Welcome to the heart of the Balkans, where history, culture and a vibrant atmosphere come together to create a fantastic blend of experiences. In this whirlwind guide I will take you to the very best of Belgrade in one day.
In Serbia’s capital you will not only find delicious foods, but also ancient fortresses and bohemian streets. And don’t forget to visit the largest Orthodox Church in the Balkans. Get ready to plan an unforgettable short trip to Belgrade with this helpful guide.
Itinerary for One Day in Belgrade
Belgrade is by far the largest city of the Balkan countries. This means that you’ll find more than enough things to do in Belgrade to keep you busy.
The itinerary below is for a day and you can walk everywhere. If you have more time, then I have some extra tips to extend your stay in bustling Belgrade at the end of this article.
Without further ado, let’s start exploring the city.
Stay the Day at Belgrade’s St Sava Temple
Start your day by making your way to the stunning St. Sava Temple that sits just outside the city centre. The church is the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans and second biggest in the world. Marvel at its impressive architecture and serene atmosphere.
Our taxi driver from the airport to our hotel jokingly told us to make sure to put our sunglasses on before going inside. And he was right! You will be blinded by the light reflected from the sparkling gold mosaics that adorn the giant cupola. It’s really amazing…
The St Sava Temple is truly next level when it comes to decorations and is something you cannot miss while you’re in Belgrade.
Quick stop for coffee at Koppa Coffee
When you’ve said your prayers and hallelujahs at the St Sava Temple it’s time for some coffee. Luckily, right next to the church you’ll find Koppa Coffee, which also happens to serve you the best coffee in Belgrade. Well, in my experience at least.
Their flat white is delicious, but if you prefer a drip coffee they can satisfy your tastebuds as well. Check out Koppa Coffee’s website and socials to learn more on how they source their coffee.
Next up: Immerse yourself in some culture at Nikola Tesla Museum
Continue your day in Belgrade with a visit to the Nikola Tesla Museum. As you make your way through the museum’s doors, not only Tesla’s remarkable contributions to science are revealed, but also his evolution as an individual.
The exhibition rooms in this museum feature a mix of modern and authentic technologies that Tesla created. Furthermore, you can participate in some truly hands-on exhibits, so be prepared to fully immerse yourself in science.
Have Lunch at Ba.Ba.Lu or Restoran Mihaila
Next up it’s time to continue your day in Belgrade with lunch. Belgrade has so many good places to choose from that it’s almost impossible to make a decision. We had been travelling through the region for some time and decided to opt for a restaurant with an international menu.
After some research (it wasn’t that scientific – no worries) we found Ba.Ba.Lu which is set along a busy street, but behind a leafy garden. The windows completely opened to this garden, so even when seated inside it felt like we were outside.
If you’re after more traditional Serbian food, then make your way to Restoran Mihailo which gets consistently good reviews.
Continue Your Day in Belgrade at Skadarlija Street
Next up make your way to Skadarlija Street, which is the bomenian quarter of the city. It’s fun to stroll through this cobblestone street and take in the atmosphere and live music.
Some compare this quarter to Montmartre in Paris, but I’m not so sure. Maybe then your expectations are a little too high. Can I say that? Nevertheless, take a break at one of the terraces with a coffee or a drink and let life pass by for some time. Furthermore, in Skadarlija you will find little boutiques and art galleries, so browse around and enjoy.
Head to the bustling central area of Belgrade
From Skadarlija Street make your way to the bustling city centre and main shopping area of Belgrade. Make sure you pass the Republic Square and if you have time and energy left you can visit the National Museum here.
Continue on Mihaila Street, which is Belgrade’s main shopping street. When you follow this street you will end up at Kalemegdan Park which houses Belgrade’s fortifications. Kalemegdan actually means fortress, so the park’s name is actually Fortress Park.
Tip: Before you head into the park and explore the fortress you can stock up on a few drinks and snacks for a mini-picnic. Inside the Rajiceva Shopping Center you can take out some supplies from the Maxi supermarket or some other place you fancy.
Enjoy the Sunset at the Belgrade Fortress
The end of your day in Belgrade approaches and I can think of no better way than to end it at the Belgrade Fortress.
The fortress is housed inside Kalemegdan Park, which is embraced by the Sava river and the mighty Danube river. The latter is the second largest river in Europe and connects Belgrade to two other European capitals, namely Vienna and Bratislava.
That being said, what you find inside the park is not just the fortress, but also the Military Museum, the Museum of Illusions and a Clocktower. But what you really come here for is to stroll along the winding paths and to chill out.
From atop the outer walls of the fortress you have some amazing views of the Serbian landscape and of the Sava and Danube rivers’ meeting point. Join the locals by taking a seat somewhere along the edge of the walls. And pop open a bottle of wine or some beers, chat with the locals and enjoy that magical sunset.
Finish Your Day in Belgrade at Mama Shelter
One of the newest additions to Belgrade’s hotel and restaurant scene is the Mama Shelter Hotel. Especially during the warmer months of the year the hotel’s rooftop is perfect for dinner and drinks. What is most attractive about the restaurant is the interior design, the rooftop decorations and the views.
We really enjoyed our juicy hamburger and chicken dishes and a few tasty cocktails to round things off. I can’t think of a better place to finish your Belgrade in One Day trip.
More time in Belgrade than just one day?
Like I said before you will find plenty to do in Belgrade. There are more than enough museums to learn about the history of Belgrade and Serbia, or you can venture further afield by doing day trips.
Visit Belgrade’s best museums
Belgrade has a couple of world class museums, so if you have some extra time to spend check them out:
- Museum of Yugoslavia
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- National Museum
The National Museum is right in the city centre of Belgrade, while the other two are a little further afield. Nevertheless, they are all worthy of your time depending on your interests.
Discover more of Serbia with day trips from Belgrade
Belgrade is situated quite close to other interesting parts of Serbia, so going on day trips to other parts of the country is very feasible.
- Go on a day trip to Novi Sad also nicknamed The Athens of Serbia.
- Nature lovers can go on a full day tour to Tara National Park and the Drina River Valley.
- Cruise and hike along the Uvac Canyon and discover the best of southwestern Serbia.
- Follow the Danube river east on a tour to visit Derdap National Park and the Iron Gate Gorge.
Where to Stay in Belgrade
When you fly Air Serbia around Europe or the Balkans you will change planes in Belgrade. Now, you can choose to fly right on, or you can build in a stopover to check out the city.
On our most recent trip to the Balkan region we made two stopovers and stayed in Hotel Argo and Hilton Belgrade. I would also recommend the Mama Shelter Hotel.
I mostly use booking.com for reservations and then select flexible rates. This way you can easily change your reservations if your plans change.
LUXURY | Hilton Belgrade
On our final night before flying home we opted to stay at the Hilton Belgrade. This hotel was the perfect ending to our trip in the Balkans.
The location of the hotel is along the same street at Hotel Argo, but as you can expect from a Hilton there were a lot more services. You can enjoy the hot tub, the sauna and steam rooms and relax afterwards in the well decorated rooms.
You can check availability and make reservations for Hilton Belgrade right away here on booking.com.
BOUTIQUE | Mama Shelter Hotel
I already recommended the Mama Shelter Hotel for dinner at the rooftop, but next time I visit Belgrade I would certainly consider staying at Mama Shelter. The design of the rooms is very playful, without losing functionality. And the location is right in the middle of Central Belgrade.
Check availability and book your room at Mama Shelter Belgrade right here at booking.com.
BUDGET | Hotel Argo
Stay at Hotel Argo if you’re looking for budget accommodation, with rates including breakfast. The rooms are clean and have a practical arrangement. We also really like the location of the hotel. Right in between the central area of the city and the St Sava Temple.
There isn’t much else in this hotel other than the basics, but the basics are simply done very well given the price. Check out booking.com for availability and more information.
Final thoughts
Thanks for reading all the way through to the end. Let me know in the comments section if this post was helpful in planning your trip to Belgrade.
Also, if you are planning a trip to Belgrade as part of a larger trip through the Balkans, then check out my other articles on the region right here. We combined our visit to Belgrade with a Road Trip through Slovenia and a road trip through North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo.
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