The Savvy Sabbatical Guide to Belgrade

Belgrade is the Old Hollywood romance of European capitals. At first glance, the gray communist bloc architecture might seem like it’s nothing special. You might even expect to dislike the city. But get to know it and you could discover the love of your life, particularly if you have a love for arts and culture. Uncover one of Europe’s hidden gems in this guide to Belgrade, designed for solo travelers on sabbatical.

The Best Time to Visit Belgrade

 

Like most European capitals, summer brings hot temperatures and peak season prices to Belgrade. Serbia is still far enough off the beaten path that peak season crowds are rarely a problem. The EXIT Festival in early July does generate a huge spike in visitors to Novi Sad, about an hour north of Belgrade.

Winters are long and cold — bad news for overland travelers as some mountain areas become impassable. Belgrade is not well known for its Christmas Market, like many German towns or more touristy capitals. Still, the illuminated Republic Square has plenty of holiday spirit.

The spring and fall shoulder seasons afford the mildest temperatures. Recently, the city has started hosting a spring festival in April and May with a variety of events in music, environmentalism, and culture. Such a festival line-up makes spring and summer the ideal time for arts lovers to enjoy the city, but autumn can be a pleasant time to enjoy the National Theatre.

How Much to Spend

$650 is a pretty good round-trip flight cost from the U.S. Hostel dorms start at 2000 dinar, or 15 euro, per night. A 10 to 20 euro per day budget will cover most meals. Reserve a splurge day to enjoy dinner at one of Belgrade’s historic 19th century restaurants for about 20 euro.

Serbia’s currency is the dinar, with a rough conversion being 100 dinar to 1 euro. Just move the decimal point two spaces to the left while on the town for a quick estimate as to how much you’re spending.

How to Get to Belgrade

The growing Nikola Tesla Airport is fast becoming a hub for the Balkan region, with routes all over Europe on Air Serbia and other airlines. Trains to various regional cities leave from the station near the central Slavija Square, while buses depart from a terminal about half an hour from the city center.

How to Get Around Belgrade

The historic city center isn’t difficult to navigate by foot, but if you prefer to avoid walking, public transportation is extensive. Hundreds of trams crisscross the Belgrade city center, with buses and trolleys rounding out the public transit options. Currently, public transportation is free of charge.

To travel to and from the airport, the A1 shuttle connects Nikola Tesla Airport to Slavija Square with daily service. Tickets are available on board for 400 dinar, less than $5.

What to Pack

Serbia is a land of rather extreme temperatures. Sandwiched between some of Europe’s more famous regions, summers are Mediterranean hot, while winters are Alps cold. Be sure to pack seasonally appropriate clothing.

A comfortable pair of flat dress shoes will serve you well. Skadarska Street is paved with very rough cobblestones, sure to wreak havoc on heels, and no visit to Belgrade is complete with a swing through one of its historic restaurants or upscale bars.

WiFi is easy to find at city cafes, so there’s probably no need to rely on a hotspot device in Belgrade. You may, however, find an external battery pack useful just in case you end up working somewhere without open power outlets. Said power outlets will take a standard European two-prong plug.

Where to Stay

Republic Square has long been a central meeting point for locals and visitors alike in Belgrade. It’s worth seeking out a hostel within walking distance. I stayed at New Hostel on the main street Beogradska, about halfway between Republic Square and Sveti Sava.  Belgrade’s top attractions are largely within a 20 to 30 minute walk, and the street is surrounded by conveniences like ATMs, currency exchanges, and grocery stores. I think this property may have closed since, but the area gives you a starting point!

If you love nightlife, find accommodations near the bar-heavy district of Skadarlija or close to the river to make your journey home from the Danube riverboat clubs a short one.

Where to Eat

Skadarlija has been a haven for artists and intellectuals for hundreds of years. In fact, it was Serbian poet Dura Jaksic who popularized the term ‘boheme’ and the practice of whiling the day away in a cozy cafe. A statue of Jaksic anchors the cobblestoned Skadarska Street, which is chock full of historic eateries and trendy new bars.

Dva Jelena (Two Deer) and Tri Sesira (Three Hats) are among the most popular dining options in Skadarlija, both dating back to the 19th century. Carnivores will be happy at either establishment. Locals like to say the national dish of Serbia is meat. Plain and simple. Cevapcici are common here, as they are throughout the Balkans.

For budget meals, it’s easy to find takeaway sandwiches, burek, and pizza by the slice for a few hundred dinar, or less than $5.

What to Do

Free walking tours of the city center leave from Republic Square every morning and cover many of Belgrade’s top sights. You’ll take a swing through Skadarlija and Silicon Valley while learning about different chapters of Serbian history from 19th century bohemians to the organized criminals and prostitutes of the war-torn 1990s. The city’s only remaining mosque from its time in the Ottoman Empire and the Roman Kalemegdan Fortress are also highlights.

Top attractions off the walking tour trail include Sveti Sava, Europe’s largest Orthodox church, and the Tesla Museum, devoted to the life and work of the legendary Serbian-American engineer. Nikola Tesla may have only spent a few days in Belgrade, but this is still a prime spot to watch a demonstration of his famous coils in action. South of the historic center, dictator Josip Broz Tito rests eternal by the Museum of Yugoslav History.