Category: Serbia

How To Get Around In Belgrade

August 29, 2013 8:11 pm August 29, 2013

Belgrade City Public Transportation is often confusing to foreign visitors due to lack of information in English and more flexible tickets for tourists. The article will go through the cheapest…

Belgrade City Public Transportation is often confusing to foreign visitors due to lack of information in English and more flexible tickets for tourists. The article will go through the cheapest and best ways of transportation so you know how to get around in Belgrade more easily.

BELGRADE AIRPORT TRANSFER

1. Bus line #72

This line runs twice an hour and you can check the full timetable here.

From the Nikola Tesla Airport to Zeleni Venac	From Zeleni Venac to Nikola Tesla Airport
click HERE.	click HERE.

When you open the links, the first row shows hours, the second one minutes when the line runs (Monday-Friday), the third (minutes; Saturday) and the fourth (minutes; Sunday).

The cost of the ticket is 89 RSD (with BusPlus card) and 150RSD in the bus.

The journey takes approximately 40 minutes.

2. Mini Bus A1

This line operates between Slavija and the Nikola Tesla Airport.

Timetable

click HERE.

Valid Mon-Fri, Saturday and Sunday.

This line runs more often than the previous one and the journey takes about 30 minutes. Ticket costs 300RSD and can be bought in the bus. More expensive but more comfortable.

3. Taxi

There are many illegal taxis outside the airport’s arrival terminal which is a shame, and many taxi drivers will offer you a ride inside the terminal building. Of course the best is to refuse and go to the TAXI INFO stand, where you can get information about your destination and the appropriate price for the taxi service. More info HERE. Usually the price will be around 1500RSD if you are going to the city center and 2000-2500RSD if you are going to the suburbs.

You can also:

1. Order taxi by a phone

2. Grab a taxi at the departure section that has just dropped off passengers.

Recommended taxi companies

Beogradski Taxi, Lux Taxi, Pink Taxi

MOVING AROUND THE CITY

Public transport network consists of buses, trolleybuses and trams. There are several types of tickets available but these are the best for tourists;

Paper ticket for a single ride

The ticket can be bought in the bus. 150RSD for a single far, valid for 90 minutes.

Non-personalized smart card

Valid for 3 years.

BusPlus Non-personalized smart card

How much? 250RSD

If you plan to use public transportation more often this is the best option. You can get this card and fill it with as many rides as you want. Single fare is 89 RSD and is valid for 90 minutes. With this card you can also buy a 1-day pass (250 RSD), 3-day pass (700 RSD) or 5-day pass (1000 RSD). You can top the card at any kiosk in the city.

Another advantage of this card is that if you are coming with someone or as a group you can use just one card. During the validation process, you need to select ‘GRUPNA KARTA’ (group ticket), type in the number of passengers and validate the card.

Free maps of the public transport network

click HERE.

NIGHT LINES (00-04)

These lines differ from the daily ones and they usually run every hour. Tickets are more expensive (between 150-200RSD).

Map for the night lines	Timetable
click HERE.	click HERE.

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Blog Cities & Culture Food & Drink Serbia Travel Tips

Nine Great Bars in Belgrade

Zorica

July 9, 2013 4:41 pm July 9, 2013

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Belgrade has a variety of bars for everyone to enjoy and is known as one of Europe’s best destinations for nightlife. Bars and pubs are very popular in the Serbian…

Belgrade has a variety of bars for everyone to enjoy and is known as one of Europe’s best destinations for nightlife. Bars and pubs are very popular in the Serbian capital and you can find them basically on every corner of the city. There are many places which are worth visiting but here you will find listed just several;

Elixir Bar

The first vitamin bar in the city will attract you with its fresh squeezed juices, smoothies and milk shakes of unusual and exotic flavours. Besides fresh fruits and vegetables, the bright interior and friendly staff will make you feel cozy and relaxed. Besides the existing menu you can even opt to make your own combination. You can enjoy your drink in the bar or ask for the take away, but either way this is a great place for a successful start of the day!

The Black Turtle Pub

The Black Turtle represents a chain of pubs with four pubs in the city center and a mini-brewery established in 2000. These pubs are mostly famous for its beer. Besides local brands of beer, you can try even the seasonal beers and the beer with fruit flavors that make these pubs unique in the city. There are beers flavoured with blueberry, lemon and strawberry and I recommend you go for blueberry one.

The Federal Association of Globe Trotters

The most unusual bar in Belgrade filled with lots of interesting pictures, lamps, curtains and books. Pieces of old furniture brought by the guests make this place unique. The Association also organizes parties and celebrations, film projections, literal and travel lectures etc. Highly recommended!

Triangle

Small and cozy café with relaxed atmosphere and good music. The bar offers live music, mostly jazz and ethnic compositions but also DJ performances. The bar serves cocktails and wine, but their homemade brandy is one of the best in Belgrade. A big plus is a very friendly staff.

Kandahar

If you want to try real Turkish coffee with lokum go to this place. Oriental interior design makes this place interesting and different to other bars in Belgrade, and it offers a very relaxed atmosphere and music. Kandahar is well-known for its wide choice of teas and tobacco but also Turkish Yeni Raki.

KC GRAD

Located on the banks of the Sava River this place organizes various events (from conferences, book launches, film screenings to music programmes). Its Steve Austen café bar is located on the ground floor. The building was an old warehouse built in 1884. and today it’s a great place for a night out, with the cool interior and decent music!

The Three Carrots Irish Pub

The first Irish pub in Belgrade offers well-known Guinness, domestic beers and some cool cocktails. The atmosphere is very cozy and the pub offers live music from time to time. It’s a great place to come and watch a football game or simply warm up for the night out!

Povetarac

Located on the Sava River, this club provides a unique view of the Old Town. From an old ship it became a big club consisting of two parts, while during the day it serves as a bar. It is famous for its mainstream music, funk, reggae, drum and bass etc. One of the coolest places in Belgrade!

Iguana

Famous for its FWJ (Food, Wine & Jazz) concept, Iguana is an elegant place with a great view! The menu here is small and bit overpriced, but its balcony is a great place to have a beer or two and watch the locals stroll by. Come here to enjoy the wonderful view of the river and jazz music.

Are there any bars that you would recommend? Feel free to leave your comments below.

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Blog Cities & Culture Serbia Travel Tips

Meet the Romans in Serbia

Zorica

September 24, 2012 12:46 pm September 24, 2012

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‘Meet the Romans in Serbia’ is a guest post from Tara Goldsmith of ReadyClickAndGo. We recommend you check their Twitter and Facebook profiles as well. I was sat right…

‘Meet the Romans in Serbia’ is a guest post from Tara Goldsmith of ReadyClickAndGo. We recommend you check their Twitter and Facebook profiles as well.

I was sat right at the top, in the Royal Opera House it would have been seat Y51 – very high up with a restricted view. Looking down and behind the half naked archaeologist who was unmoved by the burning sun I could almost see Russell Crowe fighting ferociously for his freedom. Behind me was a flat green field with occasional glimpses of the Danube river, on whose bed was preserved this rich archaeological site.

“We are standing at the top of the amphitheatre with a capacity of 12,000 seats” the voice of the enthusiastic guide woke me up.

We are at Viminacium, one of many Roman towns and fortress in Serbia, not far from the capital city Belgrade. It covers a huge area and some of it is still undiscovered due to the presence of the nearby power plant which produces 20% of Serbia’s energy. The government is trying to buy land still owned by the local people to stop the theft of artefacts that are uncovered after heavy rain.

Large numbers of lamps, bricks, paving tiles, rings and coins have been uncovered and exhibited either at the Museum in Pozarevac or the Museum in Belgrade. The Viminacium complex is building their own museum too at the moment.

The site has beautiful tombs decorated with frescoes whose colour was still bright and with mixed pagan and Christian symbolism. Tomb G5517 has a Christogram in a double floral garland and this is known as a Constantine Cross, after the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. Tomb G2624 has animals and flowers and is clearly pagan, thus proving that Christians and Pagans were sometimes buried in the same cemetery.

Serbia has the largest number of Roman emperors born outside of Italy – 17 altogether, among them Constantine I and Justinian I. The tourist board has put together a project to combine visits to all the major Roman excavations on Serbian soil, called Itinerarium Romanum Serbiae. It will incorporate Sirmium, today known as Sremska Mitrovica, Singindunum which is Belgrade, Viminacium or Stari Kostolac, combined with visits to the forts of Nis, Kostol and Karats. The itinerary also includes visits to the imperial residences at Gamzigrad and the UNESCO site, Šarkamen, Mediana and Iustiniana Prima.

2013 will see the 1,700 anniversary of the Edict of Milan by which Emperor Constantine legalised Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, and celebrations will take place in the city of his birth, Nis.

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Blog Serbia Travel Tips

10 things to do in Serbia

Zorica

June 5, 2012 10:12 am June 5, 2012

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Serbia is open for tourism all year round and although tourists enjoy spending their time in Belgrade, the country offers a variety of cultural and historical monuments, spas, mountains, fishing…

Serbia is open for tourism all year round and although tourists enjoy spending their time in Belgrade, the country offers a variety of cultural and historical monuments, spas, mountains, fishing grounds and much more.

Some of the great 10 things to do in Serbia include;

Cycling down the Danube EuroVelo 6 Route

EuroVelo 6 route is one of the 14 routes created by the European Cyclists’ Federation in 1994. The aim of the project is to discover amazing landscapes when cycling alongside the European rivers. EuroVelo 6 route starts from Nantes and ends at Constanta (from Atlantic to the Black Sea) and it’s 4,448km long.

Ski at Kopaonik

Kopaonik is a major ski resort in Serbia with 25 ski lifts in total and a national park established back in 1981. The mountain is mainly famous for skiing, snowboarding and trekking, but also for its rich historical heritage. It’s highest peak is Pan?i?, which peaks at 2,017 meters. Every March the mountain is a host to the annual Big Snow Festival.

Rafting on the Drina river

The Drina River is 346 km long, while its course through Serbia is 220 km long. It flows through Montenegro, the Republic of Srpska and Serbia. The river is famous for its old bridge in Visegrad, which was described in the famous novel “The Bridge on the Drina” written by the Nobel Prize for Literature winner in 1961, Ivo Andric. In summer the most popular activity on the river is rafting, with the most famous event being the “Drina Regatta“.

Explore Fruska Gora and its surroundings

Another jewel of Serbia is the National Park Fruška Gora which covers the territory of Vojvodina. It is famous for being the home to the historic city of Sremski Karlovci, plus is characterized by its forests and vineyards. Sixteen Orthodox monasteries are located nearby, which are famous for their architecture and treasures. Wine tasting is very popular in the region and other activities include biking, hiking, hunting and fishing. Being located just one hour from the capital and thirty minutes from Novi Sad makes the area very popular for tourists.

Get spiritual at Serbian Mount Athos

Ov?ar-Kablar gorge is referred to this way as it contains more than thirteen medieval monasteries, which are known for their beauty and spectacular location. Ov?ar spa is also located in the gorge, which has hot sulfuric water that is used as a treatment for healing various health problems.

Take photos of the canyon of Uvac river

The Uvac River is part of the Uvac Nature Reserve and it’s located in Western Serbia. Probably the greatest attraction of the canyon is its meanders, with some of the river bends angled at 270 degrees, and caves that form the longest cave system in Serbia. The biggest impression is the view overlooking the canyon.

Visit the Devil’s Town

There’s no devil there, but you will find around 202 exotic rock formations that are very similiar to those found in Cappadoccia, Turkey. The mystery of these formations caused the locals to give it such a name. The area is also famous for its spa which contains two springs: the Devil’s Water and the Red Well. Devil’s Town was one of the nominees in the new ‘New Seven Wonders of Nature’ campaign.

Visit Felix Romuliana

Felix Romuliana is an archeological site, spa and UNESCO World Heritage Site located near the city of Zaje?ar. The location of the ancient Roman complex of palaces and temples was built by the Emperor Galerius. The complex is one of the most popular stops on the Roman Emperor’s trail through the Serbian territory.

Learn about the Serbian history at the Military museum in Belgrade

Founded in 1878, the museum has more than 3,000 ancient and modern items. The exhibits progresses from ancient findings to medieval and modern history, while outside the museum features a display of numerous tanks and armoured cars, mostly from WW2. The museum is located inside the Belgrade Fortress which makes it a popular stop from visiting tourists.

Party at Exit Festival

The Exit Festival is an annual summer festival held in the Petrovaradin Fortress of Novi Sad. In 2007 the festival was awarded as the “Best European Festival” by the UK Festival Awards. Some of the artists that have performed at the festival in the past include the Pet Shop Boys, Massive Attack, Snoop Dogg, Lily Allen, Placebo and others.

Where to stay

If you are looking for a place to stay check out Booking or HotelsCombined.

Getting there

You can search for a cheap flight to Serbia on Momondo.

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Blog Nature & Outdoors Serbia Travel Tips

Spare time in Belgrade? Go to Avala mountain

Zorica

March 7, 2012 10:58 am March 7, 2012

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Avala mountain is located 16 km from the capital city of Serbia, Belgrade, and it has a reputation of being a popular day or even weekend getaway from busy city…

Avala mountain is located 16 km from the capital city of Serbia, Belgrade, and it has a reputation of being a popular day or even weekend getaway from busy city life. Avala is inviting especially for its walks which allow people to relax in nature.

With a height of 511 meters, Avala fits within the ‘Mountain range’, no pun intended. In the middle ages it was famous for the Avala Town, which was later conquered by the Ottoman Turks. Today the areas surrounding Avala are not heavily populated, although the mountain’s location is very close to Belgrade’s city boundaries.

Avala is one of the protected green areas of Belgrade and it has more than 600 plant species living on the mountain. Many species are protected by law due to their natural rarities, with 21 of the 67 bird species considered rare in Serbia.

Besides being famous as a traditional weekend and picnic resort, other attractions on the mountain include the newly built Avala Tower which is the tallest tower in Serbia and the Balkans region. Originally it was a telecommunication tower destroyed by the NATO bombing in 1999, with the new tower officially opened in 2010. The tower has a viewing platform on top with the beautiful view overlooking Belgrade, Vojvodina and Šumadija.

View from the tower!

One of the most famous monuments located on Avala is the “Monument to the Unknown Hero” which is a protected monument by the country.

Monument to the Unknown Hero

For those who love sport activities besides walking, can indulge in activities including orienteering, climbing, mountain biking and running.

And if your hunger gets the best of you, on the top of the Mountain there’s a hotel with the restaurant “Avala”, dedicated to serving delicious meals.

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