I just counted - this is the 4th country I have been living in and I have never moved from Belgrade. It’s nothing, really: my grandmother has lived in 7. What we have here is just an interesting side effect that living in the Balkans has on your passport.
Out of all those countries, one of them has slowly and steadily become a cult favorite: Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, or just- Yugoslavia. A unique social experiment, the country between two opposing political blocks that offered the best of both worlds: freedoms of the West and the careless safety and comforts of socialism. In the collective mind, it is a sort of Instagram-filtered version of Utopia, so close, yet almost too incredible to ever be real.
For me, a 60s design freak, it is, most of all, the country of inexhaustible aesthetic thrills: from cars, to fashion, to everyday objects. And imagine how much I hyperventilated in Yugodom: an apartment you can rent for your stay in Belgrade where everything is “made in Yugoslavia"- from the furniture, to every little detail, including the authentic movie posters on the walls and mini Yugoslav beauty cabinet exhibited in the bathroom. Basically, the front door is a portal that takes you directly back in time.
This is clearly a case of me envying you for being tourists in my city and having a chance to stay somewhere really interesting. Like, in a country that you’d otherwise never be able to add to your travel list.
Find your way with 202 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Dorćol platz is my favorite event venue in Belgrade. It's a meeting place for people into cultural & social change. Always something creative here...
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Espresso Bar has one of the best coffees in town and I don't know if the guys working there have some secret hidden DJ, but the music is always on point.
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It is a roastery so you can also buy single-origin coffee if you like. My favorite tasty snacks here are raw cakes made of oats and fruit.
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This is a self-service, non-smoking place where you can get very nice, high-quality coffee. They also serve breakfast, and have amazing carrot cake!
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When it comes to the music, you can hear the best jazz, funk, and soul bands from Belgrade and Serbia here. And the energy is always great!
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"Sač" in Belgrade's Zemun is a restaurant known for its veal and lamb baked 'pod sačom' which makes them absolutely delicious. Curious location, too...
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"Fijuk Sajam" in Belgrade is the place to be and see on the first Friday of each month -- here you can find just about anything creative under the sun...
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Intergalactic Diner in Belgrade is like a restaurant from the '60s US Midwest. You can order a Comet Dog, a Deep Space Chick or Cosmic Pancakes there...
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VegANGELov in Belgrade serves creative, plant-based dishes inspired by global flavors. Tasty mushroom dishes, seasonal ingredients and magical desserts await.
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CikloBar is Belgrade’s first vélo café. It offers coffee, smoothies, bike workshops, meetups and community events. Enjoy all this in a Yugoslav-era design.
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202 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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