Belgrade is certainly one of Europe's most underrated cities. Before visiting, I didn't know much about it and wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by its charm. Cozy cafés, fascinating museums, plenty of green spaces, beautiful churches and free public transport definitely make Belgrade a place worth visiting. So if you are planning a trip through the Balkans, make sure to add Belgrade to your intinerary and keep on reading this post to discover the best way to experience Serbia's capital.
When to travel to Belgrade?
I traveled to Belgrade mid July, and the weather was nice in terms of it being sunny with a clear blue sky. However, it was really hot with the temperature being around 33°C (91.4 °F). I had to take a lot of breaks and sit down in cafés because the heat made exploring the city really exhausting (though going to cafés definitely isn't the worst thing to do in Serbia ;)). I would probably recommend visiting in April-May or September-October, when the weather is still lovely but the temperature is much more comfortable for walking around. In the summer months it is also a little busier, though overall Belgrade really was only crowded in the top tourist spots and in the rest of the city there were not a lot of people. Of course you may also plan your trip around any events that interest you. To check out all the events happening in Belgrade, visit this website.
How long to stay?
I stayed two nights in Belgrade, meaning I only had one full day. This was enough to get a good overview of the city and soak in its vibe, however, I do think the city has a lot to offer so you could easily stay longer. I had saved a few places on Google Maps, such as the Zemun quarter on the other side of the river, or some museums including the Nikola Tesla Museum, which I did not manage to visit this time.
How to get there?
By plane:
I arrived in Belgrade by plane, flying from Munich with Lufthansa. On my travel date, this actually turned out to be the cheapest option, though more budget-friendly airlines like Wizzair also connect Belgrade with the rest of Europe. The Serbian capital is very well connected with other European cities, so getting there shouldn't be a problem. I usually use Skyscanner to compare routes and find the best deals for flights. Once you land in Belgrade, reaching the city center is pretty easy. From the airport, buses run very regularly into town. There is the paid Airport Express line A1, which drops you near the center, where you can connect to lines 65, 74 or 77, which will bring you into the center. You can purchase the ticket for the bus ride directly from the driver, so if you are planning on taking this bus make sure to bring cash in the local currency RSD. However, there is also another option that is completely free of charge! Instead of taking the Airport bus you can use the regular lines 600 or 607. They take about the same time and drive approximately the same route, meaning you can also connect to the lines that bring you into the city center, and all that while not having to worry about purchasing a ticket. Once you leave the airport through the main exit, you will immediately see the bus stops, where both the regular lines and A1 line are leaving from.
By train:
If you are exploring the Balkans with an Interrail pass, Belgrade makes a great stop on your route. There is, for instance, a train connecting Podgorica with Belgrade, which runs overnight and gets you into Belgrade early in the morning. To plan your train journeys I highly recommend using the Interrail website, as it is one of the best tools to check which train connections are possible. Once in Serbia, you can also travel around the country quite easily, as the national railway company Srbija Voz connects Belgrade with many other Serbian cities.
By bus:
When traveling through the Balkans you will quickly notice that buses are often more practical than trains. In fact, some countries in the region, such as Albania, don't have a functioning train network at all. After my stay in Belgrade I continued on to Sofia, for which I had to book a bus, as trains did not run between the two cities. If you are planning on doing the same thing, the best bus will probably be the Flixbus, which directly connects the two capitals. The ride is around 6 hours (though a lot of this time was spent at border control) and costs around 40€. One thing to keep in mind when using buses in the Balkans is that you often have to pay a small fee at the bus stations in order to be allowed to enter the platforms. So make sure to have some cash in the local currency with you.
By ship:
Another way to reach Belgrade is by boat. The city is located on the Danube river, and many tourist groups we saw during our stay were visiting as part of a river cruise. These cruises usually stop in Belgrade for a day before continuing along the Danube in the evening. I don't have much experience with them, but if it's something you are interested in, maybe explore the different options on this website.
Getting around Belgrade
One of the best things about Belgrade is the free public transport. All buses and trams are free of charge, with the exceptions of the express bus lines E and the airport bus A1. Because there was no need to worry about purchasing tickets, I made frequent use of the buses, which are a super convenient way to get from one attraction to another. Finding connections through Google Maps worked well, however keep in mind that once you are in the bus there are no announcements, so unless you are already familiar with the city, it's important to have some mobile data to track your route and know when to get off. At the moment, there may be some disruptions to bus routes due to ongoing protests, however in most cases the system still works fine, except for maybe having to walk a few extra stops if certain ones aren't accessible. Personally, I had no problems with that, but a local told me that sometimes this can be the case.
Where to stay?
I stayed together with a friend in Hostel Fair and Square, where we shared a private room, which was around 67€ for the two of us for two nights. The Hostel was very social so if you are traveling solo it is definitely a great place to meet other people and form connections. The common room also had some board games and other entertainment options, so it was a great place to hang out. Moreover, the hostel was also home to a very adorable cat and dog :) The location was very convenient, with some bakeries close by, as well as several bus lines that take you into the center.
Things to do
1) Visit the Church of St. Sava
The Church of St. Sava is one of Belgrade's main attractions, and, along with the Belgrade fortress and the Museum of Yugoslavia, one of the busiest spots in the city. It ranks among the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world, and really dominates Belgrade's skyline. Construction on the church began in 1935 and finished in 2004, though some work on the interior decoration continued for some years afterward. When you step inside you are greeted with golden mosaics, impressive chandeliers and a lot of detail that went into the design. I highly recommend taking your time to take everything in. The entrance of the church is free and although this is not enforced in this church, I would recommend to cover your shoulders and knees.
2) Walk along Knez Mihailova
Knez Mihailova is Belgrade's main pedestrian street, lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants, and it's the place where the city truly comes alive, with both locals and tourists spending time here. The street is also known for its beautiful architecture, with historic buildings blending seamlessly with more modern styles. From this street you can easily reach some of Belgrade's top attractions, which I will get into shortly.
3) Take a look inside Knjižara Akademija
On Knez Mihailova you will also find one of Belgrade's prettiest bookstores: Knjižara Akademija. The shop is not only worth visiting for its elegant interior with gorgeous chandeliers but also for its wide selection of English books. Moreover, you will also find a cozy small café inside, making it the perfect spot to hang out with a book and a coffee.
4) Visit Republic Square
The square lies at one end of Knez Mihailova and is a great starting point for exploring Belgrade's main sights in the city center. It is framed by important historical buildings, including the National Theater and National Museum and serves as an important meeting point in the city. It also happens to be the starting point of most guided tours, such as the popular free walking tours, which I always enjoy and can definitely recommend joining!
5) Explore Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park
Located at the opposite end of Knez Mihailova, the Kalemedgan Park and Belgrade Fortress serve as one of the most popular and most visited spots in the city. The site is huge and offers a large variety of different attractions, with plenty of things to do and see. You can wander through the fortress, climb up the tower to get a view over Belgrade or visit one of the exhibitions. To find out about all attractions in the fortress, as well as their opening times and prices you can visit the fortress's website. But the fortress is not the only thing worth visiting on the property. There is also a fasciniating display of military vehicles, a dinosaur exhibition, sports facilities like basketball courts, and plenty of souvenir shops just outside the fortress walls. Moreover, from several spots of the property you can get great views over the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. I only saw a small piece of the property, and I'm sure there is even more to discover than what I have mentioned.
6) Have drinks at Boho Bar
The bar is located righty by the Belgrade Fortress and serves as the perfect spot to take a break from sightseeing. Not only does the bar offer a great variety of drinks and a great atmosphere with its laid-back vibe but you also have the perfect view of Belgrade Fortress from the bar. In the night the bar transforms into a popular nightclub, with music and different performances. If you want to experience Belgrade's vibrant nightlife here, you can check on their website what types of events they have planned for when you are visiting.
7) have breakfast at a Kafeterija
On our first morning in Belgrade we decided to go out for breakfast and stopped at Kafeterija Vračar. The menu offered a wide variety of breakfast dishes along with homemade drinks and fair prices. Later that day we realised Kafeterija is actually a chain, when we came across another one at a different location with the same menu. This is super convenient as you can count on finding one close to you, no matter what part of city you are staying in.
8) Learn about Serbia's history in the Historical Museum of Serbia
The Historical Museum of Serbia is a great place to get an overview of the country's past, especially if you are like me and know close to nothing about Serbia's history. The exhibitions guide you through the key events, while also showcasing beautiful artifacts, such as traditional Serbian costumes and the royal crown. The museum is open daily from 12pm to 8pm, except on Mondays. A normal ticket costs 400 RSD but with a valid student ID you can get a reduced ticket for 150 RSD.
9) Get inspired in Belgrade's Design District (Čumićevo Sokače)
The district was one of my favorite places in Belgrade and felt like a true hidden gem. We stumbled upon it on the way to the Historical Museum of Serbia and I was immediately fascinated by its unique vibe. In the heart of the district you find an abandoned shopping center that has been transformed into a space for artists to come together to sell their products or host art workshops and other events. While exploring, my friend and I stopped in a store that sold vintage clothing and accessories, which was really fun to browse. Apart from the shops the district is also home to some street art and serves with its creative character as a nice contrast to the rest of the city.
10) Spend the evening in Skadarlija
Skadarlija is Belgrade's most vibrant neighborhood, which comes to life especially in the evenings. Its main street is lined with restaurants and bars, and at almost every corner you hear some live music playing. The area still retains its historical bohemian charm, which is even protected by law. It is definitely one of the best places to be once the sun sets and you want to experience some of Belgrade's nightlife. Moreover, you get to experience traditional Serbian food, as well as listen to folk music while enjoying your dinner.
11) Visit a traditional bakery
One of the best things about Serbia is definitely the food, especially the many pastries. We came across a very traditional bakery near our Hostel called Bakery Trpković, which not only looked very authentic with its walls being decorated with Orthodox icons, but also served very traditional food.
12) Visit the Museum of Yugoslavia
The Museum of Yugoslavia is as the most visited museum in Serbia definitely a place worth exploring. It is located a bit outside the city center, but it's easily reachable by public transport. Entry costs 600 RSD for adults, while students can get a discounted ticket for half the price with a valid student ID. The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm, except on Mondays when it's closed. On the property you find several different buildings that house exhibitions about Yugoslavia's history, as well as Josip Broz Tito's life. In one of the buildings you even get to visit the grave of Tito. The buildings are surrounded by nice greenery, making the museum grounds very lovely. Moreover, since it is located on a hill you get some good views over the city and can even spot the Church of St. Sava from up there.
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