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Discover the largest university centers in Serbia – the Belgrade edition

DISCOVER THE LARGEST UNIVERSITY CENTERS IN SERBIA – THE BELGRADE EDITION

In the next few months, we will give you a glimpse of what you can expect if you decide to study in one of the four largest university cities in Serbia - Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, and Niš. We will briefly describe some of the most popular sightseeing places in these cities, provide you with a few tips regarding accommodation, public transport and having fun! The Study in the Serbia team already shortly touched on this topic in our previous blog post, so please make sure to check it out. We are starting the series with the biggest city in the country - Belgrade. Stay tuned for more blogs and do not miss checking our website for future updates on studying and living in Serbia. 

Before we begin, we wanted to tackle the elephant in the room – the COVID-19 pandemic. As we mentioned in our recent post, most measures taken to slow down the spread of coronavirus are gradually being lifted. At the session held on May 21st, the Government of the Republic of Serbia has adopted the decision that no testing is required for entering Serbia and no quarantine is envisaged. Therefore, foreign students (and everybody else) can freely enter Serbia, as long as they follow all the required measures of protection against the spread of the COVID-19 (face masks mandatory indoors, keeping social distance, etc.). We are writing this blog with the hope that everything will be back to normal soon. So, let’s get started!

 

What to see in Belgrade?

 

A must-see sight and a famous historical landmark of Belgrade is the Belgrade fortress, called “Kalemegdan”. It is situated in the city centre, on the cliff above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. You can easily access it on foot - it is just 15 minutes away from the main Belgrade square, called the Republic square. Throughout centuries, the fortress defended the city from foreign invaders. Today is an outdoor museum, full of monuments that represent the rich history of the capital and Serbia. Make sure to check the official webpage of the Tourism organization of Belgrade for more information.

If you want to experience the old charm of the city, do not miss visiting the well-known bohemian area in Belgrade - Skadarlija. This cobblestoned street is perfect if you want an escape from the busy atmosphere of the city. Despite its central location, when you enter Skadarlija you feel like you travelled through time. Full of tavernas, art, flowers, and traditional Serbian music, this quarter is frequently compared to Montmartre in Paris. Also, if you want to try the authentic Serbian cuisine, Skadarlija is a place to go!

For more outdoor and laid-back activities, make sure to visit the so-called Belgrade’s sea – Ada Ciganlija. Ada Ciganlija is an artificial lake turned into an immensely popular recreational zone, with a 6km long beach and lots of sports facilities. You can rent a bike, roller skates, or a pedal boat and enjoy your free time. Visit the official website of Ada Ciganlija and check what it offers. 

 

Where to stay?

Depending on your personal preference, you can opt for a spot in one of the student dormitories or you can share a flat with others or rent a whole apartment just for yourself. There are 11 student dorms in Belgrade, located all over the city. Staying in a dorm is more affordable than renting a room or an entire flat privately. A spot in student dorms costs around 100 euros a month, all utilities included, whereas a room in a shared flat or an entire apartment can cost between 150 and 450 per month. The cost will differ depending on the location, size, flat’s condition, etc. Whatever you choose, it is not very difficult to find a place to stay in Belgrade. Our tip would be to check with the International Office of your institution about possible accommodation options and recommendations. They should be able to help! In the meantime, please check our website to learn more about this topic.

 

How to move around the city?

Although there is no metro, Belgrade has a very good public transit system. You can get from A to B easily. Besides buses, there are plenty of trams and trolleybuses that are well connected. One ride ticket costs 89 RSD and it is valid for 90 minutes. It can be used on all means of public transportation multiple times in a period of 90 minutes. To use the Belgrade’s public transportation, you will first need to buy a “Bus Plus” card and then to top it with money at one of many newsstands in the city. The Bus Plus card is valid for 3 years. It is good to remember that a ticket needs to be validated after entering a vehicle. Just hold your Bus Plus card against the reader until you get the verification and voila, you are done!

Students can also ask for a monthly pass for public transportation, which is very reasonably priced: less than 10 EUR a month for an unlimited number of rides on all sorts of public transportation. Affordable, isn’t it? There are also many taxis; however, they are more expensive than a single ride ticket or a monthly pass.

 

Where to go out?

Going out in Belgrade is easy! Belgrade is known as a city that never sleeps. Just a decade ago, Lonely Planet put Belgrade on the top of its list of ultimate party cities in the world. Whether you are into clubbing or more relaxed evenings out, Belgrade will not disappoint you. The student population in Belgrade is large so there are many spots all around the city where students gather and have fun! Besides a great nightlife, Belgrade also hosts many music and film festivals. FEST is an annual international film festival that is being held in Belgrade since 1971. The capital is also full of cinemas, restaurants, tavernas, and cafes. There is something for everyone!

Please check out our previous blogs and contact Study in Serbia via email, Facebook and Instagram if you have any questions. We are happy to help!