Knez Mihailova Street
Pedestrian zone and commercial center – Knez Mihailova Street is protected by law since it is one of the oldest and most important monumental urban environments. Knez Mihailova is composed of multiple buildings and representative houses constructed at the end of the 1870s. It is thought that the center of the population of Singidunum was established here during Roman times and that it was full of streets with gardens, fountains and mosques during the Ottoman Empire. After the elaboration of the Regulation of Urban Planning in 1867, the street was constructed rapidly to acquire its current physiognomy.
Saint Sava Temple
The largest orthodox temple in the world, the huge Saint Sava temple is one of Belgrade’s most famous landmarks, and is visible from many parts of the city. It was built in the Neo-Byzantine style with white marble, and it’s shiny white color represents divinity. The much smaller old Saint Sava church is just beside the temple, as is the National library of Serbia. Both churches are dedicated to Saint Sava, one of the most important figures of medieval Serbia, whose remains had allegedly been burned on that spot in 1595 by the Ottoman Sinan Pasha.
The interior of the temple is still unfinished, due to the complexity of fresco-painting, but entrance is allowed. Many important religious events take place and processions start at this temple.
Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress
The complex is lying on a hill overlooking the Sava and Danube confluence, on the eastern side of the river Sava. Consists of the fortress itself, divided into the Upper Town (Despot’s Gate, Sahat kula – Clock Tower, Roman Well, Statue of the Victor), Lower Town (Nebojša Tower, Amam – Turkish bath, Gate of Charles VI) and the Kalemegdan Park, which is home to several galleries and museums, restaurants, sports courts, and the Belgrade Zoo. This has been the sight of the ancient Roman city of Singidunum, the medieval and Turkish era Belgrade and was converted into a park in the mid 19th century. The Belgrade Fortress changed and developed throughout the centuries, it saw many armies, was the field of many battles, it witnessed the brutality of the conquerors and the courage of the tireless defenders of the city.
Nikola Tesla Museum
Nikola Tesla Museum is a unique institution of science and culture in Serbia and in the world. It is the only museum in the world which preserves the original and personal inheritance of Nikola Tesla. It possesses several exceptionally valuable collections. A particular role of the Museum is the organization, support and promotion of the investigations from the history of science, which could possibly afford a better recognition of Tesla’s contribution to the development of science and engineering at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.
National Museum of Serbia
The National Museum is the largest and oldest museum in Serbia. It is located on the Republic Square. The museum houses a collection of over 400.000 objects including many famous masterpieces of national and international art from all periods as well as some priceless monuments from the Roman era. Unfortunately, it’s been closed during the last decade due to reconstruction and it seems it will also be closed during the current one. Fortunately, from time to time they open a gallery or two of the museum, or hold an exhibition at another location.
Skadarlija (Skadarska Street)
Belgrade’s bohemian quarter, Skadarlija was the gathering point for poets and artists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It connects the Republic square with the Skadarlija (Bajloni) market, one of the largest in the city center. Today it is home to some of the most famous Belgrade restaurants and cafes, as well as a few art galleries. This short cobblestone street also includes antique and souvenir shops, all night bakeries and groups singing traditional city music. An impressive mural is featured on the wall of the old brewery at the bottom of the street. The famous Šebilj fountain is located in the lowest part of the street, in front of the large Skadarlija green market.
Ada Ciganlija
Ada Ciganlija proudly bears the name of “Belgrade Sea”. Ada Ciganlija was turned into a peninsula by human hands, surrounded by an embankment and bounded by the Sava River on one and the Sava Lake on the other side. Ada is a true ecological oasis of Belgrade, decorated with clean waters and a thick deciduous forest.
Shopping
Belgrade offers several options for shopping, no matter it is for fun or necessity. For active shopping and entertainment you can visit the following shopping malls: Delta City, Usce Shopping Center, Zira Shopping Center, Shopping Center Stadion and Zemun Park. Also, Belgrade has several different streets and districts which offer goods of local designers, as well as authentic ancient handcraft shops: Supermarket Concept Store, Belgrade Design District and Mixer House.
Serbian Food & Drink Guide
The Serbian gastronomy is a strong mix of oriental, central European and local Balkan cuisines, offering an overwhelming variety of meals. Besides in restaurants and kafanas (something like a tavern), Serbs tend to eat lots of fast food, especially grilled for lunch, and pastry for any other meal. Meat, pastry and local vegetables dominate in Serbian cuisine.
