Serbia Uncovered: From Novi Sad’s Calm to Belgrade’s Buzz
An evening in Rhapsody District provided for an authentic experience. My local friend and I reunited after meeting travelling abroad a year earlier. A miscommunication error by WhatsApp almost made this not happen entirely — but thankfully, I realized the 24-hour clock differs from the 12-hour clock just in time to meet my contact as planned.
Journey to Serbia
My mom and I departed Hungary with Terra Travels to begin our journey to Serbia. Along the way, we made several stops to pick up passengers, including a local named Christian who lived in Novi Sad—our first destination. Christian shared some recommendations on what to see in Novi Sad and across Serbia. He even helped translate food labels written in Serbian Cyrillic, which resembles Russian. The trip was long, yet relaxed and taught me that sharing a ride with strangers while travelling can always be fun and offer value to the trip, sometimes leading to unexpected connections.
Novi Sad: A Relaxed Introduction to Serbia
Arriving in Novi Sad, the vibe felt dark and grim. Later, a local friend suggested we visit Plava Frajla, an authentic Serbian restaurant. The atmosphere had energy with loud music and I observed that it is common in Serbia for people to smoke inside cafes, bars and restaurants.
There was a moment where the service was slow and I stood up to get the waiter’s attention, whom approached me with a firm stand-off look as in telling me to get back in line. I learned the hard way that patience is key here! Dinner was worth the wait: a hearty Serbian goulash with mashed potatoes, followed by a cappuccino for dessert.
The next morning brought sunshine and a fresh start. During breakfast, I met a woman named Vese, who would later meet us again in Dubrovnik. A walk to Patrovardin Fortress, was the highlight attraction in Novi Sad. Situated next to the Danube River, the medieval vibe reminded me of other European cities steeped in history.
After a wood-fired pizza lunch in the Old Town, we visited the Novi Sad Synagogue and strolled through the neighborhoods. Novi Sad feels calm and compact—perfect for first-time travellers seeking a slower pace. We ended our time in Novi Sad at a fancy restaurant, Masha (Mawa) Restaurant Cafe, and tasted traditional Serbian Cevapi, a kebab beef like dish with rice, pita and sour cream.
Belgrade: The Hidden Gem of Europe
The next leg of our trip took us by train to Belgrade, Europe’s underrated capital and a true hidden gem. My first impressions were mesmerizing—historic European architecture, lively streets, and a mix of modern cafés, restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. Once the former capital of Yugoslavia, now Belgrade is amongst Europe’s more intriguing destinations and is ideal for travellers who are looking to avoid the mass tourist crowds of Paris, Barcelona and Amsterdam.
After checking into our hotel, my mom and I got our steps in and walked around 15 minutes to Kalemegdan Park to visit the Belgrade Fortress. We stopped for Turkish coffee before walking back to the hotel to meet my local Serbian friend, Nina, whom I’d met travelling in Cappadocia, Turkey a year earlier. Hospitable and full of local knowledge, Nina took us through Old Belgrade’s Bohemian District, where we enjoyed another delicious Serbian meal—this time featuring tender lamb stew.
The following day, we crossed the Danube River into New Belgrade and discovered the charming Zemun District. We climbed up the Gardos Tower and took in the views of Belgrade before unwinding with an afternoon cappuccino. With its colorful buildings, riverside charm, and relaxed vibe, Zemun might just be Europe’s most underrated neighborhood.
Looking Ahead
One major attraction in Belgrade for travellers to visit is the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. Unfortunately, due to lots of walking across the Zemun district and feeling exhausted prior to leaving for our journey to Bosnia, my mom and I did not have the chance to visit this cathedral. Will I return to Belgrade one day to see Saint Sava? Absolutely—it’s already at the top of my list for my next Serbian adventure.
