It wasn't exactly love at first sight with Belgrade and me. To be completely honest, I had to visit the Serbian capital a few times before it clicked. But all good things come in threes, and after my third visit, I was hooked: The warmth of the people of Belgrade, the vibe of the city - sometimes a bit grungy, sometimes super chic, the live music in every kafana and this hunger for life that beats out of every side street ... All of this finally cast a spell over me.
Belgrade is sometimes called the Berlin of the East - and even if Belgrade may remind you a little of Berlin in some corners (hello, nightlife!), the city is always doing its own thing, constantly reinventing itself, producing cool fusion restaurants, artists and musicians.
But enough talk now: Belgrade is a city that wants to be conquered - and I'll help you do it. In this article, I'll tell you the best things to do and see for a city trip to Belgrade and give you a few additional tips for the Serbian capital!!
This post is from 2019 and has been updated and revised.
Belgrade cheat sheet: No time to read the whole article?
Here are the most important facts at a glance:
💭 Culture, history or really good food: Belgrade is a destination for everyone
📚 What should you definitely see? The Cathedral of St. Sava, the Kalemegdan Fortress, the boho district of Skadarlija and the main shopping street Knez Mihailova. More time? Zemun, Dorćol and the Yugoslavia Museum
🛏️ The best accommodation: Villa Skadarlija
☀️ The best time to visit: March-May & September
🏥 Safety: Belgrade is a safe city, but take out a travel health insurance to be safe
☂️ The best City tourA walking tour
🧡 Insider tip: Restaurants in boho street Skadarlija have live music every evening, even during the week. Dining here in the evening is an experience
All Belgrade things to see & do for your city trip
Where is Belgrade?
Where does the name “white city” come from actually? And why is it even called that?
Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is located on the Balkan Peninsula where the Sava flows into the Danube. The city is one of the largest metropolitan regions in south-eastern Europe with around 1.7 million inhabitants.
It is nicknamed the white city (the translation of the nameBeograd, by the way) because of its fortress Kalmegdan, which is located exactly where the Danube and the Sava flow into each other.
Due to its location on the two rivers - each 300 and 500 meters wide, by the way - the city is relatively extensive, but you will probably limit your trip to the old town and spend less time in New Belgrade.
How to get there: How do I get to Belgrade?
The easiest way to get to Belgrade is with Air Serbia. I was still living in Hamburg at the time and flew from Berlin for just under 80 euros. But other airlines such as Easyjet or WizzAir also fly to Belgrade several times a week. I always compare prices for flights with the flight search engine Kiwi.
From the airport, the easiest way to get to the city centre is by bus or taxi - be sure to check the meter so you don't get ripped off!
Notice thatGoogle Maps cannot show public transport in Belgrade. Instead, the app Moovit works very well. However, the bus takes about 50 minutes to the city centre, our accommodation was a bit outside and I was on the road for 40 minutes.
If you don't want to fly, you can alternatively travel by car. This is especially good from southern Germany. It takes about 10 hours and you can, for example, make a little road trip out of it and make a stop and spend the night in Klagenfurt, Ljubljana or Zagreb.
Belgrade-Facts
- After being ruled by Austro-Hungary and the Ottomans, Belgrade was the capital of Yugoslavia for almost 70 years. It was bombed by NATO in the late 1990s. Traces of these different periods can still be found everywhere in the city
- In 2016, Lonely Planet named Belgrade the best party city in the world. There are over 170 clubs in the metropolis, most of which are located on boats on the Danube and guarantee an exciting nightlife
- Serbia is the only European country that uses two alphabets - Cyrillic and Latin. Serbian as a language is very similar to Croatian and Bosnian
- A total of 22 restaurants in Belgrade have made it onto the list of the prestigious Michelin Guide. The city really is a paradise for foodies - more restaurant tips further down in the article.
Where to stay in Belgrade?
When I'm looking for accommodation in Belgrade, I always pay attention to the location. I like to be in the middle of the action. That's why I usually look for somewhere in the Dorćol district - this alternative neighborhood has lots of great boutiques, restaurants and cafés. Republic Square or the city's main artery, Knez Mihailova, are also good places to start. If you choose a hotel around these two hubs, you'll be super central and can walk to all the main sights.
🏰 Local Hotel Tip: Villa Skadarlija right in the boho district of Skadarlija. The rooms are cozy and clean, the owners are incredibly nice and despite the location close to bars and restaurants, our room was very quiet. You can book Villa Skadarlija directly here.. For all bookings I use booking.com - with the Genius program I get up to 20% discount!
How many days should I plan for Belgrade?
On my first trip to Belgrade, we stayed for four days - and didn't really know what to do with ourselves after two days. I now know the city better and think that three to four days, a long weekend, is the ideal time frame to visit Belgrade.
This gives you plenty of time not only to visit the historic city center , but perhaps also to explore the chic new development Beograd na vodi Beograd na vodi or spend a day in the picturesque village of Zemuna little outside the city or perhaps even just relax on the city beach on the island of Ada Ciganlija .
As you can see, Belgrade has a lot to offer. Nevertheless, the city is not a classic beauty like other spruced-up Central European cities. On the contrary: with its partly run-down magnificent buildings, the socialist prefabricated buildings of New Belgrade or the grungy vibe in some districts, it may even seem a little ugly at times.
But: Just walk through the streets with your eyes open and let yourself be surprised. At the end of the day, the capital of Serbia is a city where it's best to just let yourself drift instead of working through a list of sights. I have never regretted just letting the city surprise me!
The best things to see in Belgrade: what should you see?
On my first visit, our route took us by bus past magnificent socialist buildings that had long since seen their best days. We finally arrived at the Hotel Moskva, which was packed: Novak Đoković was playing against Roger Federer and the whole of Serbia was glued to the screen.
We enjoyed an iced coffee and a cake with fresh, huge raspberries and we realized: the “white city” will challenge us to explore it with open eyes. Its beauty is sometimes hidden behind aggressive honking and exhaust fumes - and this veil of gray must first be lifted.
Even if it's nice to drift around: Here are a few things to see in Belgrade that you shouldn't miss.
Church of Saint 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. Be sure to visit, admission is even free!
Trg republike - The Republic Square. Centrally located in 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.
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.
Studentski park - A small park in the middle of the university district. Perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city with a coffee to go. Not far from the Knez Mihailova pedestrian zone.
Knez Mihailova - The Knez Mihailova shopping street is lined with houses from the 18th century, which now house stores, cafés and restaurants.
Skandarlija - Often compared to Montmartre, as Belgrade is known as the Paris of the East. A cobbled artists' quarter with many alternative cafés and bars. But also a bit touristy. Still a must!
Kalemegdan – The Belgrade Fortress and its park are so huge 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.
Novi Beograd - Simply rent a bike and ride a few blocks of the new town - in their efficiency and ugliness, the buildings of so-called brutalism are definitely worth a look, reminiscent of the Yugoslavian and communist past.
Dorćol - The oldest part of Belgrade is now the creative quarter of the city, full of hip stores 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.
Zemun - This old fishing village is a suburb of Belgrade and is known for its boho vibe. There was already a settlement here in Roman times. Simply stroll along the Danube, eat fresh fish and be sure to walk up to the Kula Gardoš, the old tower. The view from there is impressive.
Ada Ciganlija - This island in the Sava River is a popular recreational area for the people of Belgrade. Here you will find cycle paths, small beaches and numerous restaurants and cafés on so-called splavs, boats that are permanently anchored directly on the shore. Splavs are also known as party boats - in New Belgrade, many of them anchor along the Danube and turn into discos at night.
Nikola Tesla Museum – Die Ausstellungsstücke des Museums gehören zum Weltdokumentenerbe. Viele persönliche Gegenstände und auch Erfindungen von Nikola Tesla sind hier ausgestellt. Wie übrigens auch seine Urne. Alle Infos zum Nikola Tesla Museum findest du auf deren Webseite.
Josip Broz Tito Mausoleum und Museum von Jugoslawien - 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
In any case, during a city trip to Belgrade a walking tour is also worth taking!The city has a turbulent history, which is reflected in the architecture and the people's attitude to life. So it's simply much more exciting to hear it told by a local instead of a Wikipedia article!
Where to eat in Belgrade: The best restaurants
Belgrade is full of excellent bars and restaurants - here you will find the top culinary addresses in the Balkans, from traditional to international cuisine. I've been to Belgrade many times now, but I can say one thing for sure: I've never had a bad meal there!
- Restoran Vuk: This restaurant offers typical Serbian dishes. A good choice is the stuffed pljeskavica, but also the breaded and cheese-stuffed peppers.Vuka Karadžića 12, Beograd
- 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 Sešira: This traditional restaurant offers live music - guitar, accordion and singing - for dinner every evening. It is also located in the middle 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 even more restaurants and typical Serbian dishes in my article on the best restaurants in Belgrade.
🥘 Local tip: The best way to get to know Serbian cuisine is on a food tour because it often tastes best in the restaurants and foodie spots that we tourists stroll past unseen because we don't even know what's behind them.
Is Belgrade safe?
So let me confirm: Belgrade is a safe and completely normal European city. Nevertheless, I have a few tips:
- Taxi drivers occasionally take advantage of it when they recognize a tourist. The only thing that helps is to insist that the cab meter is switched on and, if possible, order via an app, for example Pink Taxi.
- Pickpockets:Watch out for your bags or luggage - but this has less to do with Belgrade than with any big city in the world.
- The Traffic is very heavy here and drivers don't show much consideration. So don't just cross the street just because of the green light, but rather look more to the left and right.
Oh and there is actually one thing i hate about Serbia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina:people smoke inside. So if you are sensitive to this, it is advisable to visit Belgrade in summer, when you can sit on terraces.
Noch Fragen zu Belgrad? Wissenswertes für deine Reise gibt es hier ⬇️
💸 Can I pay with euros in Belgrade?
You cannot pay with euros in Belgrade. The official currency in Serbia is the Serbian dinar. You can check the official exchange rate here. However, most restaurants and shops also accept cards, so you won't need a lot of cash.
🇷🇸 What language is spoken in Belgrade?
The official language of the country is Serbian. The Serbian language uses Cyrillic letters, so it's best to download Google Translate, which also allows you to take photos of Cyrillic menus or street signs and have them translated.
💉 Do I need international health insurance for Belgrade?
Absolutely! You should never, never, never travel without international health insurance. Serbia is also not in the EU, which means that your German health insurance does not cover the country. I always like to recommend SafetyWing to other travellers. For less than one euro per day, you can insure yourself here and also protect yourself against the risk of lost luggage.
📲 Can I use European roaming in Belgrade?
No, as Serbia is not in the EU, your roaming package is not valid here. You can either buy a SIM card from a local kiosk for a few marks or simply get an eSIM like Airalo, which you can even use for other countries after your trip to Bosnia. You can download the Airalo app here.
💦 Can I drink the tap water in Belgrade?
The tap water in Belgrade is safe to drink.
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Have you been to Belgrade? If so, how did you like it? Do you have any additional tips or experiences? I look forward to reading about it in the comments!