Things to do in Gjilan

Bo Bowling Gjilan

No. 16 of Best Things to Do in Serbia

The National Library of Kosovo "Pjetër Bogdani"

The National Library of Kosovo "Pjetër Bogdani" is located in the center of Pristina and is named after the 17th-century Albanian writer Pjetër Bogdani. The library houses nearly 2 million items, including books, newspapers, periodicals, maps, and photographs, as well as Albanian manuscripts written in Latin, Greek, and Arabic, and ancient books and archives such as a 16th-century Latin biography of Skanderbeg. It serves as an important window into the history and cultural context of this land. What truly makes this library famous is its exterior, designed by Croatian architect Andrija Mutnjaković: 99 domes of varying sizes undulate across the roof, and the entire building is wrapped in a fishing net-like metal mesh, blending Byzantine and Ottoman architectural elements. Its appearance has long been the subject of "love it or hate it" debates, but it has also become a highly recognizable landmark in Pristina. The interior is a different story: the lobby floor is made of multi-colored marble mosaics, and the high-ceilinged space beneath the giant domes is filled with light. Various reading rooms, a periodical reading room, and tiered lecture halls are distributed across the floors, and the lobby is often used for cultural events such as exhibitions. When visiting, you can walk around the perimeter of the building to photograph the interplay between the domes and the metal mesh from different angles, then head into the lobby to experience the natural light beneath the domes.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Serbia

Belgrade Fortress

Belgrade Fortress stands on a hill at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube River and is the heart of the city's history. The history of the fortress dates back to the Roman period, and since then, the Byzantines, Ottomans, and Austrians have successively built and fortified it. The layers of walls and towers bear the marks of different civilizations—the Upper Town preserves foundation ruins from the Roman period, the clock tower built by the Ottomans still stands today, and the fortifications reinforced during the Austrian period are also clearly visible. The fortress is divided into the Upper Town and the Lower Town, with Kalemegdan on its perimeter, where statues of Serbian writers and poets are scattered along the walking paths. In the evening, the sunset turns the confluence of the Sava and the Danube River a golden red. Standing on the fortress walls, you can take in the skylines of both banks, and the sunset view is particularly stunning.

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Serbia

Kalemegdan

Kalemegdan is located in the center of Belgrade, occupying a strategic height at the confluence of the Danube River and the Sava. It is an important park in Belgrade and one of the city's core historical landmarks. The park is integrated with Belgrade Fortress, and the fortifications in the core area are layered—ranging from Roman military camp ruins and Byzantine-era renovations to Ottoman-era gates and towers, as well as Austrian-era fortress reinforcements—almost condensing over 2,000 years of military and political changes in the Balkan Peninsula. Walking along the rampart paths, you can see the Victor statue standing in the Upper Town of the fortress and an observation deck with expansive views, where the Sava flows into the Danube River, offering unobstructed views of Great War Island in the distance and the city skyline along the riverbanks. The park also features a military museum, with an outdoor exhibition of historical equipment such as tanks and artillery, creating a unique contrast with the ancient fortress walls. The park's green spaces are also worth a visit, with tree-lined paths, lawns, and benches scattered among the walls and flower beds, making it a place for local residents to take daily walks and relax. In summer, the park often hosts open-air concerts and cultural performances, adding a touch of contemporary urban life to this ancient space.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Central Serbia

Drvengrad

Drvengrad is located near Mokra Gora in the Zlatibor region of western Serbia and is a traditional wooden village built by director Emir Kusturica for the filming of "Life Is a Miracle." The village's buildings are almost entirely constructed of wood, and everything from the houses and churches to the street facilities reflects a rich Balkan folk style. The streets in the village are named after figures admired by Kusturica—names such as Nikola Tesla, Fellini, Bergman, and Maradona appear on street signs, while the main street is named after Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić. In the center of the village stands the Saint Sava Orthodox Church, surrounded by facilities such as a cinema named after Stanley Kubrick, the Ivo Andrić Library, an art gallery, a sports hall, restaurants, and a cake shop. The village is built into the mountainside and is surrounded by open fields and rolling mountains. The wooden architecture blends seamlessly with the natural environment, while the sculptures and flowers scattered throughout add a fairytale-like atmosphere.

Parku i Qytetit

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Serbia

Church of Saint Sava

Church of Saint Sava is located on the Vračar Plateau in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world and a landmark of Belgrade. The church was built on the site where the remains of Saint Sava were burned—after the Serbian uprising in 1594, the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire ordered the remains of the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church and patron saint of the nation to be transported from Mileševa Monastery to Belgrade and burned in public. The church was built to commemorate him. The church features a Serbian-Byzantine Revival style, with striking white marble exterior walls. The central dome is towering and covered with a green copper roof, topped with a gilded cross, making it visible from many corners of Belgrade. The interior of the church is spacious, and the area beneath the main dome is covered with a massive golden mosaic, centered on the image of Christ Pantocrator, which was completed by several Serbian and Russian artists over many years. Standing beneath it and looking up, the golden tones fill the entire view of the dome. The crypt is another major highlight of the visit. This underground hall is decorated in a Byzantine style, with gold as the dominant tone throughout, densely covered with murals and mosaics depicting apostles, martyrs, and saints. The floor is paved with marble marquetry, and some of the inlaid windows use Italian Murano glass. The underground space houses the Chapel of Saint Lazar, where the murals tell the historical stories of medieval Serbia. The church is not only a place of religious worship but also carries the spiritual memory of the Serbian nation. During major religious holidays, a large number of believers gather here from all over to participate in ceremonies.

Gračanica Monastery

Gracanica Monastery is an Orthodox monument built in the early 14th century, and the frescoes of that period are still preserved in the courtyard.

No. 4 of Night Attractions in Serbia

Zemun

Zemun is located in the northwest of Belgrade on the right bank of the Danube River. It was once a frontier town independent of Belgrade and was only incorporated into the city in 1934. Because it was long under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it retains a strong Central European character—cobblestone paths, low-rise terraced houses, and Baroque church facades, which form a sharp contrast with the Ottoman atmosphere of the old town. The Millennium Tower on Gardoš Hill, the highest point in the district, is the landmark of Zemun. Built in 1896 to commemorate the millennium of Hungarian settlement, climbing to the top offers a view of the winding Danube River and most of Belgrade on the opposite bank. Walking down the slope from the tower into the old town, you will find 18th- and 19th-century residences on both sides of the narrow alleys. TheChurch of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Maryand an Orthodox church are not far apart, with buildings of both faiths standing side by side. The Zemun Quay along the Danube River is a favorite walking area for locals, lined with cafes and boat restaurants, where swans swim in groups. The nearby Zemun Green Market is one of the traditional markets in Belgrade, with stalls filled with local fruits, vegetables, honey, and homemade pastries. The entire area has a relaxed pace, contrasting with the hustle and bustle of the city center, making it perfect for taking your time to walk and explore.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Serbia

Kneza Mihaila

Kneza Mihaila is the main pedestrian shopping street in the center of Belgrade, with a total length of approx. 1 km. One end connects to Republic Square, and the other leads directly to Kalemegdan and the Belgrade Fortress. After walking the length of the street, you can continue up the riverside hill to overlook the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The street is named after the Serbian Prince Mihailo Obrenović, and his equestrian statue on Republic Square remains a landmark where locals meet to this day. Many mansions built in the late 19th century have been preserved along the street; influential wealthy merchant families of the time bought properties here, and these old buildings now form a charming urban landscape in the Old Town. The entire street is lined with various shops, outdoor cafes, galleries, second-hand bookstores, and antique shops, with street performers and handicraft stalls found everywhere. It is recommended to start from the Republic Square side and take a leisurely stroll to Kalemegdan. Along the way, keep an eye out for the historic building housing the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and if you get tired, there are cafes everywhere to take a break.