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The Serbian metropolis of Belgrade has much more to offer than pop discos and cevapcici. Read journalist Zorana Nikolic’s insider tips here.
At the point where the Sava flows into the Danube, Belgrade lies in all its quiet dreariness. Once you reach its core, you realize that this is a fallacy – nothing here has anything to do with dreariness. The Serbian metropolis is pulsating, heated up by the upheavals of post-socialism, full of creativity and life. In the USA they have New York, in Europe we have Belgrade: the city that never sleeps. Zoriana Nikolic, a journalist who got stuck in Belgrade a good six years ago, assures us of this. Your insider tips at a glance.
Hotels in Belgrade
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Square Nine
is the best and probably most beautiful hotel in the city, designed by star architect Isay Weinfeld. The wooden façade is a stunner, the interior impresses with lots of stone and bronze-colored mirrors. From the rooms you can see the famous Studentski Trag student square.
Studentski Trg 9, 103933 Belgrade
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Another very hip hotel is the BAH (Belgrade Art Hotel), which is located in one of Belgrade’s most splendid districts, not far from the city center and the Great War Island.
Knez Mihajlova 27, 11000 Belgrade
Restaurants in Belgrade
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The
Homa
is a small, new restaurant that shows that the location is not important as long as the food tastes good. Especially good: the tacos and curry dishes.
Zorza Klemansoa 19, 11000 Belgrade
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Depo 23 has five starters, five main courses and five desserts on the menu. The restaurant has something of a Berlin underground club about it, and the dishes are excellent.
Zahumska 23, 11000 Belgrade
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If you are looking for traditional Serbian cuisine, the Mala fabrika ukusa a trendy farmhouse-style restaurant with a pretty garden and large playground.
Nebojsina 49a, 11000 Belgrade
Shopping in Belgrade
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Ušce and Delta City, the two shopping centers with national and international brands in the mid-price segment, are ideal for shopping.
Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 4, 11000 Belgrade
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Supermarket concept store is Zorana’s favorite store (Visnjiceva 10) for clothes and shoes.
Visnjiceva 10, 11000 Belgrade
For furniture and interiors
Artefacto
is the best address. Modern, simple and timeless.
Svetogorska 39, 11000 Belgrade
Party in Belgrade
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A new club opened in the center a few months ago:
Klub Centar
on Toplicin venac Street. The location is awesome, they play jazz and reggae, but also Serbian pop and rock. The “place to be” is currently the
Brankow Bar
– During the day you can drink coffee here, in the evening DJs play and sometimes there’s live music.
Crnogorska 12, 11000 Belgrade
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Those who like to spend their time at the gaming table will imagine themselves in the Admiral Club in Vegas.
Savski trg 7, 11000 Belgrade
Belgrade’s neighborhoods
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The beautiful park
Kalemegdan
is undoubtedly the most romantic place in the city.
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After a walk you can relax in the
Terasa
The café offers a unique view over the river.
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Skadarlija, the old town, is full of traditional Serbian restaurants and very urban – the Montmartre of Belgrade.
Must do in Belgrade
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Stroll along the riverside , the paths are not the most cultivated but the views are beautiful, with nice cafes and restaurants nearby. Take a look at the Nikola Tesla Museum the only museum with original Tesla heirlooms. Last but not least, it is worth making a detour to the densely wooded Ada Ciganlija peninsula ; it is home to many deer, foxes, hares and pheasants and offers bungee jumping and water skiing.
Nikola Tesla Museum, Krunska 51, 11000 Belgrade
20.7. – 8.8.2012, in the KCB Gallery
1.7. – 3.7.2012, at the Kulturni Centar Grad Mode by young designers.
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Zorana Nikolic
is a journalist in Belgrade.
loves weekends with her boyfriend on the Belgrade riverside, the Serbian countryside, traveling, popcorn and movies.
hates hypocrites and agitation.
Read the insider tips for Lisbon.