Spending your Easter in Belgrade? You made a good decision. This year the Orthodox Easter shares the date with the Western Christian Easter, so you’re not missing on the festive atmosphere either way. Read up on things to do to celebrate your Easter in Belgrade.
Visit farmers market on Easter Saturday
The spring season at its fullest, the colors of spring onions and pink radish at their brightest, the goat cheese at its tastiest. Everything is brimming with life! The festive atmosphere of the end of the lent and winter, spring revival, abundance on the stalls and in the hearts.
This is the single best day to visit the farmers market, if you get there early, around 8 or 9.
The butchers and rotisseries and grills work full steam, for the most tender of meat and crunchiest of rind on the Easter Sunday dining tables.
The colored eggs add to this burst, aimed for those busy moms and wives who simply couldn’t squeeze in coloring. Use the opportunity and get yours for the Easter egg fight!
If you’d like to explore food traditions and best bites, take a farmers market food tasting tour with a local from the neighbourhood.
Shop unique gifts from unique people in Belgrade
If you’re into slowly indulging in local creative offer, you’ll enjoy hunting for traditional vintage objects or personal style in fashion.
For rugs or kilims, head to Dub and talk to the shop owner, to discover his personal favorites and the provenance stories.
He’s been in business since 1988, so you’re in for a treat.
If you’re looking for something traditional yet made now, with equal mastery, like embroidered tops, skirts or accessories, visit Opančareva kći. Don’t miss cake and coffee next door, at Fini, imagined and baked by fine artist Ivana.
If you’d like to be accompanied by a local enthusiast, book a tour of concept and local designer stores in Belgrade.
Attend Easter Sunday Bogosluženje – Orthodox Holy Mass
Whatever your relationship with God, attending an orthodox service is an immersive experience you wouldn’t want to miss. The Easter Service is the single most important service of the year.
The ultimate meaning is that of communing with Christ through bread and wine.
The Easter Service marks the triumph of faith and resurrection and the end of the period of lent. That’s the period whose beginning in the West is marked by festivities such as Venice and Rio carnivals or Mardi Gras.
At the Service, the incense, the chanting, the mosaics, the candlelight over frescoes and icons, the sensation of devotion and belonging, make the entire experience unique and immersive.
It starts at 9am on Easter Sunday. Join at Belgrade Cathedral or any other church.
If you get inspired to discover more, book a private tour of orthodox icons led by an art historian.
Egg fight with the locals
If you missed to pick your colored eggs at the farmers market, your hosts or hotel will give you some.
For the best chance of finding enthusiastic rivals to tap eggs with, head to Terazije Square or Skadarlija, with its string of pubs.
Eat roast or sač
Easter Sunday is the time to eat roast, pork, lamb or veal, in Belgrade. Or near by, if you don’t mind a ride.
Our personal favorites include Stari Bunar, Stara srpska kuća and Uzelac at Belgrade Hippodrome.
Walk, run, hike, cycle, kayak
Belgrade parks and forests, its two rivers Sava and Danube and lake Ada, with pebble beach, offer many opportunities to move and soak in greenery.
Sunday afternoon and Monday morning are quite sure to pass without crowds.
Sunset kayaking around river island is certain to be unforgettable, as you can see the entire city from the river and enjoy the nature at the same time.
Morning runs, walks, cycling and inline skating feel great at Ada, along a 8km route circling the lake, and along the river banks in New Belgrade and Zemun. At Ada you can rent bicycles and inline skates.
If you like hiking or rounding in the woods, head for Košutnjak or Zvezdarska šuma. As their altitude is higher than the rest of the city, be ready for chillier air and great views. They’re also great picnic spots, so consider stuffing your picnic baskets on Saturday.
Whatever you choose to do, we wish you Happy Easter – Hristos voskrese!