Belgrade is a unique city that many people would not normally think to visit on a European trip. However, I found Belgrade to be one of my favorite stops on my Eastern Europe trip. It is an up-and-coming country that is very affordable to budget travelers, such as us traveling teachers. I recommend spending at least two days in Belgrade to see all of what the city has to offer.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Belgrade here.
Table of Contents
History of Belgrade
Serbia is a country that has been through a great number of struggles. It has seen two world wars as well as countless wars within its own country. Once part of Yugoslavia, Serbia has risen from its times of turmoil to become a country that is beautiful and kind to tourists.
The area around Belgrade was once established by nomadic foragers. It later shifted to various tribes and settlers. During the Middle Ages, Attila the Hun dominated the area, and it continued to be fought over by various Germanic Tribes. Throughout the years, the area constantly changed hands.
All About Belgrade
One of the things I liked about Belgrade was that it was not swamped with tourists. I found the locals to be super friendly and helpful. Most people we encountered spoke excellent English and menus were also available in English. Currently, Belgrade has a great amount of construction going on which causes traffic jams. The United Arab Emirates is building a massive complex by the riverfront and many of the buildings in Belgrade are getting restored. I would love to come back in 10 years to see how the city has changed.
When to Spend Two Days in Belgrade
Any time of the year is a great time to spend two days in Belgrade. Even in the summertime, I found the weather to be pleasant and in general way less crowded than other places in Europe.
How to Get To Belgrade
Originally, we were supposed to take the train from Budapest to Belgrade. However, due to construction in the city, there were currently no trains running in and out of Belgrade. Therefore, we ended up taking a FlixBus from Budapest to Belgrade. This bus costs the same price as the train would have, but it was a bit quicker.
You can also opt to fly in and out of Belgrade. The Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport has flights from all over Europe and a few international destinations.
Transportation In Belgrade
Many of the main sites are within walking distance of each other. To get to some of the further out sites, I found transportation to be a little difficult. The only way to get to places was to walk or take a taxi, but taxis were very affordable. I saw local buses and trams, but they seemed to go to the suburbs.
Where to Stay in Belgrade
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Belgrade hotels here!
We opted to stay right in the center of Belgrade at the Hotel Palace. This hotel has been around since 1923. It is located in an older building but has a charm to it. Something that is unique about this hotel is that many students work at this hotel. It is part of a program that trains them about working in the hotel industry. We found the staff to be very kind and helpful. They also will set up an airport car for you as well, which costs about $16 each way. Our room was very spacious, and the rate also included a delicious breakfast.
The following are some other hotel options.
- Hyatt Regency Belgrade
- Crowne Plaza Belgrade
- Holiday Inn Belgrade
- Belgrade City Hotel
- Hotel Indigo Belgrade
- Palace Hotel
Things to do in Belgrade, Serbia
Day 1
Arrival in Belgrade
Catch a morning bus out from Budapest or catch a flight in from another city. The journey will start early in the morning and will take about 4-5 hours. Make sure to pack lunch for the bus ride! Upon arrival in Belgrade, check into the hotel and spend time walking around the city center to get acquainted with the city and decide how you want to spend your two days in Belgrade. Along the Main Street in Belgrade, you will find lots of popcorn stalls! Make sure to try it at least once (the cheapest starts at 40 cents). You can even choose some different seasonings to put on top of your popcorn.
Spend the afternoon of your first of two days in Belgrade walking around seeing some of the sites of Belgrade. Walk past Republic Square which is the main square in the center of Belgrade. Around this area is the National Theater and National Museum. It was under construction when I was there but should be completed in the next couple of years.
The Old Palace and New Palace
Cost: Free
After stopping in Republic Square, head over to see the Old Palace (Stari Dvor). Completed in 1884, this palace was once the former residence of the Obrenovic Dynasty. Present-day, it hosts the City Assembly. Visitors can tour the Old Palace by signing up at one of the tourist stands in the city center. Next to the Old Palace is the New Palace (Novi Dvor). This palace, completed in 1922, was once the royal residence during Yugoslavian times. Now, it is the seat of the Serbian President. You will not want to miss these palaces during your two days in Belgrade.
Church of Saint Mark
Cost: Free
A little bit down the way from the Old and New Palaces, is the Church of Saint Mark. This Serbian Orthodox church is one of the largest Orthodox Churches in the country. It stands on the site of the original church which was built in 1835. This version was completed in 1940. Visitors can go inside to see the ornate interior.
Manufaktura
Cost: $$
Hours: 9am-12am
Grab dinner at Manufaktura, one of the best restaurants I ate at during two days in Belgrade. This cute restaurant is located in the city center and is close to the Hotel Palace. It serves a variety of Balkan food and drinks and is a great place to try some Serbian wine. They have a ton of cute red umbrellas hanging around outside, so you will not be able to miss it!
Day 2
Airbnb Photography Experience
Cost: Starts at $20
Hours: Varies by Experience
Start out the day with an Airbnb Experience. We opted to do a photoshoot at the Belgrade Fortress with a local photographer. It also included some information about the areas and a tour around the Belgrade Fortress. We had so much fun and the photographer, Nemanja, was very kind. This was my favorite thing I did during two days in Belgrade.
Lunch in Skadarlija
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by Restaurant
After the experience, head over to Skadarlija. This area is a street full of restaurants that are cutely decorated. Many offer traditional Serbian fare of a variety of meats and potatoes. I recommend trying a traditional Serbian dish called Cevapi, which contains grilled meals. I recommend grabbing lunch at Dva Jelena, which translates to the Two Deer. Established in 1832, Dva Jelena is located in Skadarlija. This restaurant serves a variety of Serbian food.
Temple of Saint Sava
The Temple of Saint Sava is a church dedicated to its founder, Saina Sava. Built in 1935, it is the largest Eastern Orthodox church in Serbia and is also one of the largest churches in the world! Make sure to visit the crypt for some amazing artwork.
Walter
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-12am, Sun: 11pm-12am
Grab dinner at Walter. This is another restaurant serving traditional Serbian food. They have a super cute outdoor area to eat in as well as an indoor section. I recommend getting the Kebabs or Cevai.
Belgrade Fortress
Cost: Free
Hours: Open 24 hours
After dinner, take a stroll through the Belgrade Fortress. Many locals end up here in the evening to watch the sunset. The Belgrade Fortress is located where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. It has been around since 279 BC and contains some ruins and a park to wander around. It is a great spot to take pictures, especially in the evening.
Day 3 in Belgrade
Nikola Tesla Museum
Cost: About $5
Hours: Tues-Sun: 10am-8pm, Closed Mondays
Before heading to your next destination, make sure to check out the Nikola Tesla Museum. This Science Museum showcases the life and accomplishments of Nikola Tesla. It contains many of his personal effects, instruments, and drawings. You can opt to tour the exhibits yourself or take a group tour.
Catch a late afternoon flight, bus, or train to your next destination after spending two days in Belgrade. We opted to head to Sofia, Bulgaria afterwards and came from Budapest prior to visiting Belgrade.
11 thoughts on “Fun Things to Do During Two Days in Belgrade, Serbia”
Amazing photos and lesson plan as always! Looks like it was a very successful trip 🙂
We had tons of fun! 🙂
Wow, that temple looks stunning!! Beautiful photos. I didn’t realize that there were no trains running out of Belgrade at all – that’s crazy to think about! Was the bus pretty crowded? I’ve been thinking about doing a trip though this region, so it’s good to know to look into all the transportation options and have a back up plan ready to go! I love booking photo sessions when traveling. I feel like it’s the best souvenir and a great way to get a local’s perspective on the places they love in their city!
Thank you! The bus going to Belgrade was pretty full! There were a few empty seats though. We booked the day before too!
A great intro post to visiting Belgrade. I admit it isn’t very high in my list but your pictures are inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed Belgrade so much. Add it to your list!
This town looks great! I love all of your pictures, especially the umbrellas. And the popcorn carts sounds like fun!
Thank you! The popcorn was so good!
Belgrade looks very interesting! Maybe next year I will pay a visit! Loved the pics!
Thank you! I definitely recommend visiting Belgrade.
Hi there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll definitely
digg it and personally recommend too my friends.
I am sure they’ll be benefited from this web site.