Belgrade, Serbia

'Come to a city where you will feel at home.' This is the call put out by the Tourism Organisation of Belgrade on its website, but one that potential visitors to Serbia's capital may feel is rather exaggerated, given the city's reputation as one of the most turbulent European cities. The history of Belgrade, originally known as Singidunum, goes back 6,000 years; the tales of conflicts and devastation it has experienced in all that time would fill many tomes. Belgrade, however, always bounces back and is currently lifting itself up.



Belgrade (or Beograd in Serbian) is situated in a strategic spot of south-eastern Europe where the Sava and Danube rivers join on the Balkan Peninsula. It is not a pretty city, but rather one layered with the relics of its many generations and invaders, resulting in a conglomeration of architecture and cultures, which have somehow melded together to imbue the modern city with its own unique charm. From the pile of rubble, which is all that remains of the bombed-out former military headquarters on Kneza Milosa, to the techno wildness of its famed nightclubs beneath the Kalemegdan Citadel, Belgrade tells many stories and offers dozens of experiences.



The best place to begin understanding the city is on the site of its original ancient settlement, the hill called Kalemegdan, now a fascinating park-like complex of historic buildings above the Old Town (Stari Grad). The Military Museum situated here traces the history of the city's bloody past, from its first conflict with the Roman Legions in the 1st century BC, to an exhibit of parts of a United States Stealth Bomber, shot down in the 1999 air raids.



Those who choose to ignore history and enjoy Belgrade as it is today will find a myriad of leisure and pleasure opportunities, all offered by the incredibly hospitable inhabitants who are justly proud of this indomitable city.

Belgrade Attractions Kalemegdan A host of Belgrade's most popular attrations for visitors are concentrated on the rocky ridge of Kalemegdan, site of the original fortified city, which overlooks the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The neighbourhood is now maintained as a park, containing the ancient...  see full details Royal Palace The Royal Palace of Serbia's Obrenovic dynasty has become a popular attraction, with its elegant salons, crammed with important artworks and magnificent décor, open for public tours. The palace was built in the 1880s, designed by Aleksandar Bugarski, who set out to outdo all...  see full details Temple of Saint Sava Dominating Belgrade's cityscape is the massive Temple of Saint Sava, the largest Orthodox church in use in the world and still not quite completed although building has been going on for more than 50 years. This remarkable domed building, with its white marble...  see full details Skadarlija Street Skadarlija Street is the Belgrade's equivalent of Paris' famous Bohemian Montmarte neighbourhood, and one of the most popular places to visit for tourists in Belgrade. Lined with restaurants and pubs, their tables and festivity spilling onto the pavements, it is a colourful spot to...  see full details National Museum of Serbia A must for any art lover, the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade houses a remarkable collection of more than 400,000 items, from Old Masters to medieval and modern art, numismatics and a sprinkling of archaeological exhibits. The artefacts are split into 34 archeological,...  see full details Residence of Princess Ljubica Built between 1829 and 1831 as a private residence for the wife of Prince Milos, the stately home of Princess Ljubica is now the Belgrade City Museum, demonstrating the unique Balkan architectural style and incorporating some Baroque elements. The interior has been preserved to...  see full details