12 Best Things to Do in Belgrade, Serbia (Local Tips)

When I was living in Berlin, one of my closest friends was Serbian but grew up in Canada. A few years ago, she decided to move back to Belgrade, and that was all the excuse Fabio and I needed to finally experience Serbia’s capital properly.

She happened to have an apartment available, so we made a spontaneous decision and moved to Belgrade for a few months. Living there instead of just visiting completely changed how we saw the city. We learned the daily rhythms, the café culture, the nightlife, the neighborhoods, and the local hangouts that tourists usually miss.

Over those months, we built a real list of the best things to do in Belgrade, Serbia, many of them recommended by our local friend. These are the places locals actually go, not just the ones that show up on every generic travel blog.

So if you are planning a trip, these are the non-negotiable things you need to do when you visit Belgrade.

1. Stay at the Hotel Moskva

When you are planning your accommodations to Belgrade, the most iconic of places to stay is the Hotel Moskva. An art nouveau-era hotel celebrated for its striking architecture and remarkable history, having endured multiple wars over the decades. It has hosted an impressive list of global icons, including Albert Einstein, Brad Pitt, and Indira Gandhi, which says a lot about the level of experience you can expect.

Even if you don't stay there, you will inevitably stumble upon it when you are wandering through town and perhaps give dining at the sleek, yet traditional, Restaurant Tchaikovsky a go.

2. Take a Crash Course Tour on Belgrade

Before coming to Belgrade, we knew entirely too little about the city and Serbia. One of the first things we did was take a free tour of the downtown to acclimate ourselves.

The guide brought us through the streets and demystified topics like Serbian language, Serbia's tumultuous history and part in Yugoslavia, Serbian culture and politics, etc. Doing this type of crash course is a must in a city with such a fascinating past and soon made us curious to know more.

3. Go Wild Over the Varied Architecture

A walk in Belgrade is a step back through many eras, particularly in Stari Grad (Old Town) where there are buildings ranging from Austro-Hungarian elegance to Ottoman Empire functionality to Communist Yugoslavia weird to modern day glass mammoths. If you are architecture fans like us, every turn in the street (especially on Knez Mihailova Street) is going to ignite your inner child.

As big-time Yugoslavian-era brutalist architecture fans, we recommend Novi Belgrade (New Belgrade) and its Western City Gate (and the not-as-ridiculous, but still quite cool, Eastern City Gate).

In contrast, you have impressive churches like the Church of Saint Sava or the Church of Saint Mark. Also check out the bizarrely designed, Belgrade Design District.

4. Experience Dinner Like the Serbs Do On Skardalija Street

If you are coming to Belgrade, one thing you will need to try are the restaurants on Skardalija, a Bohemian street in the center with cute cobblestone walkways.

Here you have a strip of traditional Serbian restaurants where local string bands will come right up to your table, and with a song recommendation and a little tip, will serenade you. I feel like it helps to be a Serbian to get the most out of it, as they only do Serbian songs. Yet either way, when paired with a lot of rakija and local wine, this is a must-try.

Give one of these two a try:

• Velika Skardalija Restaurant
• Tri šešira

5. Check out Belgrade Nightlife

Lonely Planet listed Belgrade as one of the cities with the best nightlife in the world. While this article was written back in 2011, it seems the nightlife has only gotten better over the years and while we were there, we felt like it was one of the few cities that rivaled Berlin in its bar and club offering; and there is really something for everyone.

In our Gay Belgrade Guide, we talk extensively about our favorite bars and clubs in Belgrade (both LGBTQ+-focused and not), so make sure to head over there for our definitive list of recommendations.

For quick reference, though, we recommend the converted industrial complex of Silosi, the area of Cetinjska 15 (deemed The "Belgrade Kreuzberg"), or getting a drink or five on a splav (we will cover more of what that is in the next section).

6. Get Drinks or Party on a Splav

One of the unique things about Belgrade, is that it is surrounded by the Sava and Danube rivers, so the city makes use of its waterfront more than other places we have been to.

One way they make use of it is having splavs (or giant floating rafts), which during the summer, will transform into lively bars and clubs.

Our favorites were:

• Brodić Na Savi (bar): With craft beer (Salto) and pizza and sexy views of the Ada Bridge, this is a hipster sailor's delight and one of the best places to hang out and relax on the Sava. It has both indoor and outdoor seating.
• 20/44 (club): Named cleverly after the coordinates for Belgrade, this one is for all the electronic music lovers out there. While this English Guardian article is from 2014 and therefore heavily dated, it is rated as one of the "Best Clubs in Europe" up there with Belgrade, and we agree. Partying on a boat is just way better.

7. Explore Kalemegdan Park and Fortress

It is impossible to miss Kalemegdan Park and Fortress, as it takes up the entire tip of Belgrade where the Sava River meets the Danube. It is this incredible park that utilizes its waterfront in a way no other city does. Smack dab in the middle is Kalemegdan Fortress, a place that is not only a symbol of Belgrade's long and diverse history (it has changed hands between the Romans, the Ottomans, and more!) but also a vibrant cultural and social hub. It serves as a reminder of the city's strategic importance and resilience through various historical epochs.

I would recommend wandering around it, heading down to the waterfront, and eventually grabbing a well-deserved drink at one of the fortress' kafanas. One of the fabulous ones that give off perfect summer vibes is Boho Bar.

8. Relax By the Beaches of Lake Sava

Branching off of the Sava River, Lake Sava is the spot where locals go to chill out during the summer. For nature and exercise-lovers, you have ample running space. In addition to long pebble beaches, there are restaurants and bars all over with reasonable prices.

9. Wander Zemun: A City Within a City?!

Zemun feels like a charming Austro-Hungarian escape tucked inside Belgrade. Once an independent town until 1934, Zemun still retains a completely different look and vibe from the rest of the Serbian capital. As soon as you arrive, you will notice the pastel-colored buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and elegant facades that feel far more Vienna or Budapest than Balkan.

Strolling through Zemun is one of the most relaxing things to do in Belgrade. Walk along the Danube promenade, stop for a coffee or glass of wine at one of the riverside cafés, and wander up into the old town where you will find traditional houses, small churches, and local bakeries.

Do not miss the tiny fortress at the top of Gardoš Hill. From here, you get one of the best panoramic views of Belgrade and the Danube River, especially at sunset. It is the perfect place to slow down and see a completely different side of the city.

10. Get Your Museum Fix

If this is your thing, allot a few hours to the many museums that make of Belgrade. A few notable ones are:

• National Museum: You won't miss this one from the outside, as it is right in the center of Republic Square. It gives you an idea of the history of Serbia, as depicted entirely through art, over the course of centuries. It is free on Sundays (yay for free things)!
• Museum of Yugoslavia: Exactly as it sounds, this museum highlights the epic period of Serbian history in which Belgrade was the capital of Yugoslavia. Tito, the godfather of communist Yugoslavia, has his tomb located right next to it. There are some dates in which entrance is free, so keep an eye on the website. Check out the over-the-top café and restaurant, Hyde Park, afterwards.
• Nikola Tesla Museum: The Serbian-American is known for his generation, transmission, and use of alternating current (AC) electricity and there is a whole museum about him.

11. See a Show at the National Theater

The National Theater is conveniently next to the National Museum in Republic Square and if you are up for it, they put on some memorable performances. While the dramas will be in Serbian and probably a bit difficult to understand (Serbian is a hard language 😓), they also offer operas and ballets in which language barriers will be less of an issue.

12. Get Outside of Belgrade

Alright, so this one isn't exactly a thing to do in Belgrade, but if you can find the time for a day trip (or longer), why not get outside of Belgrade and see what true Serbia (and beyond) has to offer. Here are our favorites:

Novi Sad (and Northern Serbia)

Novi Sad is the second-largest city in Serbia. It straddles the Danube as well, gives off a much more Austro-Hungarian baroque vibes than Belgrade, and in general is much more relaxed and smaller.

You can get there by train, and it will take about 1 hour.

If you have a bit more time and a car, go ahead and explore the rest of Vojvodina province.

Montenegro

Well not exactly a day trip, but if you have a weekend or more, then head down to Montenegro. The two countries were the final members of Yugoslavia and you will have some pretty incredible sea access here - rivaling that of Croatia!

You can take a train directly from Belgrade to Bar, Montenegro.

Conclusion

Belgrade is not a city that reveals itself all at once. It is layered, intense, welcoming, chaotic, and full of surprises. Living there for a few months instead of just passing through gave us a completely different perspective on Serbia’s capital. From lazy afternoons on the river and long café sessions to wild nights out and deep dives into history, Belgrade quickly became one of those cities that stays with you long after you leave.

What makes Belgrade special is not just its architecture, nightlife, or food, but the people and the energy. It is a place that feels raw and real, where tradition and modern life collide in the most fascinating ways. Whether you are wandering through fortress walls, dancing on a floating club, eating your way down Skadarlija, or watching the sunset over the Danube in Zemun, you will constantly find yourself saying, “I did not expect this.”

If you are planning a trip, use this list as your starting point. These are the experiences that helped us understand the city beyond the surface and fall a little bit in love with it. And chances are, once you visit, Belgrade will do the same to you.