Tag: Belgrade

Like many Balkan states, Serbia is in its infancy as a tourism destination but it’s slowly making its way onto more people’s radar. In 2023, it saw its biggest growth in tourism yet, helped in part by budget flights to Belgrade, the capital. With that being said, we thought we’d help you get to know Serbia better with a bit of trivia. For instance, did you know it has a desert? Or that rakija isn’t just for drinking? Read on for more interesting facts about Serbia. 1. Belgrade is very, very old Belgrade (aka Beograd, meaning 'white city') is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, dating back to at least 5700 BC when the Vinča culture, one of Europe’s largest and oldest prehistoric cultures, evolved there. Due to its location on the rivers Sava and Danube, Belgrade has seen its fair share of unwanted visitors over the centuries and it has been bombed and rebuilt many times. At the Belgrade fortress, you will literally see layers of history in the stone walls where the Romans, Ottomans and Austro-Hungarians have each rebuilt parts of the structure. 2. Most of Serbia’s history took shape in kafanas Kafanas (bistros) were around before London invented tea rooms or Paris invented cafes. From the first constitution and parliament sitting to sports clubs and theatre productions, kafanas are the cradle of Serbian culture and politics - and have been since the very first one opened in the 16th century. On Skadarlija, Belgrade’s bohemian quarter, stand two of the city’s oldest operating kafanas - Dva jelena (Two Deers) or Tri šešira (Three Hats), which was first opened 150 years ago. Despite them becoming a tourist attraction, a large proportion of the clientele are locals and you can be sure to still find that authentic Serbian