How To Spend 24 Hours In Kragujevac Serbia

Serbia’s fourth largest city lies in between Belgrade and the excitement to the south, making it the perfect place to stop off for a day before continuing on your epic Balkan journey. Kragujevac has plenty to offer, but cramming it into one day presents an intriguing challenge.

Morning

The birth of modern Serbia
Kragujevac was a small town doing a whole lot of nothing up until 1818, but that year changed everything. Miloš Obrenović led Serbia to (de facto) freedom that year, and Kragujevac was proclaimed the capital of the modern state. All sorts of important buildings were constructed, and the small town became a big city capable of providing a base for the burgeoning state.
Milošev Venac is the epicentre of those glory days, a circle of majestic buildings that impress through their architecture as much as their history. Amidža’s Quarters is arguably the best preserved building (many of them took a pounding during World War II), and the Old Church was a major construction project for Obrenović at the time.
Kragujevac is a city that has seen fantastic highs and unimaginable lows, so it is best to get a feel for the historical importance of the town right away. Stroll around Milošev Venac until that sinks in, preparing yourself for the intensity to come.

Afternoon

Evening

A little bit of nature
After the intensity of the memorial park and museum, it is recommended to take a step back and enjoy something a little less troubling. Serbia’s first freshwater aquarium is found in Kragujevac, and is home to countless species from Serbia and beyond. The aquarium is open until 18:00, so sneak a quick visit in before moving on to the Botanical Garden.
Another location full of thriving flora, Kragujevac’s greenest spot is also full of information waiting to be conveyed. There is a great variety of trees, shrubs and the rest here, and the tranquility is ideal after the intensity of the day and the inevitable debauchery of the night.

Stara Livnica, old Abandoned factory Knezev Prince’s Arsenal in Kragujevac, Serbia

Night

A night at the theatre
Founded in 1835, the Serbian Court Theatre in Kragujevac holds the honour of being the oldest active theatre in the country. This was another of Miloš Obrenović’s directives, and plays both domestic and international have found a place on its stage ever since. Keep an eye out for any performances here, as much for the talent on stage as the history that surrounds the place.
Follow culture with chaos
Kragujevac doesn’t possess the incredible nightlife on offer in Belgrade (or even the same in Novi Sad and Niš), but don’t expect a sleepy little town in the middle of the country. The student populace in town means weekends are lively to say the least, with the usual parade of confident females and macho males moving from pub to bar to club until the early hours. A couple of drinks and a spot of people-watching are the perfect ways to bring a close to fine 24 hours in Kragujevac.

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