Where to Stay in Belgrade – Best areas and hotels

Discover the best areas to stay in Belgrade, from the historic charm of Stari Grad to the vibrant nightlife of Savamala. Find your perfect spot for an unforgettable visit to Serbia's capital.
Where to Stay in Belgrade

Thousands of cafés, bars, and clubs, hundreds of monuments, dozens of lush parks, and beautiful sunny days year-round make capital of Serbia a fantastic destination any time of the year. Belgrade is a delightful city with a relaxed pace and a human-friendly scale.

Despite enduring numerous wars and bombings due to its strategic location at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, there’s nothing today that hints at its turbulent past.

Belgrade, the former capital of Yugoslavia until its dissolution in 2006, stands as one of the key cities in southeastern Europe. It’s a peaceful and safe city with diverse neighborhoods that mirror its rich history.

Planning a trip to Serbia’s largest city? This guide offers insights into the best areas to stay in Belgrade, tailored to the type of vacation you prefer.

👉 Discover what to see in Belgrade in 3 days for an unforgettable trip to the Serbian capital.

1. Skadarlija, best area to stay in Belgrade for first time

Skadarska street
Skadarska street / photo: wikipedia

The most picturesque part of Stari Grad (Old Town) is undoubtedly the Skadarlija district, often likened to Paris’s Montmartre. Once the gathering spot for Belgrade’s intellectuals in the 20th century, this area brims with lively taverns playing traditional Serbian music, drawing both tourists and locals.

Skadarlija centers around Skadarska Street and includes the nearby Zetska and Cetinjska streets. Its history began in 1830 with the settlement of the Romani people.

Staying here puts you in the heart of the old town, just a stone’s throw from the city’s main attractions. You’re steps away from the iconic Republic Square (Trg Republike), where the equestrian statue of Prince Mihailo Obrenović stands in front of the National Museum, and Knez Mihailova, the country’s premier shopping street.

Low houses, cobblestone streets, art galleries, and statues, like the one dedicated to singer Toma Zdravković, immerse you in the bohemian vibe of the past century. Among Skadarlija’s taverns, you’ll find the famous Tri šešira, established in 1864, the oldest “kafana” still operating in the area.

If you don’t mind the lively music and bustling evenings, Skadarlija offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels and apartments to more affordable hostels.

Best Hotels in Skadarlija

2. Dorćol, a cool area to stay in Belgrade

Dorćol

My favorite neighborhood in Stari Grad stretches from Skadarlija to Kalemegdan Park and from Knez Mihailova to the banks of the Danube. Its name, derived from Turkish, means “crossroads of four streets.”

Dorćol is one of the oldest parts of the city, echoing the Turkish era while being the trendiest area in Belgrade. It’s packed with cafés, bars, restaurants, and stylish shops.

The neighborhood is split into Upper Dorćol (Gornji Dorćol), with its wide avenues and tree-lined streets, and Lower Dorćol (Donji Dorćol), which runs from Cara Dušana Boulevard to the Danube. Here, you’ll find low-rise houses and an old industrial area with warehouses transformed into interesting spots like Dorćol Platz cultural center.

In Dorćol, you can explore Turkish monuments such as the Bajrakli Mosque and the Türbe of Sheikh Mustafa, Belgrade’s oldest private house on Dušanova 10, Student Park, and the expansive Kalemegdan Park.

Dorćol made it to Time Out’s list of the “50 coolest neighborhoods” thanks to the vibrant nightlife along Strahinjića Bana Street and its surrounding lanes, where the fun often continues until dawn.

Best Hotels in Dorćol

3. Terazije, best area to stay in Belgrade for shopping

Terazije

It’s a square, an avenue, and a central neighborhood in the Stari Grad where locals frequently gather. This area is perfect for shopping enthusiasts, as it leads into Knez Mihailova, the famous commercial street lined with a mix of international and local stores.

Terazije is home to two of the city’s iconic buildings: the Albania Palace and the Hotel Moskva. The Albania Palace, dating back to 1940, was the first “skyscraper” in southeastern Europe and remains one of the tallest structures in the city’s historic center.

The Hotel Moskva, once known as the “Russian Palace,” was the most luxurious private residence in Serbia’s capital. During the communist era, it became a hub for intellectuals. Today, with its 132 rooms and 6 suites, the hotel is a popular spot for both tourists and locals.

Check out the café-pastry shop at Hotel Moskva and other unique bars where you can enjoy a coffee in Belgrade.

Southeast of the square begins Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra, where you’ll find the Serbian Parliament and City Hall. Additionally, just a 5-minute walk from the square, there’s the open city market and the Zeleni Venac bus station.

Terazije is also famous for its 260-meter tunnel, inaugurated by Tito in 1970, which runs beneath the square, connecting downtown Belgrade with the other side of the Sava River, leading to the neighborhoods of Novi Beograd and Zemun.

Best Hotels in Terazije

4. Zemun, a romantic area to stay in Belgrade for couples

Zemun

Once a separate city until 1934, Zemun still feels like a town within Belgrade. This old city, spread around Gardos Hill, is one of the oldest parts of the capital and the entire Danube region.

Despite being a bit away from the center, it’s easily accessible by several buses from Zeleni Venac station. Zemun is a charming area with cobblestone alleys, low houses with tiled roofs from the Austro-Hungarian period, and breathtaking views of the Danube River and Veliko Ratno Island.

One of the highlights is the iconic Gardos Tower, dating back to 1896, which offers stunning panoramas. Zemun also boasts numerous squares and churches, like the Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas.

The heart of Zemun and a popular gathering spot is Zemun Square, where you’ll find various shops, cafés, and restaurants. Nearby, you can also explore smaller squares like Magistratski, Branka Radičevića, Karađorđev, and Masarikov, home to a bustling open-air produce market during the day.

One of the most distinctive areas is the Zemunski Kej promenade along the Danube River. Here, you’ll find bars, restaurants, an amusement park, and many people fishing or strolling peacefully. In the summer, this area hosts several events such as the International Salon of Caricature, the International Festival of Monodrama and Pantomime, and Tesla Day.

Best Hotels in Zemun

5. Vračar, where to stay in Belgrade for families on a budget

Saint Sava
Saint Sava

In the southeastern part of Belgrade lies Vračar, a small municipality with roots dating back to the 16th century. In the latter half of the 19th century, Vračar was mostly marshlands where locals spent weekends hunting ducks.

Today, Vračar’s most iconic landmark is undoubtedly the Temple of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, and the largest in Serbia and the Balkans. Inside its still unfinished crypts lies a church dedicated to Tsar Lazar.

On the same plateau, you’ll find the National Library, a small church of Saint Sava, and the monument to Karadjordje. Karadjordje Park features Belgrade’s first memorial, honoring the Serbian heroes who lost their lives in 1806.

Beyond its many monuments, the kafane (taverns) and cafés are perhaps the best representation of Vračar’s spirit. The area is also home to the Kalenić Market, one of the city’s oldest open-air markets, and Gradić Pejton, a craft center with numerous small shops where traditional trades are still practiced.

Best Hotels in Vračar

6. Savamala, where to stay in Belgrade for nightlife

Savamala, Belgrade

Located south of the Kalemegdan fortress along the right bank of the Sava River, the Savamala district is one of the best spots in Belgrade for diving into the city’s nightlife.

Near Karadjordjeva Street and Beton Hala, as well as the floating clubs along the Sava River, you can enjoy a wide variety of music genres, from rock to folk, national pop to techno.

Rated as one of the top ten most inspiring places in the world by The Guardian, Savamala gained international attention thanks to its cultural revival in the 2010s. Art enthusiasts transformed the area into Belgrade’s new creative hub during this period.

Originally dotted with mills in the 17th century, Savamala endured heavy bombings during both World Wars due to its proximity to the Belgrade Fortress.

Today, its western part has been rebuilt and has become a vibrant cultural and entertainment center, especially popular with young tourists and locals.

Best Hotels in Savamala

7. Waterfront, a renewal area to stay in Belgrade

Waterfront, Belgrade

The eastern part of historic Savamala has been completely transformed due to the Belgrade Waterfront project, an urban renewal initiative aimed at revitalizing the neglected riverside area between Belgrade Fair and Branko’s Bridge.

Launched in 2014 by the Serbian government in partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Eagle Hills, the project includes the construction of 10,000 residential units, bilingual elementary schools and kindergartens, luxury hotels, and Galerija, the largest shopping mall in Southeast Europe.

The project has faced massive criticism from citizens due to alleged corruption and the perceived lack of tangible benefits for the community.

Currently under construction, the Belgrade Waterfront, or “Belgrade on Water” as it’s known, already features a renewed promenade. Here, you can stroll along the waterfront, enjoy playgrounds, a beach volleyball court, and more.

You can also visit Sava Square in front of the old railway station to see the impressive 23-meter-high monument dedicated to Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the Serbian state.

If you don’t mind living in an area with a vibe reminiscent of Dubai or other international cities, the Waterfront offers a variety of accommodations, particularly luxury hotels and apartments.

Best Hotels in Waterfront

8. Novi Beograd, the central business district of Belgrade

Novi Beograd

The most densely populated municipality in the country lies on the left bank of the Sava River. Novi Beograd is renowned for its skyscrapers and modern buildings, as well as its expansive riverside promenade, offering spectacular views of Belgrade’s old town.

Often described as a “giant dormitory,” Novi Beograd features wide streets, vast open spaces, and residential blocks that reflect the communist-era aesthetic of former Yugoslavia.

Built in the 1940s and 1950s to meet the city’s growing housing needs, the neighborhood also hosts significant cultural and sports institutions, including the Sava Center, the largest congress and fair complex in the country, and Belgrade Arena, a major sports and events venue.

Along the Danube riverfront, at the edge of Peace Park, you’ll find walkways and bike paths leading to Zemun. Novi Beograd is well-connected to other parts of Belgrade and offers a wide range of accommodation options.

Best Hotels in Novi Beograd

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