There’s a peaceful & serene place in Belgrade where all these people planted a tree as a symbol of peace: Gandhi, Gorbachev, Nixon, U Nu, Castro, Queen Elizabeth II, Gaddafi, Mugabe, Haile Selassie, Carter, Brezhnev, Ceaușescu, Brandt, Nehru, Mitterrand, Kim II Sung...
The place is called Friendship Park and has a total of some 200 trees. Located in New Belgrade, near the banks of Danube, it was formed in 1961, ahead of the 1st Non-Aligned Movement Summit. Its attendees planted planetrees, chosen for their longevity, depicting the idea of lasting world peace.
To this day, the Non-Aligned Movement is a group of around 120 countries not formally aligned with any major power, with a firm anti-colonial stance.
So, one can say that this unique park truly relates to the world in its own manner. It actually is an out-of-this-world feeling when you see trees planted by outright dictators next to royals next to leaders of major powers... Each name a story & a symbol and a history.
And then you take a moment to process your thoughts, sit in the shade of a tree planted by e.g. Mohammed Khan, a royal who has established a republic in Afghanistan... just one of 200 stories of this park.
This place continues to amaze me. To me, it tells the most about the slightly complex history of a country in which I grew up. So you can drop by and find out more about how it feels for you. Or just sit back and enjoy its peacefulness and serenity.
Bulevar Nikole Tesle
RSD
free
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.
by
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.
by
Apart from coffee, Veza offers tasty vegan food, from vegan scrambled eggs to avocado toasts, fried vegetables to an assortment of hummuses and tofu.
by
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!
by
My favorites are black sesame and pistachio, but the options are plentiful. They offer traditional fillings like black bean, as well as fruity options.
by
Zaokret serves simple yet flavorful dishes, such as eggs prepared in different styles, oatmeals, and some slightly more exotic choices like shakshuka.
by
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.
by
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.
by
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!
by
Tucked in a YU-era complex, visit Utočište with its wondeful people, social impact and Sicilian sweets, — an unexpected gem in New Belgrade.
by
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.
by
200 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 200 Insider Tips