What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Belgrade? Both foreigners and locals mutually agree on – the vibrant nightlife, stunning nature, and amazing unique Balkan soul. To help you get a clearer picture, we will take you on a short journey through Belgrade and its authentic culture. But, we’ll also give a short glimpse into our Belgrade office and its beginnings.
Enjoy!
About Belgrade
What’s Belgrade like?
Belgrade is a major tourist destination with a roster of attractions, museums, galleries, and experiences that rival anything on the continent. The Serbian capital is famous for its devotion to creativity, an artistic streak that manifests as much through its sacral architecture as its exhibitions. Still, the real value in visiting the city lies in the intangibles. Belgrade’s great pull is the sizzling atmosphere, the passionate discourse, and infectious excitement that oozes out of every cafe, restaurant, bar, and conversation, making this a place where the sun only sets in a literal sense. There is always something happening here, and allowing yourself to be swept up in all the excitement is undoubtedly the best way to embrace the wild magic that is Belgrade.
What are the city’s highlights?
Like most social gatherings in Belgrade, the best place to start is downtown. Republic Square acts as a natural meeting place for Belgrade people, young and old. At the same time, some of the city’s most exemplary architecture provides a most elegant backdrop to it all. The city’s range of churches is breathtaking, with the miraculous Temple of St Sava visible from practically every corner of town. Kalemegdan Fortress, dating back to Roman times, and its surrounding park are the lungs of the city center, and Knez Mihailova is the main pedestrian street that doubles up as a tourist attraction in its own right. Throw in the region’s best galleries, most inventive museums, and an atmosphere the envy of the continent, and you’ve got yourself a new adventure every day.
What are people like?
People’s opinions are robust, and conversations can get animated fast, but don’t mistake this assertiveness for rudeness; This is a place where doors are opened, and strangers become soulmates in the blink of an eye. The people of Belgrade wear their heart on their sleeves, for good or bad, and you can always count on their support.
Do people speak English?
You’ll struggle to find a young person in Belgrade who doesn’t speak English. The Serbs are linguistically dexterous people, and each new generation seems to come armed with an array of languages at their disposal. At the same time, the growing tourism industry lends itself to English becoming more and more common in the service and hospitality industry. Restaurants almost always have menus available in English, and there is a growing English-media scene to keep you on top of developments in the city.
What’s the weather like?
Belgrade has hot summers and cool winters, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s(c) in August to the single digits in January and February. Late spring is the wettest time of the year, but the relatively mild humidity balances that out well.
What is it like to live there?
Life is a little brighter here, a little more exciting, a little more alive. The city has various neighborhoods that offer something unique, be it Dorćol’s tumultuous history, Vračar’s famous cafe boulevards, or Zemun’s feisty autonomous streak. As an international hub, the capital’s position makes it a relatively easy place for expats to move to, with an abundance of amenities established from international schools to vibrant markets and excellent healthcare. Belgrade is a complex city that is forever growing, and the best way to experience that is by living here.
Where can I try the best local food?
Belgrade is an undeniably international city, but it remains passionately devoted to its traditions, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the restaurants and kitchens of the town. Traditional food spots are all over the place, and everyone has their favorite place for ćevapi, pljeskavica, mućkalica, and all the other dishes that this place is so famous for.
What about the nightlife?
Few cities are as famous for nightlife as the Serbian capital. The infamous party boats still get most of the attention. Still, the best value for nights out remains the clusters of bars and cafes found in and around the center, from the creative hubs of Cetinjska to the traditional Bohemian stylings of Skadarlija. The city simultaneously develops scenes in craft beer and wine, while the ubiquitous brandy called rakija continues to be embraced by every new generation.
HTEC in Belgrade
HTEC Group deep-dived in the world of tech officially when they established the company and opened their first office in the Business Technology Incubator of the University of Belgrade in 2008. This is the place where they started to drive their vision and inspire new teammates.
To get a glimpse into the birth and growth of the first HTEC office, we talked to Milos Decov. He is one of the first employees of HTEC Group who has been a part of the company for almost ten years.
“I am a Project manager in HTEC Group where I have been working for ten years now. I was one of the first employees that entered the world of HTEC after its founders opened the door. Our first office was in the Incubator. It had two offices, with four people in one and Aleksandar Cabrilo, Dusan Kosic, and Andrija Bednarik, who was the director at the time in the other.
The second location we moved to was in YU business center — a big apartment with four offices and around 20 people.
The third location and the first real office was “Napred 41”, the building across the Palace of Federation. This was an open space office with a relaxation room, conference rooms, and between 20 and 30 people. And, all of them worked from one office. Then we moved to the fourth location, a space near Arena where between 50 and 60 people worked for around two years. This was when Aleksandar Cabrilo decided to move to the US. Finally, we moved to the fifth and the present location in GTC, where around 250 are currently working on the entire floor of the building.
Throughout all of these years, I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to be a part of an enjoyable and friendly team culture. I have never thought to myself, “Oh, god, I have to go to work tomorrow”. Not even once. I have met so many people here and became great friends with them. It’s like in sport — we are all one team always caring for each other. We organize basketball games and go for a drink before or after the game. Sometimes, we also gather together in the office to watch a match and hang out.
I’m happy and privileged to have witnessed the birth of HTEC Group and its growth, and I’m even more excited to know that we have only scratched the surface. I’m looking forward to new wins and successes as I believe that only together can we move boundaries and grow even more in the future.
If you plan to visit Belgrade, take some time to stop by our offices and feel the atmosphere for yourself. Who knows – you may be our next future colleague!
New Growth Opportunities
HTEC Group is growing fast, spreading its positive and innovative energy across the region and worldwide. Belgrade is just one of the many locations where HTEC Group has offices. Besides Novi Sad, Nis, San Francisco and Stockholm, HTEC is expanding its presence to Skopje and many other cities. So, stay tuned for upcoming news!
In the meantime, read about HTEC expanding its presence in North Macedonia.
