Belgrade Travel Forum

I'm off to Belgrade with my wife and daughter in 3 weeks. We have booked an apartment right in the centre (Obilicev Venac) and are going for 4 nights.

Things are a bit tense over there (which is understandable after the various western countries have gone against international law to chop Serbia up) so does anyone have any advice for Brits over there? Can we expect any hassle?

Also, where are good places to go and to eat with a baby?

I want to go and see the Red Star and Partizan stadiums (not when a match is on!) and Tito's mausoleum. Is this wise and what is the best way to get there from the centre?

Thanks in advance.

I have three kids and I often use American passport in Serbia to get less attention. I am form Russia originally, by the way - with Hungarian family. The reasons, believe or not: Americans, Brits, etc. are assumed to be genuine, harmless tourists while Serbia's neighbors or Russians, Chinese, Belarus, etc. may be not necessary tourists :(

In some situation American or British is better off than Hungarian or Russian. This is my personal experience and I know, what I am saying.

Some people are less well-off in entire Central/East Europe and some live from cross-border smuggling.

Guess, who will make more friends in Serbia: an American tourist or a poor cigarette smuggler from a friendly, close-by country who has no other job? Guess, who is more common? :(

I think as American tourist I receive somewhat less attention from pick-pockets in SRB than in other countries. From safety point of view it is fairly low-profile place. Like in every post-Socialist country there is a mafia and like in every post-Socialist country they are busy to deal with each other, not with a tourist. The rowdies are firmly associated with soccer club fans. This could be a problem if you going to visit stadiums. That is valid everywhere, in Hungary every time I pass the FTC stadium I have uneasy feeling even if I am just driving, it's just my reaction without logic.

Therefore you obviously know, what I would say about CZ or Partisan stadium. I would say the same about Ajax or Liverpool, I just don't even want to know, these stadiums exist in the world outside of my TV, regardless where they are.

For the rest: just stay away from gatherings of people and go away from any demonstration.

Hello,

I live in Belgrade, so I could help you a little bit. I think there ain't going to be any hassle. You are just a tourist with a baby, so... There are a lot of tourists in Belgrade and people are very polite. I am not sure if You could visit stadiums (I asked around, and people točld me that they are closed for visitors for 2,3 years). If I find out something more, I'll post you. You can very easily get to the stadiums (they are close to each other - 500 meters). You must get to Slavia (big square) and from Slavia you have city transportation (tramway) to Autokomanda where the stadiums are. You can walk to Slavia - just go through Srpskih vladara street (the main street in Belgrade). I am not sure about buses from center to Titos mausoleum, but if you take a taxi, it could cost no more than 300 dinars (1US dollar about 55 dinars). You must go to Skadarlija, it is bohemian quart in the center (5 minutes walk from Obilicev Venac), there you can find great places to eat Serbian food. Also, you must visit Kalemegdan park and fortress (in center).
If you have some other questions, I'll be glad to answer.
Bisera

Hello,

I live in Belgrade, so I could help you a little bit. I think there ain't going to be any hassle. You are just a tourist with a baby, so... There are a lot of tourists in Belgrade and people are very polite. I am not sure if You could visit stadiums (I asked around, and people točld me that they are closed for visitors for 2,3 years). If I find out something more, I'll post you. You can very easily get to the stadiums (they are close to each other - 500 meters). You must get to Slavia (big square) and from Slavia you have city transportation (tramway) to Autokomanda where the stadiums are. You can walk to Slavia - just go through Srpskih vladara street (the main street in Belgrade). I am not sure about buses from center to Titos mausoleum, but if you take a taxi, it could cost no more than 300 dinars (1US dollar about 55 dinars). You must go to Skadarlija, it is bohemian quart in the center (5 minutes walk from Obilicev Venac), there you can find great places to eat Serbian food. Also, you must visit Kalemegdan park and fortress (in center).
If you have some other questions, I'll be glad to answer.
Bisera

Hey,

As everyone else suggested, I think you ll be just fine, we are much nicer than we look on TV :))

Avoid demonstrations, large groups of people and that is it.

As someone said also, it might happen that people in the restaurants want to talk to touch the baby's head or palms... That is cause we like kids :) So dont be surprised.

I m trying to find Titos Mausoleum working hours, no luck for now.
It was open for the visitors, and there were no entrance fee before. Not sure about now. If you go there dont expct much, it wasn't taken care off much.

For the family it is better (easier)to use cab, than public transport.

Scroll the members Belgrade pages see what you like, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Have fun
Goga

We were in Serbia last year and loved it so much that we are going back this year. When we were in Belgrade we went up to the Red Star stadium and my boyfriend asked if there were any tours of the trophy room, we were taken to the security office and they phoned up and we were shown round the trophy room which was amazing told all about the trophies and also taken to the VIP part of the stadium. I do not like football but I did enjoy the tour and the young man that took us round was very nice and friendly

Enjoy

Linda

I won't say we "going back this year", I would rather say we "going to be permanently attached" due my job.