We had heard about Belgrade’s hoppin’ nightlife (not as appealing to me these days, but every once in a while I'll venture into the night and cut a rug). But, other than that, not much info.
In the city preview, Belgrade was called “charmingly gritty”.
I’ve been here two weeks now and I concur, the city is charming! And, a bit gritty. But, with grit comes history and character.
The city was at war not long ago, and that post war grit combined with the typical European urban decay creates a rich cityscape.
RY has us living right in the heart of the city center and I LOVE the location. We are right next to the House of the National Assembly building:
...and across the street from the Historical Museum of Serbia:
We are a few blocks away from Republic Square, which is a city center / big outdoor mall. In my neighborhood, are ~100 cafes, bars, restaurants, etc. All with their own unique character. And, good music!
Only a couple years ago, there was an effort to revitalize the Belgrade Waterfront, an area along the Sava River. They’re investing a lot of money into it, and I think it’s paying off! There are river boats, a bike path, shops, cafes, restaurants, etc.
The local neighborhood is very graffiti friendly and reminds me of Venice, California. But, the Belgrade Waterfront is all class compared to Cali coast.
Belgrade may not be on any American’s list of places to travel in Europe, but I guarantee if you come here, you will not be disappointed. It’s a hidden gem, and an up and coming destination for future backpackers!