29+ Best things to do in Belgrade: Your Ultimate Guide for A Fantastic Time

Serbia is one of my absolute favorite cities. I love it so much that I also organize tours there. Yes that should tell you a lot. In case you’re wondering what’s there to do. Look no further, here is my list of the best things to do in Belgrade to keep you occupied. Most importantly to help you have the best time of your life.

Free Walking Tour

This is one of the first thing that I always recommend to everyone. The free walking tour concept has taken over the whole world. And that’s for good reason. When you arrive in Belgrade, make sure to attend one. It is a great introduction to the city and will help you get your bearings. You will also get the chance to hear some great stories and feel the historical monuments come alive. Just don’t forget to tip the guide at the end.

Belgrade Fortress

Belgrade is absolutely beautiful and the fortress will teleport you back in time. It is such a majestic structure that towers over the town. There is also a few shops inside where you can buy paintings, maps and other items made by local artisans.

Avala Tower

The tower is located 16km away from Belgrade and sits on top of Avala mountain. It offers a great viewpoint over the city. There is no need to book in advance and there is also a cozy coffee shop on the ground floor.

Note that I visited in March and it gets a bit windy and cold on top of the tower so you might want to dress accordingly and layer up.

Kalemegdan Park & the Naked Man Statue

This is all the same area. You could easily spend a couple hours or the entire day there just walking around and taking in the views. You can find quite a few tours also covering this area.

What about that funny structure of a naked man?

Our guide told us so many stories about it. The bottom line is that no one really knows who the statue is and why it is naked. That said, you will have your fill of urban myths and stories if you visit with a guide.

There’s also a cute little coffee shop hidden in a little cave not too far away from the statue if you fancy a cuppa.

Belgrade Waterfront/ Belgrade Riviera

One of my absolute favorite places to enjoy a glass of red in Belgrade. This is a relatively new development that is slowly coming together. The area is a bit more upscale and chic but without being obnoxious. You can find lots of lounges and restaurants.

If you’re like me and like a nice fancy, aesthetically pleasing but unpretentious lounges; you will absolutely fall in love with this area. The port is packed with so many fancy eateries and bars where the vibe is super chic. You can sip an aperol spritz while taking in the beautiful view. I promise you, it’s a whole vibe!

Cruise on the Danube River

I have yet to cruise on the river but this is definitely something I want to do next time I go to Serbia. If you don’t want to actually go on the boat, you can just admire the rivers on top of the parks I mentioned earlier. The naked man area offers a fantastic panoramic view.

Party on a boat

Yes, you guessed it! You can also go party on said boats. One of the first things you’ll notice around the port is how many boats there are. Many transform into nightclubs at night.

Wander around & Get lost

Like they say, the best things in life are free. As cheesy as it sounds, I found that walking and just wandering around Belgrade is oddly satisfying.

This is how I found so many cute gems and also keep falling in love with the city. I always make sure to stay close to the center and walk wherever I can.

Street art

Street art lovers rejoice!

I’m happy to say that the street art scene is thriving in Belgrade. Keep your eyes peel as they are everywhere. Of course you can always join one of the street art tours partaking every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Check the events calendar for local fairs

This is definitely a good habit to take when you get to a new city. I always make sure to check if there is any special event. Often than not, there’s always something happening. One time, I randomly stumbled on a local artisan fair with very interesting handicrafts.

Explore Rakija Culture

Serbians generally love to have a good time. One of the first thing I noticed is how much they loved their Rakija.

What is Rakija?

I’m glad you ask!

Rakija is a double distilled fruit brandy. The commercial version contains about 40% of alcohol. That said, homemade Rakijas is often much stronger and can often go up to 70%.

Yes, I know! That’s insane!

You will see rakija on every single menu in Serbia and every restaurant seems to make their own. And yes, if you have local Serbians invite you over their house, expect them to also bring out their best rakijas.

Rakija Market

Still on the topic of Rakija, there is a very cute little shop within the city center that has an extensive rakija collection. Their address is : Reljina 4, Beograd 11000, Serbia.

This is where I go to buy souvenirs to bring back home to friends. The shop keeper is lovely and speaks perfect English. He was so patient and let me taste so many different Rakijas. I am the one that had to slow him down. 🙂 The Rakija Market is a little bit popular though so I recommend going early so you can have the shop keepers full attention.

Belgrade Urban Distillery

Omg, are we still talking about Rakija?

Haha, yes I know. Ok I promise this is the last one.

To be fair, this is more than rakija itself. This place is legendary. They host weddings on weekends but if you can time it right during the week, you should definitely visit.

The name obviously lets you know that they’re a distillery. To me it felt more like a museum. They produce a crazy variety of Rakija and it is quite a reckoning force in Belgrade’s culture and economy.

Jungle bar

Ok I know, this is starting to look a little bit crazy. I promise, we are not trying to promote alcoholism but (hehe), here is another place you should definitely check out. This place feels like stepping into a jungle and they are said to be one of the best places for cocktails in the city.

Smash Burger

This place was recommended to me by my local host. I was lucky to attend a food fair when I was there. And let me tell you that the burger did not disappoint. If you are looking for a great burger, you should definitely check them out.

Don’t forget to check out my food and drink guide for Belgrade for more in depth recommendations

Drop by at 10th planet Belgrade

Now after all this drinking and eating, how dare I talk about working out!

I’m a die hard Jiu jitsu practitioner. If you also happen to be into “the gentle art”, I totally recommend 10th planet Belgrade. The people there are so warm and welcoming. They will welcome you into the family without a second thought.

Eat Crispy Skin Pork

Pork is a staple all throughout the Balkans and Serbia is no exception. Honestly you can find this all around the city. You’ve been warned, it’s addictive! 🙂

Partake in the Coffee Culture

You know how Italy is associated with ” La dolce vita” and a slow pace of life?

Not going to lie but I felt the exact same thing in Belgrade. They absolutely love their coffee shops. You will also find so many shops within a green lush setting, making you forget that you are right in the middle of the city. So take the time to relax and people watch.

Most Quirky Massage Center

This place is one of my fondest memory of Belgrade. I was staying nearby and decided to go get a massage after doing an intense BJJ session at 10th planet Belgrade.

And oh my goodness, ever watched the movie “Hangover”?

I’m talking about the scene where they ended up in Bangkok and all sorts of weird things started happening. Haha well I was definitely getting this vibe.

The drama started the very second we stepped in. The owner was mad that some people left some suggestive review ad he was keen to let me know that it was all lies and that his massage place was a legitimate one. Just go during the daytime to err on the side of caution 🙂

Drama aside, I’ve never been to a place like this. It is huge. I mean MASSIVE.

The owner said they are the biggest massage center in “Eastern Europe”. Think a mansion with 3+ floors and all for massages.

Then there is the lounge area where they will offer you drinks. Again, I’ve never been offered Rakija or overall alcohol at a spa. I’m telling you, a totally quirky vibe but unique experience.

Then let’s not talk about the neon lights 🙂

Anyways, all three of us girls ended up enjoying our massages with zero complaints. But perhaps if you’re a girl, I will totally recommend that you ask for another girl massage therapist. I mean, you can never be too safe 🙂 That said, they are still the #1 on tripadvisor, so yeah!

Travel back in time (Old Soviet Bus Station)

I really love old Soviet and communist sights and history. If you are like me, I recommend you check out the old bus station. Now the place can feel a bit seedy, so I do not recommend visiting at night but only during broad day light.

We were two girls there and nothing bad happened to us but I would like to remind you to stay alert and mind your belongings. I never felt unsafe in Belgrade. The city is as safe as it gets.

But just like everywhere in the world, there’s always some areas that require one to be more alert and the old bus station area is just one of them.

Day trip to Novi Sad

Novi Sad is absolutely beautiful. I wanted the whole experience and took a bus from the old station. The ride was very unremarkable and just flat. So if you’re into old soviet structures, do go to the old bus station to quickly check it out but then go to the new bus station and take the quick train to Novi Sad. The bus takes close to 2 hours where as the train only take 45 min to an hour. It’s a no brainer!

Fruska Gora

Fruska Gora is a stunning national park. I ended up going for a hike there and it was absolutely magical. My host Aleksandar is definitely one of the best guide you can get in Serbia. If you contact him, don’t forget to tell him that I sent you 🙂

Check out my special article to know exactly what to expect at Fruska Gora.

Ada Lake

This was such a surprise. I have already been to Serbia many times and did not expect this place at all. Ada lake is ABSOLUTELY beautiful.

For one second, I felt like I was in Miami. I think it’s the whole set up how they did the front water boardwalk with the sitting areas and terraces. You can do so many water activities such as kayaking, kite surfing, etc. Or you can simply grab a table and enjoy a drink with the beautiful view.

If you walk towards the end of the boardwalk, there is a couple of nice fancy terraces where you could enjoy yourself

During the summer month, there’s a whole section that turns into a beach and you can see locals sunbathing and enjoying the waters.

Wine Tour at Sremski Karlovci

Oh my!

What another pleasant surprise.

This area is known as the wine region of Serbia. You can think of it as a mini Tuscany 🙂

My host showed me around and I got the chance to discover so many vineyards. What makes this area really cool in my opinion is the fact that it is a bunch of small family vineyards. I love this wine town so much that I wrote an entire article on it.

Old Brewery on Cetinjska Street

This place is what you think about when you hear the word hipster. But it is such a cool place. They found a way to convert the old brewery into a happening place. My host told me that they were actually planning to destroy the area until they came up with the idea and were able to salvage it. Today it is a very busy place both during the day and at night. There are lots of unique eateries and bars along with some very cool street arts.

Farmer’s Market “Zeleni venac”

Anyone else loves a good farmers market?

If you keep walking past the Old Brewery, you will find one of the most important market, “Zeleni venac”. You can find everything there, from meat to fruits to desserts and flowers. I really love that it is a real market where the locals shop at and not one that is catered to tourists with some obnoxious and often irrelevant “Made in China” knick knacks.

In other words, I definitely recommend this place for an authentic market experience.

Bohemian Street

Now once you’re done with the Farmer’s Market, just turn back to the main street and head up to the Bohemian Street. Oh my goodness! This place is straight out of a dream. It is so whimsical. The pace of life slows down there. You can go eat, have a drink or just wander around and take everything in.

Join me on one of my curated Serbian tours

I love this place so much that I could not resist. I am currently hosting a few wellness retreats all around the world in some of the cooler places. You can check out my retreat page.

I do dance retreats, food and wine city tours along with any other cool things my brain can come up with.

Imagine a group of like minded ladies spending a week together living our best lives. I also love food and wine, so this is definitely something you can expect as a focal point. Sing up for my email list and check out my Instagram to join the fun @stefbarti

Last Words

So here you have it. This is my recommendation of the best things to do in Belgrade. Yes I know it is a pretty extensive list. I really hope you were able to feel my passion for Serbia through this list. Best of all, I hope you have a fantastic time and fall in love with the place as much as I do. And remember that you can always join me to explore Belgrade together 🙂