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Belgrade is the ugliest city in the world in the most beautiful place in the world. At least that’s what Le Corbusier thought. We say: The city has charm and that edgy coolness that may not make it the most beautiful place in Europe, but it is one of the hippest. The prices are low, which is good for the heart and wallet. And the fact that Serbia’s capital city doesn’t have a thousand sights to see increases the desire to simply go on a pilgrimage. Stress fades in this city like the tarnished image that we are polishing up this month. With the help of insider Angela, who knows the best places in Belgrade.
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Living
The Hotel Le Petit Piaf has charm, cool rooms and is located right in the city center. Very stylish and modern – and absolutely fair at around 50 euros per night in a double room. If you want to sleep where Albert Einstein or Indira Gandhi stretched out all fours, the Hotel Moskva is the right place for you. Of course, you have to pay a little more for the tasteful ambience and luxurious standard, but it’s worth it. Check into the designer hostel Yolostel if you want to stay close to the city’s hotspots and like funky decor and hip interiors. If you fall in love with Belgrade’s atmosphere and want to stay longer than just a few days, one of the Basco Agency’s stylish apartments is the perfect choice.
Le Petit Piaf, Skadarska 34, Belgrade 110000, petitpiaf.com
Moskva, 11000, Balkanska, Belgrade 11000, hotelmoskva.rs
Yolostel, Apt. 6, III floor, Uzun Mirkova 6, Belgrade, yolostel.rs
Basco Agency Apartments, Nušićeva 18, Belgrade 11000, bascoagency.com
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Food
The Supermarket restaurant is the hotspot for Belgrade hipsters, also known in some circles as the “Brooklyn of Belgrade”. In a stylish atmosphere, the young kitchen crew serves organic food and one of the best breakfasts in the city. You can also buy all kinds of hip stuff here. Daco looks just like grandma’s house: Lace tablecloths on the tables, framed photos wallpapering the walls, jumbled chairs. The prices are moderate, the food is traditional and tasty. Kafana Suvobor serves what you can find everywhere in Serbia: Stews, pies, honest cuisine. Anyone who doesn’t lick their plate clean here has no idea about good food. Super Donkey and Gnezdo Organic are the places to be for all vegetarians who want something other than ordinary falafel.
Supermarket, Kej Oslobođenja 37, Zemun, Belgrade, supermarkettalas.com
Kafana Suvobor, Kralja Petra 70, Belgrade 11000, facebook.com/Suvobor-Kafana
Super Donkey, Krunska 26, Belgrade 11000, facebook.com/Super-Donkey
Gnezdo Organic, Male stepenice 1a, Belgrade 11000, gnezdoorganic.rs
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Shopping
The Belgrade Design District mall is no ordinary shopping center. Here, 30 boutiques of local artists and designers come together to sell their own clothing, shoes, accessories and bric-a-brac. Authentic products can also be found at the Buvljak flea market, while bread, fruit and vegetables are available at the Zeleni Venac, Skadarlija and Kalenic markets. If you’re looking for a cool souvenir that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, browse through the colorful assortment at Paspartu – here you’ll find everything from jewelry to tableware to paintings. The name says it all, at least at All Nut: everything that can be made from seeds and nuts is sold here. Tamara Radivojevic, who learned her trade at Central Saint Martins College in London, sells her silk collections in her own showroom. Handmade products from Serbia can be found in abundance at Makadam, where you can also enjoy refreshments in the in-house café after or between shopping trips.
Belgrade Design District, Čumićeva 2, lok. 16b, Belgrade 11000, belgradedesigndistrict.blogspot.com
Buvljak, Jurija Gagarina, Belgrade 11000, bgpijace.rs
Zeleni Venac, cnr Brankova Prizrenska & Kraljice Natalije, Belgrade 11000, lonelyplanet.com/zeleni-venac-market
Skadarlija, Skadarska Ulica, Belgrade 11000
Kalenic, Maksima Gorkog and Njegoševa Streets, Belgrade, beligrad.com
Paspartu, Nušićeva 10, Beograd 11000, paspartusb.wix.com
All Nut, Čumićevo Sokače lokal 25, Belgrade, allnut.rs
Tamara Radivojevic, 59 Strahinjica Bana, Belgrade 11000, tamararadivojevic.com
Makadam, Kosančićev venac 20, Belgrade 11000, makadam.rs
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Party
Many come to Belgrade for two reasons: because the alcohol prices are low and the parties are good. This leads to overpriced clubs that you can only get into if you have the right change and the right wardrobe. But: they still exist, the small pubs and bars where you can comfortably go out all night. Maniac Pub & Bar is one such place, small and dirty, but just what you need between the overstyled clubs. The Drugstore used to be a slaughterhouse and is now one of the most popular party locations.
Maniac Pub & Bar, Sremska 2, Belgrade 11000, facebook.com/Maniac-Pub-Bar
Drugstore, Bulevar despota Stefana 115, Beograd 11000, facebook.com/drugstore.beograd
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Quarters
Hipsters have taken over the old town and the Skadarlija district, turning it into their very own playground. There are still many traditional Serbian restaurants here, with cool coffee shops and boutiques in between. One of the most beautiful places in the city is Kalemegdan Park. Not only romantics and newly in love meet here, but also anyone who needs a break from everyday life.
Skadarlija, Skadarlija, Belgrade 11000
Kalemegdan, Kalemegdan bb, Belgrade 11000
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Must do
The Danube, with its 200 kilometers of banks, invites you to stroll and stroll. If you like nature and action, take a trip to the nearby Ada Ciganlija peninsula.
Danube, Danube, Belgrade 11000
Ada Ciganlija, Ada Ciganlija, Belgrade 11000, adaciganlija.rs
Events
Beogradski Jazz Festival
26. until 30.10.
Workshops, dance shows, musical interludes – there’s a lot to see here.
bjf.rs
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Angela Kota
is a boutique owner.
loves her cat.
hates intolerance.