What Makes Belgrade Truly Interesting?

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Certain places automatically evoke certain images in our minds. For example, mention Rome, and the Colosseum pops up. One can’t think of Paris without picturing the Eiffel Tower. But, Belgrade doesn’t have any landmarks or “clichés”.

Which begs the question: In the absence of any significant landmarks, what makes Belgrade truly interesting?

The answer is character, something even the most beautiful cities lack!

It’s the little things that go unnoticed, like this shoelace stand, that made me fall in love with Belgrade. I had seen a few of these stands waiting for someone in dire need of neon-green shoe laces. Each time I saw a shoelace vendor, I couldn't help but wonder how many people in Belgrade actually wear neon shoelaces.

Another reason I really liked Belgrade was the popcorn stands. I realize how strange that sounds but hear me out. I had been traveling for more than 6 months without eating my favourite snack, so I was ecstatic when I spotted the first popcorn stand!

Any city with popcorn stands as cute as this gets bonus points in my travel book!

Besides popcorn stands and rainbow shoelaces, I also discovered an interest in electrical trolleys. I loved the vintage ones the most! The first electrical tram in Belgrade was built in1894. Although all the lines were reconstructed recently, the trolley pictured below seems to be one of the original ones, haha.

I also took pleasure in spotting unexpected colour amidst the drab cityscape of Belgrade. This selection of colour-infused bouquets at the market seemed to emulate tiny rays of sunshine. My face lit up just by looking at them!

Belgrade’s character also lies in the incoherence of its architecture. The city has been destroyed and rebuilt approximately 40 times (!) throughout the centuries, and the result is a strange mix of architectural styles.

Ottoman Turks had taken over Belgrade during the first half of the 16th century. Naturally, Ottoman-style buildings as well as a large number of mosques were built during this time. Unfortunately, most of the Ottoman buildings have been destroyed save for Bajrakli Mosque, the only mosque in the city. During the 19th century, the crumbling Ottoman buildings were replaced by neo-classical styles found in neighbouring countries.

I really enjoyed discovering the different architectural facets of the unassuming capital city of Serbia.

Did you know that Belgrade was named one of the best places in Europe for nightlife? All the credit goes to its floating nightclubs known as splavovi. During the nineties, abandoned houseboats were repurposed into bars and restaurants, and splavovi became an instant hit.

Each splavovi is different catering to Belgrade's eclectic urbanites of all ages. Club-goers, social drinkers and everyone in between enjoy hanging out at a splav during the hot Summer months.

Despite my short two-day stay, Belgrade became one of my favourite cities! Can you see why?