Planning to visit Belgrade soon? This Belgrade travel guide covers all you need to know before you go—and a few local insider tips you can only know when you live there.
Belgrade and I, we weren't love at first sight. It took me a few tries until it clicked. But since I moved to Sarajevo, I visited more and more often, and now I need to escape to the Serbian capital every once in a while for those big city vibes. Belgrade is gritty, loud, chaotic, and maybe not the most beautiful of European capitals. But there are always things to do when you visit Belgrade—whether it's for the first time or the tenth, the city won't bore you.
So without further ado, let's dive into this guide to Belgrade, the "White City" between the Danube and the Sava. Here are all the things you can't miss (or should know) when you travel to Belgrade–from food to attractions, from where to stay to the best guided tours.
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The Belgrade Essentials
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Best time to visit | April–June, September
How long to stay | I recommend 3 days. You can find my 3-day itinerary here
Accommodation | Smokvica Dorćol B&B in my favorite neighborhood, Dorćol in the heart of Belgrade
Best tours | A city tour for your first overview and a food tour to dive into the delicious Serbian cuisine
Don't miss | The sunset over Danube and Sava from Kalemegdan Fortress
Is Belgrade worth visiting?
From me, it's a yes. Belgrade has been the capital of Yugoslavia for many decades and that still transpires in the vibe of the city today–Belgrade is the culture and party capital of the region. Plus, there's all the history of the Slavs, and the Ottomans, and more. Apart from that, Belgrade is the perfect starting point for a road trip (or train ride) through Serbia.
I've been to Belgrade at least six times in the past five years, and whether I've been traveling solo, with a friend or with my husband, I have never felt unsafe as a woman, even in Belgrade nightlife. I have written about safety in Belgrade here.
The capital of Serbia might not be for everyone. But if you love trying local food, history, partying or gritty city vibes, there are many things to do in Belgrade.
How many days should I plan for Belgrade?
The short answer: At least a weekend. Three days are ideal for Belgrade, in my opinion. If you are looking for an exact 3-itinerary, you can find one here.
The longer answer: You need a day to explore Belgrade's most popular attractions like Kalemegdan Fortress, Skadarlija or Knez Mihailova street. But the city is a sprawling giant, so you might want to plan a second day to visit the museum of Yugoslav history or venture out a bit further to the so-called blocks to explore more of the brutalist architecture. And while there is enough to see and do in Belgrade city, I would also recommend you spend a day along the Danube and Sava rivers, exploring the small town of Zemun or cycling on Ada Ciglane island.
And of course, since you're in the Balkans you always need enough time to just sit down for a coffee and people watch–it's a Serbians favorite past time. You can find the best cafés for it here.
How to get to Belgrade
The easiest way is to fly to Belgrade with Air Serbia. They are generally well connected. But many other star alliances airlines and low-cost carrieres like RyanAir and WizzAir offer connections to the Serbian capital as well. You can check flights and prices from different destinations here.
You can get to the city center either by bus or taxi but make sure the taxi drivers turn on their taximater and don't rip you off. Alternatively, download an app like Pink Taxi or Yandex. As of now, Uber and Bolt don't work in Serbia (or the rest of the Balkans, really).
By the end of 2026, you should also be able to reach Belgrade by train from Budapest. This is a new line I'm especially excited about, since it connects Belgrade via Subotica and Novi Sad—both absolute must-visit destinations in Serbia.
Getting around Belgrade
Traffic in Belgrade is a nightmare. Serbians will agree with this. The infrastructure in the city is hopelessly overloaded and sadly there's no metro and only a few tram stations, so even in public transportation, you will be stuck in traffic. For this reason, I'd avoid driving in Belgrade and if you arrive by car, make sure your accommodation has a dedicated parking, not only street parking.
Walking | The city is very walkable with all major sights located closely to one another, so the best way to get around Belgrade is by foot.
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 the Moovit appor Google.
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..
The top things to do and places to visit in Belgrade
Da Belgrad auf eine lange, komplizierte und ereignisreiche Geschichte zurückblickt, empfehle ich dir für den ersten Besuch eine Stadtführung oder eine Walking Tour, um die Zusammenhänge besser zu verstehen. Wenn du die Stadt lieber auf eigene Faust erkundest, solltest du diese Orte auf keinen Fall auslassen:Kalemegdan
The Belgrade Fortress and its park are so big that you could spend almost the whole afternoon there. Don't miss the Church of the Roses. The symbol of Belgrade, the statue of Pobednik, the victor, can also be found here. It looks out over the city of throned to the point where the Sava River and the Danube meet, and for me personally, this is the best place to watch the sunset over Belgrade.Skadarlija
This neighborhood of a few cobblestoned streets is sometimes compared to Montmartre because of its artsy vibes and cafés with flowers on their balconies. It's a bit touristy, yes, but still visiting is an absolute must. Make sure to also come here for dinner at night, most restaurants serve traditional Serbian food and also have live music. You can find my favorite Serbian foods and where to eat them in Belgrade here.Trg Republike
The Republic Square. Located in the centre of the city, surrounded by houses with an interesting mix of architecture. Every city tour starts here, the square is the central meeting point for Belgraders.Dorćol
The oldest part of Belgrade is now the city's creative neighbourhood, full of hip shops and hipster cafés, leading down to the Danube. This is where the city comes to life in the evenings, when the restaurants are full of young people. Simply stroll through the streets, admire the numerous street art and enjoy a delicious meal. You can find my favorite restaurants in Belgrade here. If you have time, head down to the Silos too–a new alternative hangout spot with street food and galleries right by the Danube.
Knez-Mihailova-Street
The Knez Mihailova shopping street is lined with houses from the 18th century, which now house shops, cafés and restaurants.Hotel Moskva
Just sit in, have a coffee and watch people! The traditional hotel has hosted many famous people since it opened, including Albert Einstein, Indira Gandhi and Ray Charles.Cathedral of St. Sava
This monumental Orthodox church is one of the largest Orthodox places of worship in the world and is somehow reminiscent of the Hagia Sophia. Admission is free when there is no service.Nikola-Tesla-Museum
The museum's exhibits are part of the world's documentary heritage. Many of Nikola Tesla's personal items and inventions are on display here. As is his urn, by the way. You can find all information about the Nikola Tesla Museum on their website.Museum of Yugoslavia
Definitely worth a visit if you are interested in the history of Yugoslavia and Tito. However, it is located a little outside the city. Perhaps combine it with a visit to the Belgrade Waterfront.The "blocks" of Novi Beograd
Am besten ein Fahrrad mieten und ein paar Blöcke durch die Neustadt fahren. Die brutalistischen Wohnbauten sind in ihrer Effizienz und ihrer eigenwilligen Ästhetik definitiv einen Blick wert — ein Stück Jugoslawien, das bis heute steht. Wenn du lieber einen tagesgenauen Plan haben möchtest, hop over to my Belgrade itinerary.
Where to eat in Belgrade
Ich liebe das Essen in Sarajevo — aber Belgrad entwickelt sich gerade zur Foodie-Hauptstadt des Balkans. Die Auswahl ist riesig, von traditioneller serbischer Küche bis zu Michelin-Stern-Restaurants. In all meinen Besuchen der letzten fünf Jahre hatte ich hier nie eine schlechte Mahlzeit.
A few of my favorite places:
Manufaktura | Absolutely instagrammable - especially because of the red umbrellas hanging over the outdoor area. The dishes are also typically Serbian. 📍Kralja Petra 13, Beograd
Tri Šešira | In this traditional restaurant, there is live music - guitar, accordion and singing - for dinner every evening. It is also located in the centre of the boho district of Skadarlija.📍Skadarska 29, Beograd
Smokvica | Urban and modern, Mediterranean dishes are served here with a twist. The courtyard with the fig tree makes you feel like you're in the Mediterranean. 📍Kralja Petra 73, Beograd
You can find my full restaurant guide with the best places to eat in Belgrade here. My guide what to eat in Belgrade is here.
Where to stay in Belgrade
If your Belgrade trip is only a couple of days, I recommend you stay as central as possible in old Belgrade to avoid public transportation from New Belgrade across the river. This way, you're also close to all major things to see and do, and the best restaurants in town.
Some of my favorite accommodations in Belgrade:
Smokvica Dorćol B&B | Dorćol is my favorite neighborhood and I almost always book accommodation here when I visit Belgrade. This place is a B&B and restaurant and close to all the best Belgrade street art.
Mama Shelter Belgrade | This place is in the heart of Belgrade with quirky rooms and the best view of the city from their rooftop terrace.
Villa Skadarlija | Skadarlija can be busy, especially at night so if you travel to Belgrade, you want to be careful about booking accommodation here. This one is in a quiet side street though, and offers all you need for a long weekend.
Best time to visit 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.
How safe is Belgrade?
First of all: Belgrade is a safe and completely normal European city. Nevertheless, I do have a few tips and hints:
- Taxi drivers occasionally take advantage of it when they recognise a tourist. The only thing that helps is to insist that the taxi meter is switched on and, if possible, order via an app, for example Pink Taxi.
- Pickpockets : Watch your bags or your luggage - but this has less to do with Belgrade than with any other big city in the world.
- Transport is very heavy here and drivers show little consideration. So don't just cross at the zebra crossing, but look left and right instead
The only thing that really, really annoys me in Serbia is that smoking is allowed inside. So if you are sensitive to this, it is advisable to visit Belgrade in summer when you can sit on terraces.
Roaming and SIM Cards in Belgrade
As Serbia is not in the EU, your roaming package does not apply here. You can either buy a SIM card locally at a kiosk or simply get an eSIM like Airalo, which you can even use for other countries after your trip to Serbia.
Day trips from Belgrade
Belgrade is also the perfect base for day trips to other places in Serbia. If you want to extend your stay, I recommend you plan a day trip to Novi Sad which is only 40-minutes by train from the Serbian capital. You can find an article of the best places to see and things to do in Novi Sad here.
Another city that's perfect for a day trip from Belgrade is Subotica. It's a 90-minute train ride from Belgrade and a perfect city escape. Honestly, Subotica might be my favorite city in all of Serbia. So if that made you curious, check my Subotica travel guide here.
Are you ready to visit Belgrade?
You now know everything you need to visit Belgrade and Serbia. Make sure to not only tock off your "best-things-to-do" list but also spend some time soaking up the vibe. If you're ready to plan your trip to Belgrade, don't forget to check out my 3-day itinerary .
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