Belgrade travel guide
Two rivers, a 2,000-year-old fortress, late nights and long lunches. Everything you need to plan your first visit.
Photo: Unsplash
Why visit Belgrade
Belgrade sits where the Sava meets the Danube, and you feel the rivers everywhere: from the walls of Belgrade Fortress, on the promenades and on the floating river clubs at night. It is a big, energetic capital with a relaxed rhythm: long coffees, long lunches in kafanas, and nights that start late. Most first-time visitors are surprised by how green, walkable and affordable the center is. In 2027 the city also hosts EXPO, from 15 May to 15 August.
Belgrade at a glance
The basics, the weather this week and where it is.
Key facts
- Type
- Capital city
- Population
- 1,197,714 (2022)
- Elevation
- 117 m
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
5-day forecast
For Belgrade
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Weather data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), summarised by day.
On the map
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, SRTM; style © OpenTopoMap (CC BY-SA). The zoomable map loads from OpenTopoMap, which receives your IP address. Open in Google Maps
Best things to do in Belgrade
Where to start, and how long each one takes.
Free
Free
Paid entry (museum)
Free
Free
Free
800 RSD
Free
Free
Free; tower paidTop-rated tours in Belgrade
Hand-picked. Free cancellation on most. Affiliate links.
Where to stay in Belgrade
The areas compared, with hotels for your dates.
Food and nightlife
Belgrade eats late and well. Lunch is the big meal, often in a kafana with grilled meat, salads and a glass of rakija. Breakfast is burek from a bakery, and dinner can run past ten. At night the city moves to the rivers: in summer the splavovi (floating clubs) on the Sava and Danube, all year round the bars of Savamala and Cetinjska street.
- Must try: Ćevapi, pljeskavica, kajmak, burek, rakija
- Classic kafana street: Skadarlija
- Night out: River clubs (splavovi), Savamala, Cetinjska street
Getting there and around
Free city bus 72 to Zeleni venac (about 40 min), paid A1 minibus to Slavija (about 400 RSD, cash), or a fixed-price taxi voucher from the arrivals desk. See the airport guide.
Free for all passengers since 1 January 2025. Busy at rush hour.
CarGo and Yandex Go are the main apps. Uber and Bolt don’t operate in Belgrade.
The old town, fortress and Knez Mihailova are all walkable. Expect some hills.
Tip: Kalemegdan is free and open all day, so see it at sunset. Then cross to Zemun, which many visitors miss, for the Gardoš lookout and the walk along the quay.
Go for a hike
A route with a map, elevation chart and GPX download.
Nearby and day trips
Easy to add from Belgrade.
More Belgrade guides
Belgrade FAQ
How many days do you need in Belgrade?
Three days covers the main sights at a relaxed pace. Add a day for Novi Sad.
Is Belgrade safe for tourists?
Generally yes. The usual issues are taxi overcharging and pickpockets in crowds. See Is Serbia safe?
What is the best area to stay in Belgrade?
Dorćol or the old town for a first visit, Vračar for a local feel, Zemun for peace by the river.
Is public transport free in Belgrade?
Yes, city buses, trams and trolleybuses have been free since 1 January 2025. The A1 airport minibus is paid.
How do I get from Belgrade airport to the city?
Free bus 72, the paid A1 minibus or a taxi voucher. See the airport guide.
Sources
- Tourist Organisation of Belgrade
- Tourist Organisation of Belgrade: public transport
- Nikola Tesla Museum
- Belgrade Fortress: visitor information
Checked 27 October 2026.
Going to Belgrade? Take the cheat sheet
Prices, apps, transport and scams to avoid, on one printable page.
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