Much is known about the splendor of the Serbian-Montenegrin gifts. Fans bring kilograms and liters from Serbia and Montenegro of prosciutto, kaimak, rakia, vranac, maybe even Niksicko beer and coffee. (By the way, here is a small note - I personally would bring peanut butter from Serbia, which you can hardly buy here, but there - in every MiniMaxi. Although Serbia is not the birthplace of peanut butter, but in principle, it is similar to American.)

And how to please your comrades from the opposite side?

Of course, you can bagels, gingerbread, crackers and vodka - a standard set. But is it the best? It is highly doubtful that the Serbs, who have such a wide variety of all kinds of bureks, pitas and peppers, will be inspired by bagels. Here are the gingerbread still all right ... Ordinary crackers are also somewhat indistinct, but croutons for beer will delight your friends. By the way, vodka is suitable only as a souvenir, and not as a really desired drink.

What's more interesting to come up with? My friend Anton, who has been living in Novi Sad for more than ten years, misses herring and mayonnaise very much and always eats them with great pleasure when he comes home. Indeed, there is not an abundance of salted and smoked fish in Serbia, it is somewhat difficult to find salmon, and one can only dream of subspecies of salmon and other fish (fatty sockeye salmon, modest pink salmon, universal kippers or proud halibut). The same applies to caviar. So if you are from the Far East, you won't have to think for a long time. As for the herring, the food is good, but it’s not so easy to bring it on an airplane, maybe it’s better in winter.

But if we take something really common and affordable that we have, but they don’t, then these are, of course, sweets. True, most of them are of non-Russian origin, but is that the point. So, some list:

• regular condensed milk
• boiled condensed milk
• halva (only not peanut Rot Front, but aromatic sunflower by weight, which is hard to find in Moscow)
• kozinaki
• all kinds of churchkhellas
• chak-chak
• just sweets (Bears in the north, etc.)
• bashkir honey
• gingerbread

We will not attribute to the sweet:

• cottage cheese (maybe sublime cottage cheese, probably)
• fragrant sunflower oil (not from the store, of course, but just from the oil mill)
• tea is very different (although there are no problems with this in Belgrade, it is still far from being in daily use among the local population)
• Tan, Ayran, koumiss (useful for making okroshka)

From drinks, instead of vodka, bring something homemade - for example, tincture on walnut membranes, raspberries or something else, some kind of Far Eastern or Belarusian balsam, vodka on pepper, in the end. Not as symbolic as Stolichnaya, but it will be much more pleasant to drink.

In conclusion. If you want to please your friends, avoid factory-made products or choose only very high quality ones. The quality of food in Serbia and Montenegro is much higher than in Moscow. If you try to foist shop-bought honey or chum in plastic packaging on your friends, they are unlikely to really please them. Another thing is condensed milk from a grandmother from Voronezh, chak-chak from Kazan, honey from a village apiary, caviar of salmon you caught in the rivers of Kamchatka. It sounds crazy, but if you have already been to Serbia or Montenegro, then you realized that it is quite difficult for our products to grow and grow and surpass them, you have to seriously try. But go for it!

Serbia- a unique and incredibly interesting direction, significantly different from other European countries in its originality, history and culture, a special Slavic mentality and friendliness.

Travelers who decide to get to know this country better will be delighted with tourism and recreation, rich historical excursion programs in ancient cities and iconic sights, as well as shopping.

What to bring from Serbia?

Serbia has always been a great destination for shopping- Luxurious European boutiques here coexist with private shops where you can buy everything from beautiful handicrafts to farm products for which this country is so famous.

Inexpensive

If you need to buy inexpensive, but memorable and touching gifts, you can find them in flea markets, in souvenir shops or craft workshops in Belgrade or any other city.

Unlike other countries, products in Serbia are notable for their low price and stunning appearance.

Standard set of inexpensive souvenirs:

1. magnets with the image of Kalemegdan, the temple of St. Sava, the Government House and characteristic landscapes;
2. Ceramic products- whistles, figurines, plates and flasks.

Going inland, a traveler in search of inexpensive gifts will be able to discover original and antiques, which can also be purchased at a low price.

Symbolic

Traditional

The guests of Serbia never cease to amaze the masters who daily create literally works of art perfectly fit into the interior. True, every year there are fewer and fewer such talented craftsmen, so the cost of traditional products is growing.

It is impossible to pass by Serbian traditional souvenirs:

1. Mess. Decorative ceramics, which is a cross between a flask and a decanter. Such a souvenir will look favorably on the festive table, impressing guests with its appearance;
2. Frula, ocarina and whistle. Traditional musical instruments of Serbia, which give their owners the opportunity to make sounds, entertaining everyone around.
3. Finally, in Serbia are very popular opantsy- shoes resembling clogs with curved toes. Using only genuine leather, local craftsmen create these products by hand, making them full size or making them into miniature fun souvenirs.

edible

Serbia is a storehouse of delicious, fragrant and varied food souvenirs. Here you will find everything from cheese and chocolate to excellent sweets and savory surprises.

By tradition, absolutely all tourists bring rakia from their trip - a classic Serbian alcoholic drink made from plums, pears, quince, walnuts or apples.

The most common and fragrant drink is considered to be made plum, although other drinks are not inferior in originality. The most delicious national treasure can be purchased in small villages, and a slightly less exclusive version can be purchased in stores.

In addition, Serbia has developed winemaking, so you should pay attention to raspberry and blackberry wine, as well as remember such popular names of drinks as Prokupac, Rizlnig, Aurelius, Bermet and Probus.

Other national products are also brought from Serbia:

• Delightful natural– Serbs are real fans of a delicious drink;
• Homemade cheeses, which take first places at international exhibitions - young, old, kachkaval, kaymak;
• Herbal Rtan tea;
• Vegetable caviar "aivar";
• homemade pekmez from raspberries, blackberries, figs or cherries, reminiscent of jam in taste, but is a healthy natural product.

In Serbian shops there is sure to be a national souvenir that brings joy to travelers - jar of dried plums. It is worth taking home an embroidered bag with basil, as well as natural honey, which is contained in clay pots.

Chak-chak, tutyrma, taklysh keleve are traditional delicacies of Tatarstan. Read about what to bring from Kazan.

religious

Any trip to Serbia is accompanied by an acquaintance with picturesque and authentic churches and wonderful monasteries where religious souvenirs are sold - icons and images of Saint Sava and Saint Petka(Paraskeva).

According to tradition, a religious idea is brojanitsa- a powerful amulet that reliably protects against adversity. A beautiful national bracelet, made of various materials and woven with special knots, is sold in churches and other places.

Once upon a time, the brojan was used by Orthodox people to read a prayer - each knot accounted for one repetition.

Today, this symbol of Serbia is acquired for adults and children as a colorful one. It is important to remember that according to beliefs, it is forbidden to buy a brothel for oneself - only as a gift, because it simply will not be useful.

Souvenirs from Belgrade

The most popular place to go for gifts is Belgrade and its central street, Knez Mihailova. Here you will find everything from world-famous clothing brands to small shops with local brands labeled as "Zemlja porekla: Srbija". Many women of fashion know that it is profitable to buy in these places, since the cost of products is much lower.

You should not ignore two popular local stores - Mona and Manual- two Serbian brands located on Korol Alexander Boulevard, in the shopping center Ušče and on Terazije Street. Tourists will find incredibly high quality and stylish leather clothing, which is difficult to find in other countries.

Souvenirs are sold at flea markets in Belgrade, at large-scale ruins in Kalemegdan Park and at small tent stalls on Knez-Mikhailovskaya Street.

There is something in this area authentic and pretty which will allow you to get acquainted with the history and culture of Belgrade.

What can you buy as a gift?

The most touching and incredible nice gifts- products imported from another country.

• Girls you will definitely like ceramics, pastries, sweets and spices. The most delicious national souvenir will be especially liked - this gingerbread hearts, which have been made for about a hundred years in Serbia. The national symbol of the country in the shape of a heart will delight the girls who receive this painted gift.
• No less touching surprise will be colubar lace. This excellent handmade gift is created by Serbian craftswomen who perfectly know how to crochet. Tablecloths, curtains, napkins will serve as excellent products for home decoration.
• men, according to tradition, alcohol is brought from Serbia ( brandy or slivovitz, packed in original ceramic flasks), as well as incredibly stylish and durable leather belts or wallets. You can supplement the list of gifts for a man with traditional dried meat "Pshrut".
• Finally, great gifts for kids funny dolls in national costumes and whistles will serve.

It is impossible to return from a trip to this wonderful country without taking home a couple of inexpensive but exclusive souvenirs or simple but tasty gifts in memory of one of the best adventures.

Serbia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for our tourists. Healing resorts, mild climate, hospitable people and low prices are what attracts this country. For those who do not know what can be brought from Serbia, it will be useful to read this article.

• Alcohol. The traditional Serbian alcoholic drink is slivovitz, also known as rakia. Initially, rakia was a moonshine made from plums, since there are a lot of them in the Balkans. Now it is also made from pears, apples, apricots.

Serbia has long been engaged in winemaking. The most commonly used grape varieties are: Riesling, Vranac, Prokupac.

• Cheese. Serbian cheese is rightfully considered one of the best. Here you can buy natural homemade cheese. There are a lot of types of cheese: hard, soft, cheese and others.
• Prshut. It is cured or smoked meat. The best prosciutto is homemade, as recipes for its preparation are passed down from generation to generation. Prosciutto is stored for a long time.
• Honey. Serbs have been engaged in beekeeping for centuries. The most delicious honey can be bought at the monasteries.
• Jam. Most often it is made from plums, apricots and wild berries. Serbian jam is more like jam.
• Sweets. Serbian cuisine was influenced by Turkey and Greece, so many of their dishes are similar. Baklava, kolachi, ratluk are popular.

What to bring from Serbia as a gift

• National musical instruments - trumpet, flute, harp.
• Opantsi and shaikachu. Opantsi - leather slippers, shaikacha - a traditional hat.
• Knitted products from wool. Very beautiful socks, sweaters, hand-knitted vests.
• Wooden kitchen utensils.
• Textiles: towels, tablecloths, napkins, bedspreads.
• ceramics. Interesting ceramic flasks are sold in Serbia.
• Icon. If you are going to visit the monasteries, you can buy rare icons there.

Souvenirs from Serbia

• Magnets.
• Souvenir flasks.
• Miniature paintings.
• Clothes with Serbian symbols.
• Glasses for crayfish.

When choosing food or alcohol, feel free to try everything. The Serbs will not refuse this and will be happy to help you choose what suits you.

What to bring from Belgrade

Inexpensive.

magnet. Although this is the case things are not very good. The choice of magnets is not great. The quality often leaves much to be desired. Usually on magnets portray Kalemegdan, church Saint sava, House governments- Well, that's all standard.

Broyanets. Orthodox a charm on the hand or on the neck. Absolutely Balkan thing. Sold in the church or by hand and is very popular with locals. It is believed that the broyan cannot be bought for oneself, it can be only give.

Coffee. Ordinary coffee, but not instant, but for cooking. It is sold almost everywhere and is not very expensive. It is much tastier than what is sold in Russia and better promolot. Locals respect coffee under the brand " Premium».

Chocolate. Brands that are not sold in Russia (i.e. not Nestle, not Mars etc.) are Serbian brands. Chocolate is somewhat different from its Russian counterpart, and it is interesting to try it.

Try Serbian handmade cookies. In supermarkets, it is sold in such transparent boxes - boxes per kilogram or more. Serbs are very proud of him, in New Year's gifts - bags are always present. Cookies are soft, different in taste. With additions of figs, berries and nuts. I always bring it when I'm in Belgrade. Inexpensive and tasty.

Average for the price.

National cap. Peasant, military and simply national Serbian hat remotely reminiscent of a Russian cap. It is made from wool and decorates icon if symbolizes military prowess.

boots. Small boots, woven from leather, fit on the leg, except perhaps an elf. But it is believed that they bring happiness to the house. Sometimes weaving them huge an option that can suit even a normal adult, but such souvenirs are very non-functional and too expensive for simply souvenir.

What to bring from Pristina

Jam. Serb folk food. for sale in jars and is an a matter of pride. Regular jam.

Yes, they also have such a thing called chocolate Plasma (Plazma cokolada), it exists in the form of cookies, ground cookies, etc. I love ground chocolate Plasma, which you fill with warm milk, stir, bring to a porridge condition and eat. Drop dead stuff, high-calorie and healthy...

Cheese. Cheese (as well as sheep) in Serbia lot.

Expensive.

Rakia(accent on the first syllable) and slivovitz. National Serbian drink, vigorous and very fragrant. It is drunk slowly and little by little and elevated to rank popular property.

Flasks and cups for rakia. Ceramic bottles and flasks of stunning beauty for the saint. They also sell sets of cups for rakia: drop-shaped, with a stand on six or eight persons.

Patriotic T-shirts. T-shirts with the flag of Serbia, sweatshirts with the inscription Serbia, scarves with titles local football teams - there is something similar in Russia and on a massive scale, but it's still kind of Serbian.

Woolen things. Sheep graze in the mountains of Serbia, which are then sheared and from the wool of which awesome socks, leggings, mittens, hats, vests, and in general, are knitted fantasies enough. Naturally, it is cheaper and more interesting to buy them right at the place of production, but you need to go there, making a big circle, which is almost impossible if you go by bus, it is very expensive if drive on the Taxi, and a lot of fun if you drive your own car.

Interesting.

If lucky and if you know places, then you can buy amazing souvenirs: clay magnets, carved spoons and toys, whistles and pipes, earthenware tableware and pupae. But that's if you're lucky and if know places.

Serbia is a real pearl of the Balkan Peninsula, a crossroads of Europe and a Slavonic simple and friendly country. Today it can hardly be called a popular tourist destination, but there are many things to do here for the sophisticated tourist. The long-suffering region, which has survived centuries of aggressive invasions by almost half of the peoples of Eurasia, may interest travelers with a rich historical excursion program, unusual multinational cuisine and interesting souvenirs that will take their rightful place in everyone's collection. What memorabilia and gifts for relatives can please Serbia?

Typical souvenirs for Serbia

Serbia is famous for its artisans, therefore, in any market or in a souvenir shop, you can encounter an abundance of wooden, clay and wicker products. This diversity is partly due to the state policy aimed at the active development of tourism. But those who have to choose among thousands of clay magnets painted with bright Serbian patterns or hundreds of towels carefully embroidered by needlewomen will hardly be interested in the facts of politics - whether it is up to her when her eyes run wide.
Hostesses will certainly be impressed by traditional Serbian dishes - clay pots for baking, jugs and plates, cups and bowls. All this is done by hand, and the most amazing thing is that it is still used in everyday life. There are among the kitchen utensils and those items that will appeal to real men. These include stunning Serbian wooden knives, which you can buy only by meeting a real master.
Serbian alcohol is almost a matter of national pride and a separate article in the list of tourist souvenirs. Rakia is especially famous - a strong drink made from a variety of fruits. Its popularity is actively exploited by local artisans - with a bottle of drink, the traveler will be charmingly offered to buy a painted clay flask on a string or a beautiful ceramic decanter that will decorate any table. Rakia is accompanied by smaller attributes - ceramic cups with national symbols or commemorative glass glasses.
In addition to rakia, slivovitz is able to surprise with its taste, the craftsmanship of which the Serbs hone even today. The pear drink vilyamovka, or krushkovac, is also famous, which is sold in souvenir shops along with other alcohol. Connoisseurs will like the Slavic analogue of absinthe, which has a milder taste, but made from the same wormwood - pelinkovac.
Among the alcoholic pleasures of Serbia, local wine deserves special attention. Contrary to popular belief, you can buy really high-quality and tasty food not only in France. And let sophisticated travelers wrinkle their noses at any wine other than Burgundy, Serbian wine deserves the title of a real masterpiece no less. Grown under the gentle and warm sun of the Balkan state, the grapes have a unique taste. Local winemakers put their soul into their products, so varieties such as DiBonis Dicabernet, Orasac or Tribun are popular with tourists and are valuable gifts. By the way, Serbian viticulture is revered on a religious level: every year the Orthodox Church blesses the vine.
You can buy wine in an ordinary store or in specialized ethno-places designed for local residents, for example, in a brewery. But you can find alcohol in unusual places. So, the monastery in Bukovo, which has luxurious vineyards, sells its varieties of wines.
Since we have already entered the church, do not forget about the traditional Serbian brojans and icons. Broyanitsa is a rosary in the form of a bracelet, woven from wool. The peculiarity of weaving is the repetition of seven crosses. Fingering them with their fingers and reading a prayer, the Serbs repeat it for each of the seven knots. For tourists, these bracelets have somewhat lost their religious significance, they are used as a talisman, so you can buy them in an ordinary souvenir shop. But for many, a gift from Serbia is, first of all, a brojanica.
Serbian icons for travelers also moved from the category of Orthodox paraphernalia to the category of gifts. As a result, they are sure to be found at the next fair. A unique souvenir, inherent only in this country, will be the church image of St. Sava - the patron saint of the Serbs. Women especially revere St. Petka - an equally rare icon for any other part of the world. Some religious guests of Serbia buy "Blessing at Home" in the monasteries, where the message of Nicholas of Serbia is immortalized on a board in a frame.
Of course, some gifts and souvenirs can be safely called treasures, because finding them while traveling in Serbia, without looking into the hidden nooks and crannies, is a real success. That is why caring and hospitable locals began to form special "boxes with souvenirs" for tourists - these are the most authentic household items, decor and just interesting things that you will not find anywhere and never. And as simple and unpretentious souvenirs for work colleagues, branded Serbian clay magnets, T-shirts with the symbols of the country, souvenir flasks and glasses for rakija will do.

What to bring from Belgrade

The capital of Serbia is a great place for authentic shopping and hunting for Slavic souvenirs. Among the interesting and unusual goods in the souvenir shops and shops of Belgrade, you can stumble upon treasures that have been dreamed of since the days of the Soviet Union. What is the famous "balcony of Europe" ready to offer the traveler?

handicrafts

Where can I buy:
- Blatobran Gallery, 38 Gospodar Jevremova;
- Gallery of frescoes, Cara Urosa 20.
Tourist routes will surely lead the guests of Belgrade to the stalls, where all kinds of handicrafts flaunt. The variety of handicraft souvenirs is truly breathtaking! Here you will find bizarre figurines, functional household items, and national clothes. Travelers will also meet antiques that have been preserved since the era of Yugoslavia.
Decorative ceramic products of Belgrade craftsmen are real works of art. Unfortunately, today there are fewer and fewer artisans left, and most of the ceramic souvenirs are kitchen utensils or festive table decorations. But if you happen to find real Serbian decor items, they will take their rightful place in the house and become a real decoration of the interior.
An excellent gift for a connoisseur will be a national Slavic instrument made of ceramics. Called frula, it is like a whistle, a real and living souvenir. An equally valuable find will be an egg-shaped ocarina - this is also a whistle that Serbian artisans have been making since ancient times. Despite the unpretentious device, both the first and the second product are subject only to real craftsmen.
Ceramic souvenirs from Serbia are not only whistles and plates. At almost every counter in the tourist areas, travelers are waiting for funny creatures resembling characters from plasticine cartoons. Ceramic figurines can cheer up anyone, so at least one of them must fit in a suitcase and leave Serbia as a gift to relatives.
When visiting Belgrade, you should pay attention to woven souvenirs. It would seem that the technology of making clothes and accessories on a loom, which has long gone into oblivion, continues to flourish here and delight travelers and guests. Woven dresses, bags and other items will become not just a souvenir, but a truly functional, useful gift.
This can be a woven Serbian carpet, which will surely attract the eyes of guests later, or a scarf made of natural materials that evokes warm thoughts about Serbia on cool evenings. The possibilities of the local machine tool masters can be listed for a long time, since in fantasy they hardly limit themselves. Perhaps, examples of such art today can be found only in the vastness of this Balkan republic.
The art of knitting, or heklanya, is another pride of the women of Belgrade. In truth, this craft appeared here under the influence of the Austro-Hungarian tribes, but having long since taken root here, it began to be considered national. Almost every woman in the city knows how to knit, as this is the most common craft for making money on tourists. Often on the shelves come across tablecloths, napkins and curtains. Crocheted curtains for windows, brought from Serbia, are worthy of becoming a real decoration of the house - no one will definitely have such ones.
Among woven and knitted products in Belgrade, you should choose kolubari lace. Irish crochet technology has taken root with local craftswomen. Samples of such art will be magnificent tablecloths, collars and napkins. Real Kolubara lace is by no means cheap, but it is a truly valuable gift that will give pleasure to its owner for a long time!

Shoes and clothes

Where can I buy:
- USCE Shopping Center, Bulevar Mihajla Pupina;
- Shopping center "Mercator", Boulevard of Prominence, 4;
- Sirogojno Style, Ivan-Begova 3.
A Serbian shaikach headdress or a national costume in a complete set can already be safely recorded in the ranks of the most popular souvenirs from Belgrade. Shaikacha is a hat made of dried wool, which appeared here in the 18th century and was originally intended for the military. It comes in different shapes and sizes, but most often it looks like a boat or a cone of exceptionally green color.
Today, this headdress has remained primordially Serbian, and for many residents of the capital city, it is still an everyday wardrobe item, like the national costume. But now any guest of the Serbian metropolis can acquire such clothes, you just have to go to the nearest shop.
It is worth noting that from a design point of view, a shaikacha or any other item of old-fashioned Yugoslav clothing is considered very stylish. When buying a fashion accessory, the traveler will definitely be offered "related products" - patches or cockades.
The best-known shoes, exclusively made in Serbia, are the opants, hand-woven wickerwork made of leather and reminiscent of modern clogs with upturned toes. You can’t wear such shoes every day, but it’s worth buying a two-centimeter copy as a souvenir. Some tourists immediately purchase a complete set of folklore - Opans plus shaykacha.
Knitwear produced in Belgrade is of excellent quality. There are already quite a few popular brands among local manufacturers, some of which have managed to declare themselves in the capital of European fashion, Milan. Among the variety of ordinary shirts and dresses, you should choose truly Serbian jersey "duxerica" ​​and original handicrafts with ethnic motifs produced by the "Sirogojno" brand.
Women of the Soviet Union who happened to wear shoes from Belgrade "Obuch Beograd" were rightfully considered lucky and even deserved a dozen or two envious glances. The reason for this was unsurpassed quality. Unfortunately, in those days, the company could provide a rather meager selection of models, which cannot be said about these days. Therefore, by purchasing shoes from the company "Shoes Beograd" you can please your beloved women even today.
It is worth dwelling in more detail on the leather business, since we are talking about it. Leather dressing and the manufacture of leather goods is another subject of national pride. Unless in the country of handicraftsmen could process a skin badly? Ever since socialist times, the quality of leather production has been at its best, so many dreamed of a durable belt, durable shoes or strong gloves from Belgrade.
Heading to the capital of Serbia, fashionistas study the location of outlets in advance in order to go in search of a new handbag. They can have no doubt - according to external and internal features, the products are not inferior to expensive Moscow models, but are several times cheaper. At the same time, the lady can be completely sure that she will not see the second such bag in Moscow or another Russian city.
Many people recommend buying bed linen and knitwear in Serbia. Well, thanks to the high quality and pleasant colors, Serbian home textiles really deserve respect. It is best to purchase such products in large supermarkets or retail chains.

Meat products and cheese

Where can I buy:
- Market Zeleni Venac, Jug Bogdanova bb;
- Organic food market, Jurija Gagarina bb, Blok 44.
Serbs are very fond of meat, it is here - an indispensable ingredient in most national dishes. But Serbian meat can also be an excellent gift for relatives. We are talking about dry-cured or smoked ham, called prosciutto. Many will say that it tastes pretty much like the famous Spanish ham. Well, they will be right.
It is best to try to find a real, homemade prosciutto. This is an ancient national dish of the Serbs, as a result, many Belgrade residents keep old recipes passed down from generation to generation. A quality product can be stored for a very long time, like Spanish jamon, so it will easily survive the flight. Another meat dish worthy of becoming a gift for connoisseurs of taste will be kulen - lamb sausage, as well as pechenitsa - a solid piece of baked pork (if you manage to bring it). When buying meat in a supermarket, you should be careful, because a small amount of it is automatically sent to the slicer, if you do not warn the store employee.
Serbian cheeses deserve special attention. Gourmets recognize that Belgrade cheese makers have reached the pinnacle of excellence in their craft, so the cheese is one of the most delicious gifts brought from here. The choice here is no less worthy than in any of the "cheese" capitals of the world - in stores you can find hard, salty, soft and many other types of it. Among the most delicious varieties are unsalted and soft young, hard stari, melted kaimak and unusual yellow kachkaval. Varieties of goat cheese produced according to Greek recipes are popular. In 2012, one of the local varieties, produced in the village of Babina, was honored to become the best cheese of the year.
As usual, it is best to buy treats from home craftswomen. If there is no time left to search for hostesses, then it is time to go to the main market in the town of Zeleni Venac. It is adjacent to the railway station and it is here that all people flock, including guests and local residents. At the bazaar you can buy not only cheese and meat, but also national sweets and other delicious souvenirs.

Sweets and tasty souvenirs

Where can I buy:
- Monastery Manasija, 280, Despotovac;
- Market Zeleni Venac, Jug Bogdanova bb.
Belgrade is a real paradise for the sweet tooth. The most pleasing fact is that even today, with an abundance of modern technologies, traditional homemade delicacies are in demand here, the recipes of which have been going on for centuries. Thus, gingerbread hearts have become one of the national symbols for local residents - appetizingly decorated hearts made from gingerbread dough, which have long been liked by tourists. In addition to their exceptional taste, they perfectly tolerate flights and transportation, that is, they deserve to become a souvenir.
Local honey is no less popular. It turns out that the Serbs are not only excellent artisans, but also talented beekeepers. For several centuries they have been engaged in beekeeping and managed to succeed quite well in this business. To taste real, high-quality honey, you should not go far from the Manasia Monastery. Here they sell sweet and viscous nectar from acacia, linden, forest or meadow. Do not forget about other, no less useful beekeeping products - propolis, royal jelly, zabrus.
To surprise guests with national Serbian dishes upon arrival, you should not forget to buy a crust - the thinnest dough that is used in the preparation of baklava or gibanica. Its advantage lies in the possibility of long-term storage - it lasts a week in the refrigerator, and even longer in the freezer. The cost of the test is not very high, so you can stock up on several packages at once.
Another wonderful souvenir for culinary masters is a set of spices or various culinary trifles. A piquant surprise can be a package of hot peppers along with a package of sweet or fierce paprika. An actual gift will be "Gustin", he is also "corn scrub", he is also starch. In stores and on the market, you can collect a whole bunch of bags with useful additives for baking: poppy seeds, sesame, confectionery dressing of various shapes and sizes, culinary chocolate "for kuvanie" or paper molds for cakes. Hostesses will like "coconut brush", or ordinary coconut shavings. No desire to stand at the stove, remembering the Belgrade sweets? Why not buy a ready-made baking kit?! Traditional kolachi cakes are sold in a set of several pieces. It is only recommended to order a set just before departure, as it is stored for a short time and in the cold.
Perhaps the most famous Serbian sweet tooth joy is slatko, or pekmez, an analogue of ordinary jam or jam. The locals call jars with a sweet viscous mass "the taste of Serbia". Traditional slatko is made from plums, but you can easily find many other original flavors - figs, cherries, apricots or blackberries.
Fans of foreign "Nutella" will definitely be delighted with the Belgrade "Eurocrem". It is a sweet milk-chocolate mixture, has nothing to do with ancient Slavic sweets, but is very popular among travelers who are happy to save a couple of packages for home and for gifts. Contribute to this and convenient pack sizes - from tiny to very voluminous.
Do not deprive Serbian chocolate of attention, where the same eurocream is often found as a filling. An original souvenir will be chocolate with liquor crystals or pieces of berries. There are not so few brands that produce cocoa sweets, and none of them can be found in Russia.
Those with a sweet tooth will definitely appreciate tulumba, a custard biscuit originally from Turkey. Delicious and fragrant sticks generously soaked in sweet syrup are served here in every kafan. Cookies are valued for their unpretentiousness and low calorie content, so often a sweet recipe or even a large confectionery syringe with which these delicious sticks are prepared comes home as a souvenir.
Travelers will be surprised by another sweet "hello" from Turkey - Turkish delight from roses and walnuts, which can evoke enthusiastic feelings even among those who are indifferent to sweets. Ayvar can be attributed to tasty souvenirs. Yes, not every traveler dares to set off on the road with a glass jar of bell pepper caviar. But ajvar is an undoubted pride of Serbia, and getting some home-made caviar is a real success.
In addition to alcoholic beverages, Serbia is famous for its noble herbal preparations, which are called "teas" here. By the way, tea here is not at all as important as in Russia, since the influence of Turkey gave Belgrade an unlimited love for freshly brewed coffee. But if you manage to get acquainted with a real herbalist or even a herbalist, then you should ask them for a first-hand herbal tea bag. Herbal drinks can also be found in a regular store, a standard set in bags - chamomile, thyme, mint, bearberry.
Often, tourists buy walnuts, chickpeas and hazelnuts for hotels. You cannot call them primordially Serbian, although they do not grow so far, in Macedonia, but they are purchased here, in Belgrade, where the cost is much lower than in Russia. So why not recognize walnuts and hazelnuts as a useful and inexpensive Serbian souvenir?!

Pleasant trifles

Almost every souvenir shop can offer guests of the city a huge selection of small gifts, traditional for Belgrade. A worthy present for a real collector will be pennants and flags with the symbols of a city or country. Books and maps of the region, postcards and prints will cost a little more. Even more valuable gifts will be whole models of the capital or monasteries - and there is a place for this on the souvenir counters of the city limits. It is not necessary to completely cross out the banal paraphernalia in the form of T-shirts and caps with objects of national pride and famous historical figures of the country from the list.
An original accessory for a modern interior will be a doll brought from Serbia, dressed in a national costume. Charming dolls of different sizes are more often sold in those places where hiking trails lie. Another useful souvenir from Belgrade for a true collector and numismatist is the old money of Yugoslavia. This present will cost the traveler quite inexpensively, because for half a thousand dinars you can buy a whole set of banknotes. Of course, if we are not talking about the oldest money, since really old samples will cost much more.
Even for those who have not heard about the exceptional musical tastes of the fraternal country, a disc with recordings by Serbian musicians can become a truly exclusive gift. Regardless of the direction, the sounds of Serbian music will open new sensations and new emotions to music lovers. You can decide on the artist right in the store, but it's best to listen to the recommendations of compatriots or sit on thematic forums - advice in this matter will not hurt. Symbolic gifts here include sets for Glory - these are traditional sets of dishes, consisting, as a rule, of a decanter with glasses or glasses. The purpose of the set is to celebrate a family holiday dedicated to St. Glory, the patron saint of Serbian families.
Women will be delighted with branded Yugoslav cosmetics. Decorative cosmetics in Belgrade are valued for their unsurpassed quality and naturalness, so for any lady, the Yugoslav hand balm will become a valuable and useful souvenir. And for a man, a set of traditional Serbian drinks, presented in small copies, will be a nice little present. Miniature bottles with brandy, vilyamovka and slivovitz are an inexpensive, but very interesting sign of attention.
Another original gift idea from Belgrade is buying a ceramic jug filled with delicious dried plums. A piece of national craft painted with traditional Serbian symbols and stuffed with fragrant dried fruits is a touching national idea that has become a kind of marketing ploy for tourists. Now jugs are eagerly snapped up for delicious gifts to relatives and friends.
A nice souvenir from Belgrade will be a small aromatic bag with dried basil. According to local beliefs, this small item is able to protect the owner from rainy days and any hardships. It is important that such amulets do not benefit the buyer - they must be given to a person dear to the heart. Whether this legend can be considered true - no one will prove, but the soothing aroma exuded by spices and the magnificent national pattern on the fabric make this bag a wonderful gift. In addition, due to its compact size and low price, it will become a worthy alternative to banal magnets and mugs.

Walking through the streets and memorable places of Belgrade will leave many wonderful moments and unforgettable impressions in your memory. Arriving from an amazing trip to your native land, you can always refresh warm memories by picking up one of the souvenirs you brought. Do not neglect trips to souvenir shops and limit yourself to a standard gentleman's set of fridge magnets - in Serbia there is a place for interesting little things that will keep the impressions of the traveler for a long time and give joy to people dear to the heart, presented as a souvenir!