Belgrade

Outspoken, adventurous, proud and audacious: Belgrade ('White City') is by no means a 'pretty' capital, but its gritty exuberance makes it one of Europe's most happening cities. While it hurtles towards a brighter future, its chaotic past unfolds before your eyes: socialist blocks are squeezed between art nouveau masterpieces, and remnants of the Habsburg legacy contrast with Ottoman relics and socialist modernist monoliths. This is where the Sava and Danube Rivers kiss, an old-world culture that at once evokes time-capsuled communist-era Yugoslavia and new-world, EU-contending cradle of cool.

Grandiose coffee houses and smoky dives pepper Knez Mihailova, a lively pedestrian boulevard flanked by historical buildings all the way to the ancient Belgrade Fortress. The riverside Savamala quarter has gone from ruin to resurrection, and is the city's creative headquarters (for now). Deeper in Belgrade's bowels are museums guarding the cultural, religious and military heritage of the country.

Explore Belgrade

Belgrade Fortress
Some 115 battles have been fought over imposing, impressive Belgrade Fortress (aka Kalemegdan); the citadel was destroyed more than 40 times throughout…
Museum of Yugoslavia
This must-visit museum houses an invaluable collection of more than 200,000 artefacts representing the fascinating, tumultuous history of Yugoslavia…
Mt Avala
Looming over Belgrade and topped with the tallest tower in the Balkans (204.5m), Mt Avala is a city landmark that makes for a pleasant break from the…
Museum of Contemporary Art
One of Belgrade's top cultural sights, this recently renovated museum is a treasure trove of 20th-century art from the ex-Yugoslav cultural space. The…
Marshal Tito's Mausoleum
A visit to Tito's mausoleum is obligatory. The big man rests in an aptly gigantic tomb in peaceful surrounds. Also on display are thousands of elaborate…
National Museum
Lack of funding for renovations kept Serbia's National Museum mostly shuttered for 15 years, but its much ballyhooed 2018 reopening has been a great…
Nikola Tesla Museum
Meet the man on the 100RSD note at one of Belgrade's best museums, where you can release your inner nerd with some wondrously sci-fi-ish interactive…
Zepter Museum
This impressive collection of works by contemporary Serbian artists became Serbia’s first private museum in 2010, but remains somewhat hidden even though…
Ružica Church
The ivy-swathed Ružica Church looks innocuous from the outside; inside, you'll find chandeliers made by WWI Serbian soldiers from spent bullet casings,…

Belgrade Fortress
Some 115 battles have been fought over imposing, impressive Belgrade Fortress (aka Kalemegdan); the citadel was destroyed more than 40 times throughout…
Museum of Yugoslavia
This must-visit museum houses an invaluable collection of more than 200,000 artefacts representing the fascinating, tumultuous history of Yugoslavia…
Mt Avala
Looming over Belgrade and topped with the tallest tower in the Balkans (204.5m), Mt Avala is a city landmark that makes for a pleasant break from the…
Museum of Contemporary Art
One of Belgrade's top cultural sights, this recently renovated museum is a treasure trove of 20th-century art from the ex-Yugoslav cultural space. The…
Marshal Tito's Mausoleum
A visit to Tito's mausoleum is obligatory. The big man rests in an aptly gigantic tomb in peaceful surrounds. Also on display are thousands of elaborate…
National Museum
Lack of funding for renovations kept Serbia's National Museum mostly shuttered for 15 years, but its much ballyhooed 2018 reopening has been a great…
Nikola Tesla Museum
Meet the man on the 100RSD note at one of Belgrade's best museums, where you can release your inner nerd with some wondrously sci-fi-ish interactive…
Zepter Museum
This impressive collection of works by contemporary Serbian artists became Serbia’s first private museum in 2010, but remains somewhat hidden even though…
Ružica Church
The ivy-swathed Ružica Church looks innocuous from the outside; inside, you'll find chandeliers made by WWI Serbian soldiers from spent bullet casings,…

Latest Stories from Belgrade

History Here's what you can expect on a Lonely Planet Experiences tour of the Balkans
Jan 20, 2020 • 5 min read
The Balkans contain some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and a daunting history of conflict. Get to know the true nature of this incredible region…
Architecture Socialist-era monuments: exploring Belgrade’s stunning Spomeniks
Sep 30, 2019 • 5 min read
There are many fascinating Spomeniks - Yugoslav socialist-era monuments - in and around Belgrade. Here's our guide to visiting these works of art.
Food Exploring Zemun, Belgrade’s most atmospheric quarter
Apr 26, 2019 • 4 min read
No visit to Belgrade is complete without at least half a day spent in Zemun. This picturesque neighbourhood on the Danube’s right bank was formerly a…
Health & Wellness Belgrade for sports fans: where to watch and play
Apr 6, 2019 • 5 min read
Sport has been a major part of Belgraders’ identity ever since Yugoslavia came fourth at the inaugural football World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. Indeed, when…
Art Shops with soul: the traditional artisans of Belgrade
Feb 22, 2019 • 4 min read
Although increasingly pushed out of work by mass-produced domestic and foreign goods, a number of Belgrade’s traditional artisans are persevering in…
Food The ultimate Belgrade kafana guide
Jan 25, 2019 • 4 min read
When the Ottomans conquered Belgrade in 1521, they brought coffee to the city and established its first kafana – a traditional tavern or coffee house…
Festivals & Events Balkan art and beyond: Belgrade’s cultural reawakening
Oct 19, 2018 • 6 min read
When visitors speak of Belgrade, they often think of its famous nightlife scene. But the Serbian capital has a culturally engaged population, a rich…
History You can now step on board Communist leader Tito’s famous Blue Train in Belgrade
Jan 24, 2018 • 2 min read
From Queen Elizabeth II to Playboy magazine, no one could resist Tito’s famous Blue Train that nowadays can be visited in Belgrade, or even rented for a…
Food Exploring Serbia: day trips from Belgrade
Jan 5, 2018 • 6 min read
So you did your sightseeing, dining and partying in Belgrade. What next? Consider taking a day trip from the Serbian capital to hike the nearby gentle…
Food Belgrade boroughs: a tour of the top neighbourhoods
Sep 16, 2017 • 6 min read
Divide and conquer, they say. A metropolis of Belgrade’s size is best conquered by exploring its distinct, vivid neighbourhoods. Spread out on both banks…
Food How to live like a Local in Belgrade
Jul 21, 2017 • 4 min read
Lonely Planet Local Nevena Paunovic was born and raised in Belgrade’s green, hilly neighbourhood of Banovo Brdo. After plenty of travelling abroad, today…
Art Museum-hopping in Belgrade: where to get your culture fix
Jan 16, 2017 • 5 min read
Known for its thrilling nightlife and great culinary tradition, Belgrade is often overlooked by travellers with a passion for culture and arts. However,…
Food Best places for vegetarians in Belgrade
Jan 11, 2017 • 4 min read
It used to be quite a challenge for vegetarians to survive in Belgrade. Serbian national cuisine is mostly based on heavy meat dishes, so one had to rely…
Food Ten of Belgrade’s best hidden hangouts
Aug 9, 2016 • 4 min read
Belgrade is quietly becoming rather well known as a slightly quirky destination whose appeal is evident but tricky to pinpoint precisely. It shouldn’t…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Belgrade.

See
Belgrade Fortress
Some 115 battles have been fought over imposing, impressive Belgrade Fortress (aka Kalemegdan); the citadel was destroyed more than 40 times throughout…
See
Museum of Yugoslavia
This must-visit museum houses an invaluable collection of more than 200,000 artefacts representing the fascinating, tumultuous history of Yugoslavia…
See
Mt Avala
Looming over Belgrade and topped with the tallest tower in the Balkans (204.5m), Mt Avala is a city landmark that makes for a pleasant break from the…
See
Museum of Contemporary Art
One of Belgrade's top cultural sights, this recently renovated museum is a treasure trove of 20th-century art from the ex-Yugoslav cultural space. The…
See
Marshal Tito's Mausoleum
A visit to Tito's mausoleum is obligatory. The big man rests in an aptly gigantic tomb in peaceful surrounds. Also on display are thousands of elaborate…
See
National Museum
Lack of funding for renovations kept Serbia's National Museum mostly shuttered for 15 years, but its much ballyhooed 2018 reopening has been a great…
See
Nikola Tesla Museum
Meet the man on the 100RSD note at one of Belgrade's best museums, where you can release your inner nerd with some wondrously sci-fi-ish interactive…
See
Zepter Museum
This impressive collection of works by contemporary Serbian artists became Serbia’s first private museum in 2010, but remains somewhat hidden even though…
See
Ružica Church
The ivy-swathed Ružica Church looks innocuous from the outside; inside, you'll find chandeliers made by WWI Serbian soldiers from spent bullet casings,…

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Belgrade with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.