18 Best Things to do in Belgrade, Serbia, in 3 days

Introduction

Belgrade, the capital and largest city of Serbia, is home to nearly 1.7 million people. Sitting at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, it stands at the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula.

It’s also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe — and the world — with roots stretching back to the 6th millennium BC. Over the centuries, it has seen Celts, Romans, Slavs, Byzantines, Ottomans, Habsburgs, and more, before becoming the capital of Yugoslavia and, later, modern Serbia.

Belgrade is the best entry point into Serbia thanks to its international airport, and it’s packed with history, culture, and energy. We’d say you need at least two full days to really get a feel for the city. We’ve visited Belgrade a couple of times ourselves, often stopping for a few days on our way to Zlatibor, Tina’s hometown — and it’s a city we always enjoy returning to.

Here are all your accommodation options in Belgrade

Getting there

Belgrade is the primary gateway to Serbia, making it easily accessible by air, road, or rail. Most travelers will arrive via Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, located about 18 km from the city center. From the airport, you can grab a taxi (around €20–25) or hop on the A1 minibus, which takes about 30–40 minutes to reach Slavija Square in the center.

If you’re already in the region, buses are the most common way to travel between cities in the Balkans, and Belgrade’s central bus station is well connected to places like Budapest, Sarajevo, Zagreb, and Sofia. Trains are an option too, though slower and less frequent — think of them more for the experience than for speed.

Driving is another easy option; Serbia’s highways are well-maintained, and Belgrade is a straightforward stop if you’re road-tripping through the Balkans. That’s actually what we recommend doing. Renting a car is for us the easiest way to move around Serbia.

Moving Around

Belgrade is a city you can mostly explore on foot, especially the central areas like Knez Mihailova Street, Kalemegdan Fortress, and Skadarlija. The historic core is compact, and wandering the streets is the best way to soak in the atmosphere.

For longer distances, Belgrade has a solid public transport system of buses, trams, and trolleybuses. Tickets are inexpensive (about €0.90 if bought at kiosks) and need to be validated once onboard.

Taxis are plentiful and affordable, but always use official ones (look for the company name and phone number) or order through apps like CarGo (Serbia’s version of Uber).

If you’re curious to explore further afield — like Zemun or Avala Mountain — renting a car for the day can be handy, though for city exploring it’s more of a hassle due to parking.

We recommend to rent a car through Discover Cars with free cancellation. Book your rental car here.

When to Visit

Belgrade has a mix of continental and Mediterranean influences, which means it experiences all four seasons distinctly, each offering a different vibe for your trip.

• Spring (April to June): Mild and pleasant, with temperatures around 15–25°C (59–77°F). Cafés set up terraces, parks bloom, and the city feels alive without the heavy summer crowds.
• Summer (July to August): Hot and lively, with temperatures between 25–35°C (77–95°F). The city gets busy, riverside bars (splavs) are in full swing, and nightlife peaks. Be ready for the heat — locals often escape to the river islands like Ada Ciganlija to cool down.
• Autumn (September to October): Still warm at first (20–28°C / 68–82°F) and far less crowded. The city feels slower and cozier, perfect for strolling and enjoying outdoor cafés without the summer rush.
• Winter (November to March): Cold, with temperatures around 0–10°C (32–50°F). Snow isn’t guaranteed, but the festive lights and markets in December bring a special charm.

Tip: If it’s your first time, late spring or early autumn is ideal for sightseeing. You’ll skip the heavy heat of summer and still enjoy that outdoor café culture Belgrade is known for.

We usually travel with Airalo eSIMs, but when we need unlimited data for work, we go with Holafly.

Where to Stay

Belgrade has a wide range of accommodations, from boutique stays in the historic center to modern hotels with rooftop bars and spa facilities. Staying in or near the city center (Stari Grad or Vračar) makes it easy to explore the main sights on foot and enjoy the café culture and nightlife.

(€) Hotel Skadarlija NB – A charming budget-friendly hotel close to the bohemian Skadarlija district. Simple, clean, and a great location if you want to wander through cobblestone streets and traditional kafanas.

(€€) Calisi Hotel – A stylish mid-range option with comfortable rooms and a cozy atmosphere. It’s well-located for exploring both the old town and the riverside while staying in a quieter area.

(€€€) Hilton Belgrade – A modern luxury choice with spacious rooms, a wellness center, and one of the best rooftop bars in the city. Perfect if you want a mix of comfort and a central location.

Here are all your accommodation options in Belgrade

What to Eat

Serbian food is hearty, flavorful, and deeply tied to tradition. If you’re visiting Belgrade, you’ll quickly notice that local cuisine is rich in meat, bread, and dairy – so plant-based options are limited unless you cook or seek out specific restaurants.

Here are some of the most iconic Serbian foods to try:

• Sarma – Stuffed cabbage leaves, usually filled with minced meat, rice or bulgur, and slow-cooked in tomato sauce or with smoked meat for flavor.
• Burek – A beloved flaky pastry, usually in a round pie form, filled with cheese, potatoes, spinach, or minced meat. Best enjoyed fresh from a local bakery.
• Rakija – Serbia’s signature fruit brandy. The plum version (šljivovica) is the most common, but you’ll also find rakija made from pear, quince, apricot, apple, or grape.
• Punjena Paprika – Peppers stuffed with a savory mix of minced meat and rice, simmered in tomato sauce. A true comfort food.
• Kajmak – A creamy, buttery dairy spread that’s somewhere between cream cheese and clotted cream – usually served with bread or grilled meats.
• Zlatiborska pršuta – A specialty from the Zlatibor mountains: air-dried, smoked ham with an intense flavor, often sliced thin and served with cheese and bread.
• Čvarci – Pork cracklings made by slowly rendering fat from lard until only crispy bites remain. A rustic, traditional snack.
• Komplet lepinja – A must-try street food from western Serbia: a flatbread stuffed with kajmak, an egg, and often gravy or roast drippings – rich, filling, and very indulgent.
• Turkish coffee – Strong, unfiltered coffee served in small cups, often with sugar cooked directly into it – an essential part of Serbian hospitality.

Things to do in Belgrade

Explore Belgrade Fortress

Sitting high above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Belgrade Fortress is the city’s most iconic landmark and a window into its long, layered history. Once a strategic stronghold for Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, the fortress today is a sprawling park-like area you can freely wander.

Inside its walls, you’ll find the Military Museum with centuries of weapons and uniforms, the charming Ružica Church with chandeliers made from bullets, and countless gates, towers, and hidden corners to explore. It’s one of those places where you can easily spend a few hours, soaking up the views, the history, and the atmosphere of Belgrade.

Wander Skadarlija

Skadarlija is Belgrade’s bohemian quarter and one of the city’s most atmospheric streets. Once the haunt of poets, musicians, and artists in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it still carries that creative spirit today. The cobbled street is lined with old buildings, quirky galleries, and traditional restaurants with terrace seating that spills onto the pavement.

It’s the perfect place to slow down, order a hearty Serbian meal, and enjoy live folk music in the evening. Visiting Skadarlija feels like stepping into another era — and it’s an essential stop to really soak in Belgrade’s charm.

Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.

Stroll Kneza Mihaila

Kneza Mihaila is Belgrade’s grand pedestrian boulevard, often compared to the Champs-Élysées. This lively street is lined with elegant 19th-century buildings and mansions, many of which now house cafés, shops, and bookstores.

It’s the heart of the city for both locals and visitors — perfect for a relaxed walk, some shopping, or simply people-watching while enjoying a coffee.

Visit Republic Square

At the end of Kneza Mihaila, you’ll arrive at Republic Square — the beating heart of Belgrade. It’s where the city naturally gathers, framed by the National Theatre and the National Museum.

This is also one of the main public transport hubs, with more than 20 trolleybus lines passing through, making it an easy starting or ending point for exploring the city.

Tip: We never travel without our DJI Mini 3 PRO drone anymore — it’s totally worth having to capture places from a whole new perspective.

Step Inside the Holy Archangel Michael Orthodox Church

Built in 1830, this stunning Neo-Classical cathedral is one of Belgrade’s most important religious sites. Inside, it holds the relics of 14th-century king and saint Stefan Uroš V, as well as the tombs of key Serbian figures like Vuk Karadžić, who reformed the Serbian language in the 19th century.

The church is peaceful and richly decorated, offering a quiet break from the busy streets just outside.

We usually travel with Airalo eSIMs, but when we need unlimited data for work, we go with Holafly.

Visit the Church of Saint Nicholas

The Church of Saint Nicholas sits inside a large cemetery just outside Belgrade’s old city. Built in 1893, it was dedicated to the summer celebration of St. Nicholas Feast.

It’s a simple, unpretentious church, the kind of place you probably wouldn’t find unless you were looking for it. The cemetery around it adds a quiet atmosphere, and stopping here feels more like wandering into a slice of local life than visiting a tourist site.

Explore St. Mark Orthodox Church

St. Mark Orthodox Church stands out with its striking Neo-Byzantine architecture and massive red-and-brown striped façade. Built in 1930, the exterior was completed, but the interior still feels unfinished — a reminder of the wars and interruptions that slowed its construction.

Even without elaborate frescoes inside, the scale and design make it one of the most impressive churches in Serbia, and stepping inside gives you a sense of the country’s layered, unfinished history.

Walk the Sava Promenade

The Sava Promenade is one of the nicest places in Belgrade for a relaxed walk. Stretching along the river, it’s where you can see the Sava meet the Danube, with open views and plenty of fresh air. The path is lined with street art and murals, giving it a creative vibe, and you’ll pass cafes and benches where you can stop and take it all in. It’s a simple but beautiful way to see another side of the city.

Climb Avala Tower

Avala Tower, standing just south of Belgrade, is the tallest building in the Balkans and one of the city’s most striking landmarks. Originally built in 1965, it was destroyed during the 1999 NATO bombings but fully rebuilt and reopened in 2010.

Today, you can ride the elevator up to its 135‑meter-high observation deck for sweeping views of Belgrade, the Danube, and even beyond on clear days. The area around the tower is peaceful too, with walking paths and monuments, making it an easy half‑day trip from the city.

Here are all your accommodation options in Belgrade

Visit the Monument to the Unknown Hero

Right next to Avala Tower, you’ll find the Monument to the Unknown Hero, a striking World War I memorial perched on top of Mount Avala. Built between 1934 and 1938, it stands on the spot where an unidentified Serbian soldier from WWI was buried.

The massive black granite structure, designed by sculptor Ivan Meštrović, feels solemn and powerful, with sweeping views all around. It’s a meaningful stop if you’re already visiting Avala Tower and adds another layer of history to your trip.

Relax at Ada Ciganlija

Ada Ciganlija, often called “Belgrade’s Sea,” is a former river island turned peninsula on the Sava River. It’s one of the city’s favorite escapes, especially in summer, with long stretches of pebble beaches, calm waters for swimming, and plenty of cafés and bars along the shore.

Even if you’re not into sunbathing, it’s a great place for a walk, a bike ride, or just to sit by the water and unwind away from the city buzz.

Visit the Saint Sava Temple

The Saint Sava Temple is one of Belgrade’s most iconic landmarks — and you’ll spot its massive white domes from almost anywhere in the city. Dedicated to Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, it’s the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans and the second largest in the world.

Step inside to see the breathtaking interior, with golden mosaics slowly being completed, giving you a sense of the scale and significance of this place. Whether you’re here for the architecture, the history, or just a quiet moment, the Saint Sava Temple is a must-see in Belgrade.

Climb the Gardoš Tower

Perched above the Danube in the Zemun district, the Gardoš Tower feels like stepping into another era. Built in 1896 to mark 1,000 years of Hungarian settlement on the Pannonian Plain, this Austro-Hungarian tower is one of Belgrade’s most unique landmarks.

From the top, you get sweeping views over the Danube, Zemun’s red-roofed houses, and even the city skyline in the distance. The climb is short but rewarding, and the area around the tower — with its cobbled streets and quiet cafés — is worth lingering in for a while.

Step into the Konak Kneginje Ljubice

Also called the Residence of Princess Ljubica, this elegant building is one of the few remaining from the first reign of Prince Miloš Obrenović, dating back to the 1830s. It was built as a residence for his wife, Princess Ljubica, and meant to serve as a grand seat for the Serbian court.

Today, it’s a small but fascinating museum, offering a glimpse into 19th‑century Serbian aristocratic life. Inside, you’ll find original furniture, artwork, and personal objects that make it easy to imagine what life was like in Belgrade nearly two centuries ago.

Visit the Museum of Yugoslavia

A huge part of Serbia’s story is tied to the history of Yugoslavia, and this museum is the best place to dive into that past. It sits on the grounds of the House of Flowers, the mausoleum of former president Josip Broz Tito, and gives a real sense of the era he shaped.

Inside, you’ll find personal items, photographs, and gifts Tito received from around the world, alongside exhibits that trace the creation, rise, and eventual breakup of Yugoslavia. It’s not just a museum — it’s a walk through decades of history that still echo in Serbia today.

See the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia

This impressive building is worth a stop as you stroll through Belgrade. Once the Parliament of Yugoslavia, and later Serbia and Montenegro, it now houses the National Assembly of Serbia. Its grand façade and stately dome make it one of the city’s standout landmarks — even if you’re just passing by, it’s a piece of history right in the middle of modern Belgrade.

Visit the Nikola Tesla Museum

This small but fascinating museum is dedicated to Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest inventors of all time and a Serbian national hero. Inside, you’ll find original documents, models of his inventions, and even demonstrations of his work with electricity — including Tesla coils in action. It’s an intimate space but packed with history, offering a closer look at the mind behind modern alternating current and so much more.

Here are all your accommodation options in Belgrade

Stroll Along Zemunski Kej

Zemunski Kej is one of the most relaxing spots in Belgrade, stretching along the Danube with wide pedestrian paths, cafés, and floating restaurants. You can start near Gardoš Tower and follow the promenade all the way toward the old city center, watching riverboats drift by. It’s a favorite place for locals to walk, bike, or just sit with a coffee and enjoy the view.

Belgrade itinerary

Day 1 – Old Town & History

• Explore Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park
• Walk down Kneza Mihaila Street to Republic Square
• Visit Holy Archangel Michael Church
• Stroll through Skadarlija for dinner and live music

Day 2 – Churches, Museums & Views

• See the Saint Sava Temple and St. Mark’s Church
• Stop by the Nikola Tesla Museum
• Visit Konak kneginje Ljubice (Princess Ljubica’s Residence)
• Walk along the Sava Promenade in the evening

Day 3 – Beyond the Center

• Drive or taxi to Avala Tower and Monument to the Unknown Hero
• Walk along Zemunski Kej and climb Gardoš Tower
• End with dinner by the Danube in Zemun

Here are all your accommodation options in Belgrade