Belgrade Travelers Recommend

With three days in Serbia’s historic and energetic capital of Belgrade, you can cover the key sites—from the Danube River to an up-and-coming art district—then add a day trip that goes beyond the city limits to explore the countryside, visit historic monasteries, or sip Serbian wine in picturesque vineyards. Here’s where to start.

Day 1: City Explorer

Since Belgrade occupies a strategic location between the Danube and Sava rivers, traveling by boat gives you a front-row seat for checking out riverside sites. Start the day with a boat tour, spotting the Belgrade Fortress, the Victor Monument, and the uninhabited Great War Island.

Once you’ve got your bearings, head to firmer ground to visit the landmarks up close. There’s plenty of exploring to do in the Belgrade Fortress, which contains the Upper Town, Lower Town, and Kalemegdan Park. Walking tours of the fortress are a popular sightseeing option—or you can opt to zip from place to place on a Segway. In the afternoon, experience one of Belgrade’s museums in greater depth: Favorites include the Nicola Tesla Museum, the Military Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Day 2: Day Trip Destination

Belgrade is the first stop in Serbia for many travelers, and it’s a great home base for exploring farther afield. Day trips range from history-focused adventures into the scenic north to wine-themed tasting tours, so choose an outing that’s tailored to your interests.

If you’re headed to northern Serbia, one favorite stop is Novi Sad, the second-largest city in the country. Here, you’ll find historic architecture, nearby wineries, and this city’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Alternately, head east toward the medieval monasteries of Pomoravlje province—some tours of this area also include stops at Resava Cave, a long complex of limestone caverns and passageways. When you get back to the city, finish the day with a relaxing meal in Skadarlija Street, a lineup of restaurants with traditional fare and live music.

Day 3: Communism and Creative Culture

For your final day in Belgrade, skip ahead to (relatively) modern times. In the morning, step into the Cold War era by visiting the city’s Communist sites. Highlights include the Museum of Yugoslavia, the House of Flowers mausoleum honoring Josip Broz Tito, and blocky buildings in that era’s imposing style. There’s a lot to learn about living in Belgrade under Soviet rule, so consider a guided tour to get the personal stories behind the Brutalist architecture.

In the afternoon and evening, go even more contemporary by checking out the art-loving neighborhood of Savamala to browse vintage shops and see the colorful street art. Celebrate your final night with dinner and a drink at KC Grad, a warehouse turned restaurant and gallery space that’s a gathering place for young locals.

With a blend of grit and grandeur, Belgrade is the gateway to Serbia for many travelers. It’s far more than the port of entry, though, and if you have one day here you can cover key sites in modern neighborhoods and the historic center, where you’ll find Communist-era relics, hip restaurants, and vivid graffiti. Here’s where to start.

Morning: Step Back in Time

Perched at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, the Belgrade Fortress turns a natural stronghold into a military powerhouse. Kick off a day of exploring inside the fortress walls at the old citadel and Kalemegdan Park. There’s a lot of history here—at least 115 battles have been fought on this site—and guided tours of Belgrade Fortress offer details on its bloody history.

Afternoon: Explore the Culture Today

After you’ve covered the ancient past, leap ahead to modern times. Browse stylish boutiques, soak up café culture, and see crumbling mansions plastered in colorful street art in the creative neighborhood of Savamala. Set on the edge of the Sava River, Savamala is just north of the main railway station in Belgrade and walking distance from Kalemegdan Park. While this is a fun area to explore on your own, guided tours of Savamala can offer insights into the cutting edge of local culture.

Night: Discover the Nightlife

Belgrade gets going after dark. For a taste of something traditional, head to Skadarska Street, a stretch of cobblestones lined by bars and restaurants. Here, classic Serbian food and drink are served to the strains of local folk music, and some venues feature costumed performers.

Hit the clubs for an edgier night out. In the summer party boats and riverside clubs heat up along the river; from late September to early May, the crowds tend to stay inside. To hit the town with a ready-made party crew, pub crawls are an option, whether you’re solo or visiting with a group.

Serbia’s capital of Belgrade includes much to see and do, from a river-side fortress to up-and-coming neighborhoods. With two days to explore, you can dip into local history, visit landmark museums, try classic dishes, and get a glimpse of the city’s simmering contemporary art scene. Here’s how to make the most of two days in Belgrade. 

Day 1: Discover Belgrade History

**Morning:**Catch morning light on the Danube and Sava Rivers by heading to the Belgrade Fortress, strategically located where they converge. The interior of the fortress is divided into the Upper Town, Lower Town, and Kalemegdan Park. Find the best-preserved architecture in the Upper Town, home to a Military Museum among other sites. 

**Afternoon:**Pick a Belgrade museum for a deeper dive into the side of Serbian history that interests you most, whether you’re following the story of electricity at the Nicola Tesla Museum, checking out the remnants of Soviet military might at the Military Museum, or visiting the National Museum itself.

**Night:**Folk music pours out of the cozy restaurants along Skadarlija street, a narrow cobblestone lane that’s a favorite for traditional entertainment. Visit one for a night of nostalgia—some venues even have costumed performers.

Day 2: River Cruising and Modern Culture

**Morning:**Once again, start the day by the water—this time on a sightseeing cruise that takes in riverside landmarks. Some river cruises include Great War Island, which is an uninhabited wildlife sanctuary between the Danube and the Sava Rivers that’s home to a long list of bird species.

**Afternoon:**Now that you’ve covered the old-fashioned stuff, leap ahead to Belgrade’s cutting edge in the arty neighborhood of Savamala. Here, you’ll find stylish cafés and art spaces in an area that’s still gritty—check out KC Grad, a warehouse-turned-restaurant, or opt for a guided tour that explores vintage shops and street art.

**Night:**Make your last evening count by hitting the town to experience Belgrade’s wild nightlife. In summer open-air nightclubs open up in converted boats on the Sava River; the winter scene stays cozy inside more traditional downtown spaces.