an absolute place you must go.

If the temple looks imposing on the outside, then a real surprise awaits you when you enter. Numerous frescoes, mosaics, icons have been carefully made by the best artists.

Special attention is drawn to the huge mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, which is the work of Russian artist Nikolai Mukhin. Of course, there are many other interesting things and facts about the temple, but it is better to find out everything when visiting the temple.

9. Nikola Tesla Museum

If we were to compile a list of the most famous Serbs now, Nikola Tesla would certainly be on it. One of the greatest scientists of all time, a man who was a visionary and who has over 700 patents in more than 25 different countries around the world, was undoubtedly far ahead of his time.

Today, visiting the Nikola Tesla Museum, you have a unique opportunity to see some of his patents, his personal stuff, a huge number of objects, writings, books, documents, plans, sketches and drawings.

Nikola Tesla left all that, and much more than tangible things, to Serbia, but also to everyone who comes to visit our country.

A visit to the Nikola Tesla Museum should be part of your trip through Serbia, or at least the time spent in Belgrade because this collection about the life and work of one of the greatest minds in history is unique in the world.

10. Holy Archangel Michael Orthodox Church

Another historically extremely important church in Belgrade that you must visit is the Holy Archangel Michael Orthodox Church. This church was built in the period from 1837 to 1845 and was built on the site of a former church that was desecrated and rebuilt several times.

However, by the decision of Prince Miloš Obrenović, in the middle of 1836, the old church was finally demolished, to build the existing one in its place.

Interestingly, Dositej Obradović and Vuk Stefanović Karadžić were buried at the garden of this church, while Prince Miloš Obrenović and his son Prince Mihailo Obrenović were buried inside the church.

11. National Museum

We are coming back to the Republic Square, more precisely to the National Museum. This building is the oldest museum in Serbia and was founded in the middle of the 19th century, more precisely in 1844.

The National Museum has a huge number of objects of exceptional importance, including archeological, artistic and numismatic collections.

Interestingly, the museum also houses the Vuk and Dositej Museum, as well as the large Gallery of Frescoes. In addition to Serbian artists, the museum has a large collection of works by famous artists around the world.

However, the most important item that is preserved is Miroslav's Gospel, the oldest Serbian and Cyrillic manuscript, written in the 12th century.

12. Church of St. Mark

The church that can very easily remind you of the monastery of Gračanica, in Kosovo and Metohija, is the church of St. Mark. And indeed, this temple was built based on the endowment of King Milutin from the 14th century.

The Church of St. Mark was built from 1931 to 1940 and is the largest church built in the period before the Second World War in Serbia.

The interior of the church is certainly known for the mosaic of the Virgin Mary, but also for the fact that there is a sarcophagus in which Serbian Emperor Dušan was buried, as well as for the fact that Aleksandar Obrenović, the last of this Serbian dynasty, was buried in the temple.

13. Residence of Princess Ljubica

Another very important part of the historical heritage of Belgrade is the Residence of Princess Ljubica. This building, which used to be described in the records of many travel writers as the most beautiful house in Serbia, was built in 1930 according to the idea of Prince Miloš Obrenović and was supposed to have the purpose of a family house for his family members but also to serve as the prince's residence.

During the history of the Residence of Princess Ljubica, it changed its purpose, from the First Belgrade Gymnasium, the court, through the Museum of Contemporary Art and the part of the Patriarchate, all the way to the museum, which is its purpose today.

14. Aviation Museum

One of the museums that you should visit in Belgrade is the Aviation Museum. The good thing is that, if you come to Serbia from another country, immediately after landing at the "Nikola Tesla" airport, you can easily visit the museum.

This museum is one of the leading museums of this type in the world and contains a very rich collection of aircrafts from different periods of history.

Interestingly, the museum owns over 200 aircrafts, and in addition to these and the development of aviation in Serbia, the museum also has foreign aircrafts, numerous documents and large archives.

15. Belgrade nightlife

The last, but not the least important item on the list of 15 places you must see when you are in Belgrade is the nightlife of Belgrade.

When you come to Belgrade, you absolutely must not miss visiting some of the most famous rafts, nightclubs, cafes, or restaurants in the city located on the banks of the Sava and Danube.

Belgrade is said to be a city that never sleeps, and if you visit some of the most popular places, you will see what we are talking about and have a great time, no doubt!