Need to know
Eclectic and brimming with culture, Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and the largest city in the Balkans. Belgrade means ‘White City’, a name dating back to the 8th century when its white stone fortress was Belgrade’s defining geographical landmark.
Set on the Danube, Europe's second-longest river, the city has a fascinating past that is reflected in its architecture, a combination of ancient landmarks, neoclassical buildings, Soviet apartment blocks and modernist constructions.
A stroll down Knez Mihailova Street is a good place to begin your visit to Belgrade. The city’s main pedestrian and shopping boulevard, it is dotted with key landmarks and is one of Belgrade’s oldest streets. Knez Mihailova Street leads from Belgrade’s central square, Terazije, to Kalemegdan Citadel, a huge public park spread over the ruins of the city’s most famous landmark, the Kalemegdan Fortress.
Belgrade is also known for its cathedrals, churches and palaces. Make sure you check out Sveti Sava, one of the world’s largest orthodox churches, which has been under construction since 1935. Visit the Stari Dvor (the Old Royal Palace), which was built in 1881 and houses the City Assembly of Belgrade, Novi Dvor (the New Palace), which was built in 1922 and is the seat of the Serbian President, and the Beli Dvor or White Palace.
A cobblestoned pedestrian street filled with restaurants and cafes where you can hear live ‘old Belgrade’ music in the evenings, Skadarlija Street is another must-visit. Grab yourself a cevapcici, a Serbian sausage wrapped in flatbread, similar to a kebab, and go for a wander.
Getting around
Belgrade is a pedestrian friendly city. The city centre is easy to navigate and there are plenty of parks and spots to enjoy a well deserved rest, while the riverbanks are a popular place to meet up on a sunny day. Bike rentals are available in recreational areas although it is important to note that you cannot bring them onto public transport vehicles and it is frowned upon to ride a bike on main public roads with cars and buses. Buses and trams also run regularly and are a cheap and reliable way to get around. Taxis in Belgrade are also quite cheap, if you’d rather save time travelling across the city.
Belgrade has a temperate climate for most of the year, however, it gets very cold in winter. Temperatures stay below zero during December, January and February, so most travellers avoid visiting the city at this time. The best time to visit Belgrade is during spring months, between March and May. The summer months of June, July and August are also a popular time to visit Belgrade as a number of festivals and music events are held during this time.
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is located 18 kilometres west of downtown Belgrade. Formerly known as Belgrade Airport, the airport was renamed after the famous scientist and inventor Nikola Tesla in 2006. Flights travel to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport from a number of destinations, including Budapest, Dubai, Amsterdam and Moscow. There are no direct flights available from Australia.
