TL;DR — Belgrade is one of Europe's best-value city breaks — free public transport, world-famous nightlife on the splavovi, and 30-minute Soko trains to Novi Sad. Beyond the capital: Tara, Zlatibor, Kopaonik and a Danube island locals call "Koh Chang".
Why Belgrade should be your first stop
Sitting at the confluence of the Sava and Danube, Belgrade is raw, layered and alive day and night. You'll feel it in Skadarlija's cobblestones, the ancient walls of Kalemegdan, and the floating clubs pulsing along the river.
- Population: ~1.7 million
- Currency: Serbian Dinar (RSD)
- Public transport: 100% free for everyone
- Best time to visit: April–October
Top spots in Belgrade
- Kalemegdan Fortress — 2,000 years of history overlooking two rivers. Go at sunset.
- Skadarlija — bohemian cobblestone street of traditional kafanas and live music.
- Knez Mihajlova — the pedestrian spine of Belgrade's daily life.
- Ada Ciganlija — river-island beach where locals swim, cycle and BBQ all summer.
- Gardoš & Zemun — climb the tower for Danube views, then walk the pastel-coloured Zemunski Kej.
- Avala Mountain — 17 km south; on a clear day you can see the Pannonian Plain from the memorial tower.
The food is next level
Portions are huge, ingredients are local, prices are gentle. Order: pljeskavica (the Serbian burger), ćevapi with kaymak, karađorđeva šnicla, ajvar on fresh bread, sarma, and late-night burek.
Belgrade nightlife — world-famous for a reason
The night doesn't really start until midnight. The best splavovi (floating river clubs) run until well after sunrise. Add Savamala's clubs, live music in Skadarlija, rooftop bars, and traditional kafanas with folk singers — for a fraction of Berlin or Barcelona prices.
Day trip: Novi Sad in 30 minutes
Serbia's cultural capital sits under the huge Petrovaradin Fortress ("Gibraltar of the Danube") and hosts the EXIT festival every July. The Soko high-speed train gets you there from Belgrade in just 30 minutes.
Hidden gem: Serbia's "Koh Chang" on the Danube
Near Sremski Karlovci, a small Danube island offers white-sand beaches, calm turquoise water and a slow, soul-restoring vibe. Take the short boat across (~500 RSD), grab a swim, grill fish by the water, and stay until sunset.
Serbia's mountains are stunning and underrated
- Tara National Park — ancient forests, the Drina canyon, rafting and wildlife.
- Zlatibor — year-round plateau resort; ski in winter, hike and cycle in summer.
- Kopaonik — Serbia's biggest ski resort, 55+ km of slopes.
- Rtanj — the pyramid mountain shrouded in legend.
More of Serbia worth the detour
Roman-era Niš (see the Niš → Sofia route for a natural add-on), historic Kragujevac, Danube-side Srebrno Jezero, Art Nouveau Subotica, wild eastern Bor, the Stara Planina border ridge, and quiet Rudnik/Zlatar highlands.
Get around Serbia with one app
Search buses and trains on Bookaway — in English, secure payment, instant e-ticket. Popular first bookings: Belgrade → Novi Sad, Belgrade → Zlatibor, Belgrade → Niš, Belgrade → Kopaonik.