Apr 30, 2025

Rakovica Monastery Belgrade

Spiritual healing

""Rakovica Monastery" is one of the three monasteries of Belgrade and it has a lot to offer. It's very old & I love the benches in its small, peaceful yard."

From the first day I started writing for Spotted by Locals I wanted to write about Rakovica Monastery (but didn’t). Why? Because it is a suburb of Belgrade, because religion is not popular among young people, because its theme is too serious, because I wasn't courageous enough. But let’s ask ourselves, no matter our age:

Are all of us 100% certain that we do not believe in Good? Is western-type hedonism the only true philosophy of life? Shouldn't we all have a spiritual and a mental side of our personality?

If the Temples of Kyoto see over 50 millions people yearly (and hopefully I will be one of them in the year to come), I strongly believe that our Rakovica Monastery, as one of Belgrade's three monasteries, has a lot to offer our visitors.  

A few facts about the monastery: it was built during the rule of the famous Duke (Prince) Lazar Hrebeljanović in the 14th century. The late head of our Orthodox Church, Patriarch Pavle, is buried in Rakovca Monastery -- it was his last wish. He was a great man, very humble and intelligent and he loved people as much as he loved God.

This is a woman’s monastery and there is a shop where you can buy beads, small icons and candles for your beloved ones, alive & dead. It has a beautiful small church with relatively new fresco paintings. Sitting on the bench in the small but very nice yard, you'll find here peace and the strength to go on.

Amsterdam
Antwerp
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Patrijarha Dimitrija 34

RSD

free

Find your way with 199 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Belgrade guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Belgrade

Supermat

The Era Milivojević chess mural

Milivojević considered this moment to be as important as the first human incursion into space and decided to repeat the game using his usual medium - tape.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Maša

Seničić

Jun 23, 2025

Zdravac

The creamiest nut butters

In the back is where all the nut butters are being made, in-house and from the finest ingredients: hazelnuts, peanuts, coconuts and cashews.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Maša

Seničić

Jun 23, 2025

Stovarište materijala

Once a warehouse

I usually opt for uštipci, doughnut-like sour dough pastry you can order either with cheese/ham or with jam/cream on the side.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Maša

Seničić

Jun 23, 2025

Footnote

Centre for Image and Text

Footnote Centre for Image and Text is an artist-run community space, binding together audio-visual & textual practices through a transdisciplinary program.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Maša

Seničić

Jun 23, 2025

Belgrade Night Market

Farmers' market clubbing

"Belgrade Night Market" takes place every month or two, always on Fridays. The idea is to revive traditional green markets while providing entertainment...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Anđa

Savić

Jun 23, 2025

Brodić

A Riverside Classic®

"Brodić" is a Belgrade classic, a riverside cafe-bar that's been around for more than 20 years. It's the epitome of low-profile, tranquil place to chill...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Dušan

Lopušina

Jun 21, 2025

Tuk Tuk

Thai nourishing kick in Vračar

"Tuk Tuk" in Belgrade is riding the wave of new South-East Asian restaurants in the city. If you're hungry for some good Thai, look no further...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Dušan

Lopušina

Jun 19, 2025

Galerija čokolade Premier

Chocolate factory

"Galerija čokolade Premier" in Belgrade is owned by people who really try hard to please chocolate lovers. My favourite is the milk chocolate raspberries.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Vladimir

Dulović

Jun 19, 2025

Stari šlep

A comfy hideout on the water

"Stari šlep" is the perfect restaurant for the summer days/daze in Belgrade. Its name means 'the old barge' - I'd recommend a fish soup and salad here.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Dušan

Lopušina

Jun 16, 2025

Radecki Club/restaurant

Village within a city

"Radecki club/restaurant" on Belgrade's Zemun quay: a true local oasis - no espresso here, just plain good old 'domestic' Turkish coffee. Lots to see here.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Dušan

Lopušina

Jun 16, 2025

Vanilica

Straight outta the oven

"Vanilica" in Belgrade doesn't have a vast offer of pastries - it's a small, unassuming, family-run bakery that I just love for the cakes and gibanica...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Dušan

Lopušina

Jun 16, 2025

Balkan Ekspres restaurant

Train on the hilltop

"Balkan Ekspres restaurant" is in Belgrade's Zemun, a city of its own. This place is worth visiting if only just for the views from inside the train car...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Dušan

Lopušina

Jun 16, 2025

Heading to Belgrade?

199 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Belgrade?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

199 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Belgrade

Get to know our other Spotters from Belgrade

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
52
Filters