The locals†favourite recreational park is also home to monuments, museums, sports facilities and Belgrade Zoo. It seems like a nice place to chillax on the bench and enjoy a peaceful stroll. Or maybe for a game of table tennis like these Serbian youths.

Else it’s also good to take some time to admire the sculptures around the green city park while your body gets recharged with negative ions.

Exploring Belgrade fortress

The strategic location of Kalemegdan on a hill overlooking the confluence of Danube and Sava rivers, making it a vital stronghold for defensive purposes. Therefore, ruling empires of the Balkan region in the past have seen this important ground being fortified and destroyed multiple times before what is left standing today.

The ruins of Belgrade fortress is now an oasis of peace inside the expansive green park.

I entered the fortress via Stambol Gate and behind it was the display of military cannons, tanks, and anti-aircraft guns.

One of the famous landmarks here is the statue of Victor which was erected to commemorate Serbiaâ€s war victories. The statue holds a sword and a falcon, looking at the rivers and beyond.

This important monument was originally placed on Terazije square and was shifted here due to the complaints about the statueâ€s nudity.

Upper Town of Belgrade Fortress

Itâ€s crystal clear about why the Upper Town of Belgrade Fortress was heavily contested in the past when I stood at the plateau. The commanding view would have added advantage to any defensive sides as a result.

Hence, how I wish I could stay for the sunset…just look at these views!!

I probably only managed to cover a small part of the upper town in the vast Belgrade fortress.

My tired legs gave a warning when I thought of exploring the lower town LOL.

Therefore, I slowly made my way back to Restoran Romanija to have a hearty and delicious dinner before my train to Podgorica. The same waiter I met this morning recommended me a set dinner menu for me,

And I must say that the food here is very affordable as compared to Western Europe.

Unique place, good food, nice people, thatâ€s Belgrade for me and I will certainly be back here in future.

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Then thereâ€s the famous uniquely designed Hotel Moskva or simple Hotel Moscow.

And the famous Nikola Pasic Square.

In addition, this unknown building which looks rather different from the rest.

The walk along Knez Mihailova

Knez Mihailova Street or Prince Mihailo Street is regarded as a landmark with great cultural importance in Belgrade. The lively street is probably one good place to feel the cityâ€s pulse. Maybe also just people watch or laze at one of the many cafés.

Furthermore, the shopping scene is rather vibrant. Local brands in additional of the international ones. Well-knowns like Gant, Tommy Hilfiger, United Colors of Benetton, Adidas, Gap, Replay, Zara, Mango, Miss Sixty, Bally etc. Seems like quite a lot of choices to choose from right? And the coffee culture seems deeply rooted with tons of cafes to choose from. Hence, the thriving atmosphere makes me wonder why Belgrade is not on most peopleâ€s travel destination list yet.

Maybe its dubious reputation as a result of what happened in the past remains a stumbling block for would-be tourists. Hence, the city is still very much under the radar. Almost like how I always get the same funny look while mentioning my visit to Belgrade. And even the friendly locals were equally puzzled about my visit. Itâ€s probably uncommon to see an Asian walking around with a DSLR, that’s maybe the reason why I got weird stares.

And you know itâ€s not a touristy place when there isn’t any other Asians around while I wander. There are also no haggling street-sellers here.

“Why you come here? Thereâ€s nothing in Belgrade to see. And whereâ€s Sing-gar-por?” The question from the diehard FK Partizan bookshop owner.

He is probably very pleased after I bought a notebook of his favourite football team. And maybe that’s why he went on happily about the Football Clubâ€s history while taking swipe at FK Red Star. But I have no idea about the mentioned players since I don’t follow Belgrade football.

Belgradeâ€s way of mobile advertisement along Knez Mihailova.

I spotted an art exhibition while strolling along the street. There are some very nice pieces of artwork and almost all are war-related.

And how can I not have a cup of coffee here in Knez Mihailova? So I settled down in a cafe for a cup of warm beverage to perk up while I people watch. I probably drank more coffee in the last few days than the past few years combined LOL.

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