Located in the Zvezdara forest, 248.6 meters above sea level and a few kilometers east of the city center, the Belgrade Astronomical Observatory stands on the highest spot in Belgrade. It was founded in 1887, alongside the Meteorological Observatory, and it represents one of the oldest scientific institutions in Serbia. This is actually a marvelous complex of buildings (its author is Czech architect Jan Dubovi) - some of them are still in use and others are not, but here you can literally walk through the history of science, technology and society.
Apart from the amazing telescope and sunlight, which bathes the Observatory in golden rays and mild shadows, my favorite thing about this place is its library: its wooden and softly colored modernist interior, with so many interesting details, is also offering thousands of books and publications in the field of astronomical and astrophysical research.
The Belgrade Observatory is open for visitors every first Saturday of the month (although it's worth checking, especially during winter): there are usually a few guided tours, of which one is in English, but it's obligatory to announce your visit in advance. Apart from the tour itself, which lasts about an hour, I would recommend you take a long walk around all the objects and through the woods; what's interesting is that there are also houses and buildings where some of the employees of the Observatory still live with their families.
Here I always feel like I'm not only miles, but years away from the crowded city streets.
Find your way with 200 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
An ice cream machine, one plastic chair next to it, a parasol over it, and a really pleasant person serving ice cream. Opt for a large or small portion.
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What I love most about this place is that they provide sauces of varying levels of spiciness so you can adjust the meal to suit your taste and mood.
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Apart from coffee, Veza offers tasty vegan food, from vegan scrambled eggs to avocado toasts, fried vegetables to an assortment of hummuses and tofu.
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This event happens every last Saturday of the month, and it is organized by the cyclist organization called Streets for Cyclists. Join us for a ride!
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My favorites are black sesame and pistachio, but the options are plentiful. They offer traditional fillings like black bean, as well as fruity options.
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Zaokret serves simple yet flavorful dishes, such as eggs prepared in different styles, oatmeals, and some slightly more exotic choices like shakshuka.
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Košutnjak, a woods 20 minutes from the city center by bus, spreads over more than 300 hectares of land and offers many paths and spots to explore.
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I find this park to be great for a walk, as it is close to the river bank, and you can just continue your walk there, enjoying scenic views of the river.
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The portions are big, the prices reasonable, and options diverse. I recommend the rice noodles with tofu and vegetables in a peanut sauce - very tasty!
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Tucked in a YU-era complex, visit Utočište with its wondeful people, social impact and Sicilian sweets, — an unexpected gem in New Belgrade.
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Savana stands out on Zemun Quay with blues, cold beer, and river views — wooden, laid-back, pet-friendly, and blissfully free of turbo folk music.
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