Traveling soon to visit a friend in Belgrade, Serbia. Any suggestions on "can't miss'es" and such?

Thanks!

Bumping for specific info:

**suggestions on apartment rental agencies (recommended, avoid, haven't-tried-but-good-reputation)

**off-the-beaten path restaurants, military history sights, etc.

Hi,

I lived and work in Serbia for about 2 years. My family is also from there so I have a very good insight. It's a great country, and Belgrade has a wonderful and very strong cultural and social life. I hope you are young and single cause you will enjoy it very much.

About the rental agencies I never used any because my family has an apartment in Serbia. I know that its usually easier for long-term rental rather than short term, but you should find out through your company.

You want to be near where you work of course even though the public transport is good and taxi is very cheap (~$3 around the city). For the center I strongly recommend you stay eigther in Stari Grad (old city), Vracar or anywhere in the center. From these areas you can walk o any place in the center. Avoid far away suburbs and Novi Beograd (new belgrade) is not that much fun.

I also hope you are not a vegetarian and you like meat.

For restaurants:
1) Kafana Sindjelic - the taxi driver will know where it is, it's really good. Try the "Cacanski ustipci" which is the speciality of the house
2) Cafe Ipanema - light Italian food in the center, Ceasar salads and all the American corp. food
3) Kafana (Cafe) Reka in Zemun - excellent food, live music, very popular. It is a cab ride away but excellent place
4) Stara Koliba - a nice fish restaurant, excellent food, located right across the old Kalemgdan casle/citadel

For night-life:
1) Strahinjica Bana street (all cafes there are very popular) right in the center. They dubbed it the "sillicon valley" for the obvious ode to the girls and their ample features
2) Splavs near Hotel Yugoslavia - floating clubs on the Danube rivier with different asortment of music. Nice place to chill during the summer.
3) Ben Akiba - elite club/cocktail bar
4) World Travellers club - must ask someone how to find it, it is secluded, but famous for hosting foreginers working in Belgrade. Nice cozy cafe/bar with excellent decor

This is just the tip of the iceberg. PM me if you have a specific message. I will me more than willing to answer any of your specific questions.

Kind regards,

George B.

I will second the boat suggestion. I was there in the winter, but the boat was still fun. Good local music and drink!

Also, try the little shops on Knez Mihajlova, down from Kalemegdan.

One of the things I enjoyed most about Belgrade were the quaint bars and coffeshops; a good area for exploring (maybe it was Skadarlija?)!

Yes - Skadarlija of course. Great bars/pubs and restaurants. Old street, live music. In the summer it's very lively.

Also kalemegdan old forsters is a must.

If spending significant time, I suggest travel around former Yugoslav countries.

Let me know specifics of what you are looking for and I'll direct your questions better.

What is the name of the dish of the fried pork with more fried things inside?

How long will you be in Belgrade?

It was going to be 2 weeks but I've had to postpone it.

pred02, great suggestions! Thanks ...

Finally found this thread again. The plans that were postponed two years ago are now in the re-planning stages. But now, I have the opportunity to stay for as long as I like.