GOING FOR A SONG

 

BELGRADE’S ONE OF EUROPE’S COOLEST AND CHEAPEST PARTY TOWNS – AND IT’S HOSTING THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST ON SATURDAY. BUT DON’T LET THAT PUT YOU OFF

By Laura Dixon

 

BY DAY

The average temperature here in May is a balmy 23°C, so while you’re waiting to party, you can hit the beach. Although Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, is around 600 miles from the nearest seaside (in neighbouring Montenegro), Ada Ciganlia island in the Sava river is the perfect fix. There’s a pebbly beach, a safe swimming area and a bungee jump platform set up above the water.

While you’re out and about, don’t miss Kalemegdan Fortress either. The ancient stone remains date back to the 3rd century, and even if you’re not interested in the history, entry is free and the park’s setting – overlooking the Sava and Danube rivers – is beautiful.

If you fancy some culture, check out Tito’s mausoleum, hidden in the hills. A memorial to Serbia’s former dictator, the museum is full of bonkers gifts Tito received from fellow world leaders, from daggers and Japanese hari-kiri knives to a full witch doctor costume from Bolivia. Entry here is free too.

 

BY NIGHT

Start with dinner in the bohemian quarter of Skadarlija. It’s lined with classic Serbian restaurants, including Sesir Moj, where you’ll be greeted by strolling minstrels on arrival.

Prepare yourself for mustachioed waiters, strong Serbian coffee, plenty of meat, and a bill amounting to no more than £20 per person. Oh, and expect lots of smoking – it’s not yet banned in Serbia. Next up is drinks on Strahinjica Bana, aka Silicon Valley. No, it’s not the city’s technology

capital, it’s an area of trendy bars favoured by sharp-suited drinkers and buxom, silicon-enhanced women, hence the name.

Hunter Bar, with elk antlers on the wall, is just the place for the Eurovision contestants to sip cocktails after the scores are in.

Or you could try trendy Pastis, an unassuming and popular French-style bar/bistro. Serbian beer, called Lasko Pivo, is £1.20 a pint, but be warned – it’s strong.

That should keep you busy until 11pm, when things really get started. Clubs are open until the early hours all week. It costs around £3.60 to get in at funky club The Tube. If you’re feeling daring, try Black Panthers just outside the city. It’s a crazy kind of gypsy party with a mad atmosphere. A taxi there won’t cost more than £2.

Another must-try on the river are the floating barges, or splavs, which house clubs and bars playing anything from rock and pop to Serbia’s new thing, turbofolk (a mix of Serbian folk songs and euro pop). It’s frowned upon by traditionalists, but adored by young people. A bit like Eurovision, then…

 

Photography: Getty images, Wenn, Rex, Bigpicturesphoto.com, Lancton, Kent News and Pictures. All prices correct at time of going to press.

CLICK FOR MORE TRAVEL FEATURES

AUG 31 THE FULL MONTENEGRO

AUG 24 WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT

AUG 17 STYLE KAPITAL

AUG 10 HAPPY MONDAYS

AUG 3 24-HOUR PARTY PLACES

JULY THE RHODES LESS TRAVELLED, BABE IN THE WOODS, PARADISE FOUND, GREETINGS FROM GLAMSTERDAM

JUNE WELSH RARE BITS, CHIC AND CHEERFUL, MIAMI NICE, SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER

MAY RETURN TO OZ!, GOING FOR A SONG, GET CARRIE-D AWAY, SUNSET STRIP

APRIL KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES, SOME LIKE IT HOT, 7 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE, TOTALLY TAN-FAST-IC TRIPS

MARCH GO IT ALONE, GIRL, BLING & BUY IN DUBAI, BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS, COOL CRUISES, FLIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION

FEB GIRL'S GUIDE TO SKIING, ALT GIRLIE WEEKENDS, 'MAGNIFICANT 7', GET A ROOM