Are you planning to spend 3 days in Belgrade? But what can you do during a long weekend in the Serbian capital and which sights and spots should you not miss?
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Okay, I'll let you in on a secret: on my first trip to Belgrade with a friend, we were so bored on the third day that we went to the cinema. During a city trip. I'd never , never done that before, but we were simply overwhelmed by Belgrade.
Since that day in 2017, I've visited the Serbian capital many more times, and I now realise that you could easily fill a whole week with activities. But some of the best sights in Belgrade are a little hidden.
So to make sure you don't end up like me and spend your time on the bustling streets of the Serbian capital instead of in a cinema seat, I've put together this little guide for three days in Belgrade - culture, sights and (what no trip to the culinary wonderland of Belgrade should be without) restaurants await you!
The Belgrade Essentials
🎠 Dive right in | Learn more about Belgrade's exciting history on this city tour
📍 View Point | In the Boho Bar within the walls of Kalemegdan or at the statue of the victor Pobednik
🏛️ History lesson | Visit the Museum of Yugoslavia
🌮 Culinary delights | Serbian cuisine in the traditional SFRJ restaurant, Manufaktura or Puter
🥃 Drinks | Belgrade Cocktail Club - booking is a must!
🛥️ Tour | A boat tour to the place where the Sava and Danube rivers meet, and to discover Belgrade from a different perspective from the water
😴 Accommodation | Villa Skadarlija for a cosy guesthouse or Mama Shelter for a modern, super central hotel with restaurant and rooftop bar
Best time to travel to Belgrade
I generally think that you can go on city trips all year round. In my opinion, however, Belgrade is at its best in spring (April to June) and then again in September and early October.
In winter, an icy wind blows through the streets, which lowers the perceived temperatures by a few degrees Celsius. In summer, on the other hand, the city, concrete desert that it is, heats up unbelievably and cosy walks are fun at best along the Danube.
But I've also been to Belgrade in mid-March and had a great time - if you're travelling outside the most beautiful months of the year, you sometimes need a plan B. Rain showers? Then just take a spontaneous coffee break. Colder than expected? A visit to a museum instead of a boat trip is also fun. If you stay flexible, you can enjoy Belgrade whatever the weather.
Your guide for 3 days in Belgrade
Day 1 | The most important sights in Belgrade
Mornings
Is this your first visit to Belgrade? Then I recommend that you dedicate the first day of your trip to exploring the old town - preferably on a City tour. Belgrade and Serbia have an incredibly complex history and nobody can tell you about it better than a local city guide.
Would you prefer to set off on your own? Then start on Republic Squarewalk along the shopping street Knez Mihailova along until you reach the Kalemegdanthe fortress of Belgrade. From here you have an impressive view of the Sava and the Danube, which flow into each other here in the Balkan metropolis.
Tip: On Kalemegdan, be sure to visit the Ružica Chapela small chapel where weapons and ammunition used to be stored and where you will find chandeliers made of sabres and other curiosities.
Lunch | Restoran Vuk for typical Serbian cuisine, Thyme for modern street cuisine
Afternoon
After your city tour and lunch, you can set off for the Trendy neighbourhood of Dorćol. Tree-lined streets, street art, cool cafés and hip boutiques await you here. Belgrade is a city that is constantly evolving and nowhere is this more evident than in this neighbourhood, which is now home to the city's coolest bars and restaurants.
You can walk through the creative neighbourhood down to the Silosi stroll. Young creatives have turned the hangars of the old Belgrade harbour into an alternative event venue that has since become a new landmark of the city. Even if no event is currently taking place: Take a look at the silos with their cool murals anyway.
Dinner | Restoran Smokvica for Serbian and Mediterranean dishes or IDOL Tiki Bar for Asian fusion
Drinks | june cafe for natural wines or Lady Scarlet for cocktails
Day 2 | On the trail of the capital of Yugoslavia
Morning
Breakfast | Kafeterija Magazine 1907 or Espresso Bar
After breakfast, you set off for the Cathedral of St Sava. On the way there you will pass the Hotel Moskva which is really impressive with its richly decorated façade. Fancy a second breakfast? Then you'll find excellent coffee and cake here. Why not take a detour and visit the Zeleni Venacthe market hall.
On the way to the Temple of St Sava, you will also pass the Serbian parliament building and, if you are interested in its history, you can visit the Museum of Nikola Tesla to pay a visit.
Lunch | Smokvica Molerova or turkey
Afternoon
Until the collapse of Yugoslavia, Belgrade was the capital of the federal republic with its constituent states of Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia. The lifelong president of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, found his final resting place here in Belgrade. His Mausoleum, the "House of Flowers" is located just outside the old town centre. Right next to it is the Museum of Yugoslavia. The best way to reach both is by taxi or bus and tram.
Website | Admission: approx. 5 EUR | Closed on Mondays
Not in the mood for culture, but rather culinary delights? With a Food tour through Belgrade you will get to know Serbian cuisine and food culture - and gain an insight into the lives of Belgraders, which are inextricably linked to their food and dishes.
Dinner | Kafana SFRJ to stay in the socialist theme or Cantina de Frida
Drinks | Beogradski Koktel Klub or Druid Bar (reservations are a must for both)
Getting around Belgrade
Belgrade is a sprawling city with gruesome Traffic. The infrastructure is hopelessly overloaded and traffic jams are the order of the day.
Bus & Tram | Most public transport now has ticket machines at the doors. However, it is best to buy your ticket via App. You can also find a great summary of public transport here. To check the connections, I use Google or the Moovit app.
Taxi | Taking a taxi in Belgrade is cheap and practical. However, make sure that the driver turns on the taximeter. You can find taxis at taxi ranks all over the city or call them via app, for example via Pink Taxi.
Day 3 | Zemun - the charming fishing village
Today you are leaving the capital of Serbia - you are travelling to Zemun. You can take the bus or even walk along the Danube to the small village. On the riverbank you will find a beautiful promenade and numerous so-called splavs, boats that can be found on the River Sava and the Danube and which are home to bars, restaurants and clubs.
Zemun was already inhabited in Roman times, and today a stroll through the cobbled streets is a reminder of times gone by. You have the best view from the Gardoš Tower over the village and down to the city of Belgrade. You can have lunch in one of the restaurants on the Zemun Promenade.
Then it's back to the city. If you like, make a stop in New Belgrade, the new town, which forms an extreme contrast to the small former fishing village with its magnificent streets and brutalist buildings.
Tip/alternative: Instead of travelling to Zemun, you can also take a Take a boat trip on the Danube from Belgrade. You will travel to the place where the Danube and Sava rivers meet and can enjoy a completely different view of the city. Namely from the water. The tour is also known as Sunset Cruise offered.
Your last evening can only take place in one place: Skadarlija - the old boho neighbourhood of Belgrade, where musicians, writers and poets used to come. Here there are daily Tamburazi (live music) in the restaurants on the cobbled street, tourists and locals alike enjoy typical Serbian cuisine.
Drinks | For a nice end to the trip, head back to the Belgrade fortress to the Boho Bar at sunset
Dinner | Tri Sešira in Skadarlija or Manufaktura, if it's too busy for you there
The best accommodation in Belgrade
Hotels
Mama Shelter Belgrade | The hotel is modern, super stylish and has spacious rooms as well as a great rooftop with a restaurant
Hotel Nobel Palace | Close to the parliament, this modern hotel offers spacious rooms and easy access to all the main sights
Guesthouses and Bed & Breakfasts
Villa Skadarlija | Located directly in the boho neighbourhood of Skadarlija, yet in a quiet location. Warm hosts and only a few rooms make an overnight stay in this accommodation a very personalised stay
Guest House One Luxury Suites | These very tastefully furnished flats are located right in the old town centre of Belgrade. From here you can be on Republic Square in minutes
ArkaBarka | This hostel and B&B has a really cool location - on a splav on the Danube. So you wake up with a view of the water in the morning. But you shouldn't be seasick
Holiday flats & Airbnbs
Rooster Apartments | These flats with a small kitchenette even have a parking space - a rarity in Belgrade, so a win if you're travelling by car
