WE all love a city break, but heading to the main European capitals can give your bank balance a battering.
The Serbian capital of Belgrade offers all the history and grandeur for a fraction of the price.
With beers or coffees in local cafes from £1.50, meals with wine in a decent restaurant for £15 and hotels from £40 a night, it’s perfect for those tourists looking to expand their city-break horizons without spending a fortune.
WHY SHOULD I GO? One of Europe’s oldest cities, its architecture tells its history from Roman and Ottoman to Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav.
Catch up on its recent history at the Museum of Yugoslavia, home to the tomb of Josip Broz Tito, founder of socialist Yugoslavia. The Belgrade Fortress is free to enter and offers panoramic views of the Danube and Sava rivers.
Elsewhere, the Sava Lake offers water sports, tennis and cycling, with restaurants and bars perched on the shore.
STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? Public transport in Belgrade is free, making it easy to hop on and off the buses and trams. However, walking around the city means you can stop and rest at the traditional kafanas (coffee houses).
The main cobbled street in the city — Skadarlija — is regarded as the city’s “bohemian quarter” and is a great spot to enjoy a drink.
A walking tour of the Red Star Belgrade football stadium is not to be missed, even for those not familiar with the club. Take a walk through the famous tunnel which at 787ft is the longest pre-match walk in Europe.
Fans can get a taste of what the players go through as they are transformed into gladiators with the thumping chants from the stands.
ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? Tara National Park is a four-hour drive from the city for those wanting to escape the hustle.
Lake Perucac offers floating houses that allow guests to wake up on the water and look over to the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The national park has the largest population of brown bears in Serbia.
Also worth a hike is the path up to the viewpoint known as Banjska Stena, soaring above the Drina River.
Kayaking down the river also gives the best views of the worldfamous Drina River House.
The hut, first built by swimmers wanting to rest, is perched on a rock in the middle of the water and has been rebuilt multiple times. It’s definitely an Insta-worthy picture.
WHERE SHOULD I EAT? Belgrade is without doubt a city for meat eaters. For an authentic lunch, head to Drama Cevapi in the heart of Belgrade’s Dorcol district for grilled meat and fresh flatbreads.
The cevapi — minced sausages with a mix of beef, lamb or pork — come in generous portions of five from £3, and flatbreads just 45p. If you fancy a smarter dinner, Iva New Balkan Cuisine shows off traditional Balkan recipes with a stylish twist.
Beef ribs with a celery and apple cream, honey and mustard seed glaze or pork belly with kohlrabi salad, pickled beetroot and crackling will set you back just over £10.
The main cobbled street in the city — Skadarlija — is regarded as the city’s ‘bohemian quarter’ and is a great spot to enjoy a drink
Meanwhile, Restoran Uzelac is a short taxi ride from the city centre where spit-roasted lamb is served by the kilo.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY? There’s a bed for every budget.
The Stari Grad district is best for a central location and the five-star Square Nine is great for those with deep pockets.
The gold-fronted building gives a cool oasis from the busy streets and features a wellness spa with a 59ft swimming pool.
Expect luxury linen and cashmere throws, with rooms from £300 a night. But there are also some fantastic budget options.
Boatel Charlie is set on the Danube. It is a chic barge with contemporary interiors that has rooms from £43 a night.
The neighbourhood of Dorcol is the place to stay to meet the locals, with multiple coffee shops and markets.
GO: Belgrade
GETTING THERE: Fly to Belgrade from Luton with Wizz Air, with fares from £27 one way, and from Heathrow with Air Serbia, with fares from £80 one way. See wizzair.co.uk and airserbia.com.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at Square Nine (squarenine.rs) from £300 a night. Rooms at Boatel Charlie (boatelcharlie.com) from £43 a night. Rooms at Smokvica B&B (smokvica.rs) from £80 a night.