What to do in Belgrade

Best Churches In Belgrade

Church Of Saint Sava

One of the most imposing landmarks in Belgrade, the massive Church of Saint Save, is the largest Serbian Orthodox church and one of the world’s biggest churches.

Located on the Vračar plateau, it’s visible from several locations in the city, dominating the cityscape. It’s constructed in a Byzantine-Revival style. A visit to this monumental structure is definitely one of the best things to do in Belgrade.

Saborna Church

You can’t miss this huge church as it’s clear from the city’s center and over the River Sava. This church was built in the 19th century in neoclassic architecture, having survived Ottoman rule.

If you’re an architecture buff, this is a must visit spot for you, and the neighborhoods around the church are well worth exploring on foot to find further hidden gems.

Ruzica Church

There are many historical churches in Belgrade, but Ruzica is the oldest, located close to the fortress. Not only is this church beautiful in architecture and interior decoration, but it’s a functioning church that often hosts weddings throughout the shoulder months of the year.

Best Historical & Cultural Sites In Belgrade

Kalemegdan Fortress

Most Balkan cities have some fortress, which varies in their state of dilapidation. And while parts of Belgrade are crumbling, the fortress is not among them.

Easily one of the best places to visit in Belgrade, the Kalemegdan Fortress rests over the confluence of the Danube and Sava, the two Belgrade rivers, and houses the city’s biggest and most lovely park.

It is the perfect place to spend a warm afternoon, drinking a beer and admiring the views of the city. The fortress is also home to one of the top museums in Belgrade and the Belgrade Zoo.

Underground Roman Tunnels

The lush, green land around Kalemegdan Fortress is a must-visit, but dare you to head underground and check out the old Roman tunnels?

A network of tunnels was built over a century ago by the Romans, and you can head underground and explore these mysterious caverns, with the help of a guide, of course!

Pobednik Monument

This famous monument is called ‘The Victor,’ and here you’ll find stunning views over the whole city and the Danube.

The monument was built to commemorate the victory over the Ottomans and Austro-Hungarians.

Republic Square

Situated at the southern end of Knez Mihailova, Republic Square is arguably the most important square in Belgrade. As a business and cultural district, this vibrant area in the Belgrade Old Town is where you’ll find major Belgrade sights like the Serbian National Theatre and the iconic Serbian National Museum, the latter of which is definitely worth visiting.

It’s a popular meeting place among locals and expats and one of the key tourist attractions in Belgrade.

Best Museums In Belgrade

The Tito Museum

While probably the most famous museum in Belgrade is the Nikola Tesla Museum, it focuses heavily on science and innovation. That certainly comes with its own audience, although it’s undoubtedly considered to be among the best Belgrade has to offer in terms of museums.

If you want to delve into Serbia’s and former Yugoslavia’s history a bit more, head to the Tito Museum. I knew very little about Yugoslavia’s controversial former leader, but I found this museum to be both fascinating and informative and absolutely worth the visit.

It’s one of the important places to visit in Belgrade to learn more about the city’s and country’s history.

Nikola Tesla Museum

Located in the Belgrade city center, the Nikola Tesla Museum is dedicated to the life and work of Nikola Tesla, arguably the most famous Serb. This may be the best museum in the city, and a visit is definitely one of the best things to do in Belgrade, particularly if you like history and science.

The museum is home to more than 1,200 historical technical exhibits, over 2,000 journals and books, and an incredibly 160,000 original documents. It also has more than a thousand drawings and plans. Because of its exceptional wealth of items and the legacy of Tesla in terms of electricity-related inventions, it is part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Program Register.

Belgrade Military Museum

If you want to learn more about the military history of Serbia as a whole, the Belgrade Military Museum is a one-stop shop for everything you need to know. This museum is found in Kalemegdan Park, and you can visit it for free.

National Museum of Serbia

The National Museum was founded by a decree of the Minister of Education Jovan Sterija Popovic on May 10, 1844 as Serbian Museum (Muzeum serbski) whose purpose was to collect antiquities in one place and to safeguard them for posterity. In the first decades of its work it was organised as an institution of protection but also as a scientific and research institution that constituted the national identity and was a crucial participant in the development of heritage protection. The National Museum soon grew into an official representative of the state and the society, testifying to a possible strength of culture and museums in Serbia.

Princess Ljubica’s Residence

Princess Ljubica’s Residence is a palace located in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Because of its cultural and architectural importance the residence has been designated a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance.

Best Bars, Streets, Neighborhoods & Districts In Belgrade

Skadarlija Bohemian Quarter

Skadarlija, or the Bohemian quarter, might be the most touristy neighborhood in Belgrade. This isn’t, however, a reason to avoid it.

The picturesque cobbled streets in Belgrade’s old city are lined with shops and cafés. Some of the best Belgrade restaurants are also situated in this area. A stroll through this charming quarter is highly recommended for anyone visiting Belgrade in winter, summer, and throughout the year.

Whether looking for the best food in Belgrade, spending the afternoon shopping, or simply going on a casual stroll, Skadarlija is a great place to go in Belgrade. If you only have one day in Belgrade, put this area at the top of your Belgrade top sights list!

Zemun

If you want to return in time, you must visit Zemun. A district full of incredible architecture, churches, and houses, Glavna is the street to be seen on, which runs right down to the Danube River.

Don your comfortable walking shoes, as you can easily walk from the center of Belgrade to Zemun; it’s only 3km and a very picturesque walk along the river. There are also plenty of places for a pitstop coffee along the way.

Make sure to visit Gardos tower. Nice view on the Danube river and beautiful neighborhood that comes with it.

Knez Mihailova Street

Another prominent street in the Belgrade city center is Knez Mihailova Street. In fact, this is actually the city’s main pedestrian and shopping street, one of the iconic places to see in Belgrade.

Lined by beautiful historic buildings housing stores of famous international brands like Sephora and Zara, as well as various restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, this wonderful street is officially protected as one of Belgrade’s oldest and most culturally valuable landmarks.

Silosi

Interesting bar next to the river. Old silos turned into a bar with great murals.

Crveni Petao and/or Ljutic

Nice little bars in the city center. You can relax here after a hard day of walking around Belgrade.

Docker Brewery and/or Dogma Brewery

If you are a fan of craft beer make sure to try the one made in Belgrade. Very big beer gardens.

Best Parks & Outdoor Recreation In Belgrade

Ada Ciganlija

Also known simply as Ada, Ada Ciganlija is an island in the Sava River in central Belgrade. Nicknamed “Belgrade’s Sea,” it’s one of the city’s largest and most popular recreation sites, home to various sports facilities and beaches.

In summer, it’s not uncommon for visitation numbers to exceed 100,000 on weekdays and even reach up to 300,000 on the weekends. Activities range from kayaking, swimming, sunbathing, and rowing to playing golf, and tennis, relaxing in the shade of a tree and playing basketball.

Savski kej

There is a lot of bars on the river here. Also offers a nice way to get to know the ‘brutalism’, famous architectural style of New Belgrade.

Zemunski kej

Big part next to the river.

25. maj

Nice walking tour along the river. Offeres nice view over Sava and Danube river.

Day Trips From Belgrade, Serbia

Novi Sad

Only about an hour’s train ride north of Belgrade, Serbia’s second-largest city of Novi Sad, is an excellent option if you want to see a more mellow, laid-back side of Serbia. You can book tickets here (you will need to sign up)!

Home to the country’s largest and internationally famous music festival, called EXIT, Novi Sad is already on the map for many younger travelers.

Easy to get to from Budapest or even as a day trip from Belgrade, Novi Sad is a can’t-miss city in Serbia. And don’t let the dingy, a grey area around the bus/train station fool you; Novi Sad is a lovely city once you venture into the Old Town!

Probably the highlight of Novi Sad is its massive fortress in the city center. The fortress is home to the Novi Sad City Museum, an observatory, and planetarium, and several restaurants and cafés. The Petrovaradin Fortress hosts the famous EXIT Festival every summer, but it is also a fantastic place to explore any other time of year.

Where to eat in Belgrade

Walter and/or Savcic

Try traditional meat kebabs. You have to eat it with a lot of onion and ‘kajmak’.

Modern

Klub knjizevnika

Mixture of Franch and Serbian cousine. Here you must try ‘gibanica’ pie.

Mesara Morava

Modern butcher shop with high quality meet. Make sure to try ‘special bone’.

Sweet

Ferdinand knedle

Traditional sweet with some twist. Knedle are traditional dumplings filled with fruit, usually plumbs, but here you can find many different fillings.

Mandarina and/or Suma

High quality cakes and sweets.

Visiting Belgrade