Two Austrians injured in scuffle

As a fellow English person, I can tell you that Belgrade is a safe, developed, interesting and friendly city. A great place to visit.

Your only danger, Ian UK, would be if you started mouthing off pro-independence, pro-Albanian, anti-Serbian opinions to the wrong people at the wrong time. In the same way that you wouldn't go to Edinburgh on a Friday night and start slating the Scottish in a bar, or belittling their history. It's just a case of being tactful.

From my experience Serbians are far more hospitable and welcoming than any other Europeans (including British). People would rather go without themselves than be poor hosts, which is very admirable.

The vast majority of Serbians are really nice people, who have been much maligned and misrepresented in the so-called Western media.

I would definitely go and head to the boat cafes on the banks of the Danube. Or the many clubs which have a great reputation. You'll love it and be really pleasantly surprised.

I've always fancied a long weekend in Belgrade, go site seeing, learn some history, taste the local food and Pilsener Lager etc. All the general stuff a tourist would do in Belgrade. But what I want to know is, how safe is Belgrade for foreign people?

I know that where ever you go in the world, there is always a change of getting in a fight. London, Manchester and Glasgow are all great examples.

Am I right in guessing that these two Austrians where just in the wrong place at the wrong time? and that this is a rarity for tourists? Because I have always wanted to see Belgrade.

Ian, believe me, safer than zurich and geneva! I've been in Bg on and off for the last 7 years and never had any problems in any places/club I visited! Of course if u'r planing 2 get to close to a girl with her boyfriend next, u might run into trouble...Like anywhere in the world as long as u behave as a 'normal' person, no reason to have any problems!

Am I right in guessing that these two Austrians where just in the wrong place at the wrong time? and that this is a rarity for tourists? Because I have always wanted to see Belgrade.
(Ian, UK, 23 May 2010, 13:15)



yes you are right its just like anywhere in the world if your in the wrong place at the wrong time this could happen and happen anywhere on this planet but serbia is a safe place its not like a hundred thousand people got beat up or jumped are whatever
it would be safe for you and anyone to go. and like anywhere you go it was a night club things happen.

Ian--Overall, I would agree with the comments expressed. The best part of Serbia are the Serbians. The club scene and cafes are particularly nice. University students are quite bright and their English is great. Food, drink, and service are generally super, but not very cheap any more. Inflation is noticeable.

Unfortunately, after the Kovoso declaration in 2008, I have witnessed a noticeable rise in ignorant and brutal "nationalism" (for lack of a better word). Young foreign football fans were beat up and a French kid was killed in the fall of 2009. The Gay Pride parade had to be canceled because the government felt they could not control the violence. A 12 year-old boy and Tadic have had death threats on them over Kosovo.

So, yes, violence is everywhere. Go to BG and have a great time--because you will. Do NOT bring up Kosovo. Stick to drinking, dancing, and hating all governments, in general, and you will be fine. Make sure you go to Kalamegdan and watch the Danube and Sava Rivers confluence. Check out the Victory Statue!

Those Austrians should have minded their own business, instead of interfering with a woman, belonging to another people.

Belarusian experiences with European tourists taught us the hard way, that EU tourists bring in little but increase in prostitution and drug dealings.

Serbian traditions and Serbian women deserve respect, sometimes extracted from foreigners in such sad ways.

As a fellow English person, I can tell you that Belgrade is a safe, developed, interesting and friendly city. A great place to visit.

Your only danger, Ian UK, would be if you started mouthing off pro-independence, pro-Albanian, anti-Serbian opinions to the wrong people at the wrong time. In the same way that you wouldn't go to Edinburgh on a Friday night and start slating the Scottish in a bar, or belittling their history. It's just a case of being tactful.

From my experience Serbians are far more hospitable and welcoming than any other Europeans (including British). People would rather go without themselves than be poor hosts, which is very admirable.

The vast majority of Serbians are really nice people, who have been much maligned and misrepresented in the so-called Western media.

I would definitely go and head to the boat cafes on the banks of the Danube. Or the many clubs which have a great reputation. You'll love it and be really pleasantly surprised.

Am I right in guessing that these two Austrians where just in the wrong place at the wrong time? and that this is a rarity for tourists? Because I have always wanted to see Belgrade.
(Ian, UK, 23 May 2010, 13:15)



yes you are right its just like anywhere in the world if your in the wrong place at the wrong time this could happen and happen anywhere on this planet but serbia is a safe place its not like a hundred thousand people got beat up or jumped are whatever
it would be safe for you and anyone to go. and like anywhere you go it was a night club things happen.

Ian, believe me, safer than zurich and geneva! I've been in Bg on and off for the last 7 years and never had any problems in any places/club I visited! Of course if u'r planing 2 get to close to a girl with her boyfriend next, u might run into trouble...Like anywhere in the world as long as u behave as a 'normal' person, no reason to have any problems!

Ian--Overall, I would agree with the comments expressed. The best part of Serbia are the Serbians. The club scene and cafes are particularly nice. University students are quite bright and their English is great. Food, drink, and service are generally super, but not very cheap any more. Inflation is noticeable.

Unfortunately, after the Kovoso declaration in 2008, I have witnessed a noticeable rise in ignorant and brutal "nationalism" (for lack of a better word). Young foreign football fans were beat up and a French kid was killed in the fall of 2009. The Gay Pride parade had to be canceled because the government felt they could not control the violence. A 12 year-old boy and Tadic have had death threats on them over Kosovo.

So, yes, violence is everywhere. Go to BG and have a great time--because you will. Do NOT bring up Kosovo. Stick to drinking, dancing, and hating all governments, in general, and you will be fine. Make sure you go to Kalamegdan and watch the Danube and Sava Rivers confluence. Check out the Victory Statue!

Those Austrians should have minded their own business, instead of interfering with a woman, belonging to another people.

Belarusian experiences with European tourists taught us the hard way, that EU tourists bring in little but increase in prostitution and drug dealings.

Serbian traditions and Serbian women deserve respect, sometimes extracted from foreigners in such sad ways.

I've always fancied a long weekend in Belgrade, go site seeing, learn some history, taste the local food and Pilsener Lager etc. All the general stuff a tourist would do in Belgrade. But what I want to know is, how safe is Belgrade for foreign people?

I know that where ever you go in the world, there is always a change of getting in a fight. London, Manchester and Glasgow are all great examples.

Am I right in guessing that these two Austrians where just in the wrong place at the wrong time? and that this is a rarity for tourists? Because I have always wanted to see Belgrade.