Back in 2016, I watched The Prestige by Christopher Nolan for the first time and read two books about Nikola Tesla (The Invention of Everything Else by Samantha Hunt and Tesla by Vladimir Pištalo). Tesla, celebrated as one of the most iconic figures among the Serbian people, had sparked my curiosity about the country —particularly its capital, Belgrade. I couldn’t help but notice that the city boasted a Nikola Tesla Museum, and even its airport was named in his honor. Although that initial fascination eventually faded, eight years later, in August 2024, my path crossed with Belgrade once again. And it wasn’t Tesla who brought me back, but rather another famous name: I visited Belgrade for an Ed Sheeran concert! The reason I chose Belgrade for the concert was its visa-free entry. Since Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa to enter the European Union, Serbia’s visa-free policy has made it a popular holiday destination for us in recent years.
Before diving into the attractions, I should mention that I spent about a day and a half in Belgrade apart from the concert. During that time, I managed to explore most of the major and intriguing spots in the city. There were a few places I didn’t get to visit, which I’ll also cover in this article. If you’re planning a Balkan tour and wondering how many days to allocate for Belgrade, this piece should prove helpful. Here are my notes from the two days I spent in Belgrade. Enjoy your reading!
Places to Visit in Belgrade
Kalemegdan Park
Located at the meeting point of the Danube and Sava rivers, Kalemegdan Park offers one of the most stunning views in the city. Unsurprisingly, its name dates back to the Ottoman era—Kale means “castle,” and megdan (written as meydan in Turkish) means “square.”
This park, which brings together both Belgrade’s past and present, is home to a variety of landmarks, including museums, monuments, churches, and even a zoo. Within the park, the historic Belgrade Fortress provides a fantastic vantage point for taking in the cityscape. One of the most notable spots is the Pobednik (“The Victor”) monument, erected in tribute to the Balkan Wars. Here, you can take a break and capture some great photos.
Ultimately, Kalemegdan Park is where history, nature, and the rivers seamlessly come together.
The Temple of Saint Sava
Named after Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, this magnificent Orthodox chuch is one of Belgrade’s most iconic landmarks and a must-see attraction.
Construction began in 1935 on the site believed to be the burial place of Saint Sava. However, due to wars and political reasons, the project was halted until 1984. After obtaining the necessary permits, construction resumed, and by the time the cathedral was finally completed, the year was 2004. In other words, it took a full 69 years from the laying of its foundation to its completion.
As seen in many Russian and Greek Orthodox churches, domes are a prominent feature of this cathedral as well. Another key influence on its design is Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which served as an inspiration during the planning of the church.
Keep in mind that every Sunday at 10 AM, the Greek Orthodox Church holds a Divine Liturgy in the cathedral. We had the chance to visit during the service, and it was both crowded and fascinating to witness.
Nikola Tesla Museum
I mentioned my interest in Nikola Tesla’s life and inventions at the beginning of the article. By the time I visited Belgrade, my curiosity wasn’t as strong as before, but it still remained, which made me eager to visit the museum. However, it turned out to be a disappointment for me.
There are tours start every hour, and if your group has fewer than 10 people, you can’t make a reservation. To enter, you need to queue up, and each session has a limited number of spots. If the session is already full, you’ll have to wait for the next one—meaning a wait of up to an hour.
When we went to the museum on a Sunday morning, we found out that all the day sessions were fully booked by tour groups. So, we left with the plan to return for the 5 or 6 PM session. When we came back, we managed to get in. The entrance fee is 800 RSD, and only cash payments are accepted. The tour starts with a 15-minute short film about Tesla’s life. Then, some of his experiments are demonstrated interactively—you can either participate or just watch. In essence, it’s more of an experience-based museum rather than a traditional one where you freely walk around. Although this might sound interesting, the sessions are quite crowded for the museum’s size (if I remember correctly, it was around 60 people). Unless you’re at the front, it’s hard to get a good view of the experiments, which makes the experience somewhat underwhelming.
If your time in Belgrade is limited and your schedule is tight, you might even consider skipping the Nikola Tesla Museum! Of course, this applies mainly to the busy summer season. If you visit during the off-season, such as in winter, you’re likely to face shorter queues and smaller groups. Also, there are definitely people who have visited and enjoyed the museum—after all, travel experiences are all unique and personal preferences vary from person to person.
Kneza Mihaila
One of the must-haves in any city is its famous main street. Starting from the city center and extending towards Kalemegdan Park, Kneza Mihaila is one of Belgrade’s main avenues. This long, pedestrian-only street is lined with various shops and restaurants, making it the perfect place for a leisurely stroll while exploring the city.
Skadarlija
Known as the city’s bohemian neighborhood, this area is especially popular in the evenings, with its vibrant streets and charming cafes. After walking thousands of steps and taking hundreds of photos throughout the day, you can spend your evenings here, enjoying the lively atmosphere and indulging in some ćevapi. But don’t worry, we’ll dive into the food section later in the article.
The Places I Wanted to Visit but Didn’t
As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, I believe I managed to see the key places in Belgrade during my limited time in the city. However, there were two places I didn’t get the chance to visit but would have liked to if I had more time. I’d like to share those with you as well. If you’ve been to the two places I’ll mention, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. I might just be the first person in this travel guide not only offering suggestions but also seeking some!
Museum of Contemporary Art
As someone who enjoys visiting contemporary art museums, this was one of the places I was curious about in a city with limited sights to explore. However, since the museum is located on the other side of the Sava River, I estimated that it would take nearly half a day to go there and back. Because of that, I couldn’t find the right time to visit. If you’re also a fan of contemporary art, you might want to include this museum in your plans. Who knows, maybe this museum deserves a chance instead of the Nikola Tesla Museum. Additionally, while you’re on the other side of the river, you could visit the UŠĆE shopping mall or catch a game at the Belgrade Arena basketball stadium, where the atmosphere is amazing.
Jevremovac Botanical Garden
Although it was close to where I stayed, I didn’t get the chance to visit the Japanese-style botanical garden, which could be of interest to botanical enthusiasts. While the paid entrance fee might raise a question mark, I can’t say for sure whether it’s a hidden paradise along the roadside or just an Instagram trap. Guess we’ll never know.
Where to Stay in Belgrade
Belgrade is a bit more affordable compared to the larger Western European cities. While prices vary depending on the season, accommodation tends to be more reasonably priced as well. For my travels, I typically use Airbnb. Since we were four people, we thought it would be more convenient to use Airbnb. If you don’t mind communicating with the host and handling check-in/check-out details, you can also consider Airbnb. Of course, hotel options are also available.
If you want to be in the city center and walk to everywhere, I would recommend staying around the Skadarlija area or the region between Skadarlija and Kalemegdan. Once you’ve determined the places you want to visit, you can also choose based on their locations. However, don’t worry about being far from somewhere just because you want to stay close to another place—getting around the city by bus in Belgrade is easy. Now, let’s take a look at the Belgrade transportation guide.
Transportation in Belgrade
Belgrade gave me one of the most interesting transportation experiences. I mentioned walking earlier, but during our short stay in Belgrade, we also used the buses quite frequently. The scorching temperatures above 35°C in August had a significant impact on this.
As someone who has been to Belgrade, I must say that I couldn’t figure out the bus system and ended up using the buses for free throughout my stay without buying a ticket. There was neither a place where I could ask how to buy a ticket nor anywhere selling them. I didn’t see anyone getting a ticket or using one either. From what I understand, you register with your phone number and purchase a ticket through your phone, but for that, your cellular data needs to be active. Since I couldn’t find any information to help me, I, like everyone else, just hopped on without a ticket. Fortunately, there’s a progress that will put your mind at ease: as of January 1, 2025, public transportation in Belgrade became free for residents. I assume tourists will continue to ride for free as well. In summary, to use the buses, all you need to do is find the bus going to your destination and hop on. This is also valid for the airport-city route as well.
Airport-City Center Transportation
You can find all the bus routes that operate between the airport and the city center here. Bus number 72 is the only route that goes to the part of the city that we can call the city center. You can find the location of the bus’s final stop here. We got off at this stop and reached our accommodation. On our return, we took the same bus back to the airport. So, we ended up traveling to and from the airport for free.
If you’re considering taking a taxi, it’s a good idea to discuss the fare with the driver before getting in. While online sources mention a fixed price of around €25 from the airport to the city center, one of our friends who took a taxi was charged €35 for the same route.
Where to Eat in Belgrade?
Since I only spent two days in Belgrade, I had the chance to try a limited number of places when it comes to food and drinks. I’ve compiled the ones I liked for you. If you visit the places I’ve listed below, I believe you’ll leave with a happy experience, guaranteed by Açık Bilet.
Breakfast
Bloom
It became a place I was very pleased with due to its delicious breakfast options and fresh drinks. Since it’s quite popular, it’s worth considering that there might be a line in front of it on weekends during the high season. If you don’t like waiting, there are also other breakfast options around.
Avocado
If you’re looking for a breakfast spot near the Nikola Tesla Museum, this place could be your choice. I was just as satisfied as I was with Bloom.
Coffee
Chernyi Cooperative Coffee Roasters
After a lovely breakfast at Bloom, it’s a great spot to recharge with a coffee before you start exploring the city.
Ćevapi
Zavičaj
Ćevapi is one of the most famous dishes in the Balkan region. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia have declared ćevapi their national dish. This meat dish, served with bread and various garnishes, can be found in many local restaurants. My choice was Zavičaj in Skadarlija, and I was very pleased. Zavičaj, with its rich menu, offers different types of ćevapi as well as alternative meat dishes. Additionally, if you’re lucky enough to catch some live music, you might have the chance to experience a traditional Balkan evening.
Ćevapi is typically made from beef, lamb, or sometimes a mix of these meats, and occasionally pork as well. If you don’t eat pork, I recommend making sure about that before ordering.
Conclusion
I tried to share all of my experiences and recommendations from my two days in Belgrade. Considering that I dedicated Saturday night to a concert, I must admit that I didn’t have the chance to experience the city’s famous nightlife. I’m not sure if I’ll visit this city again, but if I do, I would love to visit the places I couldn’t and experience the nightlife.
For more about our Belgrade trip, don’t forget to check out the Belgrade map and stories we shared on our Instagram account. See you in other lands!
I hope this post has been helpful to you. Feel free to leave a comment with your own experiences or any questions you may have. Also, if you’d like to get in touch, you can send us an email or message us on LinkedIn or Instagram. Don’t forget to follow our social media accounts!
