Bajloni (Skadarlija) Market

Bajloni Market, also called the Skadarlija market, is one of the larger open-air produce markets in central Belgrade. It occupies a site in the Dorćol area just below Skadarska street, surrounded by turn-of-the-century merchant houses that give the surrounding streets a distinctive period character. The market is organised into four sections covering fruit and vegetables, dairy, and general and household goods, and it serves nearby residents as well as visitors staying around Skadarlija and Republic Square. Goods are mostly everyday Serbian food: seasonal produce from regional growers, fresh and aged cheeses, cream and kajmak, eggs, pickles, honey and dried goods. There are few souvenirs in the tourist sense, so the ratio of authentic local goods to tourist items is very high, and the market suits visitors who want edible gifts or a look at ordinary city life rather than craft shopping. Prices are normally stated by the vendor, with light haggling accepted when buying larger quantities; cash in Serbian dinars is the standard way to pay, and cards are rarely taken at stalls. Tax-refund schemes do not apply to small fresh-food purchases. The atmosphere is calm compared with the busier transport-hub markets, and morning is the liveliest time, when the dairy and produce counters are fully stocked. Stalls are grouped by product, so visitors can move from the produce rows to the dairy hall and on to household goods in a short loop. There is no formal restaurant inside the market, but Skadarlija just above is famous for its traditional taverns, and bakeries and cafés close by serve burek, coffee and quick snacks. The market combines well with a walk up the cobbled Skadarska street and a meal in one of its kafanas.