Romantic Getaways From Belgrade: Wine and Cobbles
Romantic Getaways From Belgrade: Wine and Cobbles
Pour a glass of Bermet, the spiced dessert wine of Sremski Karlovci, and the reason couples slip out of Belgrade for a day becomes obvious. Belgrade itself is a fine city for a long weekend, and a short train or car ride north adds a wine country day to it.
Cobbles and linden trees at Kosančićev Venac
Start in Belgrade’s oldest preserved quarter, a lane of cobblestones lined with linden trees above the Sava. Princess Ljubica’s Residence (Konak kneginje Ljubice, 1831) keeps its period interiors, and the baroque Cathedral Church of Saint Michael the Archangel stands close by. Stop at the ‘?’ Kafana (Znak Pitanja), opened in 1823, for a coffee. It is the oldest tavern in the city, and the story of its odd name is part of the charm.
A kafana dinner in Skadarlija
In the evening walk to Skadarlija, the 19th-century bohemian street. Tri Šešira (Skadarska 29) and Dva Jelena (Skadarska 32) have old-style music from roving string bands, a meze platter of pršuta, kajmak and urnebes, and grilled meats. Allow roughly 3,000 to 4,500 RSD per person (about €25 to €40), and reserve a table for weekends.
A wine day in Sremski Karlovci
Sremski Karlovci is a baroque town in the Fruška Gora foothills, about an hour or more from Belgrade, depending on the route and the traffic. The Soko train runs to Novi Sad in about 40 minutes to an hour (check srbijavoz.rs for times; fares are roughly 550 to 680 RSD), and from there it is a short ride on to the wine town. With a car you can add stops in the hills at your own pace.
Boutique family cellars here, including Vinarija Kiš and Bajilo, pour Bermet, which is flavoured with more than 20 herbs and spices, and crisp Grašac. Book a cellar tasting ahead and confirm opening days directly with the winery, since small producers keep their own schedules. For an organised outing, compare wine tours near Belgrade on GetYourGuide .
Fruška Gora is known for its medieval monasteries, and many couples add a night in Vrdnik, a spa town on the mountain’s edge, to stretch the escape. Rooms vary widely, so check rates on Booking.com .
Sunset to finish
Back in Belgrade, walk up to the Pobednik viewpoint in Kalemegdan. The park is free and open day and night, and the light over the Sava and Danube is the city’s best free show. The fortress authority lists museum hours at beogradskatvrdjava.rs .
Practical points
Buses, trams and trolleybuses in Belgrade are free. Demonstrations happen in Belgrade and can escalate quickly, so keep away from protest areas. Cash dinars help in small cellars and old taverns, while hotels and larger restaurants take cards.
For a fuller plan, see the 2-day Belgrade itinerary or the activities page .
Tip: book the wine day for a weekday, take a morning Soko train, and keep Saturday evening in Skadarlija for the kafana dinner.