Finding so many cool things to do in Belgrade along with the architecture, the riverside promenade, the colourful market, coffees (plural) and so many things to taste made the start to our Eastern European journey set off with an impressive bang.
We didn’t know what to expect from the Serbian capital. But just as it has been described many times before as the introduction to where Western Europe meets the East it truly came through as a great introduction to a new region of Europe for us.
Serbian hospitality is not as renowned as its neighbours. But we beg to differ. From the first welcome at finding a park in Belgrade. To the friendly market vendors and the young staff in the coffee shop, we truly found a great atmosphere of welcome and exciting in the city.
Here is everything you need to know to plan a great exploration and taste of the city including the best things to do in Belgrade.
- About Belgrade
- Getting TO Belgrade
- Best time to visit
- Currency and money
- How long do you need?
- Things to do in Belgrade, Serbia
– Farmers Market
– Bakeries / Pekara
– Republic Square
– Knez Mihailova Street
– House of the National Assembly
– St Mark Orthodox Church
– Skadalija Bohemian Quarter
– Old Palace of Belgrade
– Burek at Tepsija Pekara
– Palacinke
– Temple of Saint Sava
– #Belgrade Sign
– Flower Square
– River Sava Promenade
– NATO Buildings
– Belgrade Tram
– Beogradska Tvrsava - Food
- Accommodation
- Parking
A little bit about Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade is known as a city that presents a mixture between the Western European and Eastern European cultures. Arriving as a visitor you can instantly feel the difference from Europe in the west. But somehow the mixture of history, beautiful architecture and the modern hipster vibe offers an exciting and unique city experience all at the same time.
We weren’t honestly expecting to enjoy this Serbian capital as much as we did.
The city has survived many struggles including numerous bombings as recently as the late 1990’s. And the tumultuous past has impacted on the culture of Belgrade.
But today Belgrade is known for its hipster-like style, historic architecture and for bringing a meeting point of Eastern and Western Europe with promenades and cityscape vibes that feels both safe and exciting.
Getting to Belgrade from other Europe destinations
Belgrade is often a starting point for visitors to the Balkans. It is a well-connected city with an international airport linking with many of Europe’s main hub destinations. Air Serbia is the national carrier serving Belgrade Airport but there are other European airlines that also connect with Belgrade.
Buses connect Belgrade with the neighbouring capital cities of Sarajevo, Zagreb, and Podgorica. The main bus station is centrally located near the Sava River.
Driving distances to Belgrade from other European destinations:
- Zagreb to Belgrade: 3 hr 53 min (396.2 km) via E70
- Sarajevo to Belgrade: 4 hr 41 min (297.2 km) via M18
- Ljubljana to Belgrade: 5 hr 2 min (532.0 km) via E70
Best time to visit
Like much of Eastern Europe each season paints a different picture of the city’s allure. But hands down the best time to visit Belgrade is the spring and summer months. The autumn period can be notoriously grey and rainy (hello Europe). Or if you like the snow then the winter months of December to March give a very cold but albeit snowy experience.
Between May and September in the summer months Belgrade is busy with domestic and international tourists.
Currency in Serbia
The Serbian Dinar (RSD) is the official currency of Serbia.
It is easy to withdraw Serbian Dinar from an ATM in Belgrade.
Many of the convenience stores, cafes and restaurants accept payment by card. (We even managed to use our card at the small bakery in the Farmers Market). But in general in the market and small kiosks or stalls you will likely need cash.
How long do you need to see all the things to do in Belgrade?
This is a fair question as we always wonder whether we can truly see enough of a city in one day. And obviously the list of great things to do in Belgrade could be much longer. It is an interesting and huge city to explore. But what we have chosen to share are all things to do in Belgrade that can be visited with one day in the city.
We saved all of the sights into Google maps and walked from the riverside (see parking below) towards the market first. From Republic Square (and a first stop for coffee) the rest of the sights to see are in the other direction.
Things to do in Belgrade, Serbia
Here is what we can confirm for sights and taste(s) as the best things to do in Belgrade, Serbia.
1. Farmers Market / Pijaca Zeleni Venac
Anywhere in the world, the market or bazar is a good place to start to get a feel of the city.
Zeleni Venac is a small undercover bazar, but coming from Western Europe the atmosphere is instantly different. There is fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, fish, and poultry. The women are dressed with scarves and dresses. And it’s exciting to feel transported somewhere so different yet really is only a day’s drive from Italy or further west.
We bought a 100 Dinar worth of strawberries and ate them before we even left the market!
- Tip: The nearby Kaleniceva Pijaca is the largest Green Market in Belgrade.
2. Bakeries / Pekara and Krofna (donuts), Devrek and Pereca (pretzels)
The superstar of every bakery in Serbia is Burek. But more about Burek later. (We found the best Burek in Belgrade). You can’t get far from the Green Market without noticing the alluring aroma of a Serbian pastry shop and a bakery or two.
There is so much to choose from. There are jam-filled pastries and Krofna (Serbian donuts). And there are lots of simple baked goods made with plain dough or crescent shaped bread rolls with different fillings.
But with the knowledge we were heading out for both Palacinke and Burek later, we opted for Devrek and Pereca. This is a basic type of ring-shaped bagel and a knotted pretzel. A great start to the day!
3. Belgrade Republic Square
Belgrade’s Republic Square is a busy central square and public transport hub. It is the site of some of Belgrade’s most recognizable public buildings including the National Museum, the National Theatre, and the large central statue of Prince Michael.
The site of Republic Square was once gated with one of the main entrances to what was historically the walled city of Belgrade. But today the square is a large central public space that is often used for celebration and events.
4. Knez Mihailova Street
Knez Mihailova Street is the main street and pedestrian shopping zone in Belgrade.
The street stretches for almost a kilometre between Terazije and Kalemegdan Fortress. And the style of architecture offers a concentrated version of Belgrade and the style from the late 19th and early 20th century.
It’s easy to spot the grand cultural landmarks from Republic Square such as the National Museum (number 1A) and National Theatre (number 3). As well as the rather oversized fountain at the beginning of Knez Mihailova Street.
- Tip: Check out the Srpska Kruna Hotel (number 56) and the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts’ (number 35) among others.
Style and all aside it is a great spot in Belgrade for people watching, café hopping or just enjoying the atmosphere and bustle of busy(er) things to do in Belgrade.
5. Coffee culture and cafe-hopping things to do in Belgrade
Coffee culture in Belgrade is huge. These aren’t your typical small boutique coffee stores. We’re talking lines of large cafes with outdoor seating spilling out into the promenades.
Surrounding Republic Square is a row of cafes that no matter what time of day you start will likely be full of locals sipping coffee, smoking cigarettes, and making the most of outdoor weather – and coffee. It’s a good place to start for a morning coffee and to get your bearings in Belgrade.
(Apologies in advance if you haven’t yet garnered that Eastern Europe and the Balkans do have a high level of smoking inside and outside of social settings and cafes). Sorry Belgrade. But you do smoke a lot. But fortunately, the coffee itself and general coffee culture outstands what would be normally shocking levels of secondhand smoke.
Find a (clear-air) corner and watch the world of Serbia’s capital go by with your first-of-many macchiato.
Café-hopping is definitely one of the unofficial most popular things to do in Belgrade.
6. House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia (parliament building)
The seriously impressive parliament building in Belgrade is the seat of the National Assembly of Serbia. The building is on Nikola Pasic Square in downtown Belgrade and to say it is a bit of a national landmark and tourist attraction is an understatement. The building is seriously grand in scale and design. It was completed in 1936 and until 2006 it was the seat of the Parliament of Yugoslavia and the Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro.
It’s hard to miss (obviously). But definitely worth a bit of streetside marveling at the grandeur of one of Belgrade’s most iconic buildings.
7. St Mark Orthodox Church
There are two very famous churches in the capital city that you can’t leave without seeing. The first is the iconic St Mark Orthodox Church.
The St Mark’s Church is a Serbian Orthodox church located in Tasmajdan Park in the centre of Belgrade not far from the parliament building. The church was built in typical Serbo-Byzantine style and was completed in 1940. However, the site of the current church was already in use with the original church building dating to 1835.
A visit to the beautiful St Mark Orthodox Church is one of the top things to do in Belgrade. The church is stunning inside and well worth taking the time to wander.
8. Skadarlija Bohemian Quarter
Exploring the area of Skadarlija is one of the coolest things to do in Belgrade. This is the bohemian quarter where all the artists and writers and intellectuals have lived and created in the city over the last two centuries.
I admit this was another area of the city we stumbled into without great forward planning. But it’s a funky area of the city to explore.
The main part of Skadarlija is a pedestrian area covered in cobblestones where some of the first restaurants were opened in the city.
I saw a description of Skadarlija describing it as a ‘Serbian Montmartre’ and I’ve got to say this might be pretty apt. It is a cool area to see. But do note if you are visiting in the morning don’t expect it to be too alive (yet). This is a sleepier morning part of the city and best visited for a late morning coffee and beyond.
9. Old Palace of Belgrade / Stari Dvor and Pionirski Park / Pioneers Park
Stari Dvor was once the royal residence of the Obrenovic and later Karadordevic dynasty. The building and architecture are (again) impressive and one of the things to do in Belgrade that can’t be missed for the sheer grandness and size. (Plus, it is on the main road walking to and from St Mark Orthodox Church and/or the Temple of Sava).
The Old Palace was damaged in both World Wars. And during World War II the palace was bombed and partially demolished on the very first day of attack during the bombing of Belgrade.
Repair and re-arrangement of the Old Palace lasted until 1947 and from then the building houses the then federal government and since 1961 the City Assembly of Belgrade.
The surrounding Pionirski Park (Pioneers Park) developed from the royal garden of the Old Palace and today it is one of the central city parks open for the public since 1944.
We didn’t go inside though marveled much from the exterior. But it is possible to take a tour inside the Old Palace. Visitors can sign up to the visit at the tourists stands throughout Belgrade.
10. Burek at Tepsija Pekara / Bakery
Burek is hands down the superstar of Serbian foods you need to try in Belgrade. Burke is a pie-like baked phyllo pastry stuffed with minced meet, cabbage, or cheese. There is savoury and sweet Burek. But the most popular is definitely the meat Burek.
You can tell wherever you are when something has been homemade. We found deliciously homemade Burek at the small Tepsija Bakery on the main road towards Republic Square.
There are sweet and savoury Burek and payment is made by weight. It is just a couple of EUR for a delicious hot slice of Burek. And don’t forget to get a yoghurt to go with it. In Serbia the drinking yoghurt is the most common accompaniment to pastries and especially with Burek.
- Tip: Find Tepsija Pekara Bakery here.
11. Palacinke (and food-specific things to do in Belgrade)
One thing we’ve well learnt in our travels is that if you want to try the best truly local food; ask a local. As we arrived in the city we had googled and pegged a few Palacinke creperies on our map of things to do in Belgrade. But in hindsight I’m so glad it worked out even better than the original plan.
We met a friendly student outside of the St Mark Orthodox Church and asked where he would recommend the best Palacinke in Belgrade. His answer was the Pizza and Palacinke shop just across the road from Memorial Square on Makendonska Avenue.
And so, with the recommendation to try Nutella, Plazma (biscuit) and Visnja (cherry) we set of to try our first Palacinke in Serbia.
And the verdict? It was delicious!
- Tip: To try some good, local Palacinke head to Pizzeria Trg. We are voting this the best Palacinke in Belgrade!
12. Saint Sava Temple / Temple of Sava
The very grand Saint Sava Temple is a Serbian Orthodox church in Belgrade and often considered to be the Orthodox heart of the city. The Temple of Sava is the largest Serbian Orthodox church as well as one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches and it ranks among the largest churches in the world.
Construction began in 1935 and although the main structure is complete the interior design and murals are yet to be officially finished.
And in case you are debating whether it is worth the walk up the hill towards the Temple definitely do it. It is stunning inside and one of the most iconic sights and things to do in Belgrade.
13. #Belgrade Sign
Definitely one of the most iconic things to do in Belgrade is a photo with the ‘#Belgrade’ sign. The iconic red and white style of I Love Belgrade (#Belgrade) sign is likely already standing out with a few other visitors to the city keen for a photo.
It’s certainly not up there with the outstanding architecture of the parliament building and Republic Square. Or the historic golden-adorned murals inside the Saint Mark Othordox Church. I get that. But it is on the way towards the more famous Temple of Sava. And have even been to Belgrade if you don’t take such a sign-worthy (proof-worthy?) photo to prove it?
- Tip: Find the #Belgrade sign at Trg Slavija roundabout just below the Temple of Sava.
14. Flower Square / Cvetni Trg Coffee
After a whole lot of walking and sightseeing (you have seen most of the things to do in Belgrade on the list now) the next stop is a welcomed coffee (another one) at Flower Square.
Not far from the Temple of Sava (and that iconic Belgrade Sign) is Flower Square in the Vracar area of the city. Cvetni Trg was named after the many flower shops that were located here until the early 2000’s. But this area of Belgrade is recognizable for the large oak tree and cafes today.
Once upon a time this area of what is now the new city was covered in vast forests of oak and ash trees. The forest was cut down to make place for urban development with only one surviving tree remaining.
The pedunculate oak tree towering above the line of cafes is one of the three oldest trees in Belgrade and estimated to be over 200 years old.
15. River Sava and the Danube Riverside
Belgrade city is situated at the confluence of two of Europe’s important rivers, the River Danube and the Sava River. And as a result, Belgrade has an impressively long riverside corniche-style promenade that lines the Sava River and continues along the Danube.
The promenade is lined in parts with playgrounds and green spaces. There is a cycle path and wide pedestrian walkway. (I am surely not the first to compare a sunny spring afternoon on the Belgrade Sava riverside with the feeling of promenading on the River Seine, am I?).
The promenade is beautiful. There are hip cafes and bars as well as the cycleway and playgrounds. And many of the bars are located just below the Kalemegdan Fortress between the Brankov Bridge and the place where the Sava River and Danube meet.
16. NATO Bombed buildings
A darker side of visiting Belgrade is the lesser advertised number of large buildings that still bear the unmistakable signs of damage inflicted on them by the NATO bombing of Belgrade in 1999.
It’s a stark (and dark; very) reminder that a date in the nineties isn’t all that long ago. (As far as history in Europe is concerned, that is).
The most dramatic remains of the bombed buildings in Belgrade are found at the corner of Nemanjina and Kneza Milosa streets. And what was the RTS Radio Television of Serbia centre ruin and memorial stone are in the northern corner of Tasmajdan Park behind the St Mark Orthodox Church.
17. Belgrade Tram in Krug Dvojke
Sightseeing by tram is both a handy way to get around the capital city and one of the iconic things to do in Belgrade.
Tram 2 is the famous Belgrade tramline that circles around the heart of the city. The tram route heads uphill towards the pedestrian zone of Knez Mihailova Street and then slides down the other side of the hilltop centre towards the Fortress. If like us the sight of trams just feels European and exciting, this is one of the unique things to do in Belgrade if you have the time.
The Tram 2 line was one of the original city tram lines. And today you can’t go too far from the center without hearing the familiar rattling noise of the tram circling the inner city…
- Tip: A ride on the inner-city Tram 2 line takes 60 minutes to circle the city.
18. Belgrade Fortress and Ruzcia Church
The final stop on our top things to do in Belgrade, and perhaps the most significant landmark of the city is Beogradska Tvr?ava. This is the Belgrade Fortress sitting in the prime position at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers.
While we are always advocates for starting with the market to get a feel of any city; the fortress in Belgrade is also a good first point of call. Tucked in to the north-eastern walls of the Fortress under the Zindan gate is the small Ruzcia Church. Built in the early fifteenth century this is the oldest church of Belgrade.
- Tip: The Fortress is located in the in one of the best parks os the city and it’s open 24/7 and free to visit.
The verdict? Best things to do in Belgrade?
We had a great time in Belgrade. The city is as described; but even better. It really does give a great jumping off point for the start of Eastern Europe connecting the west of the continent with a different feeling of the east. And spoiler alert; that’s a good thing.
There is a whole list of things to do in Belgrade that can be seen within one day in the city. We recommend starting with the farmers market to meet some locals and get your bearings. And obviously join the café-culture atmosphere early in the day because Belgrade really does deliver with some great coffee shops dotted all around.
Be sure to add Palacinke and Burek to your list of things to do in Belgrade. And enjoy a day out in Serbia’s rather grand capital city.
Where to eat / best cafes in Belgrade
As above, there is an endless list of cafes in Belgrade that are worth a stop. And coffee seems to make this city go round. Here are some of the best cafes in Belgrade that we tried and can personally recommend for coffee, Burek and local food to try.
- Tepsija Burek
This is a must-stop small café if you have got to Eastern Europe and haven’t yet tried Burek. There is meat, savoury, and sweet Burek and be sure to try it like the locals do with a drinking yoghurt.
- Znak Pitanja (Question Mark)
This is the oldest traditional tavern operating in Belgrade since 1823. Here you can eat like a local at the oldest kafana in Belgrade. The meals are reasonably priced. (It’s not as cheap as the Bohemian streets but the history of this place is worth at least a coffee stop for the experience).
- Kafeterija at Trg Nikole Paši?a
Kafeterija is one of many great cafes in New Belgrade and popular for its coffee. (Although not exactly a surprise given Belgrade’s coffee scene). We doubled up on macchiatos so can vouch for the coffee (again)!
- Pekara Spasa
Spasa Bakery is known for a goulash style strew served on a bread bun cut in half and topped with melted cheese. Spasa is located on the busy Skadarlija Street. (Honestly we were too full of Palacinke but how good does this stew look!).
- Plato – Trg Republike
One of the (many) choices of café edging Republic Square. This was a great find to sit down and take a moment (and a macchiato) at the start of the day exploring the city.
- Café Tierra – Trg Cvetni
Another choice amidst the line of cafes in Flower Square. This is on the way (or way back) from the walk to Sava Temple and is a shady spot for a coffee or cold drink.
Accommodation in Belgrade
While slightly contradictory to imagine coming from New Zealand, a weekend escape to Belgrade, Serbia is a popular Eastern European city-break.
There is a range of accommodation from hostel to luxury within walking distance of the centre and the Sava and Danube Rivers. Stari Grad and the Old Town surrounding Republic Square is the best place in the city to be based in if you are a tourist.
- Backpacker
Balkan Soul Hostel, Up Hostel, White Owl Hostel
Motorhome parking in Belgrade
The best place to park with a motorhome in Belgrade is on the riverfront in the busy, guarded car parking lots.
BEOGRAD, HERCEGOVACKA
- Location: Hercegovavka, Belgrade
- Type: Parking Lot Day / Night
- Park4Night: #100739
- Price: 5 EUR / 24hr
- Facilities: Parking
About: This was a great, safe find to stay the night and explore the city during the day.
Useful links for your travels in Eastern Europe and beyond…
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable insurance plans that can be tailored to digital nomads and long-term travellers. They have cheap weekly and monthly plans that are possible to book even when you have already left home.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home).
Read more about travel in Europe by motorhome.
- 20 Things to do in Podgorica, Montenegro (and why it is worth visiting).
- Crossing the Serbia Bosnia border from Kotromon to Vardiste.
- Crossing the Bosnia Montenegro border at Hum.
- Taking your motorhome on the ferry from Spain to Morocco.
- Finding free campsites in Germany.
- How to do the Ceuta border crossing from F’nideq (Morocco) to Ceuta (Spain).
- Finding free camping in France by motorhome.
