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Sightseeing Overview
Belgrade is Serbia’s capital city and is the main economic, social and cultural heart of the country. Despite a population of over 1.5 million, Belgrade retains the feel and charm of a small city and most of the main sights of interest can be reached on foot from the city center.

Due to the many battles that have been fought here over its 2,000-year history, the city has been razed to the ground on more than one occasion and therefore is not characterized by one particular architectural style. But what it lacks in continuity it makes up for in variety with big ornate buildings jostling for space alongside communist-era blocks and modern designer boutiques.

It is also one of the greenest cities in Europe, with numerous parks and open spaces for visitors to relax in or explore. And whilst there are definitely a handful of attractions that all visitors should make sure they don’t miss, the best way to experience this vibrant city is to pick up a tourist map, make a rough itinerary and hit the streets to see what you find. And be sure to schedule in plenty of coffee breaks so that you can really get into the pace and feel of life in Belgrade.

Tourist Information
Belgrade Tourist Organization
Dečanska 1
Tel: (0)11 324 8404.
Website: www.tob.co.yu

This is the main Belgrade Tourist Organization office. There are a number of offices and information centers dotted about the city at various tourist hotspots. There is also an office at the airport and another, smaller office which is shared with the National Tourist Organization of Serbia (website: www.serbia-tourism.org) at Kneza Mihaila.

Passes
At the time of writing there were no tourist discount passes available.

Key Attractions:

Kalemegdan Park
Occupying a wonderful hilltop location that overlooks the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Kalemegdan is a fantastic park set within the walls of the Belgrade Fortress that was built by the Romans in the first century BC. As well as plenty of places to sit and relax, there are also restaurants, bars, sports courts, ancient monuments, catacombs, a museum and a zoo to explore. Great at any time of the day, but it’s at its best as the sun begins to set when the park is full with couples, families, groups of friends singing and playing guitars, yogis, rock climbers, walkers and camera-toting tourists. A perfect end to a day’s exploring.

Free admission.

House of Flowers/Tito’s Tomb
Located on Bulevar Mira, a short bus ride south from the city center, is the tomb of Josip Broz Tito, who was the president of what was formerly Yugoslavia from 1953 until his death in 1980. Under Tito’s rule, Yugoslavia distanced itself from Stalin’s Russia and followed a non-aligned version of socialism and to this day Tito is still venerated by many. Although there is not much in the way of information about his life, there is a display of his office furniture and a larger museum showcasing the many state gifts he received. The knowledgeable staff are more than happy to make up for the lack of actual exhibitions with anecdotes and stories.

Bulevar Mira
Free admission.

Royal Palaces
Open only by appointment (weekends from 1 April to 30 October), the Royal Palaces are the official residences of the Serbian Royal Family and offer a fascinating insight into royal life. Visitors can take a guided tour around the The Royal Palace, The White Palace and park of The Royal Compound on the site at leafy Dedinje Hill which is a short bus or taxi ride from the city center.

Royal Palaces
Tel: None. Tours are arranged either through the website or through the tourist board.
Website: www.royalfamily.org
Free admission.

Ada Ciganlija
Once an island but now a peninsula, Ada Ciganlija is a fantastic place to while away a summer’s afternoon on the beach or at one of the many bars and restaurants overlooking the lake and river. For the more energetic, there are all manner of sports and recreational pursuits on offer including sailing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, skating, rock climbing, golf, football, tennis, bungee-jumping and paint ball. Ada is southwest of the city center close to New Belgrade and is easily reached by bus or taxi.

Ada Ciganlija 2
Tel: (0)11 354 1117.
Website: www.adaciganlija.co.yu
Free admission.

St Sava’s Temple
The imposing dome of St Sava’s Temple stands at over 70m (230ft) high and can be seen from most locations throughout Belgrade. Building eventually began in 1935 and was completed in 2004 (although some interior work continues to this day). The temple is dedicated to St Sava (1169-1236), founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and is built on the site that is believed to be where his holy relics were burnt by the Ottoman ruler, Sinan Pasha, in 1594. The temple is located just off Bulevar Ja in the south of the city and is easily reached by bus or taxi from the city center.

Off Bulevar Ja
Free admission.

Further Distractions:

Zemun
Formerly a separate town but now a suburb of Belgrade, Zemun occupies a wonderful position north of New Belgrade that overlooks the Danube River. It’s actually much older than Belgrade itself with parts of it dating back to the third century. It has a very relaxed atmosphere and is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center. Most of the sights are concentrated along the river bank and there are numerous bars and cafes to relax in and the fish restaurants here are exceptional.

FC Red Star Belgrade
Football is a huge passion in Belgrade with supporters divided into the two camps of Red Star Belgrade and Partisan Belgrade (website: www.partizan.co.yu). Rivalry is fierce between these two teams and derby day games can be fiery affairs. There is a free museum at the Red Star stadium which is full of football memorabilia including photographs and autographs from the ‘Busby Babes’ - the legendary Manchester United team who played their last game here against Red Star before their plane tragically crashed on its way home killing eight players and 15 other passengers.

Ljutice Bogdana
Tel: (0)11 332 4412.
Website: www.fc-redstar.net

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