Moving severs your familiar social circle, and that hurts more than everyday hassles. The good news: in Serbia it is easy to find an activity and people through it — you just need the will to show up the first time.

Sport

  • Running: in Belgrade people run along the Sava and Danube banks, on Ada Ciganlija and in Košutnjak; clubs and groups meet on a schedule, usually in the evening and at weekends.
  • Cycling: the flatlands of Vojvodina and city routes; cycling clubs organise joint rides at weekends.
  • Team sports: amateur football, basketball and volleyball teams look for players all year — adverts appear on social media and in chats.
  • Climbing, swimming, martial arts: gyms welcome beginners, and the first class is usually a trial.

Dance and body

Salsa, bachata, swing, modern and folk dance, yoga and pilates — there is a studio in almost every municipality, and many offer a free or cheap trial class. Dance parties are a ready-made way to meet people without a language barrier: music needs no translation.

Music and creativity

Choral societies, amateur orchestras and music schools for adults take people without professional training — what matters is willingness and turning up to rehearsals. Drawing, ceramics, photography and handicrafts: studios post course schedules on social media, groups are small and the atmosphere is friendly.

Board games and socialising

Game cafes and clubs run open evenings: you come alone and meet people at the table. It is excellent language practice — rules are explained aloud and the game leaves no room for silence. Themed meet-ups of Russian speakers take place in different cities and are announced in chats and communities.

How to take the plunge

  • Start with one class a week — do not take three at once or you will drop them.
  • Ask about a trial class and the monthly price, not the price per session.
  • Arrive a little early: introductions before class are easier than after.
  • Do not be afraid to speak a mix of Serbian and Russian — clubs are used to it.

Season and schedule

Most clubs run from September to June, and in summer activities move outdoors — morning runs, cycling, swimming. January and August have the thinnest schedules, so it is easiest to start something new in September or October, when clubs take on new members.