SITES & LANDMARKS IN BELGRADE

Discover the best attractions in Belgrade including Kalemegdan Citadel, Museum of Yugoslavia, Marshal Tito's Mausoleum.

Palace in Belgrade - Commissioned between the two world wars by soon-to-be-assassinated King Alexander I of Yugoslavia, the Royal and White Palaces in Belgrade's exclusive Dedinje neighbourhood were residences of King Peter II and used by the communist regime after WWII. Today they are home to the descendants of the Karađorđević dynasty and can be visited only by guided tour. The two-hour tour (book through the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade) leaves from Nikola Pašić Square every weekend from April through October; the price includes return bus transport.

Tower Avala - Looming over Belgrade and topped with the tallest tower in the Balkans (204.5m), Mt Avala is a city landmark that makes for a pleasant break from the capital's bustling streets. The broadcasting tower (400DIN) offers picture-perfect panoramas over Belgrade and beyond from viewing platforms and a cafe. Nearby, the Monument to the Unknown Hero by Ivan Meštrović honours Serbian victims of WWI.

Sveti Sava Temple - Sveti Sava is the Balkans' biggest (and the world's second biggest) Orthodox church, a fact made entirely obvious when looking at the city skyline from a distance or standing under its dome. The church is built on the site where the Turks apparently burnt relics of St Sava. Work on the church interior (frequently interrupted by wars) continues today.

Palace of Princess Ljubica - This preserved Oriental-style palace was built in 1831 for the wife of Prince Miloš. Take coffee with 'the princess' (400DIN, in Serbian) each Friday at 5pm and Saturday at 11am as she leads you through privileged 19th-century life in an hour-long performance; to see it in English (700DIN), contact the museum in advance.

Gardoš Tower - This splendid brick tower (1896) has been renovated to house a gallery, which hosts regular exhibitions. The views from the top, especially at sunset, are breathtaking. Somewhat confusingly, it's also known as the Millennium Tower.

Roman Well - The daring can peek down this mysterious 60m-deep hole (actually more a cistern than a well). Of dubious origin and shrouded in horrifying legends, the pit is so eerie that it apparently creeped out Alfred Hitchcock!

Bajrakli Mosque - The last remaining – and functioning – mosque (džamija) in Belgrade was built around 1575. As with visiting any working religious building, be sure to dress modestly.

source:lonelyplanet.com