Choosing where to stay in Belgrade is essential when traveling around Serbia. The city offers a lot and is well connected to other destinations in the country. Besides, Belgrade doesn’t have the best public transport. I was born and raised in Belgrade, so I’ll help you choose the best place to stay.
The best neighborhoods and hotels are on both sides of the River Sava. The city center, east of the river, hosts several interesting neighborhoods. West of the river, we find Novi Beograd and Zemun. Even if you don’t stay there, these two unique areas are worth exploring.
Over the past few years, the city went through a tourism boom. Thus, there are accommodation options for every taste and budget. You can book rooms in old palaces, communist buildings, and even boathouses. Additionally, Serbians are fantastic hosts. You get great amenities and superb service!
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Knez Mihajlova and the Surrounding Area
Belgrade doesn’t have a traditional Old Town like most European cities. That said, the oldest and prettiest area is on both sides of the city’s main street, Knez Mihailova. The long pedestrian street connects the main square (Republic Square) with Kalemegdan Fortress, the city’s most famous landmark.
We, locals, consider the area around Knez Mihajlova Street as the city center. Everyone flocks to the area to socialize, eat, drink, and visit museums and art galleries. The street is packed with shops, galleries, and hotels. Obilićev Venac Street is nearby. It’s the street with the most cafes and restaurants in the city.
Some of the oldest buildings in the city are to the south of the main street. Belgrade’s Cathedral and the Seat of the Serbian Patriarch are here. The oldest tavern, Question Mark, is in front. Princess Ljubica’s Palace, the grandest 19th Century mansion, is across the street. Behind the palace is Kosančićev Venac, the most authentic neighborhood.
The Best Hotels around Knez Mihajlova:
Square Nine Hotel
The Square Nine stands out for its sophisticated interior, including designers’ furniture. All rooms come with an espresso machine and Hermes toiletries. There is a spa with a pool, hot tub, sauna, and steam bath. The hotel overlooks Studenski Park, two blocks from the fortress.
Boutique Garni Hotel Townhouse 27
Just one block from Ljubica Palace, we find Boutique Hotel Townhouse 27. It’s on a quiet street just off all the action. The 4-star hotel has a minimalist design and a cool collection of sculptures! The complimentary breakfast is delicious. Guests rave about the service.
Dorćol
Dorćol is the best area to stay for nightlife. The trendy neighborhood is both traditional and contemporary. Everyone here seems out of a fashion magazine! Strahinjića Bana Street is the lifeline of Dorćol. The posh people visit to see and be seen. Some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and wineries are here.
Belgrade’s bohemian quarter is at the eastern end of Dorcol. Skadarlija Street is an old cobbled street lined with historic taverns and bars. The area has been favored by artists, writers, and actors for ages. I usually go to the corner of Zetska y Cetinjska streets. The recently refurbished beer factory is packed with cool alternative bars.
Another area that appears to be the place to be now is north of Francuska Street. Dorćol Platz, with its stylish cafés and Belgrade’s coolest street art, attracts young artists and designers. The Museum of Science and Technology is here too.
The Best Hotels in Dorćol:
Hotel Mona Plaza
The most recent addition to Belgrade’s fancy accommodation offer, Hotel Mona Plaza, offers elegance and class. The tall tower is close enough to the center but off the touristy area. It’s the perfect place to stay if you like to mingle with the locals. Their spa and wellness center is fabulous.
Smokvica Dorćol B&B
To stay closer to the center, book a room at the Smokvica Dorćol Hotel. The meticulously refurbished neoclassical house has only has 5 rooms. The onsite restaurant is very popular amongst the locals. It’s set in a lovely garden with tall trees.
Savamala
Savamala is the neighborhood in the center next to the River Sava. Kalemegdan Fortress is to the north, Belgrade Waterfront to the south, and Terazije Square to the east. Branko bridge connecting both sides of the River Sava is here. The views from the bridge over the city and both rivers will take your breath away.
The neighborhood was pretty much neglected until the early 2000s when a group of artists opened galleries and bars south of the Brankov Bridge. Some of Belgrade’s best bars and clubs are still here. You guessed it: this is another great area to stay if you like to party.
Savamala has experienced a major makeover during the past few years. This is thanks to the new Belgrade Waterfront complex. The square in front of the former train station has been completely revamped. It’s all about showing off! However, I do not recommend staying in Belgrade Waterfront itself. The buildings are ugly, there are no parks, and the atmosphere is not that great.
The Best Hotels in Savamala:
Hotel Moskva
The best hotel in Savamala is the iconic Hotel Moskva. The 1908 art nouveau palace presides over Terazije square. If you are into historic buildings, this is your place. Opened in 1908, the Moskva is one of the oldest and most famous hotels in Serbia. It has hosted celebrities such as Robert De Niro, Alfred Hitchcock, and Frank Sinatra.
Jump INN Hotel Belgrade
You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to stay in style. The Jump INN Hotel Belgrade is great value for money. The four-star hotel is a refurbished neoclassical building in an unbeatable location. The tastefully decorated rooms are super comfortable. Their restaurant serves delicious Serbian food.
Kralja Milana and the Surrounding Area
When Knez Mihajlova Street stops being pedestrian, it’s called Kralja Milana Street. It’s a beautiful section of the city’s nicest street. Some of the grandest buildings are here, including the City Hall and the Presidential Palace. The street starts at Terazije square and ends in Slavija Square.
The country gained its independence from the Ottomans in the 1870s. Soon after, local authorities hired the best national and international architects to build the area around Kralja Milana. That’s why the neighborhood is so monumental and grand. In fact, most of the governmental buildings are here.
Stay here if you love architecture and art. Several museums and galleries are here. Visit the Historical Museum of Serbia, the Belgrade City Museum, and the Student Cultural Center. Likewise, spend some time in the city’s nicest parks: Pionirski, Manjež, and Finansijski.
The Best Hotels around Kralja Milana:
Hilton Belgrade
If you like top international hotel chains, I highly recommend the Hilton Belgrade. The contemporary building is on Kralja Milana Street. As you probably know, the brand offers first-class amenities and professional service. The full-size spa is fantastic. Even if you don’t stay here, have a drink at the rooftop terrace and enjoy epic views.
Hotel Argo
If you are looking for affordable accommodation right in the center, choose Hotel Argo. The hotel is a couple of blocks from the Hilton, on the same street. It has everything you need: a great location, nicely appointed rooms, and a friendly staff. Ask for a top-floor room to enjoy the views.
Palilula
Palilula is the largest municipality in Belgrade. Its main area is the neighborhood east of the main square (Republic Square), south of Boulevard Despota Stefana, and north of Boulevard Revolucije. It’s one of my favorite parts of the city.
Palilula is home to two of Belgrade’s best parks. Tašmajdan is the largest park in the city center and a local’s favorite. You have to pay a small fee to enter the Botanical Garden. Trust me: it is well worth a visit. It hosts numerous exotic plants, and there is even a Japanese garden.
All important sites are along the Boulevard Revolucije. The Serbian National Parliament is the first one you’ll notice coming from the center. The Main Post Office is right after. Finally, don’t miss the Saint Marko’s Church, a massive neo-byzantine temple next to Tašmajdan Park.
The Best Hotels in Palilula:
Metropol Palace
The Metropol Palace is my favorite hotel in the city. Though there are several 5 star hotels in the city, this one is in a league of its own. The former president of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, commissioned the hotel in the 1950s. The giant mosaic in the lobby is a piece of art. The spa is the best in the city.
Central Point Hotel Beograd
The Central Point Hotel is a step away from the National Parliament. This new hotel has quickly conquered its guests. The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated. There’s a garden, a spa, a bar, and a restaurant. What more could you possibly ask for?
Vračar
Vračar is a historic neighborhood southeast of Slavija Square. Stay here if you have more time to discover the city. In the past, most people lived here in big houses. But this has changed significantly in the past few decades.
Today, Vračar is a mix of old money and the nouveau riche. The neighborhood is a blend of cool hidden spots and new glitzy show-off places. Hence, it offers something for everybody. The neighborhood’s northern end is Boulevard Revolucije.
In all honesty, there aren’t that many attractions in the area. However, the few there are, are quite impressive. Saint Sava Temple is here. It’s the largest church in Serbia and one of the largest in the world. The museum dedicated to the renowned Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla is in the area too.
The Best Hotels in Vračar:
SAINT TEN Hotel
Set in a quiet street between Slavija Square and Saint Sava Temple, SAINT TEN Hotel is one of Belgrade’s most luxurious. Housed in a heritage building with a modern wing, it offers plush rooms, a sauna, and a fitness center. Each of its furniture pieces is unique and handmade.
Crystal Hotel
The Crystal Hotel is in an exclusive residential area south of the temple. The hotel is pure luxury and class. The complimentary buffet breakfast is delicious. Have a drink at the rooftop bar and enjoy direct views of Saint Sava Temple. The best rooms overlook the church.
Novi Beograd
Cross Brankov Bridge to discover a wonderful modern neighborhood. You will see a green park next to the river. The Museum of Contemporary Art is here. It’s a very cool modern building. Then you will spot a tall tower with a shopping mall. It’s called Ušće. That’s where Novi Beograd (New Belgrade) begins.
New Belgrade has some of the best brutalist architecture in the world. My favorite building is the Genex Tower. It’s a two-building tower joined by a circular top. Locals call it the Western City Gate. The massive Palace Serbia, the seat of the Serbian government, looks sleek and elegant.
You can spend hours walking about the giant superblocks. Unlike in other communist cities, the buildings in Novi Beograd are different to each other. Besides, the entire area is full of green parks and plazas. Don’t worry if you get hungry or thirsty. There are all types of eateries in every superblock. They serve delicious and inexpensive Balkan cuisine.
The Best Hotels in Novi Beograd:
Crowne Plaza Belgrade, an IHG Hotel
You can stay in an architectural gem from the second half of the 20th century. The Crowne Plaza Belgrade was built as part of the iconic Sava Center. The striking building is one of a kind. It offers comfortable rooms, an incredible lobby, and a super cool pool.
IN Hotel Beograd
Located between the Belgrade Arena and the New Belgrade train station, the IN Hotel Belgrade is a great choice if you are attending a concert, sports event, or taking a train to Novi Sad. It’s a modern hotel, with large comfortable rooms and great views.
Zemun
You have to visit Zemun to understand the history of my country. Belgrade was under the Ottoman Empire for centuries. Zemun under the Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian Empires. Even today, Zemun feels like a different city. In fact, due to its quaint atmosphere, it seems like a village.
Gorgeous buildings dot downtown Zemun. I am talking about a lot of big houses and a couple of taller buildings. Apart from a couple of historic churches, one site you should not miss is The Gardoš Tower. Recently refurbished, the area features trendy bars and cafes. Go in the afternoon to enjoy killer sunsets.
What I love the most about Zemun is the Danube River embankment. Some of the best fish restaurants and taverns in the city are here. Locals come here to walk, show off, have a drink, and enjoy magnificent views. You can also rent a bike! Besides, hotels in Zemun offer great value for money.
The Best Hotels in Zemun:
Garni Hotel Jugoslavija
The former Hotel Jugoslavija is one of my favorite buildings in Serbia. The hotel is from the 1950s. Unfortunately, NATO bombed it in 1999. It came back in 2013 as the Garni Hotel Jugoslavija. The hotel has the original decoration. Thus, some may consider it dated. However, that’s what I love about it! Book a room with views of the Danube.
Villa Akacija
Some of the most affordable accommodation options can be found in Zemun. Villa Akacija is one of them. This cute little house has three well-appointed suites just a step away from Zemun’s main street. The Danube River is 5 minutes away.
How Long to Stay in Belgrade
Whether you visit Belgrade in winter or summer, you’ll always find plenty of things to see and do. It’s a fairly big city with a fascinating culture. The city is one of the oldest in Europe. Empires fought over it for centuries. However, it is probably the most unique city in Europe.
Belgrade is not very touristic. Most people visit on their way to other places in the Balkans, like Greece or Turkey. That’s why the city feels very local, even during high season. In addition, the food and coffee are amongst the best in Europe. You can easily spend weeks in Belgrade and never get bored!
However, due to time constraints, you may be wondering how many days you need in Belgrade to cover the basics. I believe you should spend at least two nights in my city. You will have to rush, but you will see the main sights. If you have more time, hop on a train and visit Novi Sad.
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