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Hotels in Belgrade

A city at the confluence of the Danube and Sava with nightlife

Belgrade

LanguageSerbian
CurrencyRSD
TimezoneEurope/Belgrade
Temperature2-28 °C
Dial Code+381
Population6.6M
Area88,361 km²
SocketsType C / Type F
Tap waterDrinkable

Discover Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and one of the oldest cities in Europe, standing at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava. The old Kalemegdan fortress above the rivers, the bohemian quarter Skadarlija, the Temple of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, and the bars on floating splavs make the city a unique place. Belgrade is cheap, loud and lively and is considered one of the best cities for nightlife in Europe. From the Czech Republic direct flights run from Prague in an hour and a half, and by car it is around nine hundred kilometres through Hungary. EU citizens need no visa. You pay in the Serbian dinar; the euro is accepted only exceptionally and it is better to have dinars. The best time is May to September, in winter it is cold and damp. From Belgrade you can go to Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci or to the Fruška Gora monasteries, and prices are lower than in most European capitals.

What to see

The places worth your time in Belgrade, and what to expect at each

Kalemegdan Fortress

Kalemegdan Fortress

centre

A fortification on a spur above the confluence of the Danube and the Sava with seventeen centuries of history, bearing traces of Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Austrian rule. The park around it is the largest green space in the centre, with a military museum, a zoo and viewpoints. It is the symbol of the city.

Tip: Come at sunset, when the sky lights up over the confluence. Entry to the park is free, while towers and museums are paid separately.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
2–3 hrs
Temple of Saint Sava

Temple of Saint Sava

Vračar

One of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, whose white dome rises above the city. Construction has run since 1935 and the interior is still being completed. The crypt with mosaics is open and magnificent.

Tip: Entry is free, but observe dress: covered shoulders and knees. The crypt is accessible separately; set out in the morning.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
1 hr
Skadarlija

Skadarlija

centre

A bohemian quarter with a cobbled street, cafés and restaurants with live music, recalling Paris's Montmartre. Artists and poets lived here and today tamburaši play. It is a good place for dinner.

Tip: Prices are higher than elsewhere; choose a restaurant with traditional cooking and live music. In the evening it is lively, but come before ten.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
2 hrs
Knez Mihailova

Knez Mihailova

centre

A pedestrian street with shops, cafés and street artists that runs from Republic Square to Kalemegdan. It is the main promenade and the centre of social life. The surrounding buildings date from the nineteenth century.

Tip: Go early in the morning, when it is calm, or in the evening. Cafés are cheaper in side streets.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
1–2 hrs
Republic Square

Republic Square

centre

The central square with an equestrian statue of Prince Michael, the National Museum and the National Theatre. It is the traditional meeting place and the starting point for walks. Nearby trips depart.

Tip: Arrange to meet 'under the horse', as locals do. Entry to the National Museum is paid, and the museum reopened after years of reconstruction.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
30 min

The Nikola Tesla Museum

centre

A museum devoted to the inventor Nikola Tesla, holding his personal belongings, documents and the urn with his ashes. Guides demonstrate electrical experiments. The tour takes an hour and is in English.

Tip: Tours are guided only, at fixed times; in season book in advance. Entry costs about five euros.

Admission:
about €5
Time needed:
1 hr
Zemun

Zemun

Zemun

A former Austrian town on the Danube bank, today part of Belgrade, with cobbled streets, fish restaurants and the Gardoš tower. It is calmer than the centre and offers a romantic view of the river. A great place for lunch.

Tip: Get there by tram or bus, or walk along the Danube. In the evening the fish restaurants on the embankment are full.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
half a day

Ada Ciganlija

by the Sava river

A river island on the Sava that has been turned into a recreation area with a lake, beach, sports grounds and bars. In summer half the city swims here. It is a favourite place for running, cycling and rowing.

Tip: It is free, and bikes and boats are rented. In summer and at weekends it is crowded; come in the morning.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
half a day
The River Splavs

The River Splavs

Sava and Danube embankments

Floating bars and clubs moored on the banks of the Danube and Sava, the hallmark of the nightlife. Music from easy-going to dance plays and the view of the river is wonderful. In summer they are full until morning.

Tip: Entry is usually free, but drinks prices are middling. We recommend going after ten in the evening; taxis run around the splavs, so order by app.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
evening

Photos: Kalemegdan Fortress — Oliver Bunic (CC BY 4.0) · Temple of Saint Sava — Npps90 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Skadarlija — Krumb77 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Knez Mihailova — Peiragmeno paidi (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Republic Square — Erik Cleves Kristensen (CC BY 2.0) · Zemun — Petar Milošević (CC BY-SA 4.0) · The River Splavs — Mister No (CC BY 3.0)

Where to stay

Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking

Stari Grad (Old Town)

Best for: monuments and promenade

The centre with the fortress, Knez Mihailova and Skadarlija. It has the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, but also noise. Best for a first visit.

Vračar

Best for: temple and calm

A residential district with the Temple of Saint Sava, parks and cafés. It is calmer and cheaper. A good choice for a longer stay.

Savamala and the Waterfront

Best for: modern Belgrade

A district by the Sava with galleries, clubs and the new Belgrade Waterfront quarter. It has modern architecture and nightlife. Suits the young.

Zemun

Best for: calm by the Danube

A cobbled town by the Danube with fish restaurants. It is calmer, but farther from the centre. Suits those who want calm.

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Getting around

From the airport

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) is twelve kilometres from the centre; direct flights from Prague run daily and the flight takes an hour and a quarter. Bus A1 runs to the centre in half an hour. By car from the Czech Republic it is about nine hundred kilometres through Hungary. A train runs from Budapest. The border with Serbia is outside Schengen, so you need a passport or ID card.

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) · 12 km

  • Bus A1· 30 min· €2
  • Taxi to the centre· 20 min· €20
  • Car rental· at the airport· €35

Around town

The centre can be walked, but distances are greater than they look. Trams and trolleybuses run around the city. Taxis work with the CarGo app and are cheap. Buses run to the Danube and Sava. Transport is limited at night.

On footThe centre is compact.
Tram and busAll over the city. · €1
Taxi (CarGo)Cheap around town. · €5
Car rentalFor the surroundings. · €35

Useful apps: Google Maps, CarGo, Moovit, BG Navigator

When to go

Belgrade has a continental climate with a hot summer and a cold winter. In July it is around twenty-nine degrees, in January around three. The best time is May to September. In winter it is damp and foggy.

Best time

May to September

What to avoid

January and February (cold and fog)

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day3°6°12°18°23°26°29°29°24°18°10°5°
Night-3°-2°2°7°12°15°17°17°13°8°4°0°
Rainy days555799755576

Food & drink

Serbian cooking is meaty and generous: grilled meats, pastries and cheeses. A main dish costs eight to fifteen euros and portions are large. With meals people drink rakija, wine and beer.

What to try

Ćevapčići

Small sausages of minced meat, grilled and served in lepinja bread with onion and kajmak. The favourite dish.

Pljeskavica

A large grilled meat patty, served in lepinja with vegetables and kajmak. The Serbian hamburger.

Burek

Filo pastry filled with meat or cheese, for breakfast with yoghurt. Found in every bakery.

Sarma

Cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice, stewed. A winter and festive dish.

Kajmak

A cream cheese spread on bread or eaten with meat. A typical Serbian product.

Rakija

A fruit brandy of plums or pears, the traditional drink. Served before a meal.

Gibanica

A savoury pie of filo with cheese and eggs. A traditional breakfast dish.

What it costs

Coffee

RSD 150–250

Ćevapčići

RSD 700–1,100

Lunch in a restaurant

RSD 1,200–2,500

A beer

RSD 250–400

Kalemegdan fortress

free

Tesla Museum

RSD 800

3★ hotel (night)

RSD 6,000–12,000

Bus A1

RSD 300

Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.

Practical information

SocketsCEuroplug, two round pinsFSchuko
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Tap waterTap water is drinkable — Tap water in Belgrade is safe, but most tourists drink bottled. Bottled water is cheap.
TippingTipping is customary, ten per cent in a restaurant or rounding up.
Driving on theright
SafetyBelgrade is fairly safe, but watch for pickpockets and for taxi drivers without a meter. Nightlife is lively, so watch your drinks. The emergency number is 112.
Opening hoursShops are open from nine to eight, limited on Sunday. Restaurants run until midnight and bars until morning. You pay in cash and by card.
Customs & etiquetteSerbs are friendly and proud of their history. Leave political subjects, especially Kosovo, aside. Smoking is common almost everywhere.
A few local wordsGood day — Dobar danThank you — HvalaPlease — MolimHow much is it? — Koliko košta?Cheers — ŽiveliThe bill, please — Račun, molimWhere is the toilet? — Gde je toalet?

How to plan your days

1 day

A day in Belgrade

  1. 1Morning Kalemegdan fortress.
  2. 2A stroll along Knez Mihailova.
  3. 3Lunch with ćevapčići.
  4. 4Afternoon the Temple of Saint Sava.
  5. 5Evening Skadarlija and the splavs.

2 days

Two days: Belgrade and Zemun

  1. 1Day one as above.
  2. 2Day two morning Zemun and Gardoš.
  3. 3Afternoon Ada Ciganlija.
  4. 4Evening bars on the splavs.

3 days

Three days: Belgrade and Novi Sad

  1. 1Days one and two as above.
  2. 2Day three by train to Novi Sad.
  3. 3Afternoon Petrovaradin fortress.
  4. 4Evening return.

Day trips

Novi Sad

90 km · 1 hr 15 min by train

Serbia's second-largest city with Petrovaradin fortress and the Exit festival. A fast train runs from Belgrade.

Sremski Karlovci

65 km · 1 hr by car

A Baroque town with vineyards, where the sweet wine bermet is made. It suits half a day.

Sarajevo

300 km · 5 hrs by car

The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Baščaršija and the history of the siege. A bus runs from Belgrade.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Serbia?+

EU citizens need no visa and enter with a passport or ID card. A stay of ninety days is allowed. Serbia is not in Schengen, so borders are checked.

What do you pay with in Belgrade?+

The Serbian dinar (RSD). Euros are accepted by only some places, usually at a worse rate. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and cash is useful at markets and in taxis.

Is Belgrade safe?+

Yes, the centre is safe, but watch for pickpockets and taxi drivers without a meter. Use the CarGo app. In nightlife watch your drinks.

When is the best time to visit?+

May to September, when festivals are held and the splavs are open. In winter it is damp and foggy. September has pleasant weather.

How much does Belgrade cost?+

It is cheap: lunch costs eight to fifteen euros, a hotel fifty to a hundred and twenty euros a night. Cheapest are street food and burek. Alcohol is cheap.

How do I get from the airport to the centre?+

By bus A1 for two euros to the centre in half an hour, or by taxi for twenty euros. For safety use the CarGo app or the official taxi stand.

What should I eat in Belgrade?+

Ćevapčići, pljeskavica and burek with yoghurt. With them kajmak and rakija. Dinner in Skadarlija costs fifteen to thirty euros.

Is Belgrade suitable for families?+

Yes, it has parks, a zoo and a beach at Ada Ciganlija. Children appreciate the fortress and the little train. For nightlife it is a younger place.

Visa Requirements

Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.

Check visa requirements

Emergency Numbers

Police192Ambulance194Fire193

Language

Serbian

Currency

RSD

Timezone

Europe/Belgrade

Dial Code

+381

Population

6.6M

Area

88,361 km²

Voltage

230V / 50Hz

Driving Side

Right

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